ROAD TESTS AND APPRAISALS
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Pound for pound a tidy package
II Bedford TL2440 6 x 4 Pound for pound, the Bedford TL2440 6x4 tipper is a very tidy package for £32,000 (excluding £7,478 for Welford aluminium body and Edbro tipping gear on CM's test vehicle) with a healthy 18.2-tonne body/payload allowance. Overall average speed was 58.68km/h (36.50mph) and laden consumption 37.57 lit/ 100km) (7.52mpg). Commercial Motor, May 24, II1Seddon Atkinson R30 L25 301 8 x4 tipper With its chassis-cab weight of only 8, i 14kg, the Seddon Atkinson 30T is claimed to be the lightest of any European eight-wheeler with a similar (5.87m) wheelbase and on test, powered by the Cummins LTIO 250 engine, gave excellent productivity. The vehicle's £47,960 price included VAT and £8,250 for Wilcox body and Edbro single-ram tipping gear. The payload as tested was 19.16 tonnes, overall average speed 59.7km/h (37mph). and overall fuel consumption 33.7 lit/100km (8.38mpg). Commercial Motor, May 17.
MAstramax v Escort 35 Both Bedford's and Ford's car-derived vans are comfortable, easy to drive and are provided with pretty impressive back up. Basic prices excluding VAT are: Astramax £5,395; Escort £4,882 (the heavier 55 van is £5,186). The Astramax overall average speed was 73.5km/h (45.7mph) at 7.79 lit/100km (36.25mpg); the Escort 35 van 66km/h (41mph) at 8.3 lit/100km (33.9mpg). Commercial Motor, May 31.
IlOptare City Pacer Optare's minibus, based on the Volkswagen LT55 chaqsis, seats 25 plus five standing, and sets a high standard for easy-to-operate vehicles needed for the deregulation market. The standard bus appraised costs £29,850; coach and multi-purpose welfare and community versions will be announced later. Its 2.4-litre turborcharged six-cylinder is high revving and the revs need to be kept high to avoid the transmission or engine protesting. Fuel consumption recorded over a minibus route was 19.2 lit/100 km (14.7mpg) Commercial Motor, May 31.
E Nissan Vanette Nissan's compact contender, the Vanette, can be specified with a 1.5-litre petrol or two-litre diesel engine (Toyota's LiteAce is available only with a petrol engine) and CM tested the diesel version. With a payload of 910kg, it returned an average 9.3 lit/100km (30.3mpg) at 68km/h (42.3mph). It offers good value but is not a gratifying experience to drive: it's noisy and has a mediocre performance. Price as tested: £5,495 excluding VAT. Commercial Motor, June 7.
• Suzuki Super Carry/Bedford Rascal The only difference between these two vehicles is the badge and they are identically priced at £3,315 plus VAT for the pickup and £3,650 for the van. Overall average speed for the pickup with 575kg payload was 65.9km/h (40.9mph) and overall consumption 12.1 litres/ 100km (23.4mpg). The panel van, fitted with optional five-speed gearbox, was also tried and proved more comfortable and returned better figures. Commercial Motor, May 24.
• Suzuki Mightyboy This vehicle, what Australians refer to a scooter-ute or motorised shopping basket, measures 3,195mm long by 1,215mm wide, but has a place in the commercial scheme of things and attracts the 35% commercial vehicle import tariff. Unlike other mini commercials with 12-inch wheels, it handles well: "The thing corners like a rat on rails." Its engine thrashes out 23kW (30hp) at 6,000rpm, guzzling 21 litres of lead-free fuel per/100km (46rupg). Buyers include pizza delivery services. Cost around $6,500. April edition, Truck & Bus.