I was struck by this pair of vans I saw at a traffic light, separated as they are by 50+ years. The van on the left is a 2015 Hyundai iLoad, while alongside is a 1974 Volkswagen Type 2 van. Coincidentally both are the second-generation of their type, but otherwise the differences outweigh the similarities.
I assume there is no need to go into the history of the VW, but the first generation Hyundai was a wider variation based on the fourth-generation Mitsubishi Delica, and was built from 1999-2007. This van in turn replaced earlier cab-over models, much the same as the T4 generation VW Transporter had done from the earlier rear-engined vans.
The Hyundai is also known as the H-1 or H200 in other markets, and iMax or Starex in passenger form, and is rear-wheel drive with a 2.5L dohc diesel, which with the 5-sp automatic transmission has a variable-geometry turbo and 125 kW/170 hp and 441 Nm/330 lb-ft. The 6-sp manual version is detuned and lacks the VGT turbo, presumably to cut cost. The second generation grew significantly in width, up from 71.7 in/1821 mm to 75.6 in/1920 mm. Note the original 4-gen Delica was the ‘standard’ Japanese 66.7 in/1695 mm width.
Not bad compared with the 1600/1800 VW that had something in the order of 45 kW/60 hp – the 2-litre engine was still a year off when this van was originally built. But more than specifications, it is the layout that is different – for a cargo vehicle the engine really is in the way!
The Hyundai in the “paired” picture looks a bit like an older KIA Sedona or maybe a Hyundai Entourage….I’m not all that familiar with either van but saw 2 or 3 in 15 minutes yesterday.
The 1st generation iLoad pictured looks like a van that has been “personalized” via J.C. Whitney.
I don’t know what connection there is; they are not the same vehicle in any case. The Sedona is approx 2-3″ wider than this van, and a good deal (~6″) shorter in height.
The chrome grille is a bit cheesy, but I think it is worth it for manufacturers to make a commercial vehicle that actually looks good from a professional presentation point of view. Some of the giant-expanse-of-rapidly-fading-grey-plastic efforts make you wonder.
I’ll stick with the one that isn’t made of 60% plastic…
…sorry legs
Odd to see a work van with a Hyundai logo. We don’t get vans from Hyundai here; think there may have been a minivan at one point but no longer, Kia’s Sedona serving as the sole entrant from the Korean pair.
Their latest van is the 3.5 (metric) ton H350. Partly developed in Germany, built in Turkey.
And nice catch John !
Looks rather sprinter or transit-like
And just like the Sprinter and Transit it’s also available as a minibus and as a chassis-cab. The engine is a 2.5 liter diesel, either 150 or 170 hp.
I never knew Hyundai made vans. Makes sense, probably not worth their time selling it in North America though.
Hyundai make a full range of commercial vehicles they just dont send them to you yet, we have a lot of mid size Hyundai trucks getting around doing foodstuffs delivery 5-9 tonne size good reliable trucks by all accounts.
Adam,
I’m not sure how it is shaking out, but at one time Dodge (Chrysler), Daimler Benz, and Freightliner were in a joint venture. Then there was a Chrysler, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai joint venture. So a Hyundai van that was “partly developed in Germany” and built in Turkey and that looks like a M-B Sprinter isn’t a mere coincidence.
I wouldn’t call the Dodge/Ram/Mercedes/Freightliner Sprinter a joint venture since Daimler-Chrysler was the owner of all of those brands at the time, so they are a classic badge engineering job.
I haven’t seen that many of the second gen in Norway yet, the first gen was all over though. Immensily popular among construction contractors. Often sporting off road wheels, and such
I doubt anyone will be looking after an iCarry in 40 years time and I cannot imagine that if there were any of these vans around in a decade or two, they would command anything like the values Combi’s are now reaching. Truth is, a Combi has personality whereas the iCarry is just a van even if it does everything better than a Combi, which it should given the age difference.
I don’t think anything will match the values of VW’s, they are pretty amazing really.
Both those vans are third generation of their respective brands Hyundai began ILoads with a cloned L300 Mitsubishi van the previos gen Delica to the one shown, and that VW is the second series of bay window that had the pancake/suitcase engines, the high mounted indicator lights are key to ageing it,and they actually go quite well for a van.
I was aware of the earlier Hyundai vans Bryce but I was treating them as a separate vehicle/series. The VW change I would regard as a facelift rather than a “generation”.
I had a 2004 Mitsi L400 van (aka Delica) new as a company vehicle. My employers bought several, all auto-trans, 2.4L petrol engine, packaged in the longest wheelbase and tallest body. I had mine for a year – poor build quality (rust started appearing by the tim eit was 6 months old!) and terrible load carrier (rear springs were far too soft) but drove okay for what it was.
When the leases were up, the L400s were replaced by the turbo-diesel H-1 (as it was initially badged in NZ), and I had one of those for a couple of months too – it was seriously quick for a large 4-cylinder diesel van…! Seriously noisy too – the road noise would drown out the radio quite easily. But otherwise very nice to drive and highly-specced for the money.