Harris Auto of Dublin, which has already brought the UK and Ireland market the AOS and Higer brands, is now building the range of vehicles it offers under the LDV brand. Richard Sharman takes a closer look at the options available
When you think of LDV, you probably think of the Convoy which sold in high volume between 1996 and 2006. The old LDV may be gone but the name certainly is not forgotten. LDV is now a brand of SAIC Motor, which features in the top 10 list of the largest vehicle manufacturers in the world. The UK and Ireland LDV product offered by Harris Auto of Dublin is called the Mini B, and is available in a number of configurations. [wlm_nonmember][…]
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Options and engine
The LDV Mini B range, based on the V80 van platform, has a strong line up with options to suit a number of applications. All vehicles are coach-built to a high-quality finish by Donegal Automotive Services, with some versions losing their rear doors in favour of a coach-style rear.
The Mini B range is powered by a European engine. Italian company VM Motori’s Eco-D2.5-litre turbo diesel, which uses a Bosch electronically controlled common rail direct fuel injection system that produces 134hp and 243 lb ft of torque. This is driven through a six-speed manual gearbox. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology produces Euro V emissions. This engine is tried and tested and is also fitted in thousands of London taxis. Average MPG is quoted at 30mpg with a fuel tank capacity of 80 litres.
Equipment such as air-conditioning, cruise control, reversing sensors, automatic entry step, Stoneridge digital tachograph, Hankook 16” tyres with five spoke alloy wheels, disc brakes all round and privacy glass to name but a few all come as standard. The lead time for vehicle orders from Harris Auto is four weeks.
Front entry
Harris Auto has designed a front-entry version of the V80 which offers a number of different specifications. The most recent addition to the range is the VIP, a nine-seater plus driver configuration which features luxury leather seating, a rear luggage compartment and luggage racks with forced air and reading lights.
The highest-seated model is the 16 plus driver varient, which has an extended chassis and features a coach built rear. Various seat moquettes are available as well as a diamond pattern leather seat with piping that can be colour-coded to match the seat frames and the centre console. Other options include rear doors, removable seats and a luggage pen.
In between these two models is the 14 plus driver, which is also available as a side entry vehicle. In front-entry format a new school bus version has just been introduced for the Irish market which features prominent school bus signage and orange flashing LED lighting which is required in some regions.
Wheelchair accessible
The V80 Wheelchair version has a fully tracked floor and is delivered with nine three-point belted seats. It is then up to the operator to
decide how many seats they would like to remove for the number of wheelchairs required. The inboard-wheelchair lift rated at 400kg, is located at the rear of the vehicle and is made by AMF-Bruns. The high-level roof of the V80 makes movement around the vehicle simple, which assists with the loading and unloading of wheelchairs by the driver or carer. Passenger seating is finished in wipe clean leatherette.
EV80 zero emission
The jewel in the crown of the Mini B range is the zero-emission EV80. Using SAIC’s automotive knowledge, LDV has produced a battery-powered version.
It is impressive that LDV has managed to bring this vehicle to market quicker than many of the industry’s larger brands. The 56kW lithium-ion battery has a range of 190km (118 miles), takes two hours to fully recharge and features a combination AC/DC connector. The EV80 demonstrator was made available to CBW to view.
Passenger comfort
A hydraulic step operates in conjunction with the EV80’s front-entry door to aid boarding with a large yellow handrail mounted to the A-pillar. Once inside the headroom is quite impressive, making movement around the vehicle a simple task.
The EV80 seats 14 passengers in comfort with coach-style seating that is half fabric, half leather. Five moquette options are available. The saloon side walls and roof are fully soft trimmed with durable coach-style carpet. Interior lighting is provided by LED units which have two settings, white or blue. A coach-style skylight provides ventilation – and acts as an additional emergency exit. Legroom is good for the size of the vehicle as is the saloon aisle, due to the two by one seating. Privacy glass is used in the saloon as standard.
This vehicle is aimed at moving people and thus has little luggage capacity at least in the standard 14-seat configuration. The twin rear doors do open fully, allowing some luggage to be placed under the four rear seats. A bumper protector has also been added to prevent any scuffing. Options include USB charging points, 21-inch pull down monitor with DVD function, rear parking camera and a full CCTV system.
Styling
Whilst some of you will recognise the body design from the LDV Maxus, Harris Auto has made a number of updates to make the Mini B range look the part in 2019. These include body coloured bumpers and trim, privacy glass, side skirts, updated mirrors and front grille, coach-style marker lights and daytime running lights built-in to the updated front bumpers.
Driver environment
The cab of the EV80 is modern and almost car-like; quality plastics have been used throughout the dash and cabin panels. Switchgear has been kept to a minimum thanks to the three round multi-function switches in the centre of the dashboard. Above that is the sound system, which also has speakers mounted in the saloon. Switches for the LED interior lighting are located next to the sound system.
The centrally-mounted digital dash binnacle is clear and presents a large amount of detailed information as to how the electrical system is performing, remaining range and of course the vehicle speed. A Stoneridge digital tachograph is provided as standard and nicely incorporated into the dashboard. A Bluetooth hands-free kit is fitted as standard.
The driver benefits from having electric windows on both the passenger and driver’s door. Hot and cold air is provided by the in-dash air-conditioning system, with a vent also built in under the dashboard for the saloon.
Driving experience
Unfortunately I did not get a chance to take the EV80 out on-to the public highway on this occasion, but I was able to drive it around the large Harris Group site on the Naas Road. Starting the EV80 is just like starting a standard minibus – key in ignition and start the engine – although in this case you are starting the electrical system. The only sign that the EV80 is operational are the lights on the digital dash binnacle. It is completely silent at idle.
Driving the EV80 is a simple experience. It is basically the same as driving an automatic; you have a gear selector built into the dash for drive, neutral and reverse. The handbrake is electronic with the switch being located on the right-hand-side of the dashboard.
Selecting drive and pressing the handbrake release switch, the EV80 moves quietly off. The driving position is good, as is the all-round vision. The EV80 has been limited to 100km/h, a speed which takes 24 seconds to reach, quick for a vehicle of this size. A large clear area of the site was made available to test the acceleration out. The 92kW (320Nm) motor certainly has plenty of power, and with no gears the acceleration is instantaneous but precise. Pulling away with the accelerator fully depressed results in performance that many family hatchbacks would be envious of. It is clear that LDV has taken time to develop a motor that provides smooth acceleration and power for when the vehicles is at full passenger capacity.
Driving around the site reveals that the EV80 handles well thanks to its MIRA-tuned steering and suspension, with MacPherson struts fitted up front.
The quietness of the electric motor confirms that the coachbuilt interior is well put together. There was no noise from the interior fittings at all.
Conclusion
The LDV Mini B range certainly offers minibus operators a full range of options. Harris Auto has thought out of the box with some of these options; the nine-seat VIP and the 16-seat front-entrance are both likely to appeal to private hire operations. Meanwhile, school bus operators have two options, with a side-entry or dedicated school bus specification. The EV80 is an ideal option for operators who will require a zero-emission minibus in readiness for the many low-emission (or potentially zero-emission) zones that are coming in to place, too.
Harris Auto is also offering the LDV range with the 555 package. This includes a five year warranty, five years’ roadside assistance and a five year finance package.
