Ldv PILOT VAN RANGE
The
LDV Pilot Might Be Getting A Little Long In The Tooth But Its Pricing Falls Short Enough To Keep Buyers From Overstretching Their Finances, Running Costs Remain Suitably Small And Its Still Very Big On Durability. If Size Really Does Matter, Then This Panel Van Is Well In With A Shout Of Luring The More Astute Commercial Vehicle User. Steve Walker Finds Out More
If youre looking for a van that thinks its a car, one that boasts such niceties as saloon-like driving dynamics, armchair seats and shag pile carpets, look away now. The Pilot is an unadulterated commercial vehicle, its purpose - to get the job done with no messing about and the minimum of expense to its owner. All admirable qualities if you like to run a tight ship where your business is concerned and, lets face it, who doesnt. Theres even the added bonus that youll be entrusting your custom to LDV Europes only specialist van manufacturer.
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Surely, these guys have got to know what theyre doing.
The Pilot might be based on an underlying design thats getting a bit old but try saying that to its face! Its a tough, no-nonsense vehicle that continues to sell well on the back of low prices and no small amount of ability. In amongst their PR bumf for the Pilot,
LDV caption a glossy picture of the vehicle with the words; "The work mate that wont let you down." Its a sentiment that will strike a chord with anyone whos had to put up with an unreliable colleague never turning up on time, absconding to the pub at every opportunity or, heaven forbid, failing to make the tea when its their turn. But, more importantly, it gives you an accurate impression of what the Pilots all about. Although the version that takes pride of place in LDV showrooms today first saw the light of day in 1996, the Pilots roots go back a good deal further than that. The current model is a progression from the LDV 200 series that was already in service when Leyland Daf Vans Ltd first came into being back in April 1993.
With new front grille and headlamps, moulded front bumpers and wrap-around indicator lights, the Pilot is distinctly different from its predecessor and the fact that its still going strong is testament to the unyielding durability thats inherent in its mechanical make-up.
"Theres no substitute for experience and, when it comes to light commercial vehicles, LDV have got bundles of it."
Customers tempted by what the Pilot panel van has to offer will find themselves faced with a one-model range consisting of the 1150kg-capacity 2.6t Van. There are also chassis cab versions designed to undergo specialist modifications and become minibuses, fridge vans etc. The payload of the vehicle is substantial enough for it to crossover into large panel van territory where LDVs biggest model, the wide-bodied Convoy, holds residence.
The Pilots relatively compact dimensions and this big carrying capacity make it well-suited to urban use, where road space is often at a premium. Across the whole Pilot range, in its entirety, under the bonnet of every last model, youll find the same
Peugeot-sourced 1.9-litre Diesel engine. It will give you 70bhp at 4,600rpm and can return up to 34mpg at the pumps.
These figures arent particularly impressive and with a heavy load on board the powerplant can get a little overwhelmed but its a simple, proven engine that will not cause you undue problems and does have a fair turn of speed for everyday use. The Pilot isnt as smooth, quiet or nippy as the class leaders in the small panel van market but there is one area where it can deliver a sound thrashing to the rest of the field - and that area is price. The entry-level Pilot is amongst the cheapest panel vans you can buy and you really do get a lot for your money. As was mentioned, the larger capacity of the van models can cope with loads that put products from the next class up to shame.
The build quality is solid, with hard-wearing materials used throughout and theres a respectable amount of standard equipment matched to an extensive factory fitted options list. If you have the inclination, and the cash, you could order your Pilot with choice titbits like first aid kits, fire extinguishers, reverse parking sensors, interior storage racking systems and the list goes on. Get behind the Pilots wheel and youll find the rear-wheel-drive layout gives good handling and manoeuvrability, which is aided by the narrow-body design. The kerb to kerb turning circle is a tight 11 meters and the steering is light enough to make lock to lock exercises possible without too much elbow grease.
The dash is a one-piece affair with controls falling easily to hand and clear instrumentation. The interior might seem a touch dated by modern standards but, as with so much about the Pilot, it does the job. Theres no substitute for experience and, when it comes to light commercial vehicles, LDV have got bundles of it. In comparison to most of the other manufacturers who dip their toes into the van market, LDV are a small company.
This allows them to stay flexible, adaptable and in touch with their customers where the lumbering multi-national corporations might appear a little set in their ways. The firm pride themselves on understanding what van users really want. They operate an extensive dealer network, which specialises solely in vans, rather than stocking them as a sideline to a car range, and they provide a 2-year 100,000-mile warranty on all Pilot models. There is no better company to buy a panel van from and theres no better value panel van than the LDV Pilot.
You just have to ask yourself whether you want a commercial vehicle with all the mod cons or whether youd rather have a grand or two sitting in your bank account.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
VAN: LDV Pilot Van DERIVATIVES: Pilot City Van 2.2t/2.4t. Pilot Van 2.
6t/2.8t. Chassis Cab 2.6t/2.
8t. ENGINE: 1.9-litre Di 70bhp DIMENSIONS: (Panel Van) length/width/height 4760/1730/2030mm GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2350kg (2.4t City Van) July 23rd 2003
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