Hyundai SA has grown its popular H-1 range of big-load bed bakkies to include a capacious GL panel van and a family-swallowing GLS minibus to cover the private and commercial market.
The van has four cubic metres of load volume and the bus can take eight passengers. Each will be sold with a five-year or 150 000km warranty and prices are R234 900 for the van and R289 900 for the wagon - including a five-year or 100 000km service plan for either.
Service intervals are 15 000km and the van is rated to carry a ton.
"These vehicles will offer private and commercial buyers an affordable solution, whether it's carrying a four cubic-metre load or eight hotel guests," Hyundai says. "Its rugged design uses front-engine, rear-drive architecture and has two sliding doors."
All-disc anti-lock brakes come with electronic fluid pressure distribution.
Both vehicles look good with their long, sloping nose and bonnet and windscreen at almost the same angle but they are big - overall length is more than five metres and they are 1.92m wide with a cabin height of 1.35m.
The tail door is big but its sill low and each model has a 2.4-litre, quad-valve petrol engine capable of 126kW and 224Nm.
The H-1 bus - Hyundai calls it a Wagon - has leather upholstery, dual-control aircon, a six-speaker, front-loading CD-equipped sound system, electro-chromic rearview mirror and power front windows.
BEEFY SUSPENSION
Ride comfort, handling and safety are all superior to those of the van with the most fundamental difference a five-link, coil-spring rear suspension and the vehicle's size is compensated for by the inclusion of parking radar.
The van has leaf-spring rear suspension to handle its 1100kg payload limit in the cargo bay that measures 2.37m long, 1.62m wide and 1.35m high.