Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, has announced the launch of its BharatBenz heavy-duty truck (HDT) range, now equipped with the globally acclaimed 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). Marking this milestone, the company secured an initial bulk order of 80 units of the 3532CM mining tippers from a single customer.
The newly introduced ‘Torqshift’ transmission, a standout feature of the BharatBenz range, is renowned for its proven performance in hundreds of thousands of Mercedes-Benz trucks worldwide. Designed to simplify driving, the 12-speed AMT will be available across the latest BharatBenz models, including the 4032T, 5532TS, 5532T, 2832CM, and the flagship 3532CM. This addition reinforces BharatBenz’s reputation for delivering reliable and capable vehicles in the construction and mining segments.
Mr. Sreeram Venkateswaran, President and Chief Business Officer, stated, “Heavy-duty Construction and Mining (CM) trucks are a core strength for us, and we have a strong presence in this segment. With the introduction of the new 12-speed AMT in our CM portfolio, customers can expect significant gains in operational productivity and notable cost savings, as overall fleet efficiency improves. Deliveries of the 3532CM BharatBenz Torqshift trucks have already begun, and these vehicles are being deployed in active operations.
We are also introducing the AMT technology in our Tractor Trailers (TT), which will not only enhance vehicle productivity but also play a key role in improving road safety. This segment is poised for steady growth, and with the rapid development of road infrastructure, the BharatBenz Torqshift range will offer tremendous value to our long-haul logistics customers.
Our AMT technology, derived from Mercedes-Benz trucks, consistently delivers on the total cost of ownership advantage. Tailored for Indian conditions, it brings exceptional value across our Mining Tippers, Surface Tippers, and Tractor Trailers.”
BharatBenz Torqshift range offers superior driving comfort with its smooth, jerk-free gear shifting and significantly faster shift times, which greatly enhances the vehicle’s drivability. Integration of the shift lever into the steering column not only improves the ergonomics within the cabin but also contributes to better isolation of noise and heat, ensuring a more comfortable drive.
Mr. Pradeep Kumar Thimmaiyan, President and Chief Technology Officer, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles said, “The 12-speed AMT is a big triumph for us at India Product Engineering as we achieved our goal to introduce this transmission in our BharatBenz portfolio after meticulous planning and adaptive engineering, ensuring minimal cost of development. A global technology like the Mercedes-Benz AMT, seamlessly integrated in our BharatBenz Torqshift range of trucks, keeps in mind our customers’ needs in the market. This technology is designed to reduce driving stress and to ensure a faster turnaround with significantly higher fuel efficiency. Torqshift is engineered to minimize maintenance, significantly improving the total cost of ownership for our customers. This aligns perfectly with our intent to deliver not only well-engineered and safe products, but also ones that add tremendous value to our customers’ businesses.”
Engineered to accommodate heavy-duty requirements in the Indian construction and mining segments and long-haul, the Torqshift range has a wider selection of gear ratios and higher input torque capacity, making the BharatBenz trucks ideally suited for handling gross combination weights (GCW) from 28 to 55 tonnes. This robust performance is complemented by an innovative design that eliminates the need for synchromesh parts, enhancing reliability and reducing the need for frequent overhauls. Its compact and lightweight alloy housing offers optimal mounting and an ideal power-to-weight ratio. Designed for extended service intervals and reduced operating costs, the Torqshift’s fuel-efficient design is optimized for specific operational conditions, thereby lowering the total cost of ownership. Safety is also a key feature, with powertrain protection systems controlled by software that reduce the chance of driveline component damage in demanding operating conditions. Additionally, the best-in-class shifting mechanism enables very smooth gear transitions, promoting maximum driving comfort and safety across multiple driving modes like auto, manual, power and eco.
