Ashok Leyland, a market leader in staff transportation in Saudi Arabia and the fourth largest bus manufacturer in the world, participated in the Traffic Safety Forum held between Dec. 11-13.
Rajive Saharia, president for global sales, Ashok Leyland, said: “Ashok Leyland has been indirectly part of the infrastructure development in the Kingdom for nearly a decade and we are now excited to announce an entirely new portfolio of trucks and buses in the next 2-3 years on the eve of the Vision 2030.”
Leading this portfolio expansion is Oyster, a premium mid-sized 33-seater bus launched earlier this year, equipped with best-in-class features for maximum safety and comfort. Certified to ensure that passengers remain safe in case of any rollover accidents, the Oyster school bus variant is roll-over compliant, with accessories such as a child check alarm safety button, camera around the bus to cover the blind spots, RFID sensor and retractable foot step.
“Safety is a top priority and an indisputable requirement for a school bus. We also ensured car-like-comfort for the occupants, while at the same time assuring the lowest total cost of ownership for operators. We made sure that every element of design carries these three elements. Millions of people across the globe travel on our bus to get to their destinations and that is the trust we have built over the years,” said Saharia.
The company will soon launch light commercial vehicles starting from 5T GVW (gross vehicle weight) to 9T GVW.
“We have always believed in customers’ profitability and our well-trained sales force ensures that the right vehicle is recommended to the customer that suits his application. At the same time, we have the best rated service and parts network in the country. Our customers appreciate us for our onsite service, delivered by our service trucks — that’s why we call it a ‘workshop on the wheels.’ We are excited about Vision 2030 and looking forward to be part of the Kingdom’s new era,” said Kamal, CEO of Western Auto, the sole authorized dealer of Ashok Leyland in Saudi Arabia.
The company has five full-fledged sales and services outlets across the Kingdom.
Ashok Leyland announces new portfolio of trucks, buses in KSA
Ashok Leyland announces new portfolio of trucks, buses in KSA
iCAUR V27 conquers city roads with new energy technology
A media test drive event focused on premium on-road driving was held in Jeddah. On Feb. 5, iCAUR invited representatives from media outlets, including leading automotive outlet Motory, to take part in an in-depth driving experience featuring the all-round hybrid SUV V27 across urban roads and intercity highways.
Guests gathered at Jeddah’s premium landmark, Millionaire Restaurant, where the iCAUR Saudi Arabia team introduced the V27’s design philosophy and key technologies. Open discussions followed, helping members of the media gain a clearer understanding of iCAUR’s brand vision and the V27’s core strengths ahead of the test drive.
The test drive route covered urban roads in Jeddah as well as inter-city highways leading to King Abdullah Economic City, providing an ideal setting to evaluate the V27’s on-road performance across varied conditions. During long-distance highway driving, range and power remain key considerations, and the iCAUR V27 demonstrated solid on-road performance. As the brand’s first mass-production model equipped with the Golden REEV system, the V27 features a dedicated 1.5T range-extender engine with a thermal efficiency of 45.79 percent. It generates 3.71 kWh of electricity per liter of fuel and delivers a combined range of over 1,000 km, effectively addressing long-distance travel concerns.
On city streets with moderate traffic, the V27 impressed with its smooth and quiet ride. The electric motors deliver responsive, linear acceleration, with seamless start-stop performance that keeps driving relaxed even in traffic. Once on open intercity highways, pressing the accelerator fully unleashes 455 hp from the dual motors, propelling the SUV from zero to 100 km/h in about five seconds. Overtaking and lane changes feel effortless, with no hint of lag at any point.
Even more impressive, this five-meter-long SUV, with a chassis tuned by the internationally renowned racing team Prodive and equipped with an intelligent all-wheel drive system, maintained precise handling at high-speed corners. The steering felt responsive and refined, while the suspension offered solid support, completely defying the typical perception of large SUVs as cumbersome. “I didn’t expect such a large SUV to handle so nimbly — it was enjoyable to drive from start to finish,” one media guest remarked after the test drive. “The intelligent cockpit exceeded all expectations, making long-distance driving both comfortable and enjoyable!”
During the test drive, several media representatives praised the V27’s Stellar Cockpit. The 15.4-inch 3K HD touchscreen delivers crisp, detailed visuals, while the smart infotainment system powered by the 8155 chip ensures smooth operation comparable to a premium tablet, with seamless swiping and no lag. Meanwhile, a temperature-controlled armrest compartment, along with ventilated and heated seats precisely calibrated to the driver’s comfort, kept the driving experience enjoyable throughout the long-distance journey.
Previous test drives at Riyadh’s Edge of the World demonstrated the V27’s off-road capabilities under challenging conditions. The Jeddah media test drive, however, offered a first-hand experience of the V27’s impressive performance in city commuting and intercity highway scenarios. It not only overcomes the typical trade-off between power and range found in conventional new energy vehicles but also seamlessly combines intelligent technology with precise handling, meeting the key expectations of Saudi drivers for on-road performance.
As a model tailored for the Middle East market, the iCAUR V27 made its global debut in the UAE on Feb. 8, followed by a launch in Bahrain on Feb. 10. The arrival of the V27 is expected to bring fresh energy and new possibilities to the region’s premium new energy mobility segment.
