New engine and name for Sherpa
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• As predicted by Commercial Motor (CM 6-12 October 1988), Freight Rover has fitted the 2.5-litre Peugeot IDI diesel, in naturally-aspirated and blown forms, to the 300 Series of Sherpa vans. A Peugeot five-speed gearbox is another addition.
The product changes are accompanied by a change of name for the Birmingham van manufacturer to Leyland Daf. The Freight Rover and Sherpa names have been dropped.
In future, the two sizes of vans produced will be designated 200 and 400, preceded by 'Leyland Daf. The name change has come about because the Anglo-Dutch company no longer has a right to use the Freight Rover name, which belongs to the Rover Group.
The naturally-aspirated Peugeot engine is designated the EN 55 and delivers 53kW (71hp). The blown version, called the ET 70, delivers 71kW (95hp). Both units have castiron blocks with aluminiumalloy cylinder heads and are fitted with oil coolers.
The five-speed gearbox is also from the Peugeot group. It has a synchromesh on reverse gear as well as the five forward speeds.
There are a number of other changes to the 400 Series vans (formerly the 300 Series). These include anti-roll bars front and rear on the twin-rear wheel models, a revised steering system and uprated trim.
The engine changes have followed a period of growing disenchantment with the Land Rover 2.5-litre IDI diesel engine, which Leyland Daf will no longer use.