LDV – which you might recall as Maxus – is relaunching the brand with a roadmap to roll out plug-in hybrid, hybrid and even hydrogen fuel cell propelled commercial vehicles in the next few years. Here are five reasons to drive an LDV from its current range, whether you run a trade or an SME with a small van fleets.
- Five reasons to drive an LDV: The V80 and electric version
The LDV EV80 electric van
The market has been affected by engine downsizing from 2.5-litre to 1.9-litre, but the V80 still boasts an efficient 2.5-litre engine. Our tests in an empty van suggested the 330Nm torque packs plenty of punch for a full load. Some £10,000 cheaper than Citroen Relay, the V80 is a sure thing for shortlist consideration. Read here for our reviews on the medium and high roof LDV 80 vans.
Electric interest is picking up. There is a huge push in the market, with LDV receiving some 800 enquiries about EV80 in the last six months. Incredibly popular with courier companies, it features a 56KwH battery, which charges within one hour. Some 120 miles of range provides companies operating in urban areas and looking to carbon offset while reducing fuel bills an alternative. The EV80 wasn’t our favourite V80 to drive, but if you’re stepping away from diesel, it’s worth considering.
- Five reasons to drive an LDV: The dropside variant
EV version of the dropside LDV
The dropside is top-dollar for trades looking to easy access to make life simpler in the day-to-day loading and unloading. The Dropside’s opening mechanism is hidden and the flush finish looks smarter than those vans locked with bolts. It drives as comfortably as the EV80, though it features the same unlikeable artificial motor noise for pedestrian safety.
Perfect for recycling fleets, the EV80 Dropside features the diesel’s same great design. It’s enjoying popularity amongst companies whose DPS systems are suffering with the start/stop nature of cities, too.
- Five reasons to drive an LDV: The G10 and EG10
The LDV EG10 electric people carrier
This MPV sits at odds with the general consumer shift towards SUVs, but in the commercial world, there’s still strong demand for more nimble people-carriers, and vans of these dimensions. Due out late 2017/early 2018, the G10 and its electric variant haven’t yet been put through their paces by by our sister Business Car Manager team, but we’ve come to expect affordability coupled with practicality and comfort from LDV. The G10 has a panel van variant, seemingly worth testing if you’re considering the low roof V80. Watch this space.
- Five reasons to drive an LDV: The Mini B
Comfortable seating
The Mini B is the classier V80, with its alloys and choice trims and drives like a dream. That is to say, despite hauling around 15 people, you feel like you’re driving a compact city car. The softer suspension makes light, quieter work of uneven back roads on testthan that offered in the V80 or EV80, which felt significantly harder.
Trims include fabric and leather finishes, bringing a sense of luxury and greater comfort for those looking to invest for airport transfer or school shuttle provision. There’s welfare mobility options, too.
- Five reasons to drive an LDV: Finance, delivery and the future
Every LDV has a three-day turnaround, so orders received on a Wednesday are delivered by Friday. In response to increased demand, Harris is preparing an attractive 6-year finance package for those wishing to switch to electric. Each vehicle comes with 125,000-mile warranty and five years’ roadside assistance thrown in for good measure, too.
Harris Group is working on a telematics pilot, working with established teams in the Netherlands. Better understanding digital fleet management and optimisation, in the longer term, LDV will work with various telematics providers, partnered to their customers, for collaborative customer services. And just so you know, LDV is owned by SAIC Motor, a Fortune 500 company based in China, that also owns the MG brand.
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