ROAD TESTS AND APPRAISALS
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• Bedford CF2,/2800 After 8,0001cm (5,000 miles) on the first quarter of a long-term road test, the 2.83-tonne-GVW diesel panel van is proving a steady rather than an outstanding performer; averaging, laden, 10.79 lit/100km (26.16mpg) at 69.2km/h (39.9 mph). The basic price is £9.050 excluding VAT. Commercial Motor, June 28.
• Daf FD 2100DH As a specialist distribution vehicle, Dafs two axle cLropframe rigid with Besco's Eurowall insulated body, scores highly, This 16-tonner tested over a distribution route returned 26.4 lit/100krn (10.7mpg). Price excluding VAT, £26,000 for the chassis, and £8,500 for Besco Eurowall body. Commercial Motor, June 28.
• Bedford TL Tecltliner The Bedford TL2800 performs and handles well, but is not especially fuel efficient and not the cheapest at £25,950 so Bedford will find it tough going against the strong competition from Daf, Ford, Leyland and Volvo. Its design GCW is 28 tonnes and with a 17.49-tonne payload returned 41.67 lit/1001cm (6.78mpg) at 54.40km/h (33.80mpg). The Techliner option at £1,188 offers eye appeal likely to attract distribution companies. Commercial Motor, June 14.
11Sherpa minibuses CM reported on the Carlyle Sherpa in the March 8 issue; the Dormobile 20-seater is similar in many ways, but is based on the 3.6m wheelbase chassis It recorded 12.8 lit/100km (22mpg) on start-and-stop operation at an average 27km/h (16,7mph) and has the 2.5-litre Land Rover engine.
The Rover-engined petrol V8 Express in standard non-PSV 15-seater form was one of the most sprightly minibuses ever tested by CM On busy urban running it returned 25.2 lit/100km (11.2mpg).
The full luxury coach version Optare, with the Land Rover 2.5-litre diesel engine, a 16-seater, proved capable of 112km/h (70mph) on motcrways. CMs appraisal was limited to some unladen motorway runs. Commercial Motor, June 14.
E Renault R5 Extra It may be Gallic charm that gives this carderived van its appeal or something more tangible like an old fashioned retail price tag of £3,985. Compared with the exceptional Astramax's £5,395, it can make £1,400 worth of common sense. Average fuel consumption laden, 8.5 lit/100km (33.1mpg) at 72.91(m/h (45.3mph). Commercial Motor, July 5, E Ford F100 pickup You love or hate the F100 with new V8 five-litre engine (electronic fuel injected). It's not frugal, it's massive, it's conspicuous and you need deep
pockets to buy and run it (no option below $25,000 and 28 lit/100km (10mpg)). On the other hand, it goes like Hell and will cover long distances faster than any of its contemporaries. Truck & Bus Transportation test of a "Brute the' May edition.
II Dodge GlO/Vanguard 2 coach/bus The GIO is as long and wide as many a double-decker, but this Wadham Stringer 33-seater is unfussed, with a relatively unstressed Perkins 5.8-litre naturally aspirated diesel engine. It has long life potential and on an unladen rural route returned 24.1 lit/100km (11.7mpg) at 19.3km/h. Chassis £14,407; body (basic) £24,000. Commercial Motor, July 5.
• Bedford TL2440 6 X 4 tipper What a damned fine effort Bedford has made with its new TL2440 lightweight 24.38-tonne six-wheeler. On MTs new aggregate tipper route, it returned 40.6 lit/1001cm (7gal) laden at 51.8km/h (32.2mph). The Bedford chassis cab comes at £31,980 with Norde tandem rubber suspension, for a kerb weight of 6,193kg at the longer 4.45m wheelbase. Motor Transport, June 12.
E10.29 v Volvo FL10 In a comparison test of these two vehicles, Truck reported that the ERF is well ahead in some areas like handling, interior aesthetics, cab space and coupling/weight criteria, but added that that does not mean that Volvo users are all going to rush out and buy ERFs. Prices as tested, ERF: £33,466; Volvo: £32,420. Truck, July.