Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 404 i Deals On Wheels Australia

The light delivery van segment of the Australian market has grown over 20 per cent since 2014. If model names were a part of vehicle judging criteria, I’d make this a very short article indeed. When sanity finally prevails and I am eventually elected president of this great country, one of my first acts will be to make the use of random capital letters in product names illegal. Out of the four vehicles you see on these pages, only two don’t have silly capital letters in their names, those being the Ford Transit and Renault Trafic. But someone at Renault forgot an f, which my computer insists should be there. So clearly, the Ford Transit must be the best medium-sized van in its class, because my computer hates all the…

 The Hyundai iLoad and van and iMax people mover copped an update earlier this year, resulting in the Series 2 version of this popular platform. A 7.0-inch touch screen with voice activation is now standard, as is a rear view camera on models with a lift-up tailgate. Once behind the tilt-adjustable wheel, it’s easy to see why this van is running a close second behind the market leading HiAce. Side airbags are also now standard fare for the Hyundai, and cruise control is also now standard on diesel auto versions. It also copped a few bits and pieces to pretty it up a little on the outside. A 2.4-litre petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual is available, but as a commercial proposition we’re more interested in the diesel variants.…

As a country and as a transport industry, we are unique. It’s one of those things where you just have to see it to truly appreciate it. Such is Paccar Australia’s headquarters and production facility in Bayswater, an hour or so east of Melbourne in the shadows of the Dandenong foothills. It’s where Kenworths are made for Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea and it is, beyond any shadow of doubt, the jewel in the Kenworth crown. Still, getting a tour ticket isn’t easy. In fact, it can cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars. You see, most times you need to be a customer – or a highly likely prospective customer – to be given the nod for an escorted tour through the plant. Or, you’re…

 The HiAce pretty much qualifies as a light duty elder statesman in this market. It’s the last forward control style van left on the Aussie market, yet has shown the longevity, durability and tenacity of a mountain mule. And despite the fact that it’s showing its age somewhat, it continues to dominate sales in the mid-sized van market. It’s easy to park, visibility is good and the chatter of the diesel donk isn’t too intrusive. Our long-wheelbase TD Auto had a load capacity of 6.0 cubic metres and could lug a load weighing 1160kg. And it’ll tow a braked trailer load of 1200kg. A 3.0-litre 100kW (134hp)/300Nm turbo-diesel moves the back wheels via a four-speed auto. A 118kW (158hp) 2.7-litre petrol powerplant is also available. There’s no mistaking the utilitarian…

 Apart from my already stated bias toward the Ford, because it has a properly spelt name, I do have to admit to being rather impressed with the little Transit when it first lobbed onto the Australian market. The Duratorq engine is a smooth and reasonably quiet powerplant that delivers grunt in a smooth, usable way. In fact, I’m more perplexed Ford doesn’t sell more of them. The Transit name was once a huge presence on the Aussie LCV market, yet in sales terms these days it’s not exactly setting the world on fire. The Transit Custom uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that makes 92kW (123hp) and a decent 350Nm from 1450rpm. Like its other European competitor the Trafic, the Ford is only available in six-speed manual form. And like the…

She’s been chuffing away ever since. Walking into the sun-filled grounds of Penrith’s Museum of Fire on May 29 for the annual Sydney Classic and Antique Truck Show was as good a trip back in time you could ever hope for. Vintage truck shows have become increasingly popular over the years, and this year’s show at Penrith, the fifth running of the event, was arguably the most successful to date. The vehicle exhibitors – and there were more than 200 – were full of enthusiasm. For many, the Sydney Classic and Antique Truck Show is one of many stops along the vintage truck show circuit around the eastern states. Compared to truck shows of the modern variety, there is no pressure and no place for trophy hunters. It’s simply a…

 The current incarnation of the Renault Trafic arrived in Australia mid-2015. Renault has never been one to shy away from a styling statement, and the Trafic is no exception. The expected electronic stability gizmos are also standard as are auto headlights and auto wipers on twin-turbo vans. I happen to think it’s quite a nice looking van. Renault’s advances on the Aussie LCV market have been something to behold over what amounts to be quite a short period of time. The front wheel drive Trafic uses a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel for power, which is available in single-turbo (66kW (89hp)/260Nm) and twin-turbo (103kW (138hp)/340Nm) guise. Not bad from an engine that is nearly half the size of the HiAce’s 3.0-litre unit. In Australian terms, however, what does hamstring the Trafic is the…

We had to go to Western Australia or go broke. Tasmanian Rod Watson, together with his wife Tanya, operates Rod Watson Heavy Haulage. The couple have known both good and tough times in the industry and currently operate a C16 Cat-powered 2007 Western Star 4900. Rod has had thoughts about updating, but others have advised him to stick with the tried and true. The Western Star has AirLiner rear suspension, and he says the 600hp Cat engine goes like a train. “I’ve put a bigger non-wastegated turbo on it, and polished the manifold,” he says. “With 70 to 80 tonne on, you can pull away from other trucks carrying 50 to 60 tonne.” Rod’s current setup is in stark contrast to his early working life when, at the insistence of…