Tata Motors launched its two buses - Tata Divo and the Tata Starbus Ultra in the Indian auto industry on 14th March 2012. Tata Divo is a long distance luxurious inter-city travelling bus, whereas the Tata Starbus Ultra is a preferred choice for travelling within the city.
During the launch ceremony, Mr. Ravi Pisharody, President, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors, said, “Tata Motors has always been at the forefront in revolutionizing passenger transportation in the commercial vehicle segment. With the introduction of the Tata Divo and the Tata Starbus Ultra the company will more comprehensively address the burgeoning need of public transportation. These two buses are sure to migrate the world of passenger transportation to a completely new level of class and technology coupled with comfort and convenience.”
These new offerings from Tata Motors are luxury AC Coaches, which are meant for tourist operations and inter-city passenger transportation. The design of Tata Divo is derived from Hispano Carrocera of Spain, a completely owned sub-division of Tata Motors. This organization is engaged in providing international riding standards to long distance travellers.
To enhance the luxurious interiors of Tata Divo, the company has offered ample space at interiors with added comforts. The interiors of Tata Divo are incorporated with world class advancements like wide seats with up to 135 degree recline, head flaps, armrests, different seating configurations and different seating layouts in semi-sleepers. Moreover, the bus holds impressive saloon space with high roof and large space for luggage, reading lights and hat-racks with personalized controls for air conditioner. All these advancements together make this vehicle an ultimate coach to travel with utmost luxuries and comforts.
In order to maintain a pleasing ambience within the vehicle, the company has incorporated an entertainment system that has a DVD player and 2 LCD screens. In addition to these, the bus is also incorporated with charging points for mobile phones, public address system and destination board that add to the travelling experience of passengers.
The drive train chassis of Tata Divo is compliant over BS III norms and is equipped with a powerful Cummins engine. The performance oriented engine of this car has the potential to churn out an impressive power of 285 hp, which is mated to a six speed overdrive gearbox that results in higher fuel economy. In addition to these, the performance of this engine is further enhanced by a larger 430 mm diameter clutch for better life, quality independent front axle for enhanced manoeuvrability and an unmatched braking performance with hydrodynamic retarder. All these features provide a better running life to the engine with brilliant performance.
Tata motors have incorporated pneumatically suspended seat for the driver, which has set new heights for comforts in driver’s cabin. In addition, the driver’s cabin is also equipped with a new aesthetic dashboard, electronic accelerator pedal and accuracy in gear shifting that reduces exhaustion of the driver.
With these features, Tata Divo is not only known for reliability, fine design and optimum performance, but also has world class safety measures. The hydrodynamic retarder packed within this vehicle spells impressive on safety concerns with unmatched aerodynamics drag coefficient that increases the stability of vehicle.
However, the operators are also provided with an option to personalize their Divo by selecting the desired styling options and preferred colour scheme. Owing to these features, Tata Motors has offered the base variant of Divo with a competitive price tag of Rs. 66 lacs (ex-showroom Thane) in the market.
On the other hand, Starbus Ultra is another offering from the platform of Tata Motors, equipped with new levels of luxuries and comforts especially for hotel guests, office-goers, tourists and school children. Moreover, the company has offered four variants of this vehicle, namely Standard, Luxury, School and Deluxe, which are further available in different seating arrangements, ranging from 22 – 46 seater, and different wheelbases. With different advancements and features, the company offers a wide option to its operators to select from the offered range.
The new Starbus Ultra is equipped with an impressive aerodynamic design that goes parallel with the Bus Body Code of the Indian government. Moreover, this bus is known as the first in its category with front exit ahead of the axle, which simultaneously results in more number of seats in same length of bus and subsequent profits for the operator. With the incorporation of wider aisle width, improved parabolic suspension system and super comfortable seating, Starbus Ultra ensures that its passengers have a peaceful as well as smooth ride.
This bus is fortified with the reliable Tata 497 engine and a viscous fan. Viscous fan was first introduced in these types of vehicles that deliver reduced NVH levels and a higher fuel economy. Moreover, the powerful engine of this vehicle is mated with a six speed transmission system that has smooth and easy switching of gears. With the features like overdrive and cable shift mechanism, the engine delivers an impressive fuel economy with a brilliant speed. With introduction of these advancements, the life of these buses extends to around 30 per cent. Equipment like stronger rear axle and high strength chassis further adds to the life of Starbus Ultra, whereas wider tubeless radial tires offers it a long running life. Along with these features, the vehicle also demands long servicing intervals, which significantly reduces the cost incurred for the operators.
In order to provide a better stability to the vehicle and manoeuvrability for driver, Tata Motors has induced wider track axle in its Starbus Ultra that delivers lowest turning circle diameter in its segment. In addition to this, the bus is also assimilated with a telescopic and tiltable steering wheel and mounted gear lever in dashboard that together minimizes the driver fatigue.
Along with these features, the luxury variant of this vehicle is provided with an engine-driven air conditioner with individual vents and reading lamps for every occupant. Advancements like push-back seats with up to 135 degree recline, footrests and arm rests add to the adventure of travelling. Moreover, the deluxe variant also has hi-back reclining seats for added comfort, ample space at rear and side luggage booths for storage, LCD screen with a provision of CD / DVD player on request. As far as school variant is concerned, it holds impressive 25 safety features with all those comfort advancements that suits best for children.
Owing to these features, the Tata Starbus Ultra is a name that stands synonymous to comforts, style, space and performance. The company has offered the base variant of Starbus Ultra (BS III version) in the market with a competitive price tag of Rs.15 lacs (ex-showroom Thane). The operators can avail this range from all the authorized dealerships of Tata Motors.
