The Ashok Leyland-Nissan joint venture yesterday launched its second offering StiLE, a MPV, in Chennai.
Based on the platform of the Nissan Evalia, the new 7-/8-seater is powered by a 1.5 litre engine based on the well-known K9K diesel engine already in use in the Evalia and tuned for better fuel economy and faster heat dissipation.
The launch of the STiLE follows that of the DOST, the small commercial vehicle offering developed by the joint venture company. Set to hit the roads before the festival season, the vehicle will roll out from Nissan’s manufacturing plant at Oragadam, near Chennai.
The new vehicle is designed to offer the Indian customers a global level of performance and comfort. The MPV has been specially developed to address various applications like 7-8 seat people transport in the urban and rural areas, hotel shuttles, taxi services, ambulances, panel vans, courier services, inter-city and intra-city travel.
Designed to represent global styling trends, the monocoque body construction makes for lower weight, while for passengers, it translates into car-like comfort, ride quality and safety. The common rail diesel engine ‘DIET’ is tuned for low NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), improved fuel efficiency and faster heat dissipation. It will be available in both diesel and CNG versions, with a wide choice of seating options of two and three rows.
“I don’t think there is any limit for the collaboration”, Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Renault-Nissan alliance, said when asked about the opportunities for the joint venture in developing new vehicles. Ashok Leyland worked on the entire design with special emphasis on the facia, which shares the ‘waterfall design’ with DOST.
