In the past, I have tested many panel vans in all shapes and sizes. I think VW now finds it necessary to compete with smaller panel vans like the Chevrolet Pronto and Toyota’s Avanza. The cost effectiveness of this is, of course, the fact that they used the mechanics and body of an existing model and modified them into a panel van by leaving out the back seats. However, this is not as simple an exercise as it seems.
The most important changes in terms of commercialising the van included raising the suspension by 15 mm and the option for heavy-duty shocks and front underbody protection. There are also a partitioning wall between the front seats and the loading bay. The loading area is strengthened by means of a hardwood floor.
Wat my nogal trots maak is dat die Xpress ʼn totalal-Suid-Afrikaanse ontwikkeling is en ʼn vrag van 519 kg kan baasraak. Vir die meeste van ons sal die wa ‘n bietjie lig in die broek wees, maar vir ʼn afleweringsvoertuig van materiaal soos sokke, ligskakelaars, draad ens. sal hy honderdpersent werk!
Natuurlik sal dit vir ander besighede soos blommewinkels, hondesalonne of selfs nutsmanne die perfekte waentjie wees en die toeganklikheid van die twee sy- en agterdeure is ʼn bonus.
Die sitplekke is heel gemaklik maar nes die Caddy is die beenruimte beperk as gevolg van die afskorting tussen die laairuimte en die kajuit. Verder is die kajuit pure VW sonder fieterjasies maar het darem lugreëling as standaardtoerusting.
Iemand vertel my van ʼn kennis van hom (wat nie ʼn motor besit nie) wat met vier bande by hom aankom wat hy glo vir ʼn winskoop gekoop het. Hy spog toe daarmee dat hy darem nou ten minste die bande het, en nog net die res van ʼn motor kort. By die Xpress is die luidsprekers ook reeds geïnstalleer, jy moet net die radio gaan koop. Terloops is spoedbeheer ook opsioneel beskikbaar.
I presumed that Xpress means, well, express, but after testing the Caddy, it was quite a challenge to adapt to the performance of the Xpress! Power is provided by the Polo Vivo’s well-known 55 kW/132 nm, 1,4 l petrol engine and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
The Xpress is not at all a performance vehicle and one should be patient, especially when it is loaded and you want to pass other vehicles on the highway. I believe that the Vivo van was not at all marketed to travel long distances on highways but is more an “in town” delivery vehicle.
The loading bay swallows 1060 l, which is quite impressive! As that the Xpress is classified as a commercial vehicle, you can also claim back the VAT.
Ek glo daar is ʼn gaping in die mark vir die Vivo-waentjie maar deesdae is ons al so bederf met talle keuses dat, voor jy ʼn besluit neem, jy goed moet besin waarvoor jy die voertuig nodig het en met VW se wye reeks van handelsvoertuie kan mens kwalik ʼn fout maak.
| VW Polo VivoXpress | Chevrolet Spark Pronto | Toyota Avanza 1,3 Paneelwa | Fiat Doblo Cargo | |
| Enjin | 1400 petrol | 1200 petrol | 1300 petrol | 1400 petrol |
| Krag | 55 kW | 60 kW | 70 kW | 70 kW |
| Wringkrag | 132 Nm | 108 Nm | 121 Nm | 127 Nm |
| Vrag | 519 kg | 275 kg | 500 kg | 750 kg |
| Ruimte | 1060 l | 876 l | 2100 l | 3400 l |
| Prys | R172 650 | R146 000 | R220 000 | R214 990 |
Send your comments to dirk@blitspta.co.za
