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PANEL VANS
SHORTLIST Mercedes-Benz 310D Volkswagen LT35ED Ford Transit 1901 High roof Testers' Choice: Ford Transit 190L
'It has a good payload, and it is very easy to drive'
No brand new panel vans passed through our hands in 1990: the vehicles we tested were all developments of existing models, offering uprated drivelines or minor facelifts. For example, the soon-to-bereplaced VW Transporter was the first petrol-engined van with three-way catalytic convertor available on the UK market. A Transitbased Mini-artic also showed how you could get the body volume of a 7.5-tonner on a 3.5-tonne vehicle. For light, bulky loads this could provide an ideal solution. More prosaic machinery included the Mitsubishi L300, little changed since our test three years ago, and the Leyland Daf 200 in limitededition "Select" guise.
Finally the battle for Testers' Choice was between a shortlist of three heavy panel vans. A new engine gave us the chance to re-assess the Mercedes-Benz 310D. Turbocharging has been the route chosen for many van manufacturers to Andrew English, CM 15-21 February 1990. boost power output for their 3.5-tonners.
Not so Mercedes, who chose more cubes for more horses, adopting a 2.9-litre naturally-aspirated five-cylinder diesel for extra punch.
In other respects, the Ti van is the same solid but dated product it ever was, but the five-pot engine has certainly given it more get up and go.
Another German benefiting from more than four cylinders is the VW LT35. Six cylinders and 2.4 litres do not add up to the power of the Mercedes, but better fuel consumption gave it improved productivity — just. Its regular boxy shape makes it easy to load too. It got the thumbs down from our drivers for the very noisy engine and rubbery gearchange. Otherwise, it's well built, easy to drive and offers good value for money.
Testers' Choice for 1990, however, is a derivative of Britain's best selling panel van. The Transit 190L diesel high-roof impressed us with its body volume and the quality of the Motor Panels high-roof conversion, although we were disappointed by the finish of the extended doors and the asthmatic performance. Fuel consumption held up well, however, despite the greater wind resistance of the high roof. This, combined with a good payload and competitive price, gave the Transit a good productivity score.
We rate it highly as a driver's vehicle too. The instruments and switchgear are the best of any light CV, clear and simple to use. Steering, roadholding and handling are also among the best. We look forward to the full turbo-diesel version.