TATA LPT 613

On the inside of the Tata LPT 613, things are not as appealing to look at as they should be. The cabin looks very outdated and the dull fit and finish levels of the bits all over do not help matters too.

The driver’s cockpit of the Tata LPT 613 looks very drab with the large two-spoke steering wheel, behind which sits a vertical instrument console. Housed in a trapezoidal unit, this console comes with rounded analog dials for all the data on the go, with the left side of the housing getting AC vents as well.

The rest of the dashboard design looks shabby and low rent, which can make you feel that the Tata LPT 613 is actually a truck from bygone eras.

On the front of appearance, the Tata LPT 613 surely looks like a truck from one segment above, thanks to its overall large dimensions and squared theme in its design. There are a lot of rectangular influences in the design of the Tata LPT 613 which make it look proportional, but at the same time, quite monotonous as well.

The front profile of the Tata LPT 613 has a large rectangular windshield, which has angular edges at all corners and a sleek grey panel running below it, where the wipers are mounted as well. The front apron here looks quite slim and tapers down to the lower part of the front design in a clean manner.

The lower portion of the front profile of the Tata LPT 613 is completely highlighted by the front grille, which is huge and is spread across the entire width of the truck. The entire grille and its surrounding areas are finished in a theme of black plastic. The lower corners of this entire fascia garnish come fitted with rectangular headlamps, with their outer edges getting the company of amber-coloured turn indicators. All these design elements do give the Tata LPT 613 a very simple and humble look when viewed from the front.

From the sides too, the Tata LPT 613 has a very simple visual appeal. The S-shaped lower window waistline flows down to the edge of the A-pillar, where the rearview mirrors are mounted. There are a couple of creases running across the width of the door panels, running parallel to each other. The flared semi-rounded wheel arches do get thick black plastic molding over them, which also come integrated with tiny turn indicators in them.

The Tata LPT 613 is underpinned by a ladder-on-frame chassis, which gets armed with semi-elliptical leaf springs at both front and rear, with the latter also getting additional assistance of auxiliary springs. Hydraulic double acting shock absorbers at both front and rear are there for absorbing all kinds of undulations. The Tata LPT 613 also has been fitted with dual circuit full air S-cam service brakes and spring actuated parking brake for rear wheels.

The engine employed for the Tata LPT 613 is a 5.7-litre inline-six diesel engine, which has been developed in-house by Tata Motors. Paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox, this diesel engine makes a maximum power output of 129 PS and a peak torque output of 416 Nm. The figures are apt for the size of the truck and give it enough pulling power as and when needed, if not being the best-in-class.

For the cost-conscious entry-level segment to which it belongs, the Tata LPT 613 misses out on prominent safety features, save for the safety seat belts it gets.

The Tata LPT 613 feels quite archaic in its overall packaging, including its design, equipment levels and even the basic mechanicals. However, for its price, it gives one the feel of a larger medium-duty commercial vehicle with an additional load carrying capacity.