Hyundai unveils the iLoad

Hyundai has entered the already-crowded UK medium panel-van market with the iLoad, on sale from January 2009. Powered by a 115hp 2.5-litre common-rail diesel engine, the iLoad features twin side-loading doors, high standard equipment levels and a long (as yet unspecified) warranty attractive to retail buyers.

A crew-cabbed combi version will also be initially available, with a lower specification model aimed at fleet purchasers to follow at a later date.

The vehicle body appears to be based on the Mitsubishi L400 series van, which, despite the success of its L300 predecessor, was sold in Europe, but not the UK.

The South Korean-manufactured iLoad is already sold widely in Australia (boasting a five-year warranty) where it seats three people, or six in the combi. A turbocharged engine produces 392nm of torque at 2,000-2,500rpm, fed to the rear-wheel drive via a five-speed gearshift. The iLoad has McPherson strut-front suspension with leaf springs at the rear and disc brakes with ABS all round.