Chassis Cab

General Motors and Navistar International announced their partnership to build medium-duty trucks back in October of 2015, but since then, nothing has surfaced regarding the Class 4 and 5 commercial trucks – that is, until now. Spy shots have surfaced of a camouflaged test mule apparently prepped for stability testing. The rig has a beefy roll bar mounted to its flatbed and its front bumper is prepped for outriggers.

The images come via our friends at TFL Truck. The prototype truck clearly has elements of both GM and Navistar International. The hood and front grille are familiar International designs, while the headlights are clearly lifted from the 2015-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT. The truck’s cab is also pure GM, likely shared with the Silverado 2500/3500 HD. The trailer tow mirrors, door handles, roof marker lights, and the cab’s overall shape are dead giveaways. Sadly, both automakers have remained quiet about the trucks, though TFL Truck cites reports suggesting the 4500/5500 trucks will debut in March of 2018 and go on-sale shortly thereafter as 2019 models. It’s unclear whether the trucks will have GM nameplate or Navistar International branding – or both. GM’s Chevy and GMC divisions could very easily revive the Kodiak and TopKick names, as both have illustrious histories spanning from 1980 to 2009. International might use the truck to expand its lineup below the DuraStar, currently its smallest medium-duty truck.

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The Mitsubishi L200 is around from some time now, but even since its inception the vehicle was considered a strong and reliable vehicle. Apart from its work horse character, the Mitsubishi L200 has also a pretty unconventional design which is a perfect combination between dynamism and practicality.

The vehicle is available in both chassis cab and pickup versions with single-, extended- and double-cab configurations. Worldwide, the L200 is highly appreciated and in UK is the best sold vehicle in its class.

The chassis cab version of the L200 leaves behind all the bells and whistles of the lifestyle models and offers a rugged and basic work horse able to get the heaviest jobs done without worrying about broking a nail or two.

The Isuzu Rodeo - or the D-Max on the Australian market - was built on the same platform with the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and Isuzu i-Series.

The Rodeo is the only pickup in Isuzu’s lineup as the manufacturer is especially known for its mid- and heavy-duty trucks.

The vehicle replaced the old TF pickup and comes with a pretty pleasant interior being less rugged than other pickups in its class. Thanks to its mixed personality, the Isuzu Rodeo can be used successfully for both harsh jobs and family necessities.

As most vehicles of its ilk, the Rodeo is available with 2WD or 4WD configurations. Yet despite Isuzu’s struggles to come up with a good product, the Rodeo is still not in the same league with its competitors from Nissan, Toyota or Mitsubishi which are currently the segment leaders.

The Volkswagen LT was sold between 1996 - 2006 and was replaced by the Crafter. This big panel van was based on the Mercedes Sprinter, but it didn’t get the same attention as its three pointed star sibling.

Though, the vehicle was fairly practical thanks to its big, bulky body and had a spacious and strong built interior.

The Volkswagen LT was available with various engine outputs that developed between 90 hp and 130 hp. Gross vehicle weights varied from 2.8 tonnes to 4.6 tonnes with a starting price of $ 25.300. There were also three wheelbases and two roof heights available.

The Movano it is Opel’s heavy duty weapon designed to fight on the big panel van battlefield. Even it wasn’t as advanced as the new generation, the old Movano was a practical work horse with a versatile nature which help it to be suited for a wide range of commercial applications.

The old Movano was sold between 1999 and 2003 but in 2001 the entire range of engines was replaced with more efficient common rail units. At that time the offer included 1.9 liter, 2.2 liter and 2.3 liter engines with gross vehicle weights ranging from 2.8 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes and payload capacities between 1,047kg and 1,705kg.

The new Nissan NV400 is a highly versatile vehicle and it’s available in a wide range of configurations. While until now the company didn’t revealed too many details about its range of factory build NV400 conversions, now it has finally decided to break the silence.

The new Nissan NV400 is now available in six and nine seat minibuses, crew vans and both single and double cab dropside and tipper conversions. Apart from the models listed above the new Nissan NV400 will be also available as a box van, Luton and refrigerated van, plus a 14-17 seat minibus.

Firstly, the NV400 chassis cab is offered in a total of 13 versions with mid or long wheel bases and single or twin rear wheel drive. The NV400 chassis cab is powered by the 2.5 dCi diesel engine which is available in two power outputs – 125 hp and 150 hp.

The NV400 minibus offers space for up to nine people but it’s also available with a six seats configuration. This version has a starting price of £26,575 and comes with a choice of two engines with 100 hp and 125 hp on tap.

Appealing to those seeking for crew transportations, the crew van comes with seven seats and a generous load area. For this version you’ll have to pay not less than £25,565 and you can choose from numerous payloads of up to 1398 kg and both front or rear wheel drive configurations.

There is also a dropside model on offer, with a starting price of £23,365 for the single cab and £25,765 for the double cab. The Nissan NV400 dropside is offered with a choice of either single three seat or a double seven seat cab, front or rear wheel drive and a range of payloads up to 1,462kg.

For those looking for a reliable construction partner designed to go head to head with arduous working conditions without backing down, Nissan offers its NV400 tipper. The tipper’s load deck tilts automatically at 45 degree for easy unloading and comes with a wide range of payloads of up to 1,227kg. This model is offered in two versions with prices starting from £24,765 for the single cab and £27,165 for the double cab.

For a pretty long period of time, the old Sprinter was considered the best van on the market, but in its latest years of existence the German LCV was starting to show its age and some rivals caught up and managed to overtake it.

The previous sprinter was sold between 1995 – 1996 and has managed to conquer the world of big panel vans pretty fast, thanks to its superior technologies and the famous German reliability.

Even today, the used Sprinters hold their value well and you can pay a pretty big price for vehicle in decent condition.

Like the new model, the old Mercedes Sprinter was also offered in various shapes with gross vehicle weights ranging from 2.8 tonnes to 4.6 tonnes with three lengths and roof heights. Mercedes had always lead the way when it comes to modern technologies and the old Sprinter made no exception as it was the first van to come with standard ABS brakes (from 120 versions above). Moreover, since 2003 the ABS was offered as standard equipment on the entire Sprinter range and ESP was also added.

Mazda revealed the new generation of its iconic BT 50 model at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

Compared to previous generation the new model received a radical makeover together with a bunch of technical upgrades to keep it in trend with today’s requirements.

The new model is available in single, extended and double cabs and features a pretty SUV like design with tasty fluid lines which give it a futuristic appearance.

The new Mazda BT 50 is offered with a choice of 2.2 and 3.2 DOHC diesel engines which develop between 147 and 200 hp.

The Mazda BT 50 2006 model was launched in the middle of very good market conditions. The interest for light duty trucks was at its peak, but the downside was that were many competitors in the game so Mazda’s BT 50 did managed to get only a small piece of the big cake.

While its exterior design didn’t have the power to take on more stylish competitors, Mazda had its own advantages and the biggest one was its competitive price tag ($18.800).

The 2006 Mazda BT 50 shared the same technologies and underpinnings with the old Ford Ranger, but unlike its sibling was a little cheaper and less well equipped. Power came from a 2.5 liter which developed 143 hp and 280 Nm of torque.

The Tata SFC is a highly versatile LCV built for light commercial applications. Designed as a pickup, the vehicle is available with GVWs (gross vehicle weights) between 3800 kg and 9050 kg.

In its home market the Tata SFC is very successful and it’s specially appreciated for its generous payload capacity, small fuel consumption and the low costs of ownership.

The Tata SFC is offered to a very competitive price ($10.200 starting price) and comes with a service interval of 20,000 kms and a 3 year warranty. The truck is available with a choice of three engines which develop 75 hp, 90 hp and 102 hp.

The Tata Ace Zip is a small LCV based on the Ace model, but it also uses components from the Nano. Powered by a 611cc water cooled engine, the Ace zip is by no means a sporty vehicle, but it receives high marks in the functionality department as thanks to its generous load area it can be used for a wide range of commercial applications. Resembling a conventional pick-up truck the small Tata Ace Zip has a payload capacity of up 600 kg. There is also a passenger version of the Zip and is named the Magic Iris.

The Tata Ace Zip is in the same class with models like the Daihatsu Hijet, DFSK Loadhopper and Piaggio Porter and comes with a warranty of 36000 km/ 12-month.

TheMercedes Benz Unimog is around for some time now, as it tackles the harshest working conditions since the Second World War. The Unimog is an iconic off roader which has built itself a very strong reputation being one of the most appreciated vehicles in its class.

The Unimog is the smaller brother of the Zetros and is offered in a wide range of versions with different engines and wheelbases. There are two Unimog families available the Unimog 300 - 500 and the Unimog 3000- 5000.

The Unimog 300, 400 and 500 range covers permissible gross vehicle weights from 7.5 t to 16 t, each model coming with a choice of two wheelbase lengths and two engine outputs.

The Unimog 300-500 are offered with a choice of four- and six-cylinder in-line engines from the OM 904 LA and OM 906 LA series.

Tata has started to be known worldwide after they’ve announced the production of the Nano which is the cheapest passenger car in the world. However, besides passenger cars the company is also building LCVs and trucks and some models are even sold globally.

The Tata Super Ace is a versatile LCV build for short distribution applications and is available with a practical chassis cab configuration. Launched in 2005 the Tata Ace was India’s first four-wheel mini truck. At that time the sub 1-tonne mini truck was a major step ahead for the company, as it received a very good feedback from the market.

The Iveco Daily is one of the most versatile LCVs from the market and besides the typical van and pickup versions, the model is also available in off road guise.

Thanks to its huge ground clearance (30 cm) and the capable 4x4 system, the Iveco Daily was engineered to be able to conquer the most difficult terrains regardless of what weight is carrying at the back.

Thanks to its utilitarian nature, the Iveco Daily 4x4 can be used in construction and infrastructure maintenance work sites or for special missions such as snow ploughs, fire fighting, emergency and civil protection vehicles.

The off road LCV is offered in short wheelbase (3,050 mm) and long wheelbase (3,400 mm) versions, and is also available as a crew cab. There are two gross vehicle weight versions available, namely the 3.5 t with a maximum load of 2,250 kg on the front axle and 2,800 kg on the rear axle; and 5.5 t with a maximum load 2,450 kg on the front axle and 3,700 kg on the rear axle.

In the latest years everybody has starting to talk more and more about the use of electrical vehicles on a daily basis. Until recently, the electric vehicles were designed only as small passenger cars, but thanks to the advance in technology, now we can also drive electrical vans or even trucks.

Aixam was among the first companies who focused on developing electrical vehicles and its lineup also includes the Mega Multitruck model which is a versatile light commercial vehicle that can deal with a wide range of applications.

Aixam’s Mega Multitruck was designed for those looking for a small and light truck than can serve for short delivery missions with minimum costs. The LCV is offered with both diesel and electric engines and is available in four different body styles with van, pick-up, dropside and chassis cab options.