Microvans are a strange breed. When more commercial vehicles in the diminutive end of the spectrum based on passenger cars, supermini, these models cute borrow their design from large panel truck - then the thumbnail. If ever caught sight of a microvan Piaggio Porter led through a forest full of tree bonsai Shetland ponies from Ronnie Corbett, could easily be confused with a much bigger vehicle than it actually is.
The Porter has been around for a good few years and for much of his life was in the shade of a small Daihatsu Hijet. The Hijet was rebadged version of the Porter built by Piaggio in Italy, and always with more emphasis than the model is a joint production line. Part of the reason for this was the British distribution of Porter, through the Reliant dealer network with limited capacity and three-wheeler complexion, while Hijet sold directly by the more respectable face of the Daihatsu franchise showrooms.
This state of things displacement when microvan Daihatsu took the interesting step of replacing the Hijet Extol - microvan a more modern style that can best be described as challenging. Faced with a huge flimsy plastic bumpers of Extol, the Piaggio saw their chance. Addressing the Reliant had ended in 2003 and started importing the Porter to the UK themselves. Some minor changes for 2005 model and Porter were present at the scene, ready to do battle for the leadership of the sector microvan.
The area microvan United Kingdom is extremely small in terms of total sales. We just entered the automotive market of the major manufacturers of light commercial vehicles, but the very fact that Microvans continue to be offered in this country shows it is a market that can be supported. Buyers can choose from the Piaggio Porter, the Daihatsu Extol or the Suzuki Carry and in this company, Porter makes a strong case for itself.
The small Piaggio displays all the key features microvan. The most important is low. At just 1,395 mm wide and 3370 mm length, the secondary panel van is almost 550 mm shorter and 29 mm lower than a Ford Fiesta van. Despite these tiny dimensions, which can handle a surprising payload of between 560 and 575kg - that's over 80 pounds more than the Fiesta van. The tall, narrow shape of Porter, with the twin sliding side doors and tailgate helps 3m3 load area with easy access without the need for much bending or stretching. The area is landscaped with even only a slight penetration of the wheel arches and engine, which sits under the floor behind the seats. You also get an amazing amount of resources, certainly more than the average supermini derived van can handle - the volume of cargo our friend Fiesta van is a simple 1m3.
Besides loadbay, maneuverability is another key strength of the porter. If you have a 7.4 meters wide-scale replica of a sixpence, microvan this could turn into this. This ultra-compact turning circle and minimal dimensions of Porter tell you much about the potential for nipping the gaps in traffic, maneuvering in tight situations and arguing clearly impossible parking. The driver sits smack bang on top of the front Axel, who is in front of the engine, so there is a lovely view from the front to see just how much space is there to play with. Large mirrors help with visibility down the flanks. All these good points are compromised somewhat by the unaided rack and pinion steering set-up which is much heavier than you would expect, given the size of porter.
Sitting behind the wheel you're left in no doubt that this would be the ideal vehicle for working to cure Gulliver any nostalgia for his return from Lilliput. You are faced with a basic and unremarkable interior panel van, but shrunken. The firmly-mounted wheel would resemble that of a heavy vehicle if there was half the size and the graceful control ventilation and dashboard all seem flat, until you get to touch and experience a giant hand illusion. The plastic used feels solid and the controls are easy to use, but there is no storage space other than a decent sized glove box and a small pocket of vinyl in the driver's door.
After the initial surprise, you realize that the driving position is quite comfortable and even six footers should not feel too small. Add a passenger and it does get a bit hot in the cabin, but for short trips should not be a problem. Even moderately intense movements by the occupants of the rock from side to Porter on the suspension and there is always the nagging concern that a poorly distributed load or a large weight difference between the driver and passengers could result in a nasty rollover incident-over under hard cornering. Probably not likely to happen as well, with the engine beneath the floor, Porter always feels well planted on the road. There's plenty of grip too and the van is actually quite good fun to punt on urban areas.
The steering wheel is too loose around the line, but that the intensity at low speeds becomes a nice weighted feel for normal driving and shifting, though a bit clunky, is smooth enough. The power from the engine driven rear wheels and the whiny 1.3-liter petrol model we tried to speed freely while having a decent amount of punch line. If you really try to make progress, Porter meets the rev-limiter, violent, but will soon learn to change up long before this happens. You feel a little exposed, while at the wheel with your nose a foot or so from the windshield and just a few inches of metal and plastic bumper between your knees and clean air in front of the vehicle. Given the choice, the vehicle isn'ta Porter who choose to have a shunt in.
Piaggio offers a wide range of variations on the theme Porter with three power options and a complete line-up of the body. We tried the 64bhp 1.3-liter gasoline engine that can return 34mpg fully loaded with a steady 56 miles per hour but there is a 1.4-liter diesel with 38bhp, which will give you 38mpg under the same conditions. Otherwise, there is an all-electric model with a 85-mile range maximum. Interior include the panel van, a truck window, a pick-up and overthrow the Maxxi heavy-duty models have two rear wheels and 4x4 versions are also offered. Standard specification is about as basic as it gets, but at prices starting at just £ 5.995, most buyers will not mind dipping in the list of options for electric windows, CD, or even air conditioning.
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