5 days ago
Ashok Leyland Phoenix cargo carrier arrives in Mzansi
Ashok Leyland is an Indian commercial vehicle maker which relaunched in SA in 2023 after last being sold here in the 1980s.
One of India's largest bus manufacturers, the company was founded in 1948 as Ashok Motors and became Ashok Leyland in 1955 after an alliance with British Leyland, which also had manufacturing facilities in SA.
The Dost single cab loader and Partner medium truck have been on offer in SA since 2023. They are joined by the new, mid-tier Phoenix with similar budget-conscious, no-frills workhorses.
Phoenix
With a price of R269,900, the new Phoenix single cab bakkie is squarely aimed at alternatives, including the Mahindra Bolero and Mahindra Pik Up single cabs.
It is 5,025mm long, 1,842mm wide and 2,061mm high, but load volumes are the most obvious battle points in this niche. On this front it fights with a 2,950mm long, 1,750mm wide and 415mm high cargo deck rated with loading a max 1,850kg and available with drop sides.
It's a three-seater cab with dash-mounted lever and controls, and power steering. It is powered by a 1.5 I three-cylinder diesel engine that outputs 59kW at 3,300rpm and 190Nm between 1,600rpm to 2,400rpm, paired with a five-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels.
Further mechanical wares include the front suspension with two-stage over-slung parabolic and double action shock absorbers in front and semi-elliptic items at the rear axles.
