In April 2020, the Indian automotive industry saw a seismic shift – the transition from BS-IV to BS-VI emission norms, a move that underlined India’s ambitions towards cleaner air and a better environment. From April this year, BS-VI Stage 2 emission norms come into effect. With the implementation of the second stage of BS-VI, vehicles will need to meet the actual driving emission norms and will not be limited to the tests only in the laboratories. To facilitate this, vehicles will need to have OBD2 (On-board Diagnostics) as standard.
OBD is the vehicle’s onboard self-diagnostic system. Under this advanced, electronically controlled system, the engine malfunction indicator turns on if there is some issue with the vehicle. The OBD2 system will be programmed to monitor the catalytic converter, oxygen sensors and detect engine misfires. If any anomaly is found in the above parameters, the warning lights will be triggered to get the vehicle checked. In short, emission monitoring will be even more stringent than any of the previous norms with the new standards targeting improvements in emission control and fuel efficiency for which several changes would be needed in the vehicles.
BharatBenz, the brand of trucks and buses of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, has been one of the front-runners in market in the BS-VI, boasting its superior and globally proven SCR technology. Now with the onset of BS-VI stage 2, the company is not just ready to meet the norms but has used the transition as an opportunity to upgrade its entire range and deliver value to its customers by enhancing TCO parameters such as fuel efficiency, lower maintenance cost and time, turnaround time and safety.
Medium-Duty Trucks (MDT)
In the MDT range, BharatBenz trucks now come with an increased engine power of 170HP that enables Improved pick up and better turnaround time. The vehicles come with multi drive mode (Eco & Power) which helps improve fuel efficiency and TAT, by offering optimal power on plain roads and higher power on gradients without down shifting of gears. The vehicles come with new Cigar type ATS that has optimized compact design and packaging, reduced weight and better thermal management. It also facilitates much easier serviceability through new clamps, offering individual chamber replacement and servicing.
For the upgraded vehicles, the preventive maintenance schedule has increased from 50,000 km to 80,000 km, potentially reducing the number of workshop visits from 8 to just 5 for a vehicle clocking 4,00,000 km. The customer stands to get significant cost savings as a result of reduced maintenance costs and better uptime.
In the MDT range, BharatBenz is introducing a new product 1117R with 11.12T GVW. Also, vehicles in the range will get 2 new color options as part of the transition.
Off-Highway HDT range
In the HDT off highway segment, BharatBenz is introducing 320 hp variants applicable for 8X4 & 6×4 mining applications, 4×2 and 6×4 tractors for tip-trailer applications. The vehicles come with increased engine torque of 1250 Nm that will deliver better pick up and turnaround time, aid in a greater number of trips, offer improved gradeability, while strengthened engine and driveline parts promise increased engine life.
For construction vehicles in the segment, the engine power has been increased to 260 hp with an engine torque of 900Nm for better overall performance. The enhanced and synchronized preventive maintenance schedule has been increased from 1200 hrs to 1700 hrs, thereby reducing the number of workshop visits from 10 to 7 for a vehicle running for 12,000 hrs. BharatBenz vehicles in this segment also get an improved bogie suspension that has been upgraded to 12 leaves in all construction models, promising longer service life for customers. Lastly, the HDT construction range of vehicles will now get one additional color option along with the existing standard yellow color.
On-highway HDT range
In this segment, vehicles in the 4×2 and 6×4 tractor trailer application get a 320 hp engine with increased torque of 1250 Nm. The Multi Drive Mode with Eco & Power options helps improve fuel mileage and turnaround time. The enhanced and synchronized preventive maintenance schedule has been increased from 60,000 km to 1,20,000 km for this class of vehicles. Over and above the existing standard white color, customers will not get 2 more color options in this segment.
Medium-Duty Buses (MDB)
BharatBenz medium-duty buses in the BS-VI stage 2 era come with an upgraded engine power of 170 hp that enables improved pick up and better turnaround time without comprising on fuel efficiency. These buses come with multi drive mode (Eco & Power) which helps improve fuel efficiency and TAT, by offering optimal power on plain roads and higher power on gradients without down shifting of gears. The medium-duty buses come with a new Cigar type ATS that offers a host of benefits.
The buses in this class are equipped with Electronic Vehicle Stability Control (EVSC), a technology that improves vehicle stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction. In the event of loss of vehicle control by the driver, brakes are applied automatically to individual wheels and engine power is reduced until control is regained. While the 10T product now comes with an updated GVW of 10,600 kg, customers have the option of increasing passenger capacity through additional body options.
Heavy-Duty Buses (HDB)
BharatBenz heavy-duty buses come with an enhanced preventive maintenance schedule that reduces the number of service check points for a period of 6,00,000 km. This could result in 20% better uptime with a potential saving in maintenance cost of up to 25%. Similar to MD buses, these buses are also equipped with Electronic Vehicle Stability Control (EVSC), a technology that improves vehicle stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction.
The powertrain warranty has been doubled to a best-in-class 6 yrs / 6 L km from 3 yrs / 3 L km previously. New transmission ratio and design for better fuel efficiency and longer life, coupled with new and improved tyres promise a far superior and efficient experience for customers. The buses come with real-time fuel coaching to assist the drivers to maintain efficient driving throughout the trip for increased fuel efficiency. The buses also boast a host of new safety features including starter inhibitor, parking brake reminder and frictionless auxiliary brake to increase life of foundation brakes and better vehicle control.