Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has expanded the BharatBenz passenger mobility portfolio with the introduction of the Torqshift 1926 AMT heavy-duty bus chassis and the BharatBenz 917 fully built bus, bringing advanced transmission, chassis and safety technologies to India’s intercity and institutional transport segments.
The new products, unveiled at Prawaas 5.0, reflect the increasing adoption of automation, connected safety systems and driver-assistance technologies in the commercial bus industry, where operators are seeking higher productivity, improved uptime and lower lifecycle costs.
The highlight of the launch is the BharatBenz Torqshift 1926, which introduces the company’s globally proven Torqshift Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) to the Indian heavy-duty bus segment. Designed for intercity operations of up to 500 km, the system automatically selects the optimum gear based on driving conditions, reducing driver fatigue while improving fuel efficiency and operational consistency.
The chassis is powered by a 260 hp BharatBenz engine and integrates several advanced technologies, including Intelligent Eco Roll, multiple drive modes, Cruise Control, Hill Start Assist, Clutch Overload Monitoring, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with real-time temperature monitoring, a five-stage electromagnetic retarder, indigenous glide air suspension, and maintenance-free unitised hub bearings. Together, these technologies are designed to enhance vehicle safety, improve driver comfort and optimise fleet performance.
Speaking at the unveiling, Andamuthu Ponnusamy, Head of Bus Business, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said the increasing demand for improved driver productivity and reduced operating costs is driving the adoption of automated transmission technologies in the bus industry. He noted that the Torqshift 1926 has been engineered to minimise downtime while improving fleet profitability.
Speaking about the BharatBenz 917, Andamuthu Ponnusamy said safety remains the primary consideration in the school bus segment, as it directly influences parents’ confidence in daily student transportation. He added that the 8-metre BharatBenz 917 has been specifically developed to operate on roads where larger buses face accessibility challenges, while maintaining high standards of safety, comfort and operational reliability.
These include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Vehicle Stability Control (EVSC), seat belts for all passengers, one of the largest emergency doors in its segment, a fire alarm and protection system, and an optional PM2.5 HEPA air filtration system. Passenger comfort features include ergonomic seating, powerful air conditioning, anti-skid flooring, under-seat storage and a retractable lower footstep to improve accessibility.
With the introduction of the Torqshift 1926 and BharatBenz 917, DICV is reinforcing its technology-led approach to passenger mobility by integrating automation, intelligent safety systems and driver-centric engineering into products designed for India’s evolving bus transportation market.
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