As a local runabout this has all you need
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SUZUKI'S durable little fourwheel drive van from its SJ410 range is tapping into a lucrative niche in the domestic market, thanks mainly to there being little comparable home-made competition.
Sales figures for May show an increase in sales from 18 in 1982 to 74 in the current year. Indeed, while commercial vehicle sales for the January to May period are up by 15.6 per cent, the im porters share of the market rose from 24 to 33 per cent.
As a local runabout for relatively short journeys of around 25 miles it is not difficult to understand its appeal. However, if travelling any greater distances, the seats become rather uncomfortable.
At speeds up to 80 km/h (50mph) the van gave a very nippy performance with good acceleration, although it was necessary to use quite high engine revs to get the best results. Motorway running exposed its lack of pace; when using the fast lane for overtaking, for example, caution had to be exercised so as not to baulk faster moving traffic.
• Although the road test was carried out while unladen, the Suzuki was remarkably stable when driven around the winding country roads. When coming out of the tightest corners or off roundabouts however, there was some understeer. On several occasions, careless pedestrians forced the little box van to pull up very sharply in traffic. The all-drum, hydraulic operated brakes seemed to have adequate stopping power without the need for servo-assistance.
The test vehicle was fitted with 195SR Dunlop SP44 radial tyres on 15 inch rims, which not only gave good traction but contributed to the ground clearance of 230mm (9.1in).
While covering the rough. circuit, the diminutive van followed the wheel tracks of its larger, heavier group members albeit at a slower pace. It struggled at the steep one in three climb out of the pines, owing to the loose surface and to the lack of body weight. With its full payload of 360kg (792 lb) better traction would have resulted.
Deep mud on some of the tracks presented little difficulty with four wheels driving providing the engine speed was controlled carefully.
In the deep water-filled potholes, problems developed with the ignition, largely because of water which had been scooped up onto the engine-block. Some had also been drawn into the airintake.
Fortunately it had the good grace to stagger onto dry land before stalling. Once the plugs, distributor cap and the inside of the coil-cover had been wiped clear the engine started and ran with no further trouble. Besides scooping water into the engine compartment it drew a considerable amount into the cab ventilation system too, eventually running over my feet.
The brake drums got their share of water and mud too, which took some time to clear before anything ' like efficient braking was achieved.
I liked the firm upright driving position and the sturdy gear and transfer-gear iever, whieh like the lighting, heating and ventilation controls are conveniently positioned.
Driver maintenance and repairs are made easier because of the low body height. The engine cover leans back against a rubber stop above the windscreen to give full access to the engine.
The useful load space at the rear is 0.86m (2.82ft) deep and this also leaves further clearance for a holdall behind the seats. Usable width is 1.1m (3.6 ft) which gives a floor area of just less than 1sqm. Rear door entry height is 0.93m (3 ft) while the load deck height is 0.66m (2.2ft).
A similar model which seats two additional passengers at the rear and an open or canvastopped pick-up version for the adventurous type completes Suzuki's 410 range, which is becoming popular as a light roughterrain vehicle for people in remote areas and for the fast growing leisure/pleasure groups.