Razorback updates its ran
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by Colin Barnett ith its Volkswagen Transporter-based "oduct now firmly established on the UK arket, Razorback Vehicle Corporation is idening the range of chassis carrying its lique lowering floor body, as well as pdating the specification.
Razorbacks based on Citroen Relay and at Ducato chassis-cabs have been devel3ed; examples are currently being evaluted by major fleets. The basic engineering ork to fit Razorback to the Renault laster/Vauxhall Movano twins is complete ut is still subject to final manufacturer pproval.
Ford fans hoping for a Transit azorback are going to be disappointed, owner. The front-wheel-drive Transit's 2.8-tonne GVW and engineering problems related to the fuel tank location mean that it is not on the immediate priority Est.
Thanks to Razorback's ingenious chassis joining flange, the same body is fitted to all makes, in both single and crew-cab forms. The latest version of the Razorback comes with glazed barn-type rear doors, while the outer panels are in the process of being changed from fibreglass to steel.
Body pods are imported from Australia almost completely assembled, but there are plans to ship them in CKD form for final assembly in the UK. RVC will soon have a new factory, having outgrown its site in Royal Leamington Spa.
The company has put considerable effort into developing its marketing strategy and is now taking a more tightly focused approach. The existing customer base includes operators as diverse as local authorities, for moving street sweeping and mowing equipment, and motorcycle recovery contractors.
CM had a brief drive in a Ducat° 2.513 crew-cab destined for the Post Office, which is currently evaluating various solutions to a requirement to transport up to six postmen and their 75kg trolleys to and from their rounds.
The Sevel cab and the Razorback body could have been designed for each other with almost perfectly matching profiles. Apart from the rather long wheelbase the Razorback Ducato felt no different to drive than the usual product. Given the robust nature of the Joining flange it's not surprising that there was no scuttle-shake or any other sign of a lack of structural integrity.