All-new Vauxhall Combo panel van

The all-new Vauxhall Combo panel van is now available in two wheelbases, two heights, two gross vehicle weights (2,000kg and 2,300kg), two trim levels and four engine choices. It also boasts the highest payload (up to 1,000kg  with the driver), a large load volume (up to 4.2 cubic metres), the highest rear axle capacity (1,450kg) and the longest wheelbase in its sector.

The engine units include the 1.3 CDTi and 1.6 CDTi each with 90PS, plus a 1.6 CDTi variant with 105PS and a powerful 2.0 CDTi providing 135PS. The 1.3 CDTi engines come with five-speed manual transmission and the 1.6 CDTi gets a six-speed box. With the exception of the Tecshift units (automated five-speed manual transmission) all models comes with Start/Stop functionality as well.

Two trim levels are on offer with a Combo Sportive available for the frst time. Standard equipment includes remote central door locking with deadlocks, full-steel bulkhead, trip computer, electric power steering, driver’s airbag, ABS with EBD, CD/radio and a 12 volt power outlet. The Sportive trim adds air conditioning, metallic paint, body-coloured bumpers and door mirrors, nearside sliding door, driver seat height adjustment, armrest and lumbar support, plus full wheel covers.

Vauxhall Vivaro

Vauxhall launched the Vauxhall Vivaro back in the summer of 2011 and since then, half a million vans have rolled off the Luton production line. The Vivaro comes in many variants including panel van, double cab, chassis cab, drop side plus combi and bus passenger vehicles. The Vivaro second-generation production also starts in 2014 in Luton and the Vivaro’s popularity in the commercial van sector is reflected by an 18% market share in the UK.

Mark Stein, Vauxhall’s Luton plant director, said,”The Vivaro enjoys a huge success not only in the UK but also in Europe. The van is built to high quality standards and ensures an economical and comfortable ride whilst offering an impressive and practical loading space”. Vauxhall Vivaro contract hire is on the site now for all van configurations.

Nissan electric NV200 panel van

Nissan is starting its proving tests for the NV200 based electric vehicle and is aiming to become the market leader in zero emissions in the commercial vehicle market. In the first phase, the Japan Post Service., Ltd will carry out testing with one vehicle, to collect the post and other delivery tasks, for around two months in Yokahama.

After this similar tests will be carried out across Japan and in Europe, with other companies, to further evaluate the performance of this EV. The NV200 was also recently chosen as the next generation New York taxi and seems ideally suited to business, daily use or even leisure pursuits.

Nissan Corporate Vice President, Hideto Murakami, said,”The role that can be played by zero emissions vehicles in promoting a balance between economic growth and environmental protection in the realm of logistics is large. We will certainly reflect the customer feedback gained from these proving tests in our future product development, and I expect that our commercial electric vehicles based on the NV200 will contribute to our customer’s business and to the development of a sustainable society”.

Volkswagen Transporter Sportline

Volkswagen has made the versatile Transporter range available in Sportline specification offering greater variation than before and is available in both panel van, kombi models, short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase variations. Every model is fitted with the highly efficient 2.0-litre BiTDI 180 PS diesel engine with six-speed manual as standard. Seven-speed DSG automatic transmission is available as a cost option.

The bold styling features a striking black gloss grille with chrome detailing at the front, revised headlights and colour code-bumpers incorporating the fog lights. Other design features include 18-inch “Sportline 5-spoke” alloys (finished in silver or black), smoked rear lights and rear roof spoiler plus exterior colours are Reflex Silver metallic, Deep Black pearlescent, or the optional Candy White with a contrasting gloss black roof.

In addition you get two-tone leather upholstery,semi-automatic air conditioning, multi-media system including seven-inch colour touch screen with full European sat nav, rear parking sensors, built-in Bluetooth connectivity plus electric windows.

Safety features include ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and we hope to have Volkswagen contract hire leasing prices loaded shortly.

Amarok

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be showcasing a range of their commercial vehicles at the CV Show at Birmingham’s NEC, from the 12th to the 14th April 2011. Their hotly awaited four-door, four-wheel-drive pick-up, the Amarok, will be the star of the show and will be supported by nine other Volkswagen models.

Volkswagen will be showing off the recently launched Caddy and Caddy maxi panel vans, the Transporter in panel van and kombi, as well as various examples of the Crafter in panel van configuration and chassis cab. There will also be a model from Volkswagen’s heritage collection on show as well, with a fully restored 1954 split-screen “barn-door” Transporter.

Simon Elliott, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles,said,”Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is proud to be back at this year’s CV Show, which is a vey important date in the commercial vehicle calendar. We are extremely excited to finally introduce the Amarok to the UK buyers, showcase the diversity, versatility and competitiveness of our vans and people carriers, and I also cannot wait to see my new Caddy Racer for the first time!” Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle contract hire is on the site now as well.

Renault

What Van? has announced the winners of their prestigious What Van? Awards and this year named the Renault Master and Vauxhall Movano as joint winners of “Van of the Year”. The two vans are so closely related that it was hard to separate them.

Vauxhall Movano

Paul Barker, Editor of What Van? explained,”The Vauxhall Movano and Renault Master are excellent new additions to the light commercial vehicle market and have proved themselves to be worthy recipients of the top “What Van? Award.The increased breadth of range, including rear-wheel drive models for the first time,and the industry-leading levels of interior functionality and practicality in particular swayed the judges”.

The other category winners are shown below and contract hire leasing prices are available now on all makes and models of commercial light vehicles.

What Van? Award winners:

Van of the Year:  Vauxhall Movano/Renault Master

Small Van of the Year:  Ford Fiesta

Light Van of the Year:  Fiat Doblo Cargo

Small Panel Van of the Year:  VW Transporter

Large Panel Van of the Year:  Vauxhall Movano/Renault Master

Pick-up of the Year:  Mitsubishi L200

One-Stop Shop Award:  Citroen

Minibus of the Year:  Ford Transit

4×4 Van of the Year:  Ford Transit AWD

Safety Award: Mercedes

Green Award: VCA

Technology Award:  Renault Kangoo ZE

Editor’s Choice Award:  Renault

Vauxhall Movano Core Conversions

Vauxhall has added “Core Conversions” to the newly launched Movano panel van range which was launched earlier this year, enabling the new Movano to be ordered in a variety of length and chassis configurations. The new Movano can now be specified in Chassis, Crew and Platform Cabs, with front and rear-wheel drive available and in a wide range of dropside, tipper and box-body variants.

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles offer a three year manufacturer’s warranty that covers the vehicle’s chassis as well and the new generation of the Movano is powered by 2.3 CDTI four-cylinder diesel engine in either 100PS, 125PS or 146PS offering powerful low speed torque. The new model also emits low CO2 emissions and standard equipment includes a steel load floor with integrated load securing points, cabin protection with ladder holders plus aluminium side and tail board with under-run bars.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Volkswagen has been voted Fleet Van Manufacturer of the Year by the judges at the Fleet Van Awards 2010, with the judges commenting that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers “the best brand value for fleets”. Volkswagen also won an award for the Medium Panel Van of the Year for their new Transporter, which was launched earlier this year. The Volkswagen Caddy and Crafter vans also made it to the finals of the Small Van of the Year and Large Panel Van of the Year.

Volkswagen Transporter

Simon Elliott, Director Commercial Commercial Vehicles, said,”This award is a great honour. I am really proud and pleased that the Fleet Van judges have recognised the quality and cost effectiveness of our vans and the professional customer service provided through our fleet team and dedicated Van Centre network”. Volkswagen contract hire on the whole Volkswagen commercial range of vehicles is on the site now.

Kangoo Van Maxi

Renault has released the pricing and specifications for the new Kangoo Van Maxi and the new face-lifted Trafic Phase 3 panel van. The Renault Kangoo Van Maxi is a new long wheelbase version of the standard Kangoo van, that comes in standard panel and Crew Van guises and offers up to a third larger load capacity.

Two variants of the 1.5-litre diesel engine are available across the five versions of the full Kangoo Van Maxi range, in 85 and 105hp. The trim levels on offer are LL and LL+ and the range starts at £550 more than the standard Kangoo Van. High standard equipment is promised, including 2x15W radio CD MP3 with fingertip remote control and aux input, full steel bulkhead and eight load anchorage points.

New Trafic Phase 3

The new Trafic Phase 3 is also being launched with 42 different variants on offer, covering every short and long wheelbase and low and high roof configuration, to offer total load volumes from 5 cubic metres to 8.36 cubic metres. The revised versions come in either 90hp, 115hp or 150hp and all drive through six-speed manual gearboxes as standard, bar the automated manual Quickshift6 versions.

Again equipment levels are high offering a full steel bulkhead, remote central locking with deadlocking, Bluetooth and Carminat Tom Tom satellite navigation. There is also a comprehensive range of additional cost options, to allow you to bespoke your actual requirements. Renault van contract hire will be loaded shortly on both new models.

Vauxhall Movano

Vauxhall is giving away a Launch Pack, as part of the celebration for the launch of the new Movano, which includes air conditioning, mutli-function trip computer, vehicle alarm and Bluetooth connectivity. This Launch Pack will be offered on all models until the 31st July (excluding the new Expression model).

In addition a new entry level model, called the Expression, is being launched which offers electric windows/mirrors and a full bulkhead as standard and now places this entry level model below the list price of the Citroen L2H2 3300 panel van.