Ashok Leyland is one company that has its hands full at the moment. It may have been slow in coming out with all-new models in the past and it may have lost a bigger chunk of market share to other competitors by not tapping into newer segments. But, the company is keen on putting its past behind it and is aggressively working to make up for the time and market share lost in the past. The result is an onslaught of models from the company in all segments of commercial vehicles. Not very long ago, Ashok Leyland launched its first Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV), the Dost, in the Indian market.
It’s a known fact that the Chennai-Bangalore Highway (NH4) is a favorite testing spot for almost all Chennai-based automotive manufacturers. And it was in this same road near Sriperumbudur these Ashok Leyland Tractor Trailers (TT) with ‘On Test’ stickers were spotted. There were two of them and one of the tractor was camouflaged with the other one being the regular U Series tractor. There was no clue about what is new in this TT until we saw the front windshield with '4936' sticker pasted on it. The first two digits of Ashok Leyland's naming convention usually denotes the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) in tonnes and the last two digits denote the Horse Power.
Though Ashok Leyland launched the U 4936 Tractor in Jan-2010 itself, as per the company’s website, the current model range still includes only the 4923 TT which comes with a 230 HP H Series engine. So, there you have the mystery decoded. What you see here in this post would, in all probability, be the top-of-the-line U series Tractor Trailer with a Gross Vehicle Weight of 49 tonnes powered by the modern, powerful, fuel-efficient and technologically advanced 'Neptune' 6 Cylinder engine with a power output of 360 HP. Essentially, it’s a combination of two of the biggest development projects that the company has undertaken in the recent years, the U Truck and the Neptune engine.
With this, the message to rivals is loud and clear from Ashok Leyland. Their relentless pursuit from the upper to the lower end of the Commercial Vehicle market is not going to stop anytime now.
EDIT: Thanks to our reader ashok who commented below that the camouflaged tractor could be Ashok Leyland's 'Next Gen' cab being tested for road worthiness.
It’s a known fact that the Chennai-Bangalore Highway (NH4) is a favorite testing spot for almost all Chennai-based automotive manufacturers. And it was in this same road near Sriperumbudur these Ashok Leyland Tractor Trailers (TT) with ‘On Test’ stickers were spotted. There were two of them and one of the tractor was camouflaged with the other one being the regular U Series tractor. There was no clue about what is new in this TT until we saw the front windshield with '4936' sticker pasted on it. The first two digits of Ashok Leyland's naming convention usually denotes the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) in tonnes and the last two digits denote the Horse Power.
Though Ashok Leyland launched the U 4936 Tractor in Jan-2010 itself, as per the company’s website, the current model range still includes only the 4923 TT which comes with a 230 HP H Series engine. So, there you have the mystery decoded. What you see here in this post would, in all probability, be the top-of-the-line U series Tractor Trailer with a Gross Vehicle Weight of 49 tonnes powered by the modern, powerful, fuel-efficient and technologically advanced 'Neptune' 6 Cylinder engine with a power output of 360 HP. Essentially, it’s a combination of two of the biggest development projects that the company has undertaken in the recent years, the U Truck and the Neptune engine.
With this, the message to rivals is loud and clear from Ashok Leyland. Their relentless pursuit from the upper to the lower end of the Commercial Vehicle market is not going to stop anytime now.
EDIT: Thanks to our reader ashok who commented below that the camouflaged tractor could be Ashok Leyland's 'Next Gen' cab being tested for road worthiness.
it would be much appreciated if you could post this in team bhp heavy commercial vehicle thread..cheers!
ReplyDeletethe camouflaged one can be the upcoming nextgen cab.. expecting this one in team bhp
ReplyDelete@ Above & ashok - Oops, once I am done with posting in my blog, I always post the same in Team BHP usually. But this time, I forgot - am doing it right away. Thanks for pointing that out.
ReplyDeleteThats an nice catch
ReplyDeleteNext big thing to watch from AshLey - Next Generation Cabins.
The 4936 was just demonstrated at Auto Expo. Commercial launch is yet to happen
ReplyDelete@ Above - You are right, the Next Gen cabs could just turn out to be the next big thing from AL and a mighty competitor to the modern Tata Prima cabs.
ReplyDeleteAs you rightly said, the 4936 was just unveiled in 2010 and the commercial sales are yet to start.
2 days back in Chennai - Hosur route I saw one AL Tractor trailer vehicle with camouflaged Cabin and the name printed as FV 4948......
ReplyDeleteI could not able to make out the AL's plan
I thing really AL is planning to attack the competition in a different way...... Let us watch their plan......
@ Above - Wow! If what you are saying is true, then Ashok Leyland is testing a 49-tonne Tractor Trailer with a massive 480 HP engine. This is one company to seriously watch out for in the future.
ReplyDeletethe same camouflaged cabin
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/35164268@N02/6245803549/in/photostream/lightbox/
@ Above - Thanks for sharing that snap, a new post is coming up based on that snap and the info that you gave in the comments above.
ReplyDeletethank you
ReplyDeleteI have one doubt which engine will be used on 4948. As far as I know Neptune engine cannot go beyond 360 to 380HP plus its full scale production is yet to start. Does anyone have any idea how 480HP will be achieved.
ReplyDelete@ Above - You have a very valid claim there. Ashok Leyland's Press Release when they unveiled the Neptune Engine stated that they cannot go beyond 360 to 380 HP in the Neptune series. But, our reader who had sent in this snap claims that he saw a 4948 sticker in the tractor. I guess Ashok Leyland could be planning to come out with the 4938 TT (49-tonne, 380HP engine).
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late, now only I see the article. Its ok past 8 years AL produce 4921,4923 now 4936. These overloop comedy where is the customer for 4923,21 go and ask there details about the vehicles , no spares, poor mileage, compared other competitors I given 1* . First go to field work andthen developments. Further query mail me prabu0986@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIt appears you're one of those affected too.
Deletethat's OK sir, lot of spares are not getting easily.like that crs box and edc wiring ,sensors and finally gearbox 9s1110 spares.
DeletePlz arrange the spares in local market also
The Ashok Leyland U 4936 tractor trailer is a robust workhorse, known for its durability and reliability. Best Servival Games With impressive hauling capacity and efficient performance.
ReplyDelete