‘Half-loaf’ returns as Suzuki prices tiny new Eeco panel van

Suzuki Auto South Africa has grown its commercial vehicle line-up by supplementing the Super Carry light-duty truck with the spiritual successor of the iconic half-loaf Carry van, the Eeco panel van sourced from its Maruti division in India.

A mainstay in that market since 2010, the Eeco is in fact a development of a model known as the Versa that bowed out in 2009, after originally premiering eight years before.

No chance on safety

Compared to the Versa though, the Eeco has been extensively revised and for South Africa, despite being a commercial vehicle, boats standard items either not available or only specified on higher-end trim levels of the model sold in India.

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This includes dual front airbags, ABS and EBD, rear parking sensors, side-impact bars and even Electronic Stability Control that all formed part of a major safety overhaul in 2019.

Hauling capability

Measuring 3 675 mm long, 1 475 mm wide and 1 825 mm tall, the Eeco rides on a 2 350 mm wheelbase and besides offering dual sliding side doors and a flip-up tailgate, can haul 615 kg while accommodating cargo on a 1 620 mm loadbed.

The claimed loadbay width is 1 300 mm and according to Suzuki, the 1 070 mm form the floor to the Eeco’s roof means it can carry a full-size South African pallet.

Power and spec

Despite its comparatively tiny 13-inch steel wheels, the Eeco has claimed ground clearance of 160 mm and while designed to work, comes as standard with air-conditioning, height-adjustable mirrors, a 12-volt socket, digital instrument cluster and a wired radio-prep with two speakers.

Unlike the Super Carry, the Eeco’s engine no longer resides fully underneath the front seats, but only partially as it actually has a bonnet.

The method of propulsion is unchanged though with outputs of 59kW/104Nm from the 1.2-litre mill, delivered to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. According to information from Maruti Suzuki pertaining to the Indian-market Eeco, fuel consumption is rated at 5.1 L/100 km.

Price

Now available for ordering with the first shipment already being transited to all of Suzuki’s 95 dealers, the Eeco is only offered in white and priced at R199 900, which includes a three-year/100 000 km warranty.

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