LDV G10 2.4 2016 review
Peter Barnwell road test and review the LDV G10 2.4 with performance, fuel consumption and verdict.
Tried and tested, the engine and gearbox in the LDV van fit the bill.
Vans are essential to many businesses, and buying and operating them can be worth the bomb.
A new Japanese-made van like the Toyota Hi-Ace will set you back $33,000 plus a road-going base petrol model. Head to Europe with the new VW Transporter and you'll shell out $37,000 plus on the roads for a diesel base model. The base gasoline Hyundai iLoad costs over $32,000. The cost of maintenance and operation varies greatly between brands.
A price-conscious shopper can drive away in a well-used conventional van, or pay thousands less for a freshly released $10 LDV G2.4 with a 25,990-liter petrol engine and manual transmission.
That makes this handsome one-ton van from Chinese auto giant SAIC the cheapest midsize van.
The LDV already has a 2.0-litre turbo/automatic model, but it's a true working special with a Mitsubishi-designed 2.4-litre naturally aspirated engine and a five-speed manual transmission on the rear axle.
This engine has been used in many Mitsubishis for, shall we say, decades. So, it's checked and true, same for the gearbox.
An ANCAP accident rating for G10 is not available. The LDV V80 van gets three stars but has far fewer safety features.
The G10 2.4 has two airbags in the cabin, and also includes anti-lock brakes and stability control, a rearview camera with parking assistance, parking sensors and a tire pressure sensor.
There are large sliding doors on each side and a high opening tailgate. All doors are centrally locked, and the cargo area has a floor and side panels.
Two standard pallets can fit in the large 2365 mm long, 5.2 cubic meter cargo hold. The payload is 1093 kg and the towing force is 1500 kg with brakes.
Roughly the same size as a Ford Transit or a Benz Vito, the G10 2.4 is a pretty face that makes some competitors look awkward.
Inside, it's the same story due to the G10's multiple guises as a van and passenger transport.
The dashboard and all controls, especially around the large central touchscreen, have the distinct look of a passenger car.
Additional amenities include air conditioning, power windows, smart audio, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, and a tilt-only steering wheel.
Suspension - MacPherson struts at the front and four leaf springs at the rear to handle heavy loads. There are disc brakes all around, 16-inch alloy wheels and a full-size spare.
The 2.4 engine's output (105kW/200Nm) seems moderate when the G10's curb weight is 1907kg. However, the five-speed manual transmission has a relatively low gear and the movement is easy, even under load.
He was going back a few notches down the freeway with a ton uphill with the A/C on. Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 11.5 l/100 km, which is much more than the diesel competitor, but they also cost much more. The tank holds 75 liters.
Driving
On the road, the G10 2.4 feels like a van with a high seating position and good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors. The steering wheel isn't as flat as most competitors, and all controls feel light.
The turning radius is quite small - 11.8 m, and a rear-view camera and a parking assistance system help to get into tighter places. Performance is acceptable and the engine doesn't feel like it's working hard in normal driving.
Even the rear leaf springs have a decent degree of compliance when unladen, although the van feels more stable under load. Loading is easy through three large doors.
In the absence of a turbodiesel version, the 2.4-liter engine is considered a cheap, practical delivery vehicle that is comfortable and easy to drive.
Click here for more pricing and specs for the 2016 LDV G10.
