Mahindra Jeeto CNG 400: Extended driving range, lower running costs
The latest CNG version of the popular Mahindra Jeeto mini truck offers lower cost per kilometer, akin to a typical cargo three-wheeler, but offers about 200 kg extra payload capacity, hazzle-free driving and practicality of a mini truck.
Mini trucks are a novelty in commercial transportation, especially in price sensitive and competitive markets like India. First of all, they are compact, yet offer maximum payload and storage space for the given size.
Secondly, they are affordable, offering comparative advantages in terms of practicality and running costs, as against both the ends of their competition spectrum, with cargo three wheelers on the one hand, and pickup trucks on the other. They are best suited for intra-city and suburban applications, especially for last-mile transportation and delivery services.
Mahindra Jeeto is a popular entry-level mini truck that is available in the market for quite some time. It has got fresh-looking with contemporary styling and semi-forward cab design, along with strong body and spacious interiors than its predecessor – the Mahindra Gio. The Jeeto’s ‘Plus’ variants come with a longer wheelbase 25 hundred mm to hold a 7.4 feet cargo box with a rated payload of 650 kgs. The mini truck is already available in both diesel and CNG engine options.
Range advantage
So, what’s new in Jeeto that makes this mini truck great again? Recently, Mahindra launched a new variant of the Jeeto Plus CNG named “CharSau” or 400. The Jeeto CNG now gets a increased cumulative CNG tank capacity of 68 litres, up from the only option of 40 litres previously. The company has added an additional CNG tank with a capacity of 28 litres.
Mahindra claims that the new Jeeto Plus CNG 400 is capable of offering a driving range of about 400 kms at one go without any need for refueling. With a claimed fuel mileage of 35 km/kg of CNG, the Jeeto boasts a running cost as low as 2.2 rupees per km.
Of course, this mileage and running cost are subject to standard running conditions as per VRDe’s certification. But the point, even if you account certain real-life factors affecting mileage such as maximum payload and start-stop city driving conditions, the fuel efficiency is unlikely to go below 30 km/kg, translating to about 2.5 rupees of fuel cost per km, which is still great for a mini truck.
At the heart of the Jeeto Plus CNG is its 625cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine paired to a 4-speed gearbox. The engine offers a maximum power of 15 kw and 44 Nm of max torque. Unlike the Jeeto’s diesel engine, the CNG engine is similar to a petrol engine, with spark-plug based ignition and electronically-programmed fuel injection system. This means that the engine exhibits reduced rattle noise and vibrations typical for a diesel engine. It is also relatively maintenance-free.
The Jeeto mini truck sits on independent suspension setup up front and on semi-trailing arms in the rear axle. Mahindra offers a warranty of either 3 years or 72,000 kms whichever is earlier.
‘Frugal’ proposition
On the whole, the new Mahindra Jeeto Plus CNG 400 is certainly a strong product that buyers in its class would appreciate. The Jeeto actually sits in the entry-level side of the mini truck segment, wherein buyers look for affordable and value-for-money products that are cheaper to buy and run, with extra payload capacity than a three-wheeler cargo vehicle.
The Jeeto is simply strikes all the right chords. It is compact, easy to maneuver and drive in tight spots, but offers about 200 kg extra payload capacity than a typical cargo three-wheeler. It is as economical to own and run as a three wheeler. So, what more a buyer in this segment would want?
Also Read: Small Commercial Vehicles: When Small is Wonder!
