IAB Report - Ashok Leyland Partner LCV launched

30/01/2014 - 17:13 | ,   | Karthik H

Ashok Leyland has launched the Partner LCV in Chennai today. The Partner is a 6.6 ton vehicle with a 4 ton payload.

Ashok Leyland Partner front three quarter
The Ashok Leyland Partner is built on Nissan's F24 platform and is powered by Nissan's ZD30 engine.

The Partner is essentially an Indian version of the Nissan Atlas truck. Ashok Leyland's joint venture with Nissan for LCVs has already spawned the Dost LCV and Stile MPV. The Partner, the company says, completes the trilogy of LCVs in association with Nissan and it also marks the end of Phase I of their product launch.

Nissan Atlas front three quarters press image
Nissan Atlas pictured for reference.

The Partner is built on Nissan's F24 platform and is powered by Nissan's ZD30 engine. The ZD30 on the Partner is a 3.0-liter common rail diesel engine that produces 116 hp and has a peak torque of 320 Nm. The Partner is both BS 3 and BS 4 ready and it is also upgradeable to BS 5 norms.

Ashok Leyland Partner aircon
The Partner gets power steering as standard and air-conditioning in the top-end LX variant.

The ZD30 has been completely retuned for Indian needs, said Dr V Sumantran, Vice Chairman, Ashok Leyland. "We have replaced everything from the crankshaft to the fuel delivery system to the conrods to the turbocharger," he added. Given the rampant overloading that goes on the in the Indian trucking industry, a ZD30 engine tuned for a 4 ton payload would not perform at its optimum under the overloading.

Ashok Leyland's executive director for LCV sales and marketing, Nitin Seth, said that the Partner is aimed at the 3.5-7 ton segment. "This segment has not seen a new vehicle since 1987," Seth said. The Partner has been launched in a six-wheel version and a four-wheel version will soon follow. It is also available in two wheelbases of 2,850 mm and 3,350 mm.

Ashok Leyland Partner rear three quarter right
The Partner is available in two wheelbases. It was launched in its six-wheel avatar, with a four-wheel version soon to follow.

"For the first time, we are offering power steering as standard. On the top-end LX version, we are offering an aircon too," Seth said.

Ashok Leyland Partner price (ex-showroom, Chennai)

Partner 2,850 mm wheelbase:

  • LS (With power steering) - Rs 8.89 lakh
  • LX (With power steering and aircon) - Rs 9.19 lakh

Partner 3,350 mm wheelbase:

  • LS (With power steering) - Rs 9.19 lakh
  • LX (With power steering and aircon) - Rs 9.49 lakh

Ashok Leyland Partner - Image Gallery

Ashok Leyland Partner - Brochure

Ashok Leyland Partner brochure front

Ashok Leyland Partner brochure rear

Ashok Leyland MiTR - Press Release

[Can't see the press release? Head to SlideShare]

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