11. LCV PEOPLE MOVER OF THE YEAR
Nominees: a) SML Isuzu Executive LX Coach. b) SML Isuzu EcoMax. c) Force Traveller (T2) Royale. d) Force Traveller. (T2) Smartcitibus.
Rising urbanisation is creating a need for distinct ways of travel. This is ensuring that buses reinvent themselves to fit the exacting needs of travellers. As metros and monorails find a place in India’s growing cities as a means to facilitate better infrastructure, lighter and ‘easy to manoeuvre’ buses are finding a way of serving the last mile transportation needs. They are finding a place as feeder service, point-to-point service, local area service, city bus service and as executive travel service. Aimed at meeting the needs of corporates and tourists for executive travel, SML Isuzu Executive LX Coach follows in the footsteps of a shorter wheelbase Executive Coach launched by the company a few years ago on its highly versatile S7 bus platform. Capable of seating between 19 and 30 people, the Executive LX Coach looks modern and plush. Featuring fixed glass windows, it is well built and well engineered. Offering a low step entry, dual colour interiors, AC, moble charging points, onboard entertainment with LCD screen, the Executive LX Coach comes across as refined and comfortable. It is powered by a 101 hp, 3.5-litre turbo-diesel engine that produces a peak torque of 310 Nm at 1500-1750 rpm.