Tata ACE ZIP BS-IV

Mar 3, 2020: The Tata Ace Zip has been designed to offer last-mile connectivity, small scale transport for intercity fleet owners. The truck comes with a maximum GVW of 1305kg along with a kerb weight of 705kg to ensure increased load output at 600kg. To ensure easy drive through difficult road conditions, the wheelbase offers a ground clearance of 140mm. 

While being a sole truck in its offering, the truck receives a healthy competition from the Mahindra Jeeto. Additionally, the vehicle is available in a total of five colour options namely Orange, Red, Gray, Yellow, and Blue. 

Powering the Ace Zip is a 611cc single-cylinder BSIV complaint naturally aspirated water-cooled diesel engine, producing a power output of 12hp alongside a peak torque of 35Nm. The transmission of the vehicle is handled by Tata TA-59 Synchromesh four-speed manual gearbox mated to a single plate dry clutch. 

Overview

Commercial vehicles from Tata Motors are omnipresent in all parts of the country. Tata, India's number one commercial vehicle brand, offers trucks and other commercial vehicles in almost all the segments. Light, medium, heavy or small, whatever commercial vehicle segment Tata Motors has ventured into, it has always left a positive note on the same.

Tata Ace Zip, one among the smallest pickup trucks offered by the CV brand, does not fail to impress. However, the vehicle comes with its own share of pitfalls.

Powered by a 611 cc, single-cylinder engine, Tata Ace Zip is capable of transporting a maximum payload of 600 Kgs. A small turning radius of 3500 mm makes Tata Ace Zip one of the most selling mini trucks in its segment.

Specs

Engine - 611cc, single-cylinder, naturally aspirated, water-cooled

Power - 11.3 bhp @ 3000 rpm

GVW and Payload - 1285 kg and 600 kg

Mileage - 33 kmpl

Engine and Performance

Tata Ace Zip is powered by a 611cc, single-cylinder, naturally aspirated, water-cooled engine. This engine is capable of producing 11.3 bhp of maximum power @ 3000 rpm and 31.6 Nm of maximum torque @ 1600-1800 rpm.

The engine, in terms of power, generates power and torque, convenient enough to easily transport the maximum payload of 600 Kgs. Though the unit does feel underpowered during initial acceleration, it still manages to keep up in higher gears. We faced a lot of difficulty testing the Ace Zip on red lights, otherwise, the mini-truck completed the job it’s built for in a sufficing manner.

Vehicle Built and Load Capacity

Ace Zip comes with an all-steel body, which simply means that Tata has built the product to last. Given the fact that it’s a mini-truck, Ace does feel special with a nicely finished body. The paint job on the truck looks elegantly done and carries the truck maker’s intentions of providing the truck body, with an additional protective layer, against the sun and rain.

Tata Ace Zip offers a maximum payload capacity of 600 kg. Such payload for a mini truck powered by a 611cc engine can result in higher profits through increased mileage figures. The GVW of the truck stands at 1285 kg making it an ideal contender for inter-city transportation business needs. The loading area of 1685mm X 1480mm X 400mm (LengthXWidthXHeight) can easily be used to transport vegetables, fruits, couriers and other such materials.

Handling and Suspension

Tata Ace Zip is equipped with a mechanical rack and pinion steering. And honestly, this is one more area where, we feel, Ace Zip lacks. The steering tends to look underpowered at high loads. Driving Ace Zip in the city during traffic hours can really get tough. Tata Motors should consider power steering options for Ace Zip.

MacPherson Strut suspension at the front end, and coil spring with semi-trailing arm along with hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers at the rear end, failed to impress us. We understand this a mini cargo truck meant to transport goods from one place to another. The suspension, still, could have been a lot better.

Braking and Safety

There are no disc brakes available with Ace Zip. It simply means that the responsibility of braking effectively is laid on the shoulders of hydraulic brakes, incorporated at both the ends. As it's just a 611cc engine powered mini-truck, the hydraulic brakes carry the task of braking effectively. However, we are not too sure about Ace Zip's braking ability in emergency braking situations.

It is difficult to outline the safety features endowed in Ace Zip, as apart from standard seat belts and an all steel body, we couldn't figure out anything else to talk about.

Design and Comfort

Tata Ace Zip's design is one thing that the CV brand has completely aced. It is available in exciting colour options, which make the truck look modern and cool. Overall vehicle design is also something to look up to. It does not look cheap, carries that modern India look, while graphics feel special as well.

The truck however fairs average in terms of comfort. Standard seats and not so good suspension lead to an overall uncomfortable ride.