Analysis of light commercial vehicles (LCV) variants

Abstract

The article analyzes various variants of light commercial vehicles (LCV) available in the model ranges of most vehicle manufacturers, aimed at catering to a wider range of consumer and business needs. LCV are classified based on several factors, demonstrating that these vehicles come in various variants. They can be designed for cargo, passenger, or cargo-passenger use; have short or long wheelbases; low or high roofs; and standard or increased payload capacities.

An analysis of the Ukrainian LCV market shows that the difference between curb weight and gross weight can vary by up to 20%, depending on the LCV variant. The aerodynamic characteristics also vary, especially for high-roof models. However, the engine and transmission typically remain unchanged. It is also common to perform vehicle conversions during their lifespan, converting cargo variants (N1 category) into passenger or cargo-passenger variants (M1 or M2 categories).

Due to the wide range of LCV variants and the common practice of performing vehicle conversions, there is often a mismatch between the original engine and transmission configurations, particularly in passenger and cargo-passenger variants. These models are typically equipped with gearboxes designed for cargo use, with “torque” gear ratios. This setup can lead to a decline in performance, especially in terms of acceleration and fuel efficiency. One potential solution to this issue is adjusting the transmission gear ratios.

Key words: light commercial vehicles, variants, classification, conversion, engine, transmission