Nippy, thrifty 360 from Honda
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TWO micro-commercial vehicles, a panel van and pickup truck, have been introduced to the UK market by Honda.
They both share the same aluminium alloy 354cc (21.6cu in) engine which, it is claimed, gives them—the TN360 series—a fuel consumption of up to 5.65 litre '100km (50mpg). The twin-cylinder overhead camshaft engine has been designed to run on twostar petrol and is said to produce a wide, flat torque band at low and medium revs. Total output of the air cooled, four stroke unit is 20kW (27bhp) at 7,000 rpm, Honda has mounted the engine amidships, underneath the flat loading area and access to it is by means of a removable panel in the floor. Transmission to the rear wheels is via a four-speed constant-mesh gearbox and De-Dion rear axle. Semi-elliptic springs are fitted at the rear with independent coil springing at the front. Although the new vehicles are small, the pick-up has a payload capacity of 499kg (11001b) and the van 450kg (9901b). Both feature a very low loading platform height of 620mm (24in).
The van offers a sliding side door with a lift-up rear door, while the pick-up has dropsides and tailgate, which are detachable. The cab is equipped with a bench seat, laminated windscreen and the instrument binnacle houses a speedometer, fuel guage and warning lights. Overall length of the vehicles is 2.99m (118in) and they have a 1.78m (70in) wheelbase.
Prices for the pick-up and van have been fixed at £999 and £1,149 respectively, excluding VAT and delivery, and Honda says that its car dealerships, who will distribute the vehicles, have ordered over 3,000 so far. Delivery will begin at the end of July.