Tata Magic CNG 8 Seater

Overview

Tata Magic CNG 8 Seater was a commercial vehicle that was popular among the masses as a cheap and efficient option for last mile connectivity and urban transportation. Although discontinued now, it made an impact on the Indian commercial vehicle market.

Engine and Performance

The Tata Magic CNG 8 Seater had a 702 cc multi-point gas injection engine at its core. It was a dedicated CNG power plant and was water cooled for maximum efficiency. This gave 21 bhp at 3400 rpm and 49 Nm of torque at 2200 rpm, which was modest but adequate. However, the engine was more focused on fuel economy rather than outright performance, which was exactly what it was designed for.

It had a top speed of 77 kmph, which would be adequate for city driving and for short intercity trips. It had a gradeability of 19% and grade restartability of 16%; capable of most urban terrains.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The Magic CNG 8 Seater was equipped with a 4 speed synchromesh gearbox for forward gears and sliding mesh for reverse. The vehicle's commercial applications made this simple yet effective transmission system well suited to the vehicle. A rigid beam construction was used on the front axle, and the rear axle was single reduction, Salisbury type, hypoid gears, semi floating axle shafts.

Dimensions and Capacity

The Magic CNG 8 Seater had a total length of 3790 mm, a width of 1500 mm and a height of 1845 mm, which enabled it to be compact enough to maneuver easily in congested urban areas. It had a wheelbase of 2100 mm which ensured stability and the ground clearance of 160 mm was enough for Indian road conditions.

The kerb weight of the vehicle was 1100 kg and gross vehicle weight was 1700 kg, so the vehicle had a decent amount of payload capacity. It was highly maneuverable in tight spaces with a turning radius of 4.30 meters.

The name was indicative of the fact that it had seating for 8 passengers (2 + 3 + 3 across three rows) and was perfect for commercial passenger transport.

Fuel Efficiency and Tank Capacity

Fuel efficiency was one of the Magic CNG 8 Seater’s strongest selling points. Exact figures differed, but its CNG powertrain could save you a lot of money over petrol or diesel. Along with this, the vehicle had a good 70 liter fuel tank capacity, which meant a good range between refills.

Suspension and Brakes

Magic CNG 8 Seater had a parabolic leaf spring suspension with hydraulic double acting shock absorbers at front and rear. The load carrying capacity and ride comfort were balanced in this setup.

It was equipped with a disc brake system at the front and drum brakes at the rear, both vacuum assisted and dual circuit hydraulic actuated. This guaranteed that the vehicle had enough stopping power for its size and intended use.

Features and Comfort

The Magic CNG 8 Seater was primarily a utilitarian vehicle with some basic comfort features. Front bucket seats for the driver and co-passenger, a lockable glove box, sun visors with ticket holders came with it. A good balance of strength and weight was given by the high strength steel body with monocoque structure and tubular construction.

Safety

Safety features were rudimentary, as they were for commercial vehicles of its class at that point in time. Features included outside rear–view mirrors on the driver's side.

Price and Positioning

Tata Magic CNG 8 Seater was aimed as a low cost commercial vehicle. The base model of the car was priced at around Rs. 5.50 lakh while the top variant was priced at Rs. 8.25 lakh, ex-showroom. With its competitive pricing in addition to its small running costs, it was an attractive option to small business owners and fleet operators.

Discontinuation and Legacy

As there were new safety regulations introduced in India, the Tata Magic CNG 8 Seater, and other passenger versions of the Ace platform were discontinued. All of these regulations demanded features like air bags, speed warning systems, and reverse parking sensors, which would have added a great deal to the cost of upgrading these models.

Though it discontinued, Tata Magic CNG 8 Seater made its mark in India’s commercial vehicle industry. It also worked as an affordable and practical solution to address the need to serve the last mile connectivity and urban transportation needs. The legacy of the Super Duty continues to be seen in newer, more advanced models of this commercial vehicle that take after its formula of affordability and efficiency.