After a seven-year absence from the UK LCV market, LDV vans will go back on sale in 2016. The first model, the V80, is heavily based on LDV’s last UK model, the Maxus, and is expected to hit the market in the coming months.
Derivatives
The company behind the reintroduction is the Harris Group of Dublin, and it will initially offer the vehicle in four derivatives (with either a 3.2 or 3.5 tonne GVW); a short-wheelbase low-roof (6.4 cubic metres), a long-wheelbase low-roof (10.4 cubic metres), a long-wheelbase high-roof (11.6 cubic metres) and a chassis-cab.
Under the bonnet is the same 2.5-litre VM Motori engine that powered the previous-generation vehicles, tuned to 136bhp/330Nm and coupled to a six-speed manual transmission supplied by Mitsubishi.
Pricing and availability
They’re expected to be priced from as little as £16,000 plus VAT, and sold from 16 dealerships nationwide. Just 3,000 units will be shipped in the first 12 months, although this is expected to increase once the Euro-6 version arrives in 2017, and they will also be backed by an impressive five-year or 125,000-mile warranty.
More models to come
The Harris Group will also be introducing the Maxus G10 later in 2016, which offers a 1,093kg payload and 5.2 cubic metre loadspace, and will use the same 1.9-litre diesel engine as the MG6 car. A so-far unnamed pickup is also scheduled to join the ranks in 2019.
