...as Spanish vans are updated
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• Mercedes-Benz has given its lightweight panel van, the MB100D, a comprehensive update, but still has no plans to bring it into the UK.
The Spanish-built van is a front-wheel-drive design covering the weight range up to 2.8 tonnes GVW. It is currently produced only in left-hand-drive form.
The UK importer maintains that technical difficulties in converting the van to right-handdrive mean that it would not be worthwhile offering the model here,
Restricted production capacity may also be responsible, however, for when it appeared that Mercedes had acquired a stake in the Enasa group early Last year the company spoke about building extra units for export in righthand-drive form (CM 8-14 Feb 1990).
The MBlOOD would fit neatly into the current UK line-up, leading into the heavier Ti van range which begins at 2.8 tonnes, and providing a ready competitor for the lighter panel vans on the market such as the SWB Ford Transit, the VW Transporter and the various Japanese contenders.
In its revised form the MB100D gets a more aerodynamic nose, an updated rear, an increased payload allowance of over a tonne and a re-designed interior. As before it is produced in a number of body variants including short and long-wheelbase vans and a long-wheelbase chassis-cab; the standard engine is the 55kW (75hp) 0M616.
LI Mercedes has introduced a four-wheel-drive version of its T2 van range on the Continent, but as with the MB100D it says it has no plans to offer it in the UK. The new range, badged as the DA, covers the weight range from 4.6 to 7.5 tonnes, and is aimed at operators like the emergency services who need an off-road capability.