LDV V80 vans offer wheelchair model

It has teamed up with special vehicle company Byron Group to provide an option for groups or individuals with limited mobility.

These kind of wheelchair access features have been available for other vehicles, but they are normally fitted after the vehicle has been purchased and are not covered by the original manufacturer's warranty. In the case of the LDV, the customer can simply order the complete vehicle from the LDV showroom.

There are three different options available, all featuring a rear-mounted wheelchair lift. One consists of nine seats plus a wheelchair, five seats plus two wheelchairs or four seats plus three wheelchairs.

Other options, including access steps, hand-rails, access steps and flooring systems are also available. Apart from its work with wheelchair accessible vehicles, Byron Group modifies vehicles for service as ambulances, builds niche heavy vehicles and also has an aviation division. It's owned by Accessible Transport Solutions and the general of that company, Arthur.

Nersisyan, says the tie-up between Byron Group and LDV will be a positive for customers. "The partnership with LDV will benefit the end user by providing more vehicle choices and will ensure more cost effective solutions for a range of uses," he says.

LDV has just been launched in Australia by White Motor Corporation, which also imports Chinese Higer buses brand Chinese truck brand JAC. The regular LDV range kicks off at $32,990, while the cost of the wheelchair accessible vans depends on the individual specification.

The vans are powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder common rail VM Motori turbo diesel that generates 100kW and 330Nm. LDV offers a short wheelbase standard roof model and a long wheelbase version with a mid-roof and high-roof. Cargo capacities run up to 12 cubic metres and payloads stretching from 1300kg to 1800kg.