Light CVs debut at Motorfair
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• Heavy trucks don't get a look in at Motorfair, but somewhere between the Ferraris and other less exotic machinery there is a representative selection of LCVs.
Ford has the largest presence this year, using the Earl's Court show to display the new Transit and Fiesta-based Courier.
The stand features a full-size cutaway of a Transit 190 LWB van alongside a working model of the turbo-diesel engine.
The only Ford LCV not on show is the P100 pickup — but only because of space limitations. Courier prices start from £6,490 (ex-VAT).
Fox trim Volkswagen is showing the new Polo van in Fox trim, alongside the Transporter-derived Caravelle which is now on sale. Fiat has also chosen the little and large approach, displaying a new Unovan beside a Ducat° Maxi which is the biggest LCV in its range.
Vauxhall's answer to the Fiesta XRV, seen at Birmingham last year, is the Novavan GSV, based on Nova GS trim. Billed as a concept van, it gets designer trim and paint on top of the usual Novavan mechanicals. Vauxhall insists it's for real and is planning an SRV twin based on the sporty Nova SR. A factory conversion is expected to add around £600 (ex-VAT) to the base Novavan prices.
Skoda's no-frills recipe will meet many operators' LCV needs. The Freeway makes its UK debut at Motorfair, priced at £3,999 (ex-VAT). Based on the Favorit hatchback, it retains the five-door layout from the car, unusual for LCVs.
Skoda quotes a gross payload of 375kg with a 1.04m3. Payload is also improved with a claimed gross of 450kg.
The Favorit Foreman pickup (CM 3-9 Oct) makes its UK debut at the show. The body is around 500mm deep, 1,460mm long and 1,370mm wide, with 870mm between the wheel arches. Specification includes tie-down eyes; gross payload is 500kg.
Even with VW cash in its pockets, Skoda has no immediate plans for diesel engines. The Freeway Plus goes on sale in December with the Foreman pickup following in January. Price is expected to be around £4,500 (ex-VAT), Four wheeldrive LCVs are
well represented at the show. Indian manufacturer Mahindra is launching its Marksman commercial range (CM 3-9 Oct). Three body styles are available and gross
payload is 550kg. Power comes from 2.1 and 2.5-litre Peugeot diesels; prices start at
2.8,599 (exVAT).
Portuguese 4x4 manufacturer UMM is launching eight LWB models at Motorfair. The whole range will have a revised interior for 1992 featuring a new adjustable steering wheel, switchgear and seats. The LWB range includes a pickup, chassiscab, tipper, flatbed and a Simons lift. Prices start at £8,763 (exVAT) for the SWB soft top.
Other off-road vehicles on display include an Isuzu Trooper commercial and Toyota Hilux 4x4. Toyota is also displaying a Hiace van in RAC livery.
Micro vans aren't neglected either, Supercarrys can be seen on the Suzuki stand and Subaru is displaying two and fourwheel drive Sumo& If you haven't felt the pinch yet, both Fleur de Lys and Asquith are displaying their repro ranges. The two competitors use Ford Transit running gear for their 1920s reproduction panel vans. Asquith is launching the Maverick, an "American sixties-style truck/ tractor unit" based on a 3.5tonne Ford Transit chassis and engines. Priced from £29,825 (ex-VAT) — the average price of a 13-tonner — the Maverick is available as a chassis-cab or mini-artic.