YOU might probably be thinking or wondering of what vehicle to get for Father’s Day or still planning on a road trip for your family because summer is almost over, although it should handle the rainy season just as good. Then, there’s no better way than to drive a big van that is roomy and has ample space for luggage anytime of the year—the Foton View Traveller.
This mini-bus-like can sit up to 15 passengers snugly including the driver. It gets a lot of attraction for its high roof, sleek shape and elegant streamlines, as well as its big halogen headlights with height-adjustable fog lamps. Without exaggeration, it is a huge vehicle with a height of 2,285 mm, a wheelbase which spans 3,110 mm and 5,380 mm long—I could walk and stand without hitting my head inside.
A classic design front-grille and a set of 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/80R15 tires complement the Traveller. Inside this large transport is a broad and comfortable interior. There are door handles and adequate cupholders. The seats are independent with individual headrests and reclining seatbacks capabilities. The entertainment system includes CD/MP3/USB capable with four-way speaker stereo system. The Traveller has a keyless entry, power windows and door locks, as well as a built-in alarm and a fire extinguisher behind the driver—one of the features that gives you peace of mind. Aside from this, the Traveller carries the three-point seatbelts, dual air bags, four-point rear parking sensors, rear wipers and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) for safety. ABS is a safety system which prevents the wheels on a moving vehicle from locking up while braking. EBD maintains the vehicular control with variation in braking pressure applied to each wheel in order to maximize stopping power.
Our driver Nonito filled up the 70-liter fuel tank of the Traveller to the brink and 10 of us rode pleasantly to Baguio. While the weather was hot summer outside, inside the Traveller was almost like winter. The roof system of the Traveller was constructed high enough to allow powerful front and rear air conditioning.
Passing through the paved highways of NLEX and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) and the zigzag roads of Kennon, the View Traveller didn’t find any difficulty as the Traveller has a strong power core, which is one of the highest power per liter light-duty diesel engines in the world. It is powered by a 2.8-L CRDi Cummins engine and mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Cummins engines, which are made in the US, are known for its diesel engines, bulletproof truck engines, emission control and electrical power-generation systems. The Traveller has a maximum torque of 280 Nm with a maximum 130 hp, which is 22.5 percent to 60 percent higher than its competitors. Although, it struggled a little through the steepest incline parts of Kennon Road, the ride was smooth and stable. It didn’t dislodge on first and second gears.
One minor problem that we encountered along the way was parking the View Traveller because of its high roof. Parking spaces are tight and some basement parking slots have vertical limits. In short, the van can only be parked on open spaces.
According to Foton Motor Philippines President Rommel Sytin, “the View Traveller was built in a state-of-the-art and environment-friendly assembly plant in Wiefang City, which is in Shandong Province in northeastern China. The van is the next evolution of the original Traveller, which itself is a popular choice among small to medium enterprises and passenger shuttle operators.”
“The interior volume has been maximized to provide long-range comfort for all passengers equally, not just those in front. High-capacity vans frequently suffer from limited space, or legroom, between rows, but with an overall length of 5.38m and width of 1.92m, the View Traveller addresses this problem right from the assembly line,” Sytin added.
With a five-year or 100,000-km warranty and priced at only P1.299 million, you can’t go wrong with the View Traveller. Although it might still need a few adjustments on the interior and amenities, the Traveller has great handling, comfortable ride and will give other luxury vans a run for their money—no wonder it won the CAGI’s 2013-2014 Best Van of the Year Award.