Mar 12, 2024 Tata Ultra FE, T.14 and T.9 models, Gerotek’s Vehicle Test Centre
TATA Ultra FE test day at Gerotek
Invited guests gathered at Gerotek’s Vehicle Test Centre outside Pretoria to experience the unladen drive characteristics and capabilities of the recently launched Tata Ultra FE T.14 and T.9 models on selected tracks within the facility.
In keeping with the company’s philosophy of ‘Connecting Aspirations’ this new range of vehicles are designed and manufactured to achieve three main goals :–
Driver comfort – to help reduce driver fatigue
Fuel efficiency – to reduce one of the highest costs of operation
Reliabilty – to reduce the impact of costly off road downtime
In terms of driver comfort the cab is designed with a walk-through layout incorporating a dash mounted gear lever connected to the manual 6-speed gearbox. A panoramic windscreen providing 180-degree forward visibility and well positioned side mirrors aid in the comfort of the driver. Added to this a hydraulically sprung driver’s seat with adjustable positioning, assists in relieving ergonomic stress of the driver – even with an empty load this seat relieves a lot of the ‘bumpiness’ associated with driving a commercial vehicle.
Both the T.9 and T.14 vehicles are powered by Euro IV spec engines that are adapted to accommodate SA’s Euro 11 grades fuels, whilst delivering proven fuel efficiency (extensive testing across local African conditions). Again, both models utilize a common six speed gearbox that we found easy to operate and impressively geared to capably accelerate on an incline from fairly low revs in 3rdgear.
The T.9 is powered by Tata’s 3,3 litre diesel engine, generating 114 kW @ 2 600 r/min and 450 Nm from 1 500 r/min. GVM on the T.9 is 8 990kgs.
The T.14 is powered by a 5 litre diesel which generates 132kW @ 2 400 r/min and 590Nm of torque from 1 000r/min. The T.14 has a GVM of 14 700kgs.
In conversations with the Tata staff whilst driving, as well as in between drives, it is clear that Tata have designed, manufactured – (both models are locally assembled in the Tata plant in Rosslyn) and tested the new range of Ultra FE trucks with the aim of providing their customers with a reliable work horse that is fuel efficient, and caters to driver comfort. These vehicles are capable of going further for less, while reducing the impact of driver fatigue, making it possible for the driver to make more trips and contribute to profitability for fleet owners.
Both models come standard with ABS and a 5year/ 50 000km factory warranty. Tata’s Fleet Edge telematics solution are fitted across the range - Designed specifically for efficient fleet management, Fleet Edge uses smart technologies to increase vehicle uptime and improve road safety. The platform shares action-able insights in real time on vehicle status, health, location and driver behaviour of every vehicle connected to it. This enables owners and fleet managers to take better decisions for enhancing operational efficiency, lowering logistics costs and improving profits.
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