Pedigreed powertrain gives JMC Grand Avenue edge in bakkie race
Feisty 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine makes double cab one of the fastest four-cylinder machines.
JMC Grand Avenue bakkie impresses with robust powertrain
Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), a major Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer, has developed the new Grand Avenue bakkie by leveraging its partnership with Ford. By refining the 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine originally found in the Ford Ranger, JMC has managed to boost its output to a respectable 155kW and 500Nm of torque – an impressive 32kW/70Nm increase over its competitor the Vigus.
This powertrain is paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and a BorgWarner part-time four-wheel drive system complete with an electronically rear locking differential and shift-on-the-fly 4WD.
The Grand Avenue's performance is notable, as it can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds, potentially faster than other diesel-powered bakkies on the market. Although it doesn't match the Isuzu D-Max's 10.59-second sprint, the Grand Avenue still feels quick and responsive, thanks to its lightweight 2,070kg kerb weight.
Inside, the Grand Avenue offers a spacious and refined cabin with black imitation leather seats, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12-inch infotainment screen that tilts for easier viewing. Though it omits some luxury features like electrically adjustable seats and advanced driver assistance systems, the Grand Avenue remains competitively priced at R579,900.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
