Battle of the Entry Level UVs: Sumo Gold vs Bolero

[Vinu]

Hi Doc, thanks for your inputs. The 407 engine has a dry weight of 270 kg. The CR4 3L is the same engine in disguise. Did you notice nose dive on hard braking? Is city driving enjoyable in this beast?

Looked up in the net and saw the following figures:

In the Xenon,

2.2 L Dicor - Dry weight of 235 kg,

3.0 L Dicor - Dry weight of 325 kg.

Any gurus here?

 

[jagrover]

It's somewhere around 84-85 bhp I guess that also at about 3000 rpm or near redline.


Hmm, yes and no.
The engine block can be said same but not the engine. The block is exactly same in-line 4 cylinder 2956 cc with bore and stroke measuring 97mm X 100mm.
But what makes difference is the way they are turbocharged, the N/A zone is nearly same but still, nothing is same overall in both the engines. There is a lot of difference in the tuning.


Cost factor my buddy, 115-120 bhp means a lot more changes in the chassis and suspension setup to tame the 115 horses. Also for the purpose the vehicle is built, I don't find any reason to give 100+ horses under its hood.
Rest, the 3.0 motor has enough capability to produce even 200+ bhp.


With the disadvantage of weight, this engines gives the Sumo some advantages too. For the people mover like Sumo, giving a detuned 2.2l Dicor can prove to be painfully underpowered in the N/A zone or lower revs. Though a lighter engine will give it agility and help improving dynamics but it will make the driving a painful affair, and if one adds a good VGT then again the costs will go on the higher side.

you mean bigger the engine better the drivability?[I guess I understood your claim correctly ]
Isn't the power the engine produces that matters and not the engine capacity??
Does 2.2l engine with FGT that produces 85-90 bhp will not do the same as the 3.0l dicor??

 

[Vinu]

you mean bigger the engine better the drivability?[I guess I understood your claim correctly ]
Isn't the power the engine produces that matters and not the engine capacity??
Does 2.2l engine with FGT that produces 85-90 bhp will not do the same as the 3.0l dicor??

Someone who has driven both the Gold and the Grande might be able to answer this. Power / torque alone need not necessarily enhance driveability. Where this is available is also of importance.

 

[jagrover]

@ vinu
which is the better engine? 2.2l or 3.0l dicor. I strongly believe 2.2l is better in drivability. Now 3.0l uses a fixed geometric turbo and 2.2l uses VGT. Hence I guess 3.0l enginf is more cost effective!!

 

[Vinu]

@ vinu
which is the better engine? 2.2l or 3.0l dicor. I strongly believe 2.2l is better in drivability. Now 3.0l uses a fixed geometric turbo and 2.2l uses VGT. Hence I guess 3.0l enginf is more cost effective!!

I will not comment on which engine is better. However, what I know is that 2.2 Dicor is a more modern engine. It was either developed by AVL for Tata, or they acted as consultants. The 3.0 dicor / CR4 is a derivative of the redoubtable 407 LCV engine which Tata built probably reverse engineering a Merc engine. I have no knowledge if Tata had sought any outside help there. The former is an OHC engg while the latter is an OHV one. If you are asking about about engine reliability,my vote is for the 3.0l mill. The 2.2 Dicor is notorious for his unreliability. The 3.0 Dicor too had it's fair share of niggles early on, but I understand many of these issues had something to do with the CRDI unit. The DI version of the 3.0 l mill can go on and on for ages.

 

[dr_desai]

dr Desai did you buy the sumo gold ?
And a bit offtopic question did you get chance to drive the safari storme ?

Before I opt for Sumo Gold I wish to take test drive of Storme.

 

[dr_desai]

I will not comment on which engine is better. However, what I know is that 2.2 Dicor is a more modern engine. It was either developed by AVL for Tata, or they acted as consultants. The 3.0 dicor / CR4 is a derivative of the redoubtable 407 LCV engine which Tata built probably reverse engineering a Merc engine. I have no knowledge if Tata had sought any outside help there. The former is an OHC engg while the latter is an OHV one. If you are asking about about engine reliability,my vote is for the 3.0l mill. The 2.2 Dicor is notorious for his unreliability. The 3.0 Dicor too had it's fair share of niggles early on, but I understand many of these issues had something to do with the CRDI unit. The DI version of the 3.0 l mill can go on and on for ages.

The 2.2 Dicor engine is high rpm engine and suits well for high speed performance for urban SUVS . Where as 3.0 CR4 engine is low rpm engine for best low end torque. It is most suited to pull more load at low speed. It is mostly used for serious off roader, pick up cars and small LCVs.

 

[vyasvivek]

please do a ROAD TEST

I too am intrested in getting one for myself but I can't find a proper test drive report anywhere...can anyone post a link or someone can do it and post it here itself would be grateful. Thanks in advance

 

[Tornado]

@v...... K, Asap,I will post the TD report, I have tded them B2B.

 

[dharmesh]

Bolero's sales figures are really mind boggling. where as Sumo is just loosing out in our market

But interesting fact to take into consideration is that SUMO is only sold as passenger carrier, while Bolera is sold in number of forms from passenger carrier to milk van and what not. The real picture will be clear only when Mahindra gives out the break up of how many Boleros they sold as a passenger carrier.

 

[THE XOVER]

Re: Here is one Review for you

I too am intrested in getting one for myself but I can't find a proper test drive report anywhere...can anyone post a link or someone can do it and post it here itself would be grateful. Thanks in advance

Welcome Mr. Vyas to TAI,have a nice stay here.Here is one review of Sumo GOLD by Autocar India:Tata Sumo Gold review, test drive | Review | Autocar India

But I suggest you to TD any vehicle before buying as the vehicle experience differs from person to person.Cheers


THE X-OVER

 

[vyasvivek]

Re: Here is one Review for you

Welcome Mr. Vyas to TAI,have a nice stay here.Here is one review of Sumo GOLD by Autocar India:Tata Sumo Gold review, test drive | Review | Autocar India

But I suggest you to TD any vehicle before buying as the vehicle experience differs from person to person.Cheers


THE X-OVER

first of all thanks for welcoming me here.
thanks once again for the link X OVER but unfortunately I have already gone through the review you posted i actually wanted to know about experiences for owners of the vehicle and i have already done a td, but i want to know about the running maintaince costs as well

 

[THE XOVER]

No issues buddy.Our member dr.desai can help you in this regard as one of his very close friend owns a Gold.

 

[THE XOVER]

Just an year ago Tata launched GOLD the refreshed version of their original superstar Tata Sumo,and no one gave it a chance.We all thought that its another flash in the pan,but whoa what an amazing success story its has turned out to be.Before the launch of Gold,per annum sales of Sumo were around 12,000 units but after GOLD's arrival TML has manged to sell more than 36K Sumos.Still no where close to Bolero,but the manner in which it is becoming popular in rural India,that day is not that far.

 

[autosafari]

Sumo Gold is doing good inspite of the old and bland body shell.

It seems the the Sumo team at TATA Motors is there to outsmart Storme guys by launching an SUV style TV commercial for Sumo Gold.