CAR DERIVED VANS
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Winner:
FORD ESCORT 55 1.8D
Other contenders:
Peugeot 106 XRAD Vauxhall Astravan 1.6 LS Automatic Vauxhall Astravan 1.7D LS
After a flurry of new launches in 1994, and before the torrent of new models expected in '96, last year saw only one all-new CDV: the little Peugeot 106. Like other "hatchvans" it is closely related to its passenger counterpart. So its easy to drive, easy to park—but rather tricky to load, with a high lip impeding access to the small loaclspace. But of its type, the little Pug is excellent— an extremely free-revving L5litre diesel allows for easy motorway cruising, adding to France's reputation as the home of the world's fastest vans. Handling is excellent, and worthwhile options include ABS. It's a fine competitor for models such as the Vauxhall Corsa Van and Renault's superb diesel Clio Van.
Ford didn't produce an all-new van during 1995, but its Escort received a thorough facelift in line with the saloon. It now has safety features such as a driver's-side airbag and seatbelt grabbers. And overall driver comfort has been improved considerably The Escort is not a true high-cube van like Vauxhall's Combo, but the roomy cabin is combined with an excellent load area, and fuel economy is good despite Ford's long-in-the-tooth 1.8-litre diesel.
The Escort's most direct competitor is the Vauxhall Astravan, and CM tested a pair of them last year: one with the new "low-blow" 1.7-litre turbo-diesel and a manual gearbox, the other with a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a four-speed automatic gearbox. The automatic version was a luxury but an expensive one as a £700 option.
The diesel was far more economical, rather faster, and shared the petrol model's excellent cabin and equipment. But both models suffered from barely adequate loading tolerance and a relatively small load space around 25% smaller than the Escort's.
The final decision has to go to the vehicle that combines comfort and economy with truly practical load-carrying ability—so the Ford Escort is this year's Testers' Choice.
But we're still looking forward to the turbodiesel version...