Tata T.16 Ultra SL

August 23, 2021: In the volume-driven, highly popular intermediate cargo carrier segment, the top-end 16T gross weight category has emerged as most vital for transporters and fleet operators. There are several key brands that you can look at, among them is Tata Motors Ultra range of ICVs.

The T.16 Ultra SL is Tata Motors 16T cargo truck that comes with the premium, stylish and safer Ultra cabin along with all other key performance characteristics. This modern 6-tyre cargo truck is available at the price of ₹ 23.95 - ₹ 25.05 lakh. (ex-showroom). Tata Motors is offering this ICV truck with a sleeper berth for those customers who want to use the truck on long-haul cargo shipment requirements with multiple cargo bodies options to choose from. If you want a regular cabin Ultra in the same category, then take a look at T.16 Ultra.

 Tata T.16 Ultra SL Engine: T.16 Ultra comes with a reasonably higher specification powertrain comprising Tata Motors new generation 5L, BS6 engine with 180hp of power, and churning out a massive 590 Nm of torque. For a smoother driving experience, it is tuned to Tata's G750, a manual 6-speed gearbox. 

Tata T.16 Ultra SL Suspensions & Brakes: The T.16 Ultra is fitted with a parabolic leaf spring, hydraulic double-acting shock absorbers at the front suspension. The rear is a semi-elliptical leaf spring with hydraulic double-acting shock absorbers. The service brake comes as full S-cam air Brakes, with ABS while the parking brake is valve controlled spring brake chamber integral with a rear brake.

Tata T.16 Ultra SL Cabin: Like the rest of Ultra platform trucks, T.16 SL also comes with a new modern cabin with a wider sleeper berth. The cabin interior is appealing, roomy with a lot of space for storage. The cabin is extremely comfortable for longer trips and offers an overall superior in-cabin experience. For easier driving experience the steering system comes in tilt & telescopic type with standard power steering. 

Tata T.16 Ultra SL Dimensions: The maximum gradeability in 1st gear is 24.90% and ground clearance of 228 mm. This long-haul truck is available in three wheelbases 4920 mm, 5300 mm, and 5560 mm in cabin and body and high side deck options. 

Tata T.16 Ultra SL Fuel Tank & Tyre: This ICV comes with two fuel tanks options in 160L and 250L. You can select anyone as per the use of the truck. The front & rear tyres are 275/80R22.5, 16PR size in all-steel radial with a tube.

Tata T.16 Ultra SL Rivals: The T.16 takes on rivals such as Ashok Leyland Ecomet 1615 HE, BharatBenz 1617R, Mahindra Furio 16  & Eicher Pro 3015.

Overview

Tata Motors T.16 Ultra SL is a 6-tyre, 16T gross vehicle truck that caters to the top-end of the highly popular intermediate commercial vehicle segment. This truck is an identical twin of the T.16 Ultra which comes with a day cabin, while in the SL variant you get a sleeper cabin. Besides this key cabin difference, both the trucks are almost similar on almost all the parameters. The Ultra truck clearly stands out in terms of design, overall appearance, performance and features. The new truck basically takes the company’s offering to the next level. The market leader has tested and validated Ultra trucks extensively on Indian road conditions and duty-cycles, combining modern design, new technologies, and superior performance.

The T.16 Ultra SL takes on aggressive rivals in this segment with its distinct features and robust powertrain with key performance characteristics. Tata Motors is offering key advantages to the truck buyers to help in running an efficient fleet with overall superior performance, lower total cost-of-ownership, comfortable and convenient truck, multiple choices, connectivity, and peaceful ownership experience to boost the fleet. Let's get into a little detail of this ICV. 

Exterior

The first look at the T.16 Ultra SL gives the feel of a premium truck. What attracts attention is the world-class Ultra-narrow cabin designed with modern styling and aerodynamically makes the truck quite distinctive and premium. The cabin is among the first in the segment with full crash-tested for driver safety and made in all-steel. The walkthrough cabin has a wider door opening angles for ease in and out of the truck. Tata Motors ensures the cabin is liked by the drivers and the owners alike. 

The truck's front appeal comes from the clear lens headlamps and tail lamp that appear well integrated with the body frame with LED lamps. What you also see from the exterior is the 9R2016 PR - all-steel radial tubeless tyres that have a wider tread surface, less rolling resistance aimed at better fuel mileage, effortless easier steerability & greater driving comfort. Importantly, the tyres offer longer life & better tyre mileage reducing your cost significantly. Taking into account this is a 16T truck that goes from intercity trips, the fuel tank size is 160L capacity of diesel and the DEF tank with 25L capacities. 

Interior

The T.16 Ultra is packed with features inside the cabin with upmarket material and modern design in terms of features, the steering of this truck is integrated with hydraulic power steering for greater stability during high speed. The tilt & telescopic mechanism is adjustable to help the driver with his height. Also, the four-spoke soft-touch steering wheel is quite soft that offers superior driving comfort & low steering effort.

Taking care of the driver well so that he can run the truck to its maximum potential without feeling tired or fatigue easily, the seating that comes with Melba fabric for seats for better comfort both in summer and winter. The cabin hosts a driver and two co-passenger quite comfortably with a bucket seat for the driver, bench seating for the co-passenger. The driver seat comes with height adjustable features and an integrated headrest and armrest in the centre, this ensures the driver feels less fatigue and stays productive. 

Also, new instrument clusters offer a lot of help to the driver which has key driver information like average fuel economy indicator, distance to empty, digital service reminder, digital air & oil pressure gauges, digital DEF gauge and battery voltage indicator. 

The truck performance further bolstered tools and technologies like gear shift advisor, over-speed alert, driver message screen for any malfunction and power take-off sign. For driver’s entertainment, a factory-fitted music system with Blaupunkt speakers and white illumination facia and ignition switches help the driver in the night. Besides this, there are new diagnostics & driver prompt features including DPF regeneration indicator, SCR system fault indicator, high exhaust system, temperature indicator, air filter clogged indicator, and low DEF indicator. Clearly, Tata Motors has made the T.16 cabin quite premium that is packed with features that set this truck apart from rivals. 

Performance

This ICV gets the proven 4SPCR BS6 engine that is now further refined to offer better mileage and reliability. The comes with enhanced for better drivability that is tuned with improved low-end torque and flat torque, which is 590 Nm at peak this an increase of 20 per cent for more pulling power. The engine is tuned to a G750, 6-speed, manual synchromesh gearbox.

The aggregates consist of a front suspension which is a parabolic leaf for smooth and comfort at variable loads, at the rear is a semi-elliptical leaf spring with an auxiliary spring for easily carrying heavy loads. Air brakes with a separate vacuum pump, with improved & safer stopping ability. The brakes are maintenance-free with high braking efficiency, reliability & safety. The banjo types rear axle for more load-carrying capacity with lesser prone to leakage. The e-viscous fan cools the engine temperature and improves its performance leads to better fuel efficiency and lesser fuel cost.

The truck gets highly high strength steel in 800 grade with a high tensile strength chassis. The company says this chassis is the strongest in its class with bolted design for increased modularity.

Safety

Tata Motors ensures you a truck that takes care of the valuable cargo and driver. Thus, the T.16 Ultra SL comes with an all-steel cabin that is strong which is also crash-tested with global standard. The air brakes with a separate vacuum pump for improved & safer stopping ability. The higher braking makes the truck efficient, reliable & safer. Also, the guided and safe reversing of vehicles help in the prevention of damage and loss of productivity. The truck comes with white illumination facia and ignition switches for driver guidance at night, similarly, there are several in-built safety elements in the truck.

Verdict 

So, if you want an ICV that could also go for intercity trips or even some of the long-haul shipments, then the T.16 Ultra SL variant would be highly suitable. In the overall performance areas, the Ultra range of trucks is best in the segment with a proven track record that should help you run an efficient fleet. Like the rest of the Ultra family of trucks, this 16T cargo truck certainly is among the best in its category that you shouldn’t be missing out on.