Spanish Santana In Sahara
 

The Spanish'Landy'was re invented I think by Suzuki a few years ago with 2.5/2.8 diesel engine and rear parabolic springs.Has anyone got experience/stories to tell regarding their durability as overland vehicle.I am particularly interested as I will be living in Spain soon and have them on my Landy/Cruiser thinklist.

I thought the Spanish just bought all the tooling for the Series III and just started knocking them out under the new name Santana.

The Police in Zim were kitted out with them a few years ago (courtesy of the EU) and they look and sound exactly the same although I have not looked under the onnet or driven one.

"Re-invented" meets the point: After 35 years of building Landrovers under a licence and developing own versions (3.5 liter 6-cylinder diesel engine, first turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel, etc.) Santana launched a vehicle similar from the outside in 2002.
The actual Santana PS10 uses the Iveco 2.8 liter engine, the Santana-manufactured LT85-gearbox (built by Santana for the V8 Range Rover Classics) which will be changed to a stronger ZF-licensed gearbox soon, a new frame, new dashboard with modern HVAC, no aluminum body parts, parabolic springs, etc - it's a new vehicle in fact.
There are some reports on French websites (e.g. www.forum4x4.com) which are quite ok.

Regards,
Peter

Well after 1978 .. Spanish landrovers (a.k.a. Santana) kept on developing its own Series IV and Series V. while UK Landrovers migrated towards Defenders.

Series IVs (1980-1990) are probbably the best ever overlanding machines. Virtually unknown abroad , they are summit on what landrover series are about .

Parabollic springs , front discs , 4 or 6 (SIX) cylinder dieseln (the 6cyl being just 2more cylinders , so all the other parts are still the same ) ,1 piece windshield and powersteering , some heating.. All the rest is pure SeriesIII compatible.

They are locally known as "Cazorlas" *(for the 6cyl 109 version )

here is it .

http://usuarios.lycos.es/landrovero/Cazorla.htm

What people are talking now of that PS10 (Hanibbal in Spanish) , would be a SERIES V.
That's a wholly different beast. Its got a modern engine , decent suspension , AIR con , -airbags?- , but still keeping the no-nosense rigidaxles over leafsprings and no-central diff (a really plus while overlanding) . You can order it even with no-electronics abroad (with mecchannical diesel pump , etc) , and ITs selling like hot cookies in Africa and South america for the armies , civil rescue , and similars.

That would do a great overlander .. but Its quite pricey (30.000 euros /20.000 pounds) .
If you go to Spain ..Id go for the Series IV (Cazorla) which -for 3000 Euros- you get a virtually unbreackable 100HP landy , with some concessions to luxury like power steering ,etc.. but still get a real (i.e. aluminiun riveted ) landy.

Have a nice day


[This message has been edited by javierCarrion (edited 29 June 2005).]

Javier,

Thanks for that.See you in Cazorla National Park some time.What is availability of spares and parts like for this machine

A few UK utility companies have invested in this in preference to Defenders as its considerably cheaper and avoids the faff of the TD5 etc. I think people's main objections to it are suspect build quality and lack of durability in interior fittings, which are a bit tacky and fragile.

*edit* I should add that this is the new Santana 'Anibale' version - think of it as a Landy Series IV!

[This message has been edited by Runner (edited 30 June 2005).]

Nope ... The (2004) Hannibal / PS10 is Series V ... while the (1990) "Cazorla" is Series IV .

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Availability of spares for Series IV are quite good in Spain .. and virtualy none abroad. The good news is that there are only 7 (seven) different parts (being ,obviously 6 cyilinders) Engine Block , CrankShaft ,Camshaft , head , head gasket rocker cover and injector pump.

All other parts are either standard (i.e. a spring leaf is just a spring leaf , regardless which car comes from ) or compatible with UK/Santana series III (and that includes the pistons !!! con-rods , etc.. ) . Amazing !!!

The diffs are exactly the same as with the 101FC -Imagine !- and the gearbox is the LT85 "Santana box".

In other words , you have a good chance to get spare partsz for your Cazorla (SeriesIV).

Regarding the newer Hannibal SeriesV I dont have idea of spares availability. Theorlcally Santana will DHL-ship whichever part you need to whichever place you are .. being a new car. But other than that .. I wouldnt expect to find any Santana dealer in Africa. (other than -surprisingly in Layounne where is one!) .

Javier.

Just to add to this, the series V uses the marvellous SOFIM engine that the older (no electronics) Iveco turbo dailys use. Having abused one around WA (100hp for 5 tonnes of camper) I would have total confidence in the engine.
The injection is Bosch and the turbo can either be a Garrett or a KKK, so exterior spares are readily available.
Theoretically if you leave with a motor in god shape and service regularly you should nevr need to open an engine in a trip.
Theoretically...