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Affordable Suzuki Eeco panel van can be a camper-van too

Whether you're a small-business-owner or someone on a tight budget with a love for travel, the budget-oriented Suzuki Eeco delivers on both fronts.

Automotive News3 min read

If you've always dreamed of owning a new van for your business but your budget doesn't allow for it, the Eeco is here to change all that.

What is the Suzuki Eeco, exactly?

The Eeco launched just over 12 months ago. As we've mentioned, it's a panel van fitted with Suzuki's tried-and-trusted 1.2-litre K12N petrol engine, which delivers 59kW and 104Nm to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox.

This frugal, low-maintenance, and uncomplicated engine is found in many Suzuki products, including a slightly tweaked version in the Suzuki Super Carry pickup. Overall, the Eeco is 3 675 mm long and 1 475 mm wide, with a wheelbase of 2 350 mm.

Designed for the efficient and safe transport of goods, the Eeco is already a market leader in countries such as India, where it has sold close to a million units since its launch.

Related: Everything you need to know about the Fiat Fiorino

The load bay: At 1 300 mm, the Eeco can easily swallow a full-sized South African pallet, and with a height of 1 070 mm, there is also enough space for large and bulky items. Thanks to dual sliding doors, getting your cargo in and out of the van is made easier.  

The Eeco has a certified load-carrying capacity of 615 kg with two passengers and a full tank of fuel on board.

Related: Ford Transit Custom vs Opel Vivaro Cargo vs Toyota Quantum

What standard features can be found in the Eeco?

Despite its humble price tag, the Eeco is fitted with the most important comfort and safety features, like two airbags up front, ABS, EBD, child locks, and even stability and traction control. As for in-car entertainment, Suzuki leaves that up to the customer's preference with ready-to-install wiring, two speakers, and an antenna for a single-din radio. There's a 12V power socket available, too, and the instrument cluster is digital. View interior images on the Suzuki SA website here.

The Eeco is offered with Suzuki’s mechanical warranty of three years / 100 000 km.

Related: Which Nissan NV350 is better, diesel or petrol?

Fancy using the Eeco as a camper van?

To illustrate the Eeco's versatility and its ability to be used as a leisure vehicle, Suzuki embarked on a concept called #VanLife, where they challenged creative DIY travel enthusiasts and designers to transform the Eeco into a camper van with everything that goes along with it, including convertible seating that transforms into a single or three-quarter bed, underfloor drawers, a collapsible veranda and even a basin inside. 

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“In the end, the Eeco #VanLife concept shows that you do not need a seven-figure budget and a heavy-vehicle driver’s licence to enjoy the life of a nomad," says Brendan Carpenter, brand marketing manager of Suzuki SA.

Suzuki Eeco models coming to a Cashbuild near you

“We have already started to showcase the Eeco and Super Carry at as many of the 318 Cashbuild stores as possible,” says Carpenter. “We are partnering with our local dealer in each area to invite Cashbuild customers to test our two workhorses and see how it can easily fit into their lives and businesses.”

For more information on the Cashbuild and #VanLife campaigns, visit suzukiauto.co.za

Source: Suzuki South Africa

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Written by Ané Albertse

Ané was bitten by the motoring bug at a very young age. Her mom recalls her sitting in her stroller as a 3-year old, naming every car that came past. She was creating content for various publications within Media24 when AutoTrader nabbed her for good, and is one of the longest-standing members of the AutoTrader team. She prefers dirt roads to tar and SUVs/bakkies to sports cars, but her greatest passion is helping people find the perfect car for their budget, lifestyle, and personality.Read more

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