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.5-TONNERS

4th March 1999, Page 34
4th March 1999
Page 34
Page 34, 4th March 1999 — .5-TONNERS
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ANOTHER WILDLY VARIED GROUP, THIS: one compact, rather old-fashioned chassis-cab; one overgrown panel van; and one state-of the-art chassis, with a lot riding on it.

The first contender is lsuzu's Nip, a 7.5-tonne variant of the N-Series chassis-cabs which is said (by Isuzu) to be the most popular truck in the world . As a "stretched" version of the 6.2-tonne NPR it has a small cab, which does not endear itself over long journeys. and the 143hp (107kW) engine is not terribly torquey. So it's probably not going to be the driver's first choice, although the handling is good. But drivers don't always pay for trucks, and the isuzu is a tempting proposition. At the stunning price of .£19,450 delivered the NQR cannot be ignored. Add its excellent payload and fair fuel consumption, and the lsuzu begins to look like a bargain.

At first glance the Mercedes Vario 8140 van doesn't look like any sort of bargain. Well over £30,000 for an overgrown panel van? You must be joking! But the formula clearly works for the tradesmen who bought its 12 predecessor in droves, and the Vario is undoubtedly a much better chassis—it's lighter, torquier and much more economical, managing a very creditable 19.9mpg round our Welsh route. You get disc brakes all round, and a wide variety of options is available. But build quality is still the Vario's strongest suit—it's built on a "proper" chassis, after all—and it's unique. This is a vehicle that defines its own market.

By way of contrast, Mercedes' next contender is pitched Into a market seething with competition. As a mainstre 7.5-tonner the Atego 815 is up against the likes of the Series, the Iveco Ford Cargo and the MAN L21100—all of the impressive all-rounders.

Mercedes has spent a good deal of money on the the oughly modern Atego, and it shows in the cab: this offers class-leading amount of space, good access and impressi noise insulation (despite an irritating rattle front t gearshift). Ride quality is good, and steering and brakes superb—the Atego has an all-air/all-disc setup. Better yet, promises long service intervals and good residual vale despite an initially low purchase price.

But should the Atego be our Testers' Choice? After all, still has a way to go: our test vehicle returned only fair fu consumption and a slightly below-par payload. To be fair, was saddled with a five-speed box (a six-speeder is option and unduly short gearing—a taller final drive would certain have improved its motorway performance.

But we were hoping for more. Superlative build quail and class-leading on-road productivity aren't too much ask for, are they?

Nevertheless, the advanced design (and great potenti of the Atego won us over. It's just that for many a tight-fist operator, the Isuzu will be an obvious choice.

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