Mahindra-Maxximo
Mahindra and Mahindra plans launching CNG and passenger carrier versions of its recently-launched Maxximo LCV, with its electric variant expected by around October this year, as per a senior official of the company. The first product to roll out from Mahindra’s state-of-the-art Chakan plant, the Maxximo was recently unveiled at the 10th Auto Expo 2010 held in New Delhi. The world’s first mini-truck to be powered by a 2-cylinder CRDe engine with DOHC technology and 4 valves per cylinder, the Maxximo scores highly over its nearest competitors in terms of technology, style, safety and comfort, as claimed by the company in its release. The Mahindra Maxximo will be launched in February in select markets and will be made available across the country in a phased manner.
A result of intensive consumer insight, the Maxximo captures the latent and expressed needs of the customer and is an ideal vehicle for small-cargo movement. The Maxximo has undergone rigorous test runs and has been validated on all performance, safety and reliability parameters. The vehicle is backed by Mahindra’s service network, which is one of the largest and is spread across the country.
As mentioned above, the Maxximo is the world’s first mini-truck to feature a 2-cylinder CRDe engine with DOHC technology and 4 valves per cylinder, as compared to the old technology IDI engine with 2 valves per cylinder which is currently in use in the market. The CRDe engine offers a class leading 25 HP of power and 5.5 kgm torque, as against 16 HP and 3.8 kgm torque offered by the Maxximo’s nearest competitor. This ensures superior pick-up, acceleration and gradeability, allowing the Maxximo to carry heavy loads even up the steepest of slopes. All of this from an engine which has the longest life in its class, making it highly reliable and considerably reducing maintenance cost. Excellent fuel efficiency of 20 kmpl, a large loading area of 3.2 sq. mt. and 850 kg of rated payload allows the customer to carry a greater load in a single trip and make more trips in a day, thereby increasing his revenue.
Leaf-spring suspension at the rear with 6 leaves, along with thicker (3.6 mm) wheel rims and the powerful C2 CRDe engine truly gives the Maxximo go-anywhere-capability. The cargo body is reinforced to make it strong and long-lasting. Aside from a choice of four shades, it sports wrap-around headlamps with multi-focal reflectors, as compared to the simple, round headlamps found on its nearest competitor. This provides the driver with greater visibility at night. The vehicle also features first of its kind beige and tan two-tone interiors, similar to those found in personal vehicles like cars. It is also the safest vehicle in its class. In a first for the segment, the Maxximo features booster-assisted brakes with Load Sensing Proportioning Valve which ensure greater control while braking, while an impact absorbing structure between the front bumper and the chassis provides added protection to occupants in case of frontal impact.
The Maxximo meets stringent frontal crash impact norms (AIS 029, for N1 category of vehicles) with a frontal crash protector. It is also equipped with a drive-by-wire accelerator system which results in quicker response from the engine when the accelerator is pressed, allowing for safer overtaking. Also, in contrast to regular cable-driven accelerators this technology requires no cable-setting, which means less downtime for the operator and less maintenance cost.
Larger cabin space allows easier entry and exit and greater comfort. Bigger, more comfortable seats with better support and head rests make the journey more pleasant for both the driver and his co-passenger, especially over long distances. A bench seat for the co-driver, with no obstruction between his seat and the driver’s seat allows the latter to lie down across the seats, adding to the comfort factor. A cable-operated gear shift, as opposed to the regular, rod-operated gear shifts found in other vehicles in this category, provides a smoother, car-like shift-quality involving less effort.
The well-designed beige coloured instrument panel boasts of a stylish cluster with a digital odometer, double trip meter and an integrated clock. A footstep for the cargo body, windshield wiper with intermittent function and inbuilt spray system, mobile charging facility and dual-mounted sun-visor add to the overall convenience.The ergonomic hand brake position, dead pedal, steering wheel made of soft-touch, strong grip material, bigger rear-window and larger windshield enhance the Maxximo’s driving pleasure.
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