In December 2000 Girish Wagh was given a brief by Ravi Kant to create a new very light truck line that would add to Tata's current truck range. It was to be economical and to take on the three-wheeled cargo auto rickshaws in the Indian market. Based on this brief Wagh approached users of three-wheel cargo rickshaws and got their feed back on Tata's future four-wheel cargo vehicle. The feedback indicated the need for an economical vehicle that could take light loads over short distances. Additionally the feedback also revealed that future owners would prefer owning a four-wheeler cargo vehicle for the perceived prestige it would offer over a three-wheeled vehicle. Tata Ace has created a new mini segment in India. Priced between 2.25 and 3.35 lakhsINR, the company aims to convert three-wheeler users to four-wheelers.
Models
Tata produces three main models of the Ace family, the Ace, the Super Ace, and the Ace Zip. Both the Ace and Ace Zip have a passenger variant called the Magic.
Ace
The standard Ace HT is powered by a two-cylinder 702 cc engine, delivering at 3200 rpm and a torque of 3.8 kgf⋅m at 2000 rpm. It has a permissible loading capacity of 750 kg. It is equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox and has a top speed of. The Ace HT has a modern cabin compared to its three-wheeler rivals. It is best suited for carrying goods over short distances. The Ace EX adds a five-speed gearbox, stop-start and larger wheels and wider tires, and a top speed of 70 km/h.
The Tata Super Ace is a 1 Ton diesel mini truck aimed for Intra City Applications and Last Mile Distribution, it has a loading deck length of 2630 mm and a top speed of. The Super Ace has a miserly turning radius of 5.1 m and boasts a mileage of 14 km/L, which gives it maximum range of 440 km per its 38 L fuel tank. It has a three-way drop load body which provides a mere 60 cm height for comfortable loading and unloading.
Specifications
Engine Tata 475 TCIC
Engine capacity 1405 cc
Max engine output 70 hp @ 4500 rpm
Max engine torque 13.8 kg⋅m @ 2500 rpm
Fuel tank capacity 38 L
Clutch and transmission Clutch Single plate dry friction diaphragm type
The Tata Ace Zip is marketed as a micro truck in India. Priced from Rs.1.9 lakhs INR onwards, the company aims to convert three-wheeler users to four-wheelers. One of the ideas that prompted the launch of this vehicle was to develop more opportunities of self-employment in the country. Moreover, there was a need for an efficient last mile vehicle, Tata sought to find the gap in the market and released the Ace Zip. The 611 cc engine delivers a power of 11.3 hp at 3000 rpm and a torque of 3.16 kgf⋅m at 1600–1800 rpm. It has a permissible loading capacity of 600 kg.. It is best suited for use by villagers in carrying goods over short distances.
Ace Magic+
In June 2007 Tata Motors launched the passenger variant of the Ace, named Magic featuring an all-steel cabin. It offers a flexible seating capacity of 4-7 passengers with adequate legroom. Powered by a, 702 cc water-cooled diesel engine, the Magic offers high fuel efficiency and very low maintenance. The Magic's turning radius of is nimble enough to navigate the bylanes and traffic of India's crowded cities. The Magic has a clearly visible instrument cluster, utility tray and a digital clock in the dashboard and also a provision for fitting a radio. The Magic meets BS-III emission norms and has been developed for use in any market — be it urban, semi-urban or rural. It is backed by a 36,000 km/12-month warranty. The Magic range starts at Rs 2.60 lakh.
A passenger carrier the Tata Ace Zip platform, the Tata Magic Iris, has also been launched.
Manufacturing locations
The mini truck is now produced at the facility in Pantnagar, Uttarkhand although it was initially manufactured at Pune. The Tata Ace has succeeded in creating an entirely new segment that competitors are known to be working on different models to compete against the Tata Ace.
