Ashok Leyland Dost+: Bigger And Better

Bigger and better, Ashok Leyland Dost+ promises lower TCO.

- Bhargav TS

The launch of Dost in 2011 marked Ashok Leyland’s entry into the LCV market in a true sense. Since 2011, more than 1.7 lakh Dosts have been sold. A symbol of Ashok Leyland’s successful foray into the LCV market, the Dost has grown. It has grown in demsions, and in many other areas. It has got itself a new name in the process. Called the Dost+, the new LCV promises Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Tracing its roots to the collaboration between Ashok Leyland and Nissan, the Dost+ offers 18 per cent more load carrying capacity than the Dost. It also offers seven per cent more loading area. Aiming at the two to 3.5-tonne LCV segment, the Dost+, with a GVW of 2.75-tonnes, looks identical almost to that of the Dost when viewed from the front. Walk over however, and the difference is obvious at once. Despite the semi-forward stance of the cabin, which makes it stand out of the crowd of forward-control LCVs, the Dost+ looks bigger. It is bigger than the Dost. Measuring 4630 mm in length, 1650 mm in width, and 1900 mm in height, the Dost+ offers a payload capacity of 1.5-tonnes. Building over the Dost and the Dost Strong, the new LCV is different in more ways than one. The cabin, despite looking identical to that of the Dost, has been modified to accommodate the large, 15-inch dia. wheels. The B-pillar and the portion of the wheel arch, including the portion of the door that is a part of the wheel arch, have been mildly modified. With the bonnet claimed to provide a sense of security to its buyers (this market is typically owner-operator intensive), the new LCV flaunts a 2510 mm wheelbase. It is 160 mm more than that of the Dost. Riding on 15-inch dia. wheels (and 195 R15 tyres) over Dost’s 14-inch dia. wheels (and 185 R14 tyres), the Dost+ has a ground clearance of 190 mm. It is 13 mm higher than that of the Dost. Unlike the Dost, which has four wheel bolts, the Dost+ comes with five wheel bolts. The fla