Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s commercial vehicle range has received a welcomed boost with the recent launch of the new Mighty EX8 truck.

The Mighty EX8, which is a successor of the previous HD truck, boasts several new features and an industry-leading factory warranty that makes it a formidable contender in its market segment.

The truck joins the ever-popular H100 and the H1 panel van in the manufacturer’s commercial vehicle range.

Better comfort and visibility

Compared to its predecessor, the EX8 Mighty’s interior space has been increased from 2.9 m² to 3.5 m², and there has also been an increase in storage space for driver and passengers to 11.8 litres.

Visibility from inside the cabin has been greatly improved by increasing the windshield size and interior space has been enhanced by increasing the interior cabin height. The seat slides back a further 55 mm, the new, tall style headlamps cast a significantly longer and wider beam pattern, making night driving much safer.

Greater efficiency, reliability and power

The EX8 Mighty now features a greater load-carrying capability and a more efficient engine which conforms to Euro 3 standards.

The D4DD 3 907 cc engine, which conforms to Euro 3 emission standards, has a common-rail diesel injection system that delivers greater efficiency, reliability and more power. It delivers maximum power of 103 kW at 2 800 r/min. Peak torque is 373 Nm, which is produced at a relatively low 1 600 r/min. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual synchromesh gearbox.

Hyundai has increased the service intervals for the EX8 Mighty from 10 000 km to 20 000 km, which reduces the service cost of the truck and results in less downtime for the operator.

Renewed hope makes for increased sales

“Hyundai’s addition of the EX8 truck to the local commercial range is the beginning of exciting new developments. It is supported by our commercial network that consists of 40 sales dealers and 37 servicing dealers spread throughout the country, as well as Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia and Zimbabwe. This ensures that our footprint covers all the major routes travelled by our customers,” says Wade Griffin, commercial vehicle director at Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

“It also comes at a time when we at Hyundai are very optimistic that a strong increase in sales of commercial vehicles is bound to happen over the next five years due to renewed hope in the change of political leadership, and the prospects for a return to a healthy GDP growth,” says Griffin.