The view from the driver’s seat of Tata’s new T.14 Ultra FE+ is quite impressive through the expanse of the 180 degree windscreen as is the amount of information coming in via the carefully positioned side mirror array, meaning the operator has the best possible opportunity to see things as they are.
The Gerotek Vehicle Test Centre near Pretoria is an ideal place for truck testing as the roads are uncluttered and there is no oncoming traffic, meaning a good chance to examine vehicle features and abilities in safety.
The author with a T.9 in the background
The driver’s seat on the new T.14 is hydraulically sprung – as is the one on its smaller compatriot, the T.9 – and this allows not only for a comfortable ride but its forward and backwards movements mean even a shorty like me can achieve an optimum driving position.
The cabin layout of the two new Tata entries to the market is very similar to any of the people-mover MPVs on the local market with the dash-mounted six-speed manual gear lever giving the cabin walk-through capability. Except for the size of the steering wheel, it could be any of those MPV’s.
However, my time behind the wheel is short-lived and static and I am ushered across to the equally comfortable passenger seat to allow my driver, Gert, to take his place and head out to demonstrate the true capabilities of the new truck.
The T.9 has a GVM of 8 990 kg and is powered by a Common Rail diesel 3,3-litre engine with 114 kW at 2 600 r/min and 450 Nm from 1 500 r/min on offer, driving through a six-speed manual transmission, while the T.14 (GVM 14 700) has a 5,05-litre engine with 132 kW at 2 400 r/min and 590 Nm of torque from 1 000 r/min available, also using a six-speed gearbox.
The words ‘car-like’ interior are often used by automakers to describe the interior of their one-ton pickup trucks but this Tata really does have a car-like interior and Gert is quick to point out the size and layout of the three pedals is exactly the same as any passenger vehicle so no major foot movements are needed to find the right one.
With the standard air-conditioning keep the Highveld heat out, we head out onto the circular track and Gert moves easily through the gears as we pick up speed, explaining the GBS 750 Syncromesh box makes the transition both up and down through the gears simple.
“It really is no harder than driving a manual car,” he chuckles.
While intended for high-speed testing, the circular track is not perfectly smooth and from my position I can see how the sprung driver’s seat is moving to absorb the road ripples and I mention this to Gert.
“We are actually feeling more bumps now because the truck is unladen,” he says. “With a load the combination of semi-elliptical lead springs with parabolic auxiliary springs at the rear and the parabolic springs at the front come into their own and the ride gets more comfortable.”
Still, it is not so I cannot enjoy a coffee on the move.
Gert continues: “The suspension setup has been carefully calibrated to provide the best possible ride comfort as well as ride stability in all weather and driving conditions, especially when cornering and braking.
“On the comfort side, this obviously translates to less ‘rock and roll’ inside the cabin, less stress and strain on the driver and that generally means less fatigue and safer operation.”
At the static launch of the two new trucks, Anurag Mehrotra, vice president of International Business for Tata Motors says the company vision is not so much about product or services but is dedicated to ‘connecting aspirations’.
“Connecting Aspirations is not a tagline but is a way of life for us at Tata Motors and this means looking at the entire spectrum of trucking and transport holistically. For example, the Ultra trucks are configured to create a good and comfortable workspace for the driver, rather than simply creating spec-driven vehicles.
“Also, we look closely at our fleet customers and how we can make it possible for them to do more trips a day and with fuel efficiency good enough for them to make more money per trip – and also making sure the vehicle does not go offroad or have lengthy downtimes.”
Both the engines fitted to the new trucks are Euro IV specification adjusted to run on South African Euro II grade fuel but still offer better fuel efficiency. The engines are not new and have been extensively road tested in Kenya where the fuel saving claim was comprehensively put to the test.
The newcomers are kitted as standard with anti-lock braking, come with a 5-year/500 000 km factory warranty and are fitted with the Fleet Edge telematics solution.
“Built on the internationally recognised Ultra platform, these trucks are engineered to cater to a diverse set of applications, deliver higher performance, vehicle utilisation, uptime and more revenue.
“We are committed to enabling our customers in South Africa succeed and the launch of this Ultra range is a significant step forward in fulfilling this commitment,” says Mehrotra.
Tata Motors offers an umbrella of vehicle lifecycle management solutions that include Annual Maintenance Contracts, Extended Warranty, Fleet Management Services and host of value-added services. These are coupled with vehicle financing and curated repayment options.
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