We reported earlier that Force Motors is planning to launch a Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) in collaboration with Daimler AG by 2012 in Indian market. Now, according to some reports, this MPV will be based on Mercedes-Benz Viano. The commercial vehicle maker entered passenger car segment with launch of Force One SUV last month.
Force Motors signed a licence agreement with Daimler AG for the MPV project in July. The Mercedes-Benz Viano will be rebadged as Force Motors product and will be sold as eight seater vehicle instead of seven seater version available in international market. the company hopes to sell this MPV between Rs 10 – 15 lakh.
Force Motors’ MPV is likely to feature the same engine (codename OM 611) and transmission as used on the recently-launched Force One SUV. That means the MPV will be powered by a Mercedes-Benz-licensed 2.2-litre, common-rail, four-cylinder engine. Peak power will be a decent 139bhp at 3800rpm that will be transmitted to the rear wheels (just as on the Viano) via a five-speed manual gearbox.
This is not the first time Force Motors is using a Mercedes-Benz product and rebadging it. Its Traveller light commercial vehicle line-up is also a Mercedes-Benz model called Transporter.
Source: Autocar India
