Force Traveller-26(World’s largest monocoque van)


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Force Motors has launched the world’s largest monocouque van today, named as the Force Traveller-26.

The Traveller-26 comes as the most advanced van from Force Motors. The 26 seater is powered by a 129 PS, 295 Nm common rail diesel engine which is made under license from Daimler AG, Germany. The Traveller-26 packs in a plethora of segment firsts to set itself apart from its rivals. The body is made up of pressed steel panel which are welded in a robotic environment. The vehicle was completely engineered and tooled in-house by Force Motors’ R&D team.

Best in class features of Force Traveller-26

  • Highest power to weight ratio in its category of 18 KW per tonne, as compared to 12 KW per tonne of other models
  • First LCV in India to use dual mass flywheel
  • Best in class efficiency; 15% more efficient than the competition
  • Safest drive in class with disc brakes on all wheels
  • Only vehicle in its class to adopt the Cathodic Electro Deposition (CED) dip painting process for the primer application, which offers highest protection against rust
  • Load conscious regulating valve and electronic indicators for wear and tear of brake pads are two safety highlights
  • Lowest floor height for easy entry and exit
  • Lowest center of gravity
  • Lowest NVH levels
  • Wide body interior of width 2.2 m , a wide aisle, full standing height and ample leg room.

The van is available in three variants –Standard, School bus and Deluxe – with 26 + D (Driver) seating capacity. Power steering is standard on all variants and the Deluxe comes with factory fitted AC.

Price of Traveller-26 (ex-showroom Pune)

  • Standard – Rs. 10.87 lakhs
  • School bus – Rs. 11.17 lakhs
  • Deluxe – Rs. 13.78 lakhs

The Force Traveller-26 will be initially made available through 27 dealerships across Maharastra and Goa.

Pointers from the press conference

  • More than 65,000 Travellers have been sold till date. Maximum numbers of Ambulances are based on the Traveller.
  • A CNG variant for the 26 is also in development and will be launched in the future.
  • A Hybrid model on the Traveller platform, showcased as a concept at the Delhi Auto Expo this year, is still in the concept stage and could see a release if there is backing from the government for such technologies.
  • The Traveller 26 could be launched in luxury variants that will have lower seating capacity and get goodies like air suspension, and better interiors. Optional extras such as ABS brakes will be launched next year.
  • Around Rs. 50 crores was invested in the making of the Traveller 26.
  • The 4X4 variant of the Force One will launch towards the end of 2012.
  • Force Motors would be launching a new premium MPV next year. This vehicle is also to be made under license from Daimler AG.
  • The company did not discuss the relaunch of the Gurkha.
  • Currently Force Motors supplies 100% of the engine and axle assemblies for Mercedes C, E, S and M Class models. Till date more than 28,000 engines have been supplied to MB India, warranties of which are supported by Force Motors.

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Force-Traveller-26-launch-9.jpg

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(Source :http://indianautosblog.com)

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HAVE YOU OBSERVED A VERY STRANGE THING IN THE SCHOOL BUS ?

While the white colored Traveller (in the above photos) is on the expected lines,

there is a very strange thing I observe in the school van.

It has a door on the left side of the bus. Not on the right side normally seen in

our country. Does it mean that the school van was originally developed for

some other market ? If so, it is a good sign for Force Motors. They only

need to reposition the last row of seats and retool the door on the `right' side

(which is a `right' thing to do in our market).

Appearance wise, from the front side particularly, I like the school van. It's damn

good. Feel like going to school again. Immediately drawn the memory lane to my

school days when we used to have 6 silver-colored one-door school buses in our

St Fathima High School (Kazipet, AP). Our bus, no.1, used to be the fastest and

the most well kept, thanks to the wonderful driver nicknamed by us as 'Raj-Cut'.

I used to get zapped by his driving skills and always used to be right behind him

during all those 15km-one-way drives in all my 3 years of schooling there.

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The height of the floor seems high from the ground, specially visible in "school bus rear door open photo". It is not feasible for small child to get in and out of the bus. The door is on the opposite side and will be risky. Hope this is rectified in final production version or there is an option for Indian buyers. But one has to check the width of the seats for comfort.

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HAVE YOU OBSERVED A VERY STRANGE THING IN THE SCHOOL BUS ?

While the white colored Traveller (in the above photos) is on the expected lines,

there is a very strange thing I observe in the school van.

It has a door on the left side of the bus. Not on the right side normally seen in

our country. Does it mean that the school van was originally developed for

some other market ?

I think the entry if going to be same as earlier was. Since earlier, the entry to the sitting area was from the co-driver's seat itself. and I think same si the case here.

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HAVE YOU OBSERVED A VERY STRANGE THING IN THE SCHOOL BUS ?

While the white colored Traveller (in the above photos) is on the expected lines,

there is a very strange thing I observe in the school van.

It has a door on the left side of the bus. Not on the right side normally seen in

our country. Does it mean that the school van was originally developed for

some other market ? If so, it is a good sign for Force Motors. They only

need to reposition the last row of seats and retool the door on the `right' side

(which is a `right' thing to do in our market).

Appearance wise, from the front side particularly, I like the school van. It's damn

good. Feel like going to school again. Immediately drawn the memory lane to my

school days when we used to have 6 silver-colored one-door school buses in our

St Fathima High School (Kazipet, AP). Our bus, no.1, used to be the fastest and

the most well kept, thanks to the wonderful driver nicknamed by us as 'Raj-Cut'.

I used to get zapped by his driving skills and always used to be right behind him

during all those 15km-one-way drives in all my 3 years of schooling there.

The height of the floor seems high from the ground, specially visible in "school bus rear door open photo". It is not feasible for small child to get in and out of the bus. The door is on the opposite side and will be risky. Hope this is rectified in final production version or there is an option for Indian buyers. But one has to check the width of the seats for comfort.

Guys,

It's an emergency exit & yes it's tall, but it'll have no. of steps!

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