Rendering - Ashok Leyland Dost's passenger version can seat 14!

Ever since we did a speculative rendering of the Ashok Leyland Dost's passenger version, comments and inquiries are pouring in.

We have more information on the vehicle this time! According to our sources, two slightly different prototypes of the Dost people carrier (codenamed Dost 13+D) are being tested. Our in-house image manipulating expert Shoeb R Kalania has come up with these set of renderings and the seating configuration of the Dost people carrier.

Both versions bear the front fascia of their load hauling sibling. The first one seems to be the base variant of the vehicle with a flat roof. The bare bones variant is expected to be available without AC and power steering.

The second one with an aerodynamic roofline would be a well equipped variant. Comfort features like the air-conditioning and power steering will be on offer in the high end model.

Both the versions feature a sliding door and can accommodate 13 people excluding the driver! The  seating capacity is expected to be the very USP of the Dost people carrier. We are the first to bring you the seating layout.

The base version could be positioned a little above the the Tata Ace Magic and the Mahindra Maxximo Minivan but it can seat five more people than its rivals. The top end model will say hello to vehicles like the Tata Venture, the Tata Winger and the Force Traveller.

Power comes from the same 1.5-litre three cylinder diesel engine which develops 58 bhp (3 bhp added when the Dost got a refresh). A five speed manual gearbox will do the transmission duties.

The Ashok Leyland Dost, which is a birth child of the 50:50 JV between Nissan and Ashok Leyland has been a great success. The duo is hoping to double it with the introduction of the passenger version. The Dost 13+D is expected to be out by October this year.