Subaru's micro van
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by Brian Weatherley
BY LAUNCHING its 700Series light van, Subaru has become the fourth Japanese light commercial vehicle manufacturer to offer a micro van in the UK.
Two versions of the 1.42 tonne gvw forward control 700 will be offered — a 4x2 and 4x4 — with both models using the same high-roof body and 665cc, 23kW (31hp) overhead cam petrol engine.
The two-cylinder liquidcooled 'unit develops a maximum torque of 52Nm (38 lbft) at 3,500rpm and is mounted at the rear, below the cargo floor. Two-wheel drive 700 micro vans are fitted with :a four-speed gearbox with a 0.9:1 overdrive top gear ratio which drives a conventional rear transaxlc.
Four-wheel-drive models have a secondary propeller shaft driven by the rear differential which provides power to the front axle. The 700 4 X 4 van's four-speed gearbox has an additional extra-deep first gear ratio which can be engaged when operating in four-wheel drive. A two-speed transfer case provides high and low ratios.
Changing from two to four-wheel drive is by a dashboard-mounted button. Alternatively by the selecting or
Above left: Subaru's 1.8m (5.9ft) wheelbase 700 micro van offers a half-tottne payload and a load volume of around 2.82cum (101 cu ft). The two-wheel-drive version has a turning circle of 7,4m (24,3ft). One of the first Subaru dealers to receive the 700 van was Upchurch Garage in Kent.
Above: The 665cc rear-mounted engine has an aluminium block and cylinder head. Compression ratio is 9:1. Subaru micro vans use 91 octane (two star) fuel.
disengaging of the extra low first gear ratio, the 700 4x4 van automatically moves into or out of four-wheel-drive.
Subaru micro vans have allround independent torsion bar suspension and rack and pinion steering. Drum brakes are fitted on the front and rear axles.
The all-steel body has a load platform length of 4,626mm (64in) and an internal loading height of 1,370mm (54in). Two sliding doors and a fully glazed lifting tailgate are fitted as standard. Payload on the 4x2 micro van is 625kg (12.3cwt) with driver on board and 555kg (10.9cwt) on the fourwheel-drive version.
Subaru expects to sell around 500 microvan models in the first year with registrations divided equally between two-wheel and four-wheeldrive vans. Price for the 700Series, which will be gold by Subaru's 125 UK dealers, is E3,200 plus vat for the 700 43<2, and 1:3,700 plus vat for the 700 43<4.