P1EVER MINCI ME TORQUE • Andrew English's road test of the Maestro van had us at Perkins a little puzzled.
Page 71
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
He said the engine "lacked the torque of its [DI contemporaries".
Not so. . leastways not according to the evidence of 'Commercial Motor'.
Figures you have published from road tests show that while the torque of the Maestro van is 122 Nm (90 lb/ft), the torque of the Escort 55 (road tested July 25, 1984) is 95 Nm (70 lb/ft), the Astramax 560 (December 14, 1985) 93 Nm (68.5 lb/ft) and the Renault Extra (August 39, 1986) 1(X) Nm (75 lb/ft).
Andrew noted "poor responsiveness and lack of urgency . . ." yet in tests documented by 'Commercial Motor' the Maestro comes out on top. In acceleration, for example, Maestro had the best times of those three competitors at all speeds.
Just to underline the point, in the overall performance not only did Maestro do better than its contemporaries on overall fuel consumption, it also handled the route at a significantly higher average speed. . .
In short, our claims for Prima are not all torque! G D Mitchell
General Manager Perkins Engines European Automotive Business