TATA Motors Ace Truck-Signs of the future?

Steeroid · 23rd May 2005, 18:34

Hi Guys

Dont know if many of you noticed the new 4 wheeled mini-truck launched by Tata recently. Its kind of like the Minidor / Piaggio Ape, except that it has four wheels and is therefore more stable.

Of particular interest is its 2 cylinder diesel engine, which is supposedly an Indica engine cut into two. Despite the tiny engine, I could see a few of them zipping along the narrow streets of Cochin at a fair clip.

Could this be one of the engines that Tata could consider for his Rs.1 Lakh car? It does sound very busy, though - not sure how it could find application in a car.

In related news I believe Bajaj Auto as well as Piaggio are considering similar 'quadricycles', essentially 4-wheeling their current 3 wheelers...I hope this is true, as it would lead to safer roads without the three-wheelers who currently do 360 degree turns in the blink of an eye.

Incidentally the Tata Ace seems to have a fairly decent payload as well - I saw it carry stuff that could probably fill up the loading bay of a Mahindra Maxx.

DueLLeR · 23rd May 2005, 19:17

Yeah, Steeroid.

I was in Pune on Saturday / Sunday and happened to see one of those little thingies zipping on NH4. This particular vehicle had only a temporary registration sticker. Probably TATA was doing road tests before they finally put it up for sale. Though I overtook it quiet comfortably, I was surprised at its performance considering the fact that it has only a two-cylinder DI engine. It is surprisingly low for a truck and looks quiet cute, actually!

islero · 23rd May 2005, 20:28

I saw one of these today myself, a white example pootling around the inner city. Tata would do well to launch a CNG version as soon as possible to keep the environment clean too.

normally_crazy · 24th May 2005, 00:08

Read about the "truck" - nd read about the rumour that tata would use the chassis for developing the 1 lac car ! how far this is true time will tell....but the trucks can carry some mean load and looks tolerable too.

Stratos · 24th May 2005, 08:17

Saw this truck the other day and I must say that I liked the concept of putting another wheel on a vehicle similar to a Rickshaw for better balance and to some extent little more load carrying capacity. By putting the 2 Cylinder engine cut from the Indicas powerplant, Tata can save quite a bit on the cost and it definatly will affect the showroom price too. These trucks were gonna be named as "CUB" right??

Steeroid · 24th May 2005, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by DueLLeR

Probably TATA was doing road tests before they finally put it up for sale.

Its officially on sale in Kerala since the beginning of May.

Steeroid · 24th May 2005, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stratos

These trucks were gonna be named as "CUB" right??

They're sold as TATA ACE (hence the title)

sivadas · 24th May 2005, 13:36

Looks really good.

rkg · 14th October 2005, 14:17

As per last weeks Bussiness Standard TATA ACE outsold all others by miles in that category

ajmat · 14th October 2005, 14:33

I think they are pretty cool - decent driver comfort and the ones on the road are driven in a civilized fashion - no brute Tempo power but enough to "make progress". Three wheelers have terrible diesel engines and struggle all the time in my opinion

Rtech · 14th October 2005, 14:33

That engine is way too noisy. Like those Diesel 3 wheeler engines that make a friggin racket (but don't really go anywhere quick). As these are mainly for use within city limits, I feel they should be made to meet the same noise levels as set for pasenger vehicles.

On the plus side though is the cabin and extra safety and payload that comes with the extra wheel.

sandeepmdas · 14th October 2005, 15:24

By launching the ACE, Tatas are hoping to imitate the success of a Chinese vehicle -I forgot its name- of similar size and payload. The vehicle is a big hit - 2 million sold!- in China and is being considered as one of the factors that changed the face of China.

RX135 · 14th October 2005, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtech

Like those Diesel 3 wheeler engines that make a friggin racket (but don't really go anywhere quick)

*ROTFLMAO*

Very true, Rtech. But, I have started noticing lot of them on roads of Pune.

Steeroid · 14th October 2005, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX135

*ROTFLMAO*

Very true, Rtech. But, I have started noticing lot of them on roads of Pune.

It doesnt make as much noise as the Piaggio/Mahindra/Tempo 3 wheelers, and its much faster - struggles up slopes, though. I've driven both the Ace and the Piaggio 3 wheeler...

RX135 · 14th October 2005, 16:39

@steer, I was talking of those diesel 3 wheelers and not ACE :-)

23rd May 2005, 18:34	#1
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,026 Thanked: 2,757 Times	TATA Motors Ace Mini Carrier-Signs of the future? Hi Guys Dont know if many of you noticed the new 4 wheeled mini-truck launched by Tata recently. Its kind of like the Minidor / Piaggio Ape, except that it has four wheels and is therefore more stable. Of particular interest is its 2 cylinder diesel engine, which is supposedly an Indica engine cut into two. Despite the tiny engine, I could see a few of them zipping along the narrow streets of Cochin at a fair clip. Could this be one of the engines that Tata could consider for his Rs.1 Lakh car? It does sound very busy, though - not sure how it could find application in a car. In related news I believe Bajaj Auto as well as Piaggio are considering similar 'quadricycles', essentially 4-wheeling their current 3 wheelers...I hope this is true, as it would lead to safer roads without the three-wheelers who currently do 360 degree turns in the blink of an eye. Incidentally the Tata Ace seems to have a fairly decent payload as well - I saw it carry stuff that could probably fill up the loading bay of a Mahindra Maxx. Last edited by Steeroid : 23rd May 2005 at 18:45.
	() Thanks

23rd May 2005, 19:17	#2
DueLLeR BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vashi / Navi Mumbai Posts: 214 Thanked: 123 Times	Yeah, Steeroid. I was in Pune on Saturday / Sunday and happened to see one of those little thingies zipping on NH4. This particular vehicle had only a temporary registration sticker. Probably TATA was doing road tests before they finally put it up for sale. Though I overtook it quiet comfortably, I was surprised at its performance considering the fact that it has only a two-cylinder DI engine. It is surprisingly low for a truck and looks quiet cute, actually!
	() Thanks

23rd May 2005, 20:28	#3
islero Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,574 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	I saw one of these today myself, a white example pootling around the inner city. Tata would do well to launch a CNG version as soon as possible to keep the environment clean too.
	() Thanks

24th May 2005, 00:08	#4
normally_crazy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,305 Thanked: 543 Times View My Garage	Read about the "truck" - nd read about the rumour that tata would use the chassis for developing the 1 lac car ! how far this is true time will tell....but the trucks can carry some mean load and looks tolerable too.
	() Thanks

24th May 2005, 08:17	#5
Stratos Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,613 Thanked: 1,602 Times View My Garage	Saw this truck the other day and I must say that I liked the concept of putting another wheel on a vehicle similar to a Rickshaw for better balance and to some extent little more load carrying capacity. By putting the 2 Cylinder engine cut from the Indicas powerplant, Tata can save quite a bit on the cost and it definatly will affect the showroom price too. These trucks were gonna be named as "CUB" right??
	() Thanks

24th May 2005, 13:36	#8
sivadas BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 507 Thanked: 238 Times View My Garage	Looks really good.
	() Thanks

14th October 2005, 14:17	#9
rkg Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: bangalore Posts: 1,044 Thanked: 599 Times	As per last weeks Bussiness Standard TATA ACE outsold all others by miles in that category
	() Thanks

14th October 2005, 14:33	#10
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,176 Thanked: 31,077 Times View My Garage	I think they are pretty cool - decent driver comfort and the ones on the road are driven in a civilized fashion - no brute Tempo power but enough to "make progress". Three wheelers have terrible diesel engines and struggle all the time in my opinion
	() Thanks

14th October 2005, 14:33	#11
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,765 Thanked: 371 Times View My Garage	That engine is way too noisy. Like those Diesel 3 wheeler engines that make a friggin racket (but don't really go anywhere quick). As these are mainly for use within city limits, I feel they should be made to meet the same noise levels as set for pasenger vehicles. On the plus side though is the cabin and extra safety and payload that comes with the extra wheel.
	() Thanks

14th October 2005, 15:24	#12
sandeepmdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: 695141, SY208AA Posts: 1,574 Thanked: 2,727 Times	By launching the ACE, Tatas are hoping to imitate the success of a Chinese vehicle -I forgot its name- of similar size and payload. The vehicle is a big hit - 2 million sold!- in China and is being considered as one of the factors that changed the face of China.
	() Thanks

14th October 2005, 16:39	#15
RX135 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: pune Posts: 2,106 Thanked: 77 Times	@steer, I was talking of those diesel 3 wheelers and not ACE :-)
	() Thanks