Improved contender
Page 31
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IS BEGINNING to look as iugh Freight Rover may have Ind the right blend with its w-look Sherpa, and that tish Telecom has ordered 00 of them and the Post Office ) is an indication of how the proved version is going to be :epted.
;ales of the previous Sherpa alled over 100,000 in its ious guises and since the re;igned Sherpa was launched .lier this year, 7,500 have been
sold (not including present orders). It looks, therefore, to have built itself a solid foundation from which to challenge the Ford Transit.
External shape has changed very little, though several cosmetic changes are apparent; it has restyled front grille and a full width wrap-around front bumper.
As the Sherpa tested was fitted with a two-litre petrol engine, the comparative performance with the one tested by CM earlier this year must be taken into account (Feb 13).
The additional power gained over the smaller 1,700cc engine complements its load-carrying ability, and at an extra cost of £70 must surely be considered by operators as an option of good value.
On the MIRA test track it achieved a maximum speed of 146km/hr (91mph), and fully laden, during acceleration tests, reached 80km/hr (50mph) in 20 seconds. Braking efficiency results are not available for this test report because of bad weather. However, we can refer to our previous road test this year as there has been no alteration to the brake system specification.
Brake performance in this test was quite satisfactory around the test route and though extra pedal pressure was needed to slow and stop the vehicle when fully laden, it is quite capable of stopping from 48km/hr (30mph) in 13.7m (45ft), and feels very positive on application.
Over CM's light van route the Sherpa covered the 59.5 miles in 21/4 hours and proved a lively pefformer, despite its low and flat maximum load it gave a tendency to roll a little on bends.
As this was due mainly to its narrow track it would only be fair to mention that its slim body does have a distinct advantage of being able to make narrow, congested streets and traffic lanes more easily accessible. Handling around town was very positive and its long wheel base and redesigned suspension gives good all-round stability.