The Suzuki Eeco, launched a year ago, has proven itself in the mini-utility market, becoming a firm favourite with small companies in a short time.
This little workhorse with its 1.2 litre petrol engine offers a panelvan with a loading bay of 1.6 by 1.3 metres, big enough for a standard pallet. The Eeco also has a load-carrying capacity of 615 kg which puts it performance-wise in the same stable as the most popular small bakkie of all times, the Nissan 1400.
The Suzuki Eeco is fitted with the group’s tried-and-trusted 1.2 litre K12N petrol engine that delivers 59 kW and 104 Nm to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. A version of this engine is also in the Suzuki Super Carry pickup, another popular small bakkie in the local market.
To prove the value and versatility of the Eeco, Suzuki recently embarked on a concept called #VanLife. With this campaign, the company challenged creative spirits and leisure equipment designers to create a ready-to-live camper van inside the Suzuki Eeco.
The result is a fully-functional little camper for two people that has all the amenities of a much larger offroad SUV.
“As with many of our other vehicles, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. We want entrepreneurs to see how much they can load and lock up in the loading bay and test for themselves how frugal the 1.2 litre four-cylinder petrol engine really is,” said Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.
The Eeco panelvan sells for around N$220,000 which may create the impresson that Suzuki has forgone on specs but in true Suzuki fashion, the Eeco is fitted with air conditioning, dual front airbags, anti-locking brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electric stability control (ESP) with traction control (TC) and even ready-to-install wiring for the fitment of a single-DIN radio.
Also included are dual sliding side doors and a large rear door that can open wide for easier loading and offloading.
The #VanLife campaign saw the effective transformation of a Suzuki Eeco where the designers, with the help of a third party technical supplier, included as many homely comforts as possible. This includes seats, a smart bed that can convert into either a bench, or a single or three-quarter bed, plenty of storage space with large below-floor drawers and even a basin with washing facilities. The two front seats were left untouched.
The #VanLife Suzuki Eeco also has a large, collapsible veranda that opens to create shade and shelter across the rear and side of the Eeco, allowing for quick deployment and easy set-up.