BUDGET DAY

27th November 2003, Page 40

27th November 2003

Page 40

Page 41

Page 42

Page 40, 27th November 2003 — BUDGET DAY

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Proton's inaugural venture into the UK's half-tonne pick-up market boasts engineering by Lotus — and it comes with a price tag that can't be ignored. We take a closer look.

When you go food shopping, do you opt forTesco's own brand (presuming you're in Tesco's), or do you go for the more expensive Heinz variety? And when having a drink, are you happy with Carling or do you prefer an elaborately named imported lager that comes with an equally elaborate price? Money is always an issue when buying anything and to some, it's the only one worth consideration.

From a commercial vehicle perspective, this means that for all the trumpeting by manufacturers about their increased payload and super-wide load area,it matters not one jot unless it's cheap.And in a sense, your very own CM test team is made redundant because comments such as:"Drifting sideways at 70mph the van was rather stable with the steering giving excellent feedback as we headed for the barrier" don't interest Mr No-Frills, as the vehicle mentioned costs two grand more than its cheaper rival,so it's a non-starter.

If this sounds like a reasonable argument to you, then Malaysian manufacturer Proton believes it has the vehicle that could well light your (economically powered) fire. It's called the Jumbuck. which we're informed is Australian slang for sheep. It's a 4x2 half-tonne pick-up. based on Proton's Wira car platform.

Powered by a 1.5-litre,12-valve four-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels, prices start at a basement £5,995.There are thre trims, starting with the base GL,then the slightly posher GS at £6,495 followed by range-topping, £6,895 GLS.Although th no diesel option, which may hamper its a to some. there is an LPG variant.

Proton is aiming the Jumbuck at small nesses and trades which carry equipmen stock.With the plusher models, it also ho to cash in on the 'lifestyle' market. From commercial vehicle perspective, the GL most likely to gain interest and though w testing the GLS, all vehicles are mechani identical.All models include an alarm.re central locking and an engine immobilis■ The Lotus bit comes in because the Nc firm is owned by Proton.And, as with its passenger cars, the Malaysian company I applied the specialist's expertise in an 'extensive development programme'. What you get is the Wira's monocoque transformed into a two-seat cab and coni ed to a load-bearing ladder-frame chassi integrate these elements, Lotus has c bined them using what it calls a 'to box' to ensure the vehicle is strc enough to cope with load car Productivity With no diesel, the Jui buck is at a disadvan tage regarding ft. economy. It petrol engine is neither new nor exceptional at the pumps. so fuel returns of 31.6mpg for a laden run round our Surrey/Kent test route did not come as a surprise. An unladen figure of 34.6mpg is a touch more frugal.

Considering its application in a commercial environment, which will include plenty of stop-starting and urban runs, you'll be lucky to improve on these figures. Compared with the Ford Ranger 4x2 (CM 3 February 2000), which managed 31.3mpg, however, consumption is reasonable — but the Ranger is powered by a 2.5-litre diesel that produces a lot more torque at lower revs.And that was before direct-injection technology was introduced.

Payload is set at 635kg, which seems rather ambitious, as the Jumbuck feels strained when fully loaded, and gives the impression that the suspension is overworked. But it's not meant to be a serious hauler: if that's what you're after, you should be looking elsewhere in the first place — that is not the purpose of the Jumbuck. Load capacity is just over 800 litres, so the Proton has a useful amount of space to work withlhe fold-down tailgate is designed to support up to 300kg.makes loading a simple affair and, with a clean interior design, using all the space available is easy.

otash One area in which the Jumbuck should make plenty of friends is in its market position. Right now, it is the only half-tonne vehicle of its kind on the market.What's more.ownership is backed by a three-year/60.000mile warranty and three years' RAC roadside assistance.

On the road

There is a distinct cut-price, Far East saloon-car feel to the Jumbuck, betraying its budget roots. However, it's fairly quiet at normal revs if a little toothless, but when pushed to get a response it becomes quite tinny and raucous. And under heavy loads, it struggles to keep moving at anything like a decent pace. File this one under adequate. On the other hand, the gear change has a slick action and short throw, helping to compensate for the engine's shortcomings.

In straight lines, the Jumbuck feels stable due to its low centre of gravity, and there is little disturbance from cross-winds on motorway journeys. It's only when you turn the thing that the problems arise. Cornering reveals two distinct traits Drive sedately and everything works in the way it should: arrive late into a corner and it'll lurch noticeably, especially when fully loaded, which gives confusing signals about what the chassis is up to. In extreme circumstances it may prove a handful to some drivers:This is surprising, given its muchvaunted Lotus input.That noted, though, we can't think of anything else in this price bracket with tidy road manners,anyway.so this shouldn't be considered too detrimental to the whole package.

The suspension is set up on the comfort side, giving the Jumbuck a fairly easy ride over smooth surfaces, though it doesn't absorb bumps and uneven ground so well.This may be a problem if it is used on building sites and the like, but it is acceptable on the road. Front suspension comprises a McPherson strut and coil spring combination, while at the rear an antiquated rigid axle with leaf springs and gasfilled shock absorbers does the work.

Cab comfort 'Me interior of the Jumbuck, as you might suspect, has the look of a passenger car. Not that it's a bad thing — it has a surprisingly comfortable feel, though it does look a bit tired. Instrument layout is fairly logical, though the indicator stalks are on the opposite side from normal which at least helped us to test the wipers several times. Main dials such as the speedo and rev counter are in white with black readings. and all main controls are housed in a silver metalliceffect console. which lightens a generally dark interior.The plastics have a hard, rough feel— although their subsequent durability may prove an advantage in the long run.

Our top-of-the-range GLS came with a Clarion four-speaker CD player, electric windows, cloth— yes, cloth — seats, alloy wheels and two-tone paint work as standard.The base GL is less inspiring— but what do you expect for the price, carbon fibre trim? What you do get on the entry Jumbuck, however, are 'practical' PVC seats — so no driving in your pants on a hot day — steel wheels, manual winding windows and no radio cassette. Again, we have no problem with that — Proton has to save money somewhere. It's more important to find a decent driving position, which is easy with the comfortable, multi-adjustable seats. In the GLS, they are covered in a velour-type material that would put Huggy Bear to shame.

On the downside, visibility is average and the B-pillar obscures side views, but that's natural for this type of vehicle, Storage in the cab is confined to small door bins, two cup holders and a glove box — that's your lot. But if you're after a cheap and easy pick-up to get in and go... you've found it. •