)n the 4otorway
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On the motorway sections of le test, the Fiat's five-speed ?,arbox came into its own. .ere the van returned 16.75 tre/100km (1(.87mpg) cornared to the Bedford's 21,2 tre/100.'&.m 11.35mpg) and the hrysler's 24.2 litre/100km .1.65mpg). It also cruised at a igher speed and was very inch less affe:.i.ed by gradients. The worst aspect of the gearox was the selection. Although rst gear was very seldom ecessary on the test, it was [most impossible to obtain. iat assures me that this is not Tpical of the model, but neverieless it caused a few nasty ioments. Other gears were _iasonably easy to find, but the ver was vet y woolly and recise, Nevr:heiess, there ras a markeHH. difference beveen drivim; i.he Fiat, which It like a 14.m. vari, and any ther 7,5 l.a ass 7.38 tons) Tick, despite :Is length.
Two annoyiag features of the iat were the indicators, which re not self-c:ncelling, and the rake and dal eh pedals, which re so high I] at. the driver has ) raise his le at to reach them. lstrumentatic,ii was fairly parse, with a single instru lent contain iii fuel, tempera Ire gauges and warning lights n the right, 'Elie speedometer to the left al file nacelle,
The Bedforc: proved to be the
lost flexible the vehicles. It ayelled quit,: happily in top ear over most: of the test route nd pulled away from rest in ?.cond gear e-Jery time. A long eavy rod ccnnects the gear yes to the box, and the weight this tends to make the driver vershoot when trying to select .3cond by taking the lever too ir to the left. As reverse is over ) the left and back, it can be 'advertently selected by rivers who are new to the chicle. Despite this, gear ?,lection is otherwise good.
The latest TK models are tted with the KM-type mirrors /Inch are a great improvement. ontrols and instruments too ave been ti.idatieil with two irge dials, oae containing the peedometer, the other, fuel, ;mperature and air gauges nd warning lights.
Access to the cab on all three chides was good. The Chrysler ceded the largest step up, but and rails and steps were dequate.
Both the Chrysler and Bed)rd had rear roller shutters, rhile the Fiat had twin hinged rear doors without windows, and a sliding side door. An internal bulkhead separated the load from the cab in the Fiat, but this contains a sliding door which allows the driver to enter the back without leaving the vehicle.
Maintenance
Access to the Chrysler was excellent when the cab was tilted. Tilting is a simple operation, and does not involve any dismantling or unbolting. When the cab is tilted, two side panels can be removed, enabling the mechanic to reach the fuel pump or compressor with ease.
It is surprising that after all the years it has been in production, the Bedford TK still does not have a tilt cab. This means that access to the engine corn partment is very restricted, as it is through two lift-up covers at the rear of the cab. With a boxvan body, this access is indeed very narrow.
The latest models also have a large air cleaner, dominating the 330D engine, which adds to a mechanic's problems. One of the most difficult jobs must be replacing the radiator, which is sandwiched between the cab floor and a cross-member. Despite this, the whole cab can be removed by undoing four bolts and all connections, so major repairs are probably comparatively less difficult.
A panel under the centre seat in the Fiat is unclipped to reach the engine, but access is strictly limited. Most operations would have to be carried out from underneath the vehicle, and jobs like changing the alternator look as though they might be difficult.
Summary
As with everything in lif you get what you pay for. I the case of our three vehicle the choice is between payir £5,951 for the Fiat, £5,643 ft the Chrysler and £4.123 for tlBedford (all prices as tested).
The Chrysler had the large: volume bodywork, but part] because of this, returned tt worst fuel consumption. "II Bedford had the next bigge; capacity and produced tt second best fuel consumptioi while the Fiat emerged as th winner on fuel but the loser o capacity.
There are of course °the factors to be taken into accoun as we have tried to show. Th operator looking for a vehicle i the 7.5 tonnes (7.38 tons) catE gory, must decide which these are the most relevant t his needs.