Hyundai has revamped its H1 panel van by dropping in a 2.5-litre, common-rail turbodiesel (already available in the nine-seater H1 wagon), improving driver comfort and adding a five-year or 90 000km service plan to its industry-leading five-year or 150 000km warranty.
The all-aluminium, 16-valve engine, slightly undersquare at 91 x 96mm bore and stroke, is rated at 120kW at 3800rpm and a load-lugging 392Nm at 2000 - on 500ppm “dirty diesel”.
Hyundai claims it'll burn about 8.5 litres/100km in the real world - as opposed to ideal laboratory conditions which are impossible to replicate - and emit about 225g/km of CO2.
It drives the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox - which puts the load over the driving wheels where it does the most good in terms of traction and frees up the front wheels for important stuff like steering.
The rest of the good stuff remains the same: a 2.4m long cargo bay with a volume of four cubic metres (that's four thousand litres, or 20 baths filled to the brim), 1100kg load capacity, 1500kg towing ability and an 11.2m turning circle (which would not have been possible with front-wheel drive).
Load height is only 550mm and the width between wheel arches is 1.25m for easy packing; there are also eight tie-down rings and a light over the back doors for late-night deliveries. A sliding door on each side provides maximum loading convenience.
The flight deck boasts seating for three, a height-adjustable driver's seat and electric windows. Dual glove compartments are complemented by upper and lower door pockets on both sides and when the middle seat is empty its backrest folds forward to become a moulded tray with extra cup holders.
Dual airbags, antilock braking with electronic brake-pressure distribution and seatbelts with pre-tensioners are all standard, and the H1 is prewired for sound.
All of which costs R264 900. Extra-cost options include central locking, aircon, alarm/immobiliser and a sound system.