Eicher 1049XP marks a smart move
The new Eicher 1049XP marks Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicle’s entry into the sub-five tonne truck segment.
The new Eicher 1049XP marks Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicle's entry into the sub-five tonne truck segment.
The Eicher 1049XP is Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicle’s ( VECV) first sub- five tonne offering. Derived from the 1059XP, a 7.2- tonne GVW truck, the 1049XP looks modern and attractive. It comes from a company whose trucks in the nine- to 16- tonne segments are known to have helped transporters to build their business. One look at the specifications of the 1049XP, and it is clear that this truck would compete against the likes of Tata 407 and Mahindra Cab King. Adding to the Pro 1000 Series, the 1049XP is a forward control design. Flaunting good levels of fit and finish, the truck, offering a payload capacity of 2.8- tonne, has a GVW of 4.9- tonnes. Sharing the cabin with the 1059XP, it may be
easy to mistake the 1049XP for a 1059XP and vice versa. Those who are familiar with the 1059XP will agree that the cabin of the 1049XP is spacious. Spacious it is indeed. It also hints at commonality of parts and the capability of suppliers. According to R S Sachdeva, Executive Vice President - Technology, VECV, “An ‘ Indian- ised’ version of Volvo Group’s supplier development and procurement system called the ‘ SIPD’ is deployed at VECV.” The system, said Sachdeva, not only makes for a free flow of know how at either end, it also ensures transparency that provides a supplier the much needed assurance to conduct business. Apart from streamlining the processes and supplier interaction, the SIPD also has an effect on the entire product lifecycle, which helps the dealer to attend to the service requirements of the truck operator. With an eye on the Euro 6 legislation, VECV has been investing in worldclass testing facilities at its plant at Pithampur.
Considering the amount of work that is on to meet the Euro 6 emission regulations that are scheduled to be implemented by 2020, it did not come as a surprise when Sachdeva averred that the 1049XP will be a platform for packaging technology. Technology that would involve packaging an entire chemical plant on the truck to meet Euro 6 regulations. No surprises there; dominating the front fascia of the 1049XP is a composite winged pseudogrille. It contributes to the Eicher business look of the truck. The attractive looking vertically structured clear lens headlamps also contribute to the business look. A neat looking bumper at the bottom and a large windshield at the top complete the equation. They add a touch of modernity to the truck’s appearance.
Smart and attractive
Marking the sides are doors that open lower down. They ensure easy access. The lowered door windows ensure good visibility. They help
notice other road users that may be travelling besides the truck, especially when turning. The large mirrors are helpful too. Viewed from a three-fourth angle, the 1049XP looks cute, almost toy-ish. It draws attention despite a sense of design familiarity. Expected to be more of an urban dweller, attention has been paid towards manoeuvrability. The 1049XP may be wide to ensure good cabin space and loading area, it is short enough to support good manoeuvrability. A clue is the small rear overhang of the truck. Offered by a company that commands 35 per cent market share in the 5.9- to 14-tonne category, the 1049XP promises superior fuel efficiency and loading capacity. Mentioned Sachdeva, “The 1049XP offers 10 per cent higher fuel efficiency.” “In a market that accounts for 9000-1000 units per year, this truck has been engineered to address customer needs such as driving comfort, NVH, good looks, manoeuvrability, and an ability to offer maximum fuel efficiency and load carrying capacity,” he added. The loading tray of the 1049XP measures 3068 mm in length, and 1850 mm in width. According to Sachdeva, the 1049XP is aimed at 42 application areas. These include fruits and vegetables, FMCG, white goods, beverages, milk, parcel and courier, poultry, water bottles, ecommerce and domestic LPG cylinders.
Most suitable
Look beyond the modern appearance of the 1049XP and its cute looks, a clear business proposition is visible. It may have taken VECV an amount of time to enter the sub- five tonne segment, it is however clear that a good amount of homework has gone into the development of the product. Stated Sachdeva, “We were busy expanding our reach in the heavy- duty and medium duty segments. The decision to enter the sub- five tonne segment was taken two years ago. It was found that the customer did not have a suitable offering in the segment. The 1049XP, apart from the most powerful engine in its class at 70 kW, also sports the widest cabin in its class.” From behind the two- spoke wheel, the view ahead is uninterrupted. The composite dashboard looks modern. Its hard to touch surface is built to last long. The large instrument console is made up of two large dials for speedo and tacho each. There are two small dials for
fuel and temperature, and a LCD readout that indicates time and odo apart from a host of other information like the date of next service, etc. The two- point seat belt is a bit of a shock. The seat is comfortable even though it looks flat. The passenger seat is big enough to seat two people. Space, it is clear, is in good supply. Ergonomically well sorted, attention has also been paid to keep noise, vibration and harshness levels low.
Drive
Turn the key, and not much happens. The instruments do a diagnostic run and are ready to communicate. Another turn of the key wakes up the 95 hp, 3.3- litre, four- cylinder turbocharged inter- cooled diesel engine. Located under the seat, the engine is longitudinally placed with the drive routed to the rear wheels. Mechanically governed (electronically governed in BS IV model) according to Sachdeva, the engine belongs to the legacy range of engines that include a 3- litre engine, a 3.8- litre engine and a 5.2- litre engine. Slot into first – the five- speed transmission feels surprisingly easy to operate. Turn the steering to pull out of the parking slot. Good visibility makes it easy to drive out of tight spots. Despite being wide, the 1049XP is easy to manoeuvre. The steering is light, and the truck responds well to inputs. Riding on 7.00 x 16 - 16PR tyres, the 1049XP feels agile. The first ratio is engineered for torque. Progress in speed is achieved in the second and third gear. The clutch is light to operate, and the throw of the gears is not as long. Speeds in the region of 50- 60 kmph are achieved with ease. A twisty mountain stretch on the outskirts of Pithampur did not pose any problem for the 1049XP in terms of momentum. The vacuum assisted exhaust brake proved useful while descending the hill.
With power starting to roll in from lower down, the 1049XP feels spritely. A good supply of power is felt as revs built past 1500 rpm. Rather than peak at a certain rpm, torque is spread over a portion of the rev range, and results in good drive- ability. The BS III version produces 285 Nm of peak torque at 1440 rpm. The (common- rail) BS IV version makes 300 Nm @ 1600-1800 rpm. Past the busy main thoroughfare of Pithampur, and on the Agra Bombay highway, the 1049XP displayed its ability to gather speed. The maximum speed is claimed to be limited at 100 kmph. Noise inside the cabin is kept well under control even at good speeds. It is easy to converse even with the windows rolled down. At no point during the drive did the vibrations feel overwhelming. This would bode well for an operator who is also likely to use the truck as a personal transport beyond working hours. It is at this point, that it is easy to understand that the owner of such a truck is a daily wage earner, and operates in the urban jungle. He is also keen that his truck looks good, and is efficient as well as comfortable.
Ride comfort
The driving position of the 1049XP is comfortable. The arrangement of the pedals, especially the brake pedal, takes some time to get used to. The braking action is progressive and inspires confidence. The brakes, hydraulic in nature, exert a strong bite. Even without load, the ride of the 1049XP felt surprisingly pliant. The suspension is made up of semielliptic laminated leaf springs and shock absorbers. If there was anything that managed to ruffle the ride of the
1049XP, it were
the crazy variety of speed breakers (speed humps) that dot the roads leading out of Pithampur, and into it.
Cost optimisation
Claimed to offer 10 per cent higher fuel efficiency over its competitors, the 1049XP is a result of much cost optimisation. According to Sachdeva, each aspect of the truck, including interior noise, cabin comfort, manoeuvrability, power, turnaround time, fuel efficiency, etc., has been visited. Price too has been visited. The 1049XP is competitively priced. “In the third month of introduction, we have received orders worth 500 units. Due to capacity constraint, we have been able to deliver 150- 200 units only. Our projection is that this segment will go up from the current 10,000 numbers to 40,000 units in the next fiveto- six years,” said Sachdeva. Having turned its attention to the sub-five tonne space, VECV is investing a good deal towards further development of new products and aggregates. The focus is on meeting the BS VI norms. It is at this level, that the challenge of packaging technology like EGR and SCR in a truck the size of 1049XP is most severe, averred Sachdeva. By 2020, it may be safe to expect VECV to spring out a whole new generation of CVs, complete with new cabins, new engines, packaging (EGR and SCR), technologies ( like AMT, hybrid and electric) and more. Sachdeva mentioned that the 1049XP may be their first sub- five tonne offering, it is in no way their last. Apart from new variants of the 1049XP, Sachdeva also hinted at new products, new engines and more. In view of the changing equations at VECV, the Eicher 1049XP, there’s no doubt, marks a smart move.