A real breakthrough
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THIS WEEK the British motor industry can pull its shoulders back and hold its head high. The reason for this mild burst of euphoria is Leyland's new vehicle — the Roadrunner — which had its official launch on Tuesday.
We knew of the new vehicle many months ago. An Englishman in Spain found the vehicle being tested close to his hacienda and sent us photographs. We did not use them; we did not want to pre-empt what we feel is a real breakthrough for a company that has been for too long the unjustified butt and Aunt Sally of cheap jokemakers.
Why should the rest of the industry applaud BL's success story? We are told time and time again by manufacturers and concessionaires that "we need a strong Leyland".
The Roadrunner is a great leap in establishing Leyland vehicles as strong. In engineering terms this is a vehicle which could well be described as a "Frontrunner", not a "Roadrunner". Its cab comfort should prove to be a major selling point — drivers do influence the man who pays the bill.
Engineers will find its clever cab design and rugged chassis and drivetrain close to the excellence they crave for.
But as always we have a criticism. Why, oh why, did the Roadrunner slip into the scene in soft-soled training shoes? BL has a product worth shouting about: it's not just good, it's great. It will catch the imagination of even the most analytical engineer, financially cautious operator and hypercritical driver.
CM looks forward to putting this vehicle over our demanding test route. When it is available, we will do this objectively; we will try to prove we'were wrong, in saying that it is a prime vehicle. But I am already convinced that this is the big one for BL.