DRIVING THE TATA ULTRA 2821.T (CONTAINER)

Highlighting a distinct shift to application-based approach, the Tata Ultra 2821.T (Container) is about value.

- Bhushan Mhapralkar

The road is bad, and the ride is unforgiving. An old two-lane cement road leading the traffic out of Ambernath and past Taloja MIDC in Navi Mumbai is not in the best of its shape. Better yet, it has not been cared for; the vagaries of nature having taken a toll over the years and perhaps decades. As a road without toll tax, the resulting ride in the new Tata Ultra 2821.T (Container) is turning out be bumpier than expected. It gets a little better on a newly built stretch some two kms down south and closer to the Taloja MIDC area. Carrying itself admirably over the well-paved stretch as well as the most ravaged one, the Ultra 2821.T is turning out to be an interesting truck to drive and know. It is quite modern for certain. The Taloja MIDC entrance provides a unique insight about the truck’s length. The civil works going on have narrowed the road, and it takes and amount of manoeuvring to proceed. Capable of acommodating a 32 ft. container at the back, the Ultra 2821.T has a 6750 mm wheelbase. A slightly shorter variant with an ability to accommodate a 24 ft. container has a 5505 mm wheelbase. The better condition of the MIDC road further accentuates the truck’s ability to provide a comfortable driving position. The suspended driver’s seat and the lack of cabin vibration indicate time and again that this truck is not just noticeably different from the BSIV Ultra, it is increasingly refined and comfortable to pilot. Over the BSIV Ultra, the refinement of this BSVI truck shines through. If one were to chose an air-conditioner, the ride would be even quieter. In a non-air-conditioned truck, with the windows rolled down, an amount of road noise is had for certain. The roar of the pasing trucks and the hum of other vehicles, big and small. But, then that is small price to play for what is a comfortable sleeper cabin with twin passenger seats. The safety cabin also has a berth for a two-driver setup, and is of the walk-through variety. As part of the h