Sprinter off the blocks
Page 21
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• DSB Sales of Loughborough is marketing a new coach-built 19-seater minibus called the Sprinter which is based on the Volkswagen L150 light commercial chassis with bodywork built by its associated coachbuilder, GC Smith.
We have driven the Sprinter, both laden and unladen, on a variety of routes and found it has plenty to offer PSV operators. The Sprinter's flat-sided body uses the standard LT50 front scuttle with the new body-work integrated into the VW's windscreen pillars to retain the LT's existing instrument panel and dash layout.
The body structure consists of a steel tubing box-section frame, with aluminium exterior panels. The front and rear quarters are made from glassreinforced plastic, while the windows are bonded into place.
A one-piece pivoting sidedoor is also fitted.
Inside, the Sprinter has a full soft trim with forced airventilation available as an option, and two opening roof vents. Our test vehicle is equipped with optional MTB Fainsa coach seats. The LT50 chassis is powered by VW's 2.4 litre turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine, rated at 75kW at 4,300rpm and coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox. The complete vehicle, which can be fitted with up to 19 coach seats, has full Volkswagen approval and can be serviced by VW light commercial dealers.
DSB says that a bus version of the Sprinter will also be offered. Its current door layout and driver position may make one-person-operation difficult on a busy run, but GC Smith will meet individual operator requirements on bodywork and offers a wide range of options.
Sprinter minis will only be built to order, with delivery time quoted at between 12 to 16 weeks from the time the LT chassis is received by the bodybuilder. The Sprinter will be marketed by DSB and is priced at just under 230,000.
Impressions
0 On the road the 6.93m-long minibus is stable and is a smooth runner. Despite its 2.81m overall height it shows little signs of body roll when cornering, with its semi-elliptic springs giving a good enough ride to suit luxury and longdistance touring. A deep boot A large boot and a side locker is provided on the Sprinter, with enough luggage space for 19 passengers.
and side lockers allows a reasonable amount of luggage to be carried.
The Sprinter comes without power-assisted steering as standard, but low speed manoeuvring presents no problems. On the motorway the Sprinter can cruise comfortably at 112km/h on all but the toughest hills. When partly laden its hill climbing performance on A roads is a little slow, but in town it operates satisfactorily, running at 501tm/h in fifth gear.
Interior noise levels are low with no body boom, but daily engine checks can only be carried out via a hatch in the bonnet cover.
Fuel economy is reasonable: the 19-seater returned 15.21lit/ 100km (10.6mpg) on a 297km run which included part-laden and empty running.