Body, exterior
The body of the KIA K2700 / BONGO FRONTIER was restyled twice: the first time in 2000 (when narrow headlights and radiator lining were replaced by wide ones), the second time in 2003 (this version is distinguished by vertical head optics and an air intake moved to the bumper). Overall length of KIA K2700 / BONGO FRONTIER - 5025 mm (before 2000), 5100 mm (2000-2002), 5245 (after 2002), load capacity is 1 ton. The KIA K2700 / BONGO FRONTIER can be equipped with either a regular or extended cab. The KIA K2700 / BONGO FRONTIER platform can be used to support a flatbed truck, van, manipulator, tank and much more.
2700II
We have already become acquainted with KIA light trucks earlier. The first such cars appeared on sale at the official dealer of Kaliningrad automakers, the Moscow company Avtotorg, which provided the testing department with two cars for more detailed acquaintance. For the first test, we took two absolutely identical KIA-2700II trucks, only one of them had an awning, the other had a flatbed. What immediately caught my eye was the different wheel sizes. An interesting and very rarely used option. But the floor of the body is low and does not have wheel arches. Naturally, there are also two spare wheels.
The cabin itself has one row of seats, is located above the front wheels and gives the car a tadpole-like appearance. The absence of clearly defined corners and edges in the cabin gives it a streamlined look, which, as it turns out, is important for a car with an awning. The large windshield and large, slightly slanted headlights add originality to the appearance of the cabin. Entry into the cabin is convenient due to a well-designed step, a large doorway and a door that can be locked open in two positions. To this I would also like to add a handle or handrail (as you like) conveniently located on the inside of the front pillar.
It’s comfortable to be in a car, no matter where you’re sitting – behind the wheel or in the passengers’ seats, whose seats are made non-standardly. It seats two people, but if there is only one passenger, the back of the middle seat turns into a table with cup holders, which serves as the lid of a small document box. On the front panel, opposite the passenger seat, there is another box (“glove compartment”), which does not have a large capacity.
The passenger seat is attached to the part of the floor that is the hood. To get to the engine, you need to fold down the seat backs, unfasten two locks, release the lock, lift the seat cushion and secure it in the open position with a special tape with a loop - and there it is, the engine. True, only one part of it opens, the right one in the direction of travel of the car. The left one remains inaccessible: the driver's seat does not rise and the cabin does not recline. Measuring the oil level, diagnosing the generator or checking the injectors and fluid level in the power steering is not difficult: access to them is open.
What about servicing the gearbox drive, clutch, and power steering? An inspection ditch or a lift are the keys to solving such problems. But let's return to the KIA-2700II cabin. The driver's workplace is comfortable. The steering column is non-adjustable, but two seat adjustment positions (longitudinal and backrest tilt) are quite enough for a comfortable driving position. Reaching the gearbox drive lever without leaning forward is not difficult, just like reaching the parking brake lever (“handbrake”).
The steering wheel is well made both in terms of rim thickness and diameter. This is especially felt during high-speed taxiing, when the turn is carried out by interception. There is a foot rest next to the clutch pedal. This is also one of the elements of comfort. In any case, there is a place where you can remove the leg that is not involved in work, and throwing it onto the clutch pedal from this position is much more convenient than lifting it from the floor. The round-shaped instrument panel, trimmed with safety material, is quite simple, without any bells and whistles.
Everything on the console is also very simple: air deflectors, heater and fan control handles, an ashtray, a cigarette lighter and a glove box. You can install a radio, since the car already has an antenna mounted parallel to the left front pillar on the outside. The instrument cluster is also not very luxurious; it is modest in design, but informative. Under the steering column there is a fuse box covered with a cover. To the left of the column is the engine speed regulator.
And right at the end of the instrument panel, to the left of the driver, covered by a plastic cover and the driver’s door, there is the filler neck of the brake fluid reservoir. Interesting solution! All other necks for filling the machine with liquids are located under the opening front panel of the KIA-2700II. There, under the panel, a hydraulic jack is also attached. We marveled at the interior rearview mirror. Well, it’s clear that it’s on an on-board vehicle - it’s supposed to be there according to the state. But why do you need it on a tilt car?
It remains to add that we received Kaliningrad trucks for testing in a minimal configuration. But upon request, the Avtotorg company installs air conditioning and power accessories on window lifts and mirror adjustments. You can also order the KIA-2700II with a one-and-a-half cab, or a two-row 4-door. In general, there is plenty to choose from. Now let's move on to the bodies. The test involved cars with the same cabs, engines, transmissions and chassis. They differed in cargo platforms: with a tent frame and onboard. By the way, the tented car is a show car, already run-in. And the onboard vehicle is new, commercially available, with minimal mileage.
The frame design, and the canopy itself, is a smaller version of what is used on 40-ton international road trains. To install an awning with rigid rear 2-leaf doors, Avtotorg specialists had to move the rear fog lamp under the bump stop. As it turned out, not a very good decision. And the heavy metal frame had to be welded to the sides, which made it non-demountable. But the on-board vehicle has several original solutions. For example, the tailgate, thanks to chain latches of different lengths, can open in two positions. If the clamps (or limiters) are removed, the rear wall of the side can be folded back entirely. The side panels can also open completely. Due to the fact that the rear wheels are 12 inches, the loading height of the KIA-2700II is small.
Kaliningrad trucks turned out to be very fast and maneuverable. The onboard KIA reached a maximum speed of about 120 km/h, although in running order. A car with an awning, which creates significant resistance to the oncoming air flow, is not so temperamental. To compensate, you can install a fairing on the roof of the cabin. In our opinion, this will increase speed and reduce fuel consumption. Although, if we think sensibly, the KIA-2700II is a city car. And it doesn’t require special speed.
But the low location of the engine and transmission is a completely different matter. The city is a complex matter. Where the curb stones are high, where the road is being repaired... The power unit has protection, but, in our opinion, it is insufficient. It would be necessary to cover the engine crankcase with a metal bevel. I was very surprised by the completely unprotected fuel filter and batteries. They should be better protected from thieves. The manufacturer apparently does not pay attention to such things. But Avtotorg specialists have already ordered one of the Moscow enterprises everything necessary to solve this problem.
In general, we really liked the Kaliningrad KIA-2700II. Although the cars are not without some drawbacks, in the city they are the optimal solution: small in size, carrying a ton of payload, very maneuverable and comfortable. Judging by the test results, plus the price (about $12,000) and quality ratio, the trucks should be quite cost-effective. And even a diesel engine... In a word, good cars. The tests were carried out on a dynamometer road in accordance with the methodology set out in GOST 20306-90 and GOST 20576-90, on wet asphalt. During testing in the IGD mode, there was snow in some places.
©. Photos taken from publicly available sources.
- Author: Evgeny Smolnikov
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Review of Kia K2700 / Kia K2700
The production of the small Korean truck KIA K2700 began in 1997. Its other name is Bongo Frontier. This vehicle is intended for use in small businesses for small-sized urban transportation. Over the course of more than ten years of production, the K2700 has undergone several upgrades and continues to be produced with the addition that after 2003 the Bongo 3 index was added to the model name.
The body of the KIA K2700 was restyled twice: the first time in 2000, when narrow headlights and radiator lining were replaced by wide ones, and the second time in 2003. The latest version is distinguished by vertically positioned head optics and an air intake moved to the bumper.
The length of the KIA K2700 before 2000 was 5025 mm, from 2000 to 2002 - 5100 mm, and after 2002 - 5245 mm. The vehicle's carrying capacity is 1 ton. The KIA K2700 can be equipped with a standard or extended cab. The KIA K2700 platform is also used to assemble a flatbed truck, a van, a crane truck, a tank truck and some other vehicles.
The KIA K2700's interior is as comfortable and practical as a truck can be. The list of interior equipment includes air conditioning and a radio. The long cab version has 2 rows of seats.
Until 2000, KIA K2700 were equipped with J2 diesel engines with a volume of 2.7 liters and a power of 80 hp. After 2000, the bus began to be equipped with engines unified with the Hyundai model line - D4AL turbodiesel engines, with a volume of 3.3 liters producing about 115 hp. Powerful, economical and reliable, with virtually no failures, these power units have earned a good reputation.
The front suspension of the KIA K2700 is dependent on springs with a transverse beam, the rear is a continuous axle on springs. At the front, the car also has a stabilizer bar. On the move, the KIA K2700 suspension handles both small potholes and large irregularities well, providing an acceptable level of comfort. Anti-roll bars of the front and rear axles protect against lateral tilting.
The steering of the K2700 truck is quite light and informative, quite comparable to driving a passenger car - naturally, due to the hydraulic booster, which is included as standard. This circumstance has a positive effect when driving on busy city streets and alleys.
The KIA K2700 transmission is equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The drive to the rear axle gearbox is carried out via a cardan shaft. There is also a model option with all-wheel drive.
By purchasing a used KIA K2700 from Korea, for little money the consumer receives a reliable and comfortable truck, which has a fairly simple design and “Japanese” quality of the main components and assemblies. The only condition for trouble-free operation of the car is timely maintenance.
A similar Korean car, unified with the K2700, is the Hyundai HD-65 (Hyundai Mighty).
