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• DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

3rd June 1999, Page 19
3rd June 1999
Page 19
Page 19, 3rd June 1999 — • DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
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CM has been able to put a number of versions of the B2500 through their paces in a variety of demanding situations. As usual Sod's Law dictated that the weather would be unhelpfully dry, but we were still able to confirm that the 4x4s have more than enough off-road ability to satisfy most requirements, with good axle articulation, surprisingly high grip from the road-biased Bridgestone tyres and excellent engine braking, particularly on the normally aspirated model.

Although obviously having less maximum power than the turbo, the unblown engine has a very flexible spread of torque and the deficiency only really tells when climbing steep hills on the road at maximum weight. In all other situations it has adequate power and is smooth enough to make one wonder whether the twin balancer shafts fitted to the turbo-diesel engine are really needed.

The turbo-diesel's torque curve looks very peaky on paper, but it has a much smoother transition into the power band than might be expected. Acceleration is brisk and it maintains its speed well. Although the turbocharger reduces engine noise, it's not noticeably smoother than its counterpart. Handling and general road manners with a full load are excellent, and would preSent no great problem tea driver unused to pickups.

Mazda's 82500, while breaking no new technical ground, is a worthwhile contribution to a market-place, which now has a pickup to suit every taste: its competitive pricing will ensure it grabs a share of that market.

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