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Page 58
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territory
The Jeep name is a generic for all things off road and now it's taking the bumps of the CV
market. Julian Milnes reports.
Not many customers get the opportunity to name a manufacturer's vehicle, but that's how the new Pioneer got its name.The company was so impressed with a conversion of the Jeep Cherokee offered by an Irish importer it built its own prototype for the UK market. Stuck for the name the company asked the importer: hence Pioneer.
Not many customers get the opportunity to name a manufacturer's vehicle, but that's how the new Pioneer got its name.The company was so impressed with a conversion of the Jeep Cherokee offered by an Irish importer it built its own prototype for the UK market. Stuck for the name the company asked the importer: hence Pioneer.
Not many customers get the opportunity to name a manufacturer's vehicle, but that's how the new Pioneer got its name.The company was so impressed with a conversion of the Jeep Cherokee offered by an Irish importer it built its own prototype for the UK market. Stuck for the name the company asked the importer: hence Pioneer. It's the first commercial vehicle the company, owned by DaimlerChrysler, has actually produced. Based on the CRD Sport model it's powered by a 2.5-litre 16-valve, DOHC, direct injection, common-rail, turbo-diesel engine producing 141hp and a handy 340Nm of torque.This is coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox and power is transferred through Jeep's 'Command-Trac' four-wheel drive system. It features a 'shift on the fly' function that allows the driver to switch from rear-wheel drive to high range four at speeds of up to 55 mph. For off-road conditions a low range four-wheel drive feature is also selectable. Retailing at £17,503, standard equipment includes driver and passenger airbags, air conditioning,ABS, electric front windows and CD player. Load area is 1.2m long, 1.2m wide and lm high; the rear doors,
inherited from the passenger version, open outwards. Payload is set at 359kg.
The Pioneer is aimed at two groups.The first are the image-conscious businesses such as florists,who can customise the vehicle for looks. The second group— eg farmers, utility companies and building firms —will utilise the Pioneer's technical attributes such as the selectable 4x4 system and superior ground clearance. And it's all to play for. With Isuzu's Trooper now off the market its main rivals are Mitsubishi's Shogun and Nissan's Terrano. Further up the tree there's Land Rover's Discovery, but at a premium and it's soon to be replaced. Jeep plans to sell between 300-350 units in its first year and the Pioneer will be available through DaimlerChrysler's 93 dealers.
Positive feel
Initial impressions were positive. From the outside it looks the part with a purposeful stance and dimensions that are slightly bigger than expected.The cabin has a quality feel to it and the standard of build was impressive. On the road it conducted itself well with little body roll and a responsive engine that keeps things moving at a decent pace. The gearbox was also user friendly and the ride comfortable for a vehicle of this type. But it's off-road that the Pioneer comes into its own.The Jeep name is synonymous with all things rugged so it's no surprise that climbing and The gearbox was also user friendly and the ride comfortable for a vehicle of this type. But it's off-road that the Pioneer comes into its own.The Jeep name is synonymous with all things rugged so it's no surprise that climbing and The gearbox was also user friendly and the ride comfortable for a vehicle of this type. But it's off-road that the Pioneer comes into its own.The Jeep name is synonymous with all things rugged so it's no surprise that climbing and The gearbox was also user friendly and the ride comfortable for a vehicle of this type. But it's off-road that the Pioneer comes into its own.The Jeep name is synonymous with all things rugged so it's no surprise that climbing and carving through challenging conditions were andled with aplomb. And they're planning to launch a version in white so you image-conscious builders in South London have nothing to fear. •