'ortugal enters the ross-country stakes
Page 23
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
' ANOTHER four-wheel? cross country vehicle has launched onto the British ket to join the growing hers of foreign and homeLuced models.
ie Portaro Pampas hails Lisbon, Portugal and is ceted in the UK by Land Concessionaires Ltd of 9 Dyer Street, London, WI ugh an 18-dealer network. tis is Portaro's first export ure but it has produced vehicle for its home marfor six years. Production low reached 200 a month, ..11 will more than meet the cted demand in Britain of 'nits a year.
st week I was able to put vehicle through its paces testing ground in Surrey, Bill Brock. The model I re was enclosed by a ,as top with a rear low, but there are also two r versions — one with a top with a half-glazed door and the other a 'd-cab pick up.
the moment all models iowered by a 2.5-litre (152 ) four cylinder ohv Daiu DG 80 diesel engine d at 60kW (80bhp) at )rpm. A petrol-engined el may be brought in later year. Top speed is ied to be around 112km /h ph) on the road, but I was to reach only a little over. n/h on the rough road on of the test course.
e cab layout is identical all three models. The ing is converted for rhd ; worm-geared steering, a ed column and a good40cm (16in) steering l. It was rather heavy at speeds but damped shock s quite effectively at d. The steering lock ring a 180° turn in about (39ft), dependent suspension g unequal length wish s with heavy-duty helical igs and telescopic Ders on the front axle and semi-elliptical leaf springs, telescopic hydraulic dampers and rubber over-load stops on the rear axle, provided a firm but reasonably smooth ride for the conditions.
The four-speed synchromesh gearbox worked smoothly and the selection for twoor four-wheel-drive position on the transfer box was simple to operate at rest. Twoor four-wheel-drive position on the freewheeling front hubs has to be selected manually.
Throttle, clutch and brake pedals are large but too close for wellingtons. The loadcarrying capacity is about 700kg (14cwt) but all the models on display, with the exception of the pick-up, were equipped with rear seating, which made for an eight-seat capacity.
In deep mud, progress is limited only by a ground clearranee of 0.23m (9 in) beneath the rear differential. Deep water, too, is negotiable. On one particularly deep waterhole, however, water entered the cab through the heater ducting, filling the driver's floor well to a depth of about 1/4in.
The self-adjusting dual hydraulic brake system is supplied by Girling and a centrally mounted handbrake lever operates the rear drum brake via a mechanical linkage.
After their soaking shoes and drums needed drying out before regaining adequate performance.
The body is a steel pressing, electro-dipped against corrosion. Wind-up windows, heater and spring-loaded towbar are standard but power steering is an optional extra.
All three models will be available by the end of March. Prices will range from £5,580 for the canvas-topped 250D to £6,118 for the pick-up.