TATA YODHA BUILDS MORE MUSCLE
As part of its pick-up revamp strategy, Tata Motors brings in the Yodha 2.0. Prateek Pardeshi test drives it on a specially built track in Hyderabad.
Original Equipment Manufacturers had to put their plan on the back burners thanks to the lethal pandemic Covid-19. This included putting brakes on the rollout of new product variants. Here Tata Motors must be credited for sustaining the tag of a full-range player! The company was due for the commercialisation of its pickup range, which the company gave glimpses of nearly three-years at the Auto Expo 2020, in Noida. Some of those plans could not take off. Fast forward to 2022, the company revisited the Tata Yodha project and rolled out the Yodha 2.0 at a glittery affair in Hyderabad. The Yodha 2.0 face lift goes beyond just cosmetic changes. It encompasses a single and crew cab variant in different configurations priced upwards of Rs.9.16 Lakhs with the top variant priced at Rs.9.99 lakhs (Exshowroom). The Yodha is now more muscular then ever before.
In all, the company showcased six variants with five 4x2 variants and one 4x4 variant. The latter has in the past won accolades from critiques. The 4x2 variants showcased included the Yodha 2.0 1700, 1500, 1200, and Yodha Ex (Dual cab). The 4x4 standard variant accompanied this lineup on display. On a Year-To-Date (YTD) basis, the pickup segment has sold 15,618 units for the company with an eight per cent decrease. With the new rollouts, the company hopes to build on its market share and perform better in the coming months. Averred Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, “The introduction of these new-age pickups reiterates our commitment to always empower and equip the customers with best-in-class vehicles to deliver more progress and success.” Yodha 2.0 has the best-in-class, rated payload capacity of two-tonne and is among the leading pick-up truck options out there.
THE DESIGN
The refreshed design language has the front fascia display noticeable changes on the Yodha 2.0 4x2 model, we drove. This includes the chrome-heavy front grille, and the two-piece front bumper made up of a combination of metal and fibre to strike the ideal balance between stiffness and strength-toweight ratio. The metal bumper is divided further into three pieces to lower the replacement cost against a single-piece bumper. It also lends to the contemporary yet rugged look. The skid plate with silver highlights adds a dash of premium to the tough quotient. There is a provision for fog lights with neatly integrated front reflectors akin to Daylight Running Lamps (DRL). Overall the headlight cluster doesn’t dare to deviate much from the oldergeneration Yodha (erstwhile
Xenon). The overall aerodynamic shape is similar with lines running across the side.
From this angle, the side reveals a re-designed fender home to the side indicators and replicated on either side of the pickup truck. One also notices the 3150 mm wheelbase and the biggest USP being the external load tray with a length of 2643 mm and width of 1843 mm. To the naked eye, the loading tray stays the same from here. The ground clearance of up to 210 mm for the 4x2 variants ensures the requisite suspension travel and boasts of an underbody guarded even on tough terrains like the track, we tested it on. The installation of a rigid metal footrest for easy ingress and egress is a well-thought-out inclusion for the pilot and the co-pilot. The fuel tank cover sports a retro design that relies on a manual lock. It could be replaced with cable-operated fuel lids in the age of keyless controls. If the design language is drawing parallels between pick-ups from competition, the left-hand side mount could add to operator inconvenience in our opinion.
The Yodha plys on rubber grips sourced from Apollo, Endu Maxx LT installed on 16-inch steel rims. These are deemed perfect for off-road and the longhaul. For safety and homologation purposes, the Yodha is equipped with a side crash guard. In total there are 13 rope hooks welded on the loading tray which ensures a firm grip over the luggage. The icing on the cake is the body color tone to make them rustproof.
On the rear end, the Yodha 2.0 bears a giant crash guard to prevent any chances of an undercarriage hit, up as a collision impact absorber. The tail lights flash on a conventional bulb setup. The most interesting feature here is the four reverse sensors, primarily two-stage beepers. They assist with parking in tight spaces. The loading tray flap rests on three hinges which are again body coloured and well-camouflaged. It has the convenient functionality of old-school sliding compared to competitors opting for modern, spring-operated latches.
STEP INSIDE
The door is rugged, no doubt! The cabin welcomes the operator with a three-spoke steering akin to passenger segment offerings from the Tata stable. It has an uncanny resemblance to the Tigor hatchbacks. I was able to manoeuvre it with a single hand much to my co-pilot’s surprise. We recommend using the conventional 10 and two grip though especially when plying in the laden state. The grip is comfortable and lends to the assurance needed for U-turns. The instrument cluster is spartan and relays the required information without any fuss. Two analogue dials have the left one hosting the speedometer and the right one home to the tachometer which redlines at 5000 rpm all the way up to 7000 rpm.
The LCD display unit relays important metrics like a fuel gauge, engine temperature, time, odometer and the gear engaged. The dashboard design is a fine balance of practical and ergonomy. The HVAC system is suited for tropical countries like India. On the right side of the steering, the operator can reach out to the headlight lens level adjuster, switch on the ‘Eco’ mode and access the DPF warning light without any fret. A 5V 2.4A USB charging socket meets charging duties for handhelds that the driver may carry. Tilt down, the gear shifter has silver inserts complementing the black leather