Tata Ace with stop-start technology launched

Tata Motors is all set to use its stop-start technology in its mini truck Tata Ace to improve fuel efficiency, a report in The Economic Times said. Currently, Tata Motors uses the stop-start technology in its cars.

In a vehicle equipped the new technology, when the ECU (electronically controlled unit) recognizes that the engine is on, but the vehicle isn’t moving, it turns off the engine after 10 seconds, saving fuel.

When the driver wants to resume driving, the on-board computer switches the engine on as soon as the driver presses the clutch pedal.

This helps save fuel and decrease the emission of spent gases like carbon mono oxide in the air, by almost 8 per cent.

With the new technology, the Tata Ace will cost Rs 3.03 lakhs, costing Rs 10000 more than its standard price, The Economic Times quoted a senior Tata official as saying.

The new Tata Ace that comes with 13-inch wheels is said to have a larger ground clearance than its predecessors. The new Tata Ace variant will also get a new five speed gear box.

The first Tata Ace, with stop-start technology, has been rolled out in Kolkata, and will be extended to other cities soon.

Tata Motors is likely to use the technology in its other vehicles as well.

The Tata Ace was launched in May 2005, at a price slightly over Rs 2 lakhs.

The Tata Ace has a 700-cc engine that delivers a power of 16 hp at 3200 rpm and a maximum torque of 3.8 mkg at 2000 rpm.

The mini truck has a top speed of 64 kmph, maximum gradeability of 16 per cent, and grade restartability 15 per cent.

The Tata Ace has a permissible loading capacity of 750 kg (1650 lb), and a modern cabin compared to its three-wheeler competition like Piaggio’s mini truck.

The Tata Ace and the Tata Magic, based on the Ace platform, have performed well, in April 2009.

Tata’s LCV models saw a 52 per cent increase in sales, notching 14,794 units in April 2009.