Tata Sierra Turbo - Dream car. Review on Tata Sierra Turbo

Model Name : Tata Sierra Turbo. Year of Manu: 1998. Powered by: TATA 483 DL Turbo (DIESEL), 90 PS @ 4300 rpm, 90 BHP. Max Speed: 135 KMPH. Brakes: Vacuum-assisted hydraulic-dual-circuit with tandem master cylinder. When Sierra was launched in the year 1991 by Tata Motors (Then Telco), It was love at first sight. One of first Ads on TV showed a White Tata Sierra being driven Off-road over rough terrain, jumping over humps. Tata clams that it was India’s first Indigenous Diesel Luxury Car. With a host of new features, It was indeed a luxury. I am a proud owner of a second hand Tata Sierra Turbo and proudly I say the it still turns a few heads on road even today. My father often used to travel in a Sierra Turbo. Since the time his company bought the vehicle, it has done 3,15,000 KM and still does 125 KMPH and gives an amazing 12 kmpl with twin AC on highway. The only controlling factor being, it needs to be driven in a way in which it should be driven. The vehicle cruises comfortably at 85 kmph, if you put it in 5th gear. You will be able to maintain this speed with the tachometer reading just 2k (although it could go up to 4.8 or 5 k). If the speed is maintained between 80 and 95 kmph (with Tachometer reading less that 3k), the vehicle could give you, as much as 14 kmpl with AC on highway. Actually though AC is quite effective, It surprising does not effect the fuel economy much as what ever it looses towards running the AC is gained in the aerodynamics of the vehicle. This is specially evident when you drive with your windows down. The vehicle will easily touch 110 but never cross 115 kmph. But when the windows are raised, the vehicle suddenly becomes very silent and within no time touch the sweet 130s on road. When a vehicle comes with a turbo-charger, one should always be aware of the operating RPM of the engine when the Turbo charge kicks in. Though Tata clams that the Turbo charge kicks in at 1800 RPM, it is only evident after 2.5k to 2.8k rpm. This was evident when a Wagon R tried to overtake my vehicle while traveling on the Bangalore – Mysore Highway recently. At third gear, with speed around 50 kmph, Wagon R overtook my vehicle almost as if my vehicle was not moving. But when the engine broke the 3k mark on the tachometer, I was able to catch up and overtake the vehicle comfortably. With my old Sierra Turbo, I was able to out run a Bolero, several Sumo and a Tevera as well. Performance wise, a sierra does better that a Safari (older Safari, older than 2002 ) as well, as it is the same engine that powers both of these vehicles and Sierra weighs about 450 kgs less that a safari. But again, Like is said earlier, The vehicle is only as good as its driver. It is definitely a beast when driven properly. If you want the get the best out of you Sierra Turbo, please keep the following things in mind: - It is a turbocharged vehicle. If you want to overtake any other vehicle on the road, please make sure that the engine is running above 3k rpm. If the engine crosses 3k, you can even compete with most Petrol cars on road. - While cruising make sure that you are running the vehicle between 1.5 k and 3.0 k rpm. Below 1.2k, there will be a lot of vibrations and vehicle will stall if clutch is not used properly. - Every 7000 kms, please check the viscosity of Engine oil, Check for carbon deposition and get the engine oil changed. - Always heat the engine atleast 3 times before starting the vehicle for the first time. Please leave the vehicle to run for atleast 1 min before hitting the accelerator. - Although hydraulic brakes are quite effective, please pump the break paddle once before slaming on it (Though this may not be possible everytime). It brings the vehicle to stop almost immediately. Always make sure that you make use of the gear as well to control the speed, or to slow the vehicle down as you do with any other heavy vehicle. - As both clutch and brake systems are hydraulic, please check the level of Brake and clutch fluid before going on long trips. Please check the Power Steering Oil level as well. - Never ever let the fuel tank go dry. It is a pain to get the diesel flowing smoothly again. As any other normal petrol vehicles, you will not be able to just fill fuel and start the vehicle with a turn of the key. You have to manually pump the fuel into the engine before you are able to start the engine again. - Check the timer belt, every 60,000 kms. Personally I think that the chassis is capable of housing a bigger and more powerful engine. The vehicle is definitely capable of higher speeds as it is rock solid and very stable even at 130 kmph. The vehicle can effortlessly turn at 100 kmph and the driver will have full control of the vehicle. The Pitching, rolling and yawing motion of the vehicle is minimal when compared to any new SUVs that we have in the market now, like Scorpio, Sumo, Qualis and Tevera. With the seat belts on, there is’nt a safer place on road. A concrete electric pole fell on the hood of my car when I was traveling at about 40 kmph and I am still alive to talk about it. Mind you, there was no electricity passing through the cables (Luckily) when it fell. The crumple zone was effectively used to absorb the impact and both my brother and I escaped with not even a cut on our bodies. Luck played a major role in this but at the same time I cannot deny credit to the way in which the vehicle has been designed. If only the vehicle had 4 doors and touch 160kmph on highway, I will never think of any other vehicle for another 5 years. If any of you’ll know any good mechanic who could modify the body to have 4 doors and can make the vehicle go a little faster..