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Smooth, fast and flexible
Page 49
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Before driving off the routine of setting up the driving position revealed the lack of an adjustable steering column; fortunately the full function driver's seat, including optional height and lumbar support, helped make up for this. The engine start sequence requires a brief but positive wait between ignition on and starter operation, which could become tiresome if you're doing it 50 times a day.
Once started the VM engine is surprisingly smooth and quiet, offering a level of refinement never approached by the Convoy. The central handbrake and dash-mounted gear lever are within easy reach, and the gear change is perfectly satisfactory. Moving away with an empty van was brisk enough, with the lower rated engine
seeming to offer a rather better spread of torque and more flexibility. Negotiating the numerous roundabouts between the Rotherham launch venue and the M-1 revealed the handling and ride to be well up to scratch. And on the motorway it was apparent that the Maxus's performance will satisfy the average van driver on a mission.
At first it was a strange experience to look for the non-existent dials beyond the small steering wheel, but it didn't take us long to acclimatise. The only negative during our drive in a selection of Maxus variants was a varied amount of wind noise, but as this was on a day when roads were blocked by fallen trees only 20 miles away, we'll wait for a second look before being too critical.