Similarly-sized dual-purpose combat vehicles currently in service do not meet new legislative requirements, which means British Armed Forces contractors cannot operate them in the PSV role.
However, the 11-seater Lex Personnel Carrier 4x4, which made its debut at DVD 05, passes regulations and has been tested to meet EC regulations on passenger transport. It could also fulfil a third role – as an off-road adventure vehicle. Based on an Iveco light truck, it uses many commercial off-the-shelf components from the Iveco Daily van.
On/off-road tyres are fitted all round and the vehicle can climb slopes of up to 60% and cross side slopes up to 30%.
Power is provided by Iveco’s ID/TCA common rail diesel engine, driving through a six-speed gearbox with selectable four-wheel and two-wheel drive. Top speed is about 65mph and range in excess of 400 miles. The stainless steel body was developed and built by local authority and NHS minibus specialist Euromotive.
The prototype at DVD 05 was left-hand drive, but Dave Roberts, Lex Defence managed services director, said right-hand drive version could be manufactured ‘subject to sufficient interest being generated’.
And Euromotive’s production director Mike Jones added: ‘Although the initial concept of the vehicle was for military troop movements, its potential for the civilian off-road adventure business is considerable.’
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