• PERFORMANCE
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Travelling clown from the Midlands on our stop-start distribution route across country to Newbury, we averaged 18.961iti 100km (14.9mpg). Next day, we travelled west along the M4 motorway returning an average of 21.64kt/100km (13,05mpg) at 87.4km/h (54.32mph). And over the Aroad section our speed fell to 47.8km/h (29.7mph), while fuel consumption improved to 20.38 lit/100km (13.86mpg), thereby raising our overall total average consumption to a respectable 20.91it/ 100km (13.53mpg).
Both over the motorway and the A-road section we could have returned faster journey times had we made greater use of the gearbox. But for the most part, except on steep hills, we were happy to let the engine pull down to about maximum torque before changing into a lower gear. Timed hill climb times, where best use of the gearbox was made, were certainly quick.
Since the 13518's introduction, fuel tank capacity has been increased to 200 litres giving a more acceptable range of UK operations.
The ZF power steering is light without being vague, and with just 4.6 turns to travel between opposite locks it makes the 4.5m chassis nimble in confined spaces.