At Prawaas 2019, Force Motors displayed its path breaking Traveller-MONOBUS. On account of the monocoque construction, the bus boasts of an outstanding structural strength and offers best-in-class ride quality.
Speaking to MOTORINDIA, Mr. Ashutosh Khosla, President (Sales & Mktg.) – CVD & PVD, Force Motors, said: “We are happy to inform that we have started the commercial production of the Traveller MONOBUS. We are sending it to focus towns of Mumbai and Pune and will shortly see the vehicles on the road. Coming to the uniqueness of the product, it is the first bus in the country to have used such a large monocoque design. It is lighter than a normal chassis bus in its category by 800 kgs, thus enabling the Traveller-MONOBUS to offer best-in-class power to weight ratio as well as unmatched fuel efficiency.”
The Traveller-MONOBUS is powered by 115 HP/350 Nm, Mercedes derived, 3.2-liter Common Rail engine mated with the Mercedes derived G-35 five speed synchromesh gear box. Traveller-MONOBUS is the only vehicle in its class to adopt the 6th Generation Cathodic Electro Deposition (C.E.D) Dip painting process for the whole body which ensures highest levels of corrosion resistance. The Traveller-MONOBUS is also the only vehicle in its category with disk brakes on all wheels with new uni-booster hydraulic braking technology, ABS, EBD and latest Engine Drag Torque Control ensuring top class, sure stop braking. With very low floor height for easy entry and exit, lowest centre of gravity for superb ride stability, lowest NVH levels, smallest turning radius, the Traveller-MONOBUS offers unmatched ride quality and seating comfort.
“The Traveller-MONOBUS would be available in 33-seater and 41-seater options in standard and school bus variants at Force dealerships across the country. As far as the engine is concerned TD 3250 BS-IV engine is the same that we have in our T2 version. Our engineers at the dealership are equipped to handle the service these engines and hence there is nothing that a fleet operator has to worry about,” he said.
The company also showcased its intra city Traveller Smart Citibus. Mr. Khosla informed that: “The Smart Citi Bus is an ideal feeder bus for to and from the Metro Stations in Megacities. It meets all Urban Bus Specifications and comes with intelligent electronic passenger information system, driver operated jack knife doors, full standing height of 6 feet, wide gangway for standees making it best for intra-city commutes.” Like the Traveller-Monobus, the wider body Traveller Smart CitiBus, also boasts of the largest monocoque Panel Van in the world. The company claims that the bus is the only vehicle in its category with ventilated disc brakes and heavy duty four piston calipers on all wheels.