Better Bedford Brava
Page 8
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/ As predicted by Commercial Motor (7-13 July) Bedford has replaced the KB series of pickups with a new range of Isuzu-built vehicles known as the Brava. It has also launched four-wheel-drive, shortwheelbase vans and minibuses based on the Bedford Midi.
The 4 x 2 and 4 x 4 Brava pickups share a 3.025m wheelbase and are offered with diesel or petrol engines. The new 2.3-litre OHC petrol engine, which replaces the old 1.6-Litre unit, delivers 65.5kW (89hp) at 4,600rpm, and 167Nm (123Ibft) of torque at 2,600rpm. The diesel option is a 2.2-litre OHV IDI naturallyaspirated unit that delivers 39kW (53hp) at 4,000rpm and 120Nm (881bft) at 2,200rpm.
All the pickups are equipped with five-speed all-synchromesh gearboxes; and 4x4 versions have a transfer box with a direct gear and a 1.87:1 low gear. Independent front suspension features on all models, with torsion bar springing and telescopic dampers. A live rear axle is supported by semielliptic leaf springs.
Bravas reach the dealers by mid-November — prices and payloads are as follows: 4 x2 Petrol, payload 1,125kg, price £6,010; 4x2 diesel, 1,050kg, £6,850; 4 x 4 petrol, 990kg, 27,910; 4x4 diesel, 915kg 28,750 (all prices ex-VAT). The size of the load bed is 2,295 x 1,530mm, and allwheel-drive models have their suspension raised slightly to give greater ground clearance.
Cabs are also identical, apart from the extra controls on the 4 x 4 models, with bench seats, head restraints, locking glove boxes, radios and clocks.
The 4x4 Midi van, which debuts at the NEC show, is available with diesel and petrol engines; all models have fivespeed all-synchromesh gearboxes with transfer boxes to take the drive to the front wheels. The diesel option is a OHC naturallyaspirated unit giving 45kW (60hp) and 126Nm (931bft). The two-litre petrol engine produces 60.5kW (81hp).
The van has freewheel hubs which engage automatically when four-wheel drive is selected, but the vehicle has to be reversed out to get them to disengage once two-wheeldrive is selected. The Midi uses torsion-bar springs on the independent front suspension so that the front driveshafts can reach the wheel hubs_ A live, semi-elliptic-sprung rear axle is fitted, while an underbody guard protects the chassis and exhaust.
The petrol-engined 4 x4 Midi costs 29,181 (ex-VAT); and the diesel-engined van is 210,011 (ex-VAT). They should be available by midNovember.