Price as tested: £21,956 (ex-VAT).
Page 24
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Engine: 2.5 litres 72kW (97hp).
Tested GVW: 3,300kg.
Fuel consumption (laden): 14.01it/100km (20.3mpg) (CM 22-28 June 1992).
One of the more obvious and more successful updates made to Leyland Daf Vans' line-up was the introduction of a high roof option. One spin-off of this was the 17-seat Hi-line minibus which made full use of the chance to fit properly engineered full-height rear doors.
Leyland Daf sold relatively few standard roof minibuses before the arrival of the Hiline in 1990, but the walk-through design has allowed it to compete on equal terms with the chassis-cowl-derived opposition and the independent coachbuilders.
Replacing the Hi-line's Rover engine with more powerful and fuel efficient Peugeot diesels gave it sufficient pulling power to overcome the added drag, too. The host of specification changes and updates announced this month for the 1993 model year are also designed to strengthen the marque's position in a declining market.
Commercial Motor recently tried out a Hi-line minibus complete with optional air
suspension package and power steering. It offers an off-the-shelf solution to the needs of small hotels, coach firms and the like.
• PRODUCT PROFILE
The high roof is the same as that previously offered as an option on the 400 Series vans: it is now a standard feature of the Hi-loader specification which will be shown at the Birmingham Motor Show.
Leyland Daf claims this is the largest, best equipped and most comfortable ex-factory minibus available in the UK. With 17 seats it certainly has the highest seating capacity. The 400 Series is also the only twin-rear-wheel 3.3/3.5-tonner on the market. The rest, from the Volkswagen LT to the Ford Transit, have moved to single rear wheels to reduce weight and cost and to increase room between the wheelarches. Leyland Daf reports continuing demand for the perceived safety advantages of twin rear wheels, especially for PCVs and has no plans to adapt current models to single wheels, At £20,829 list for the naturally aspirated diesel and £1,127 more for the turbocharged version, the Hi-line package includes an Isringhausen driver's suspension seat and stereo radio-cassette. The passenger compartment has anti-slip flooring, opening windows, an illuminated side stepwell and cloth-covered seats.
Options include an independent Eberspacher heater, roof ventilators, over-cab parcel tray, fancier stereo and bigger fuel tank.
A lower powered two-litre petrol engine model is available at £19,069; the vee-eight petrol version will set you back £22,197.
• ON THE ROAD
Powering steering is standard on vee-eight petrol models; its cost as an option for the 2.5-litre diesels has just been cut from £554 to £440.
Driving with power steering has improved the overall package significantly and not only in town. Handling is transformed at higher speeds for lane changing and negotiating roundabouts, particularly with the vehicle fully loaded.
The Hi-line's interior is quiet and comfortable for passengers. The trim is fairly plain and uninspiring, but it is functional and easily cleaned. However we found the internal lighting was poor when trying to load a group of people at night. The lights are no more powerful than that offered on the van so independent lrdybuilders clearly have the advantages here.
• SUMMARY
Power steering and older developments such as the electrically driven rear air suspension system brought the 400 Series up to date, setting the Hi-line apart from its Sherpa predecessors.
There is still a family resemblance but a new bodyshell is in the pipeline. The new line-up, which is being developed in co-operation with Renault, is due to arrive in a couple of years. Few details have emerged to date, but single rear wheels look likely. El by Danny Coughlan