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DRIVEN - Daihatsu Gran Max
9 Oct 2009
A new entrant into the one ton bakkie market strikes up a nice surprise |
Daihatsu has added its name to the list of one ton pickups on the market with its variation, name the Gran Max.
This vehicle was introduced with value in mind. Daihatsu looked at the market and saw a gap for a full one ton pickup at the price of three quarter ton bakkie. The Gran Max was thus introduced to us at the amazing price of R120 000.
Inside it is quite Spartan of luxuries but the bakkie is marketed at the start up businessman. It is a pure run-about vehicle, perfect for transporting goods with its large load bin and one ton capacity. Up front there is space for three (at a squeeze) as the gear lever is mounted on the dashboard to provide extra room for the passengers.
The engine is a 1.5-litre petrol, which does a good job of ferrying loads around town, even under the full one ton load the Daihatsu felt quite strong and easily pulled up hills, surprising us for such a small capacity engine. It puts out 77kW and 140Nm of torque, not bad figures for a 1.5.
Safety-wise though the Daihatsu doesn’t offer too much, safety belts are present and crumple zones in the front are the only other protection that the Gran Max offers.
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