Toets 'n bakkie: The JMC from China - EE Publishers
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Dit is verstommend hoeveel nuwe en verbeterde voertuie die lig sien! Ek kry nogal op ‘n gereelde grondslag e-pos van vervaardigers wat spog met motors of bakkies wat pas vrygestel is, en ook nuwe modelle soos Suzuki se Ignis wat gekies is om te mee te ding in die die Motor van die Jaar-kompetisie. Nissan, wat spog dat hulle al 150-miljoen voertuie wêreldwyd verkoop het (wonder of dit Datsuns insluit?) en VW wat geld skenk om die sjimpansees te red…
Die punt is natuurlik dat die maatskappye gedurig ‘n besonderse bydrae moet maak om die publiek se aandag op hulle te vestig – dis ook die geval met die JMC-bakkie. Baie jare gelede het ek die eerste JMC wat seker in Suid Afrika aangekom het getoets. Ek het nie mooi geweet wie die vervaardigers was nie en het toe maar die naam “Ja, my China” uitgedink.
The JMC is, of course, manufactured by Jiangling Motor Company, one of the largest motor plants in China. Years ago, we use to be sceptical about the Japanese but nowadays, just about anything manufactured in Japan is of world class and I presume that the same is happening with the Chinese.
The JMC Vigus SLX 4×4 diesel.
There is a remarkable resemblance between the dash boards of the JMC Vigus SLX 4×4 diesel and the new Jeep Cherokee. The plastic on the JMC is a bit harder, but it is well assembled with no panel gaps. The cabin is also spacious, with a good driver’s position, except for the touch screen, which is not very visible and also not as user-friendly. Furthermore, the Vigus is equipped with just about all the luxuries of its counterparts by other manufacturers, except for speed control.
Daar is beslis ‘n hemelsbreë verskil tussen die vorige JMC wat ek bestuur het en hierdie Vigus, alhoewel ons in gedagte moet hou dat die weergawe wat ek toé getoets het die basiese werkesel was, terwyl hierdie topmodel meeding teen die viertrek Fords, Toyotas en al die ander in daardie kategorie.
Die basiese model het die indruk geskep dat hy vinnig aanmekaar geflans was om hom so gou as moontlik te bemark, maar teen die prys in daardie tyd kon jy nie eintlik baie meer verwag nie. Die nuwe reeks het ook ‘n paar kosmetiese veranderings ondergaan, soos meer aggressiewe voorligte en ‘n sierrooster wat die lugvloei na die verkoeler heelwat verbeter.
Daar is ook leersitplekke, elektriese vensters, lugreëling, verstelbare stuurwiel, ‘n goeie klankstelsel en in dié model is daar sluitwerende remme en selfs twee lugsakke. Met die wegtrekslag is daar tog tekens van turbotraagheid, maar gelukkig baie kortstondig. Die 2,4 l aangepaste ou generasie Ford-enjin is maar bietjie raserig, maar boesem terselfdetyd vertroue in. Ek sal ook nie straatrenne met hom gaan aandurf nie, maar hy dra tog ‘n ton met gemak.
The brakes take some getting used to. If you break a bit too hard at low speed, you must use your safety belt, otherwise you will go right through the windscreen. The five-speed gearbox is a pleasure, with positive and smooth engaging. Noise and vibration levels are acceptable. What amazed me was that you can only hear wind noise far above the national speed limit. Unfortunately, there was an annoying rattle somewhere behind the back seat, but I am sure it is not a general mishap. There are some awkward hooks on the outside of the loading bay, but they are quite functional for securing the load on the loading bay.
Specifications: JMC Vigus
SLX 4 x4 Diesel
Engine 1398 cc, four-cylinder turbo diesel
0 – 100 Approximately 11,5 s
Consumption Claimed 8,21 l/100 km
Gross vehicle mass 2770 kg
Price R249 990 to
R375 990 (R25 000 cash back)
Warrantee /service plan Three years or
100 000 km and five years or 60 000 km
As you know by now, I have an off-road track for testing 4x4s’capabilities. I was a bit sceptical about the JMC’s performance because of the overall size of this bakkie, but it performed well, except that, in the 4×4 low range, there seems to be a huge gap between first and second gear. This makes it difficult on a steep uphill, where you either over-rev or there is not enough power.
The rear axle made for quite a wild ride, with the stiff suspension on an uneven gravel road, but not much more so than any other unloaded bakkie.
I also took a few sharp turns and was surprised with the minimal body roll and over steering was rectified easily with opposite countering.
Ja, my China, whatever you throw at this Vigus, on or off road, it handles it vigorously!
Dirk Engelbrecht ECA (SA) JMC JMC Vigus SLX 4x4 October 2017 The Electrical Contractor