Ashok Leyland launches India's first 14-wheeler 8x2 DTLA truck AVTR 4120

Ashok Leyland on Friday launched all new Ashok Leyland 4120 cargo truck.
The new revolutionary 14 wheeler truck by Ashok Leyland comes with wheel drive configuration of 8x2 on a 4 axle platform. The vehicle offers a GVW of 40.5 tons. The second axle of the vehicle is equipped with DLTA ( Dual Tyre Lift Axle) of 12.5 tons.

The new truck is said to be offering an additional 5 ton of payload in comparison to existing 8x2 trucks like AL 3518.
Why Ashok Leyland 4120 is better than existing 35 ton 8x2 trucks?
Ans:

• Ashok Leyland 4120 8x2 said to offers 5 ton extra payload than 35 ton trucks.

• The number of axles are 4 only on AL 4120 which is similar to that of 35 ton, so manoeuvrability is almost similar to a 35 ton truck.

• The vehicle will work like a 28 ton 6x2 truck in case of empty or underload returns, which would lead to higher kmpl delivery.

• The tonnage flexibility with 35 ton 8x2 configuration is 28 ton to 35 ton, whereas tonnage flexibility with 4120 is right from 28 ton to 40.5 tons.

Why Ashok Leyland 4120 is better than existing 14 wheelers like AL 4220?
Ans:

• Existing 14 wheeler with 42 tons comes with 5 axles, so manoeuvrability is always a challenge. All new AL AVTR 4120 on the other hand comes with 4 axles, so handing the vehicle is almost similar to a 35 ton 8x2 truck. There is a very good possibility of higher fuel mileage with one less axle touching the ground.

• 42 ton vehicle with lift axle up has 12 wheels touching the ground in 8x2 mode even under empty or partial load returns. The new 4120 will have only 10 wheels touching the ground in 6x2 mode during empty or partial load returns. This arrangement would increase the life of tyre and enhance the fuel mileage.

• The tonnage modularity of 42 ton is from 35 ton to 42 tons, whereas the tonnage modularity of all new Ashok Leyland 4120 is right from 28 tons to 40.5 ton GVW.

Vipin Sondhi, managing director, Ashok Leyland said, "Ashok Leyland has always been ahead of the curve and leads the CV industry in terms of innovation. Our endeavour has always been to address the needs of our customers and deliver better profitability for them, and AVTR4120 is one step towards offering the customer flexibility”.

Earlier this month Tata Motors surprised the market by launching India's first 6x2 -10 wheeler truck 3118 with dual tyre lift axle. Ashok Leyland's 4120 8x2-14 wheeler with dual tyre lift axle could well be interpreted as their response to the Tata's launch. It would really be interesting to see which particular model is more realistic to unexplored potential of the market.