Chennai: BharatBenz has expanded its presence in the premium intercity segment with the launch of the BB1924, a new 19.5-tonne front-engine bus chassis designed to offer higher capacity, improved operational efficiency and stronger safety features for long-distance operators. The model was unveiled by Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), the Indian arm of Daimler Truck AG.
The BB1924 enters a market valued at more than USD 51 billion and growing steadily as intercity mobility demand surges across the country. The new chassis marks an upgrade from the company’s earlier 18.5-tonne platform, giving operators an additional tonne of capacity. According to a company official, the higher Gross Vehicle Weight allows buses to carry more parcel luggage and optimise seating, opening up extra revenue both from freight and passengers.
DICV says the BB1924 is built to meet the priorities of operators who are looking to lower running costs while improving comfort for long-distance travellers. The company highlighted the benefits of its localised supply chain, which now stands at 92 per cent, enabling faster and more economical parts support. It has committed 95 per cent parts availability within 24 to 48 hours through its nationwide network to minimise downtime.
The BB1924 will be sold through 398 authorised touchpoints across India. To ease acquisition, BharatBenz has tied up with more than 15 banks and NBFCs, including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Bajaj Finserv. Financing will be offered at interest rates starting at 8.5 per cent with flexible EMIs of up to five years.
The company is backing the chassis with a six-year or 600,000-km powertrain warranty and around-the-clock roadside assistance. Operators can also use IoT-based telematics for predictive maintenance and real-time fleet monitoring, while driver and technician training programmes in regional languages are expected to help extract better performance from the vehicle.
Andamuthu Ponnusamy, Head of Bus Business at DICV, described the BB1924 as a significant step forward for intercity mobility. He said the combination of safety upgrades, localisation and lower ownership costs sets a new benchmark for the segment. He added that field trials on busy corridors such as Mumbai–Pune, Delhi–Jaipur and Chennai–Bangalore showed a clear reduction in total cost of ownership when compared with existing options in the market.
With the new chassis, BharatBenz is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the growing intercity travel business, where operators are increasingly looking for higher capacity and stronger long-term value.
Technical Specifications
The BB1924 is built around BharatBenz’s BS-VI OBD-II OM926 six-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 241 hp and 850 Nm of torque. The powertrain is paired with a 6-speed synchromesh gearbox tuned for steady highway speeds, a crucial requirement for intercity operators who cover long stretches with minimal interruptions. With a Gross Vehicle Weight of 19,500 kg, the chassis can support configurations of up to 51+1+1 seats. For operators, this translates into better seat economics and greater earning potential per trip.
A 380-litre fuel tank gives the bus a range of more than 1,300 km on a single fill, allowing operators to run long routes with fewer refuelling halts. The chassis uses pneumatic suspension at both ends with anti-roll bars for improved comfort and stability, especially on undulating highways. Engineers have designed the platform for a service life of 10 to 15 years, reflecting the company’s focus on long-term durability for high-utilisation fleets.
Safety is another area where the BB1924 sees significant upgrades. The model is equipped with ABS and Electronic Vehicle Stability Control to help maintain control during emergency maneuvers. A CAN-based electromagnetic retarder with a five-stage control system supports controlled braking on descents, reducing strain on the service brakes and improving overall safety. The high-tensile steel chassis is built to absorb impact forces more effectively, while factory-fitted Michelin radial tubeless tyres are meant to enhance grip, braking and wear life.
The bus also includes features such as cruise control, brake hold assist and a TFT-based driver information system that provides real-time warnings and diagnostics. Together, these systems are aimed at giving drivers better control and operators more confidence in day-to-day operations, particularly on high-density intercity corridors.