TATA LPT 1618

The basic and cheap looking cabin of the Tata LPT 1116 has made its way in the Tata LPT 1618 as well, which make it a drab and dated place to be in. The below-average fit and finish levels and minimal list of features further make the cabin even less desirable and appealing. 

The dashboard as well as the large instrument console housed in a trapezoidal unit have a different looking vertical layout, which might look boring, but increases the sense of space in the cabin. However, apart from the AC vents and a small closed glove box, there isn’t much to talk about the dashboard. The two-spoke large steering wheel too is something that looks like one from a three-decade-old vehicle.

As said above, the Tata LPT 1618 has a design that is more or less the same as that of the smaller LPT 1116. Each and every dimension of it, such as length, wheelbase and width are changed with the revisions its chassis has undergone. However, the design of the driver cabin is exactly similar to the LPT 1116. Here too, almost all of the parts of the Tata LPT 1618 have rectangular influence in their look and appearance, which might look too basic, but helps it in giving a proportional and decent design.  

At the front, the large windshield with angular edges and blacked-out panel below its lower edge does aid in enhancing the width and size of the truck when viewed head-on. The large and flat rectangular panel sandwiched between the windshield and grille looks basic with no sharp creases or curves.

At the bottom of it, the Tata LPT 1618 gets a long and rectangular grille assembly, which is finished entirely in black and also engulfs the simple-looking headlamps in its corners. At the outer edges of the headlamps, there are simple looking turn indicators, above which there is a vertical black garnish extending towards the A-pillar’s lower edges. This very part does add some character to the otherwise plain-looking front profile of the Tata LPT 1618.

From the side, the Tata LPT 1618 doesn’t look even half appealing as it is from the front. The design is even more basic here, however, compared to the slanting window waistline of other trucks, the LPT 1618 gets an S-shaped line. The A-pillar mounted rearview mirrors and door handles are finished in black, and so is the wheel arch molding over the semi-rounded wheel arches. The latter also gets turn indicators integrated within them.

The Tata LPT 1618 too gets semi-elliptical leaf springs with hydraulic double-acting shock absorbers at both the ends just like the smaller LPT 1116. However, the additional antiroll bars at the front here do make the ride a bit more controlled and plush. However, the dual circuit full air S-CAM service brake here has been shared with the LPT 1116.

It is here that the differences between the Tata LPT 1618 and the smaller LPT 1116 start to become more apparent. The powertrain employed to supply power to the Tata LPT 1618 is a 5.9-litre inline six-cylinder engine, which is basically a Cummins 6BT 5.9 mill. Married to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the engine has the capacity to produce a maximum power output of 179 PS and a maximum torque output of 650 Nm.

Despite belonging to one segment above the entry-level light-duty trucks, the Tata LPT 1618 misses out on more modern safety features and gets only safety seat belts in the name of safety.

The bigger and more powerful engine and revisions in the chassis done make the Tata LPT 1618 a better alternative over the light-duty truck range from Tata Motors. However, there is still a scope of improvement when it comes to design, features and built quality.