Terra van from Seat
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• Volkswagen's Spanish company, Seat, has introduced a light, high-capacity, car-derived van, in the style of the Fiat Fiorino and Citroen C15, priced at £3,799, ex-VAT.
The Terra, based on the transverse-engined Marbella car, shares the same level of trim, with upholstered reclining front seats, inertia-reel seat belts and cloth headlining. A full height, solid mesh bulkhead separates the cab from the load area offering a 1.65m bed length, 2.4m3 capacity and payload of 490kg, within an overall weight of 1.23 tonnes.
Its 903cc four-cyclinder, water-cooled, petrol engine, developing 30kW at 5,400rpm and maximum torque of 60Nm at 3,000rpm, will run on two star or lead-free petrol. It is matched to a four-speed, overdrive gearbox driving through to the front wheels.
Commercial Motor has been able to try the new Seat on the road, albeit without a test load.
Our first impression that the cab is quite small was confirmed by restricted seat adjustment and a low head lining.
The small steering wheel, coupled to rack-and-pinion steering gear, gave positive response and a good lock.
Clutch and brake pedals are high and the four-speed synchromesh gearbox proved to be notchy. The car's five-speed gearbox may become available for the van but no decision has yet been made on that option.
Even without the load, or perhaps because of the lack of it, the braking system, comprising front discs and rear drums with a load-dependent, pressure-limiting device, gave heavy pedals, deficient in response.
Front independent MacPherson strut, and a leaf sprungrear axle gave a comfortable ride over West Country lanes.
The spare wheel makes the engine compartment more crowded than it need be but leaves the cargo area clear of obstruction.
Twin doors allow easy access from the rear.
Seat plans to expand its dealership from 142 to 175 by the end of the year. During the first 12 months' trading the company expects to import 800, vans' increasing to 1,500 over the following year.