On The Road
The performance figures for this turbo-diesel are not startling, and certainly not comparable with the grunty 123hp “Unijet” engine offered in other Dailys. However, it has a well-designed torque curve, peaking at 250Nm and 2,000rpm, but offering almost all of its torque from 1,700rpm to almost 3,100rpm. This means that it’s easy to stay in the green “economy” band (1,750-3,000rpm) and that gear-changing isn’t a constant chore.
When we last tested a Daily we had a bad experience with the gearshift, pronouncing it “vague and grating”, but it turned out to be a one-off problem with the six-speed gearbox (a broken detent spring) and the same vehicle came back to us much improved. We’re pleased to say that we have had no problems with this Daily’s five-speed overdrive box, and one tester was particularly full of praise: “Gearchanges are done with the utmost of ease, they slot in nicely and you always know where you are”.
The engine feels pretty relaxed on the motorway, as 70mph corresponds to around 2,850rpm in top. But the handling is not quite so serene at speed; the relatively short wheelbase and high-geared steering are not a recipe for relaxation, and a Sevel or Renault master would feel more composed on a blustery day. But let’s not exaggerate: the Daily is a million times better on the motorway than the forward-control vans of yore.
Like those vans, the Daily L29 is really an urban creature, designed for easy progress through city centres and industrial estates – it has the quick steering and tight turning circle to prove it. The all-disc brakes are predictable and performed well on test. And if that manoeuvrability takes you (or another road user) by surprise, its nice to know that there are chunky SMC mouldings along the full length of the body sides.
Cab Comfort
In this era of Masters, Transits and Sprinters a van’s interior has to meet a pretty high standard. The Daily tries hard, but it’s not a perfect solution. The distinctive, deeply-recessed instruments look good (in a 1970s Alfa Romeo kind of way), but they are difficult to see from an angle and the pale colouring of the dials makes them nearly impossible to read in a half-light. Nevertheless, the switchgear is well laid out and the quality of the mouldings is nice.
The excellent door mirrors have useful blind-spot sections, and forward vision is just as good.
Lighting and ventilation in the cab are fine (and air recirculation is standard) while there is plenty of storage space in the doors. We disapprove of using one’s phone on the move, but a mobile-shaped cubby-hole is handily placed by the driver’s left hand. The storage netting on the back of the seats is a good idea, but far too difficult for use in practice.
Cab access is easy and the seats are upright but comfortable. The centre passenger gets a useful grab handle mounted on the ceiling, but just a lap belt – we’d like to see all three be three-point belts as standard.
