Mercedes-Benz Citan

Citan is the name of the new urban delivery van from Mercedes-Benz which is scheduled for an autumn launch this year.  The name “Citan” was announced at the Mercedes-Benz Design Centre in Sindelfingen and is derived from the words “City” and “Titan”, to emphasise urban ”city driving” with the rough and tumble of everyday working life.

The Citan promises a robust and durable package with a generous load compartment with compact dimensions, allied to typical attributes of the Mercedes-Benz brand such as quality, economic efficiency, safety and dynamic driving. The choice of drive systems will comprise of a broad range of economical and low-emission diesel and petrol engines – including a BlueEFFICIENCY package, with a version powered by an electric engine already being planned.

Mercedes-Benz Citan

The new Citan urban delivery van was developed and tested to the same standards as its larger Sprinter and Vito siblings and as with every Mercedes-Benz, the controls, the interior, the quality of materials and workmanship safety is paramount, with ESP standard specification for all variants.

The Citan urban delivery van offers a broad range of potential commercial uses and will be available as a panel van, crewbus or Mixto in various lengths and weight categories.  Market launch of the Citan will take place in the autumn of 2012 and it will be on show to the general public for the first time in September, at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover.

In the meantime if you are interested in Mercedes Benz van contract hire then we have the latest models on the site now.

New Peugeot Expert Van

The new Peugeot Expert Tepee will be unveiled as a world premiere at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in March and will be available in the UK, along with the new Peugeot Expert Van from around mid-March 2012. The new Peugeot Expert incorporates the new Peugeot style codes, has new equipment and a range of Euro 5 engines which position it as a market leader in its segment, for lowest CO₂ emissions.

New Peugeot Expert Tepee

The new Peugeot Expert will be available as a Compact Van or Combi (Tepee) and here are some of the headlines for this new model.

• The Peugeot Expert has a modern appearance, introducing a new front face
• It comes with high-performance and efficient Euro 5 engines
• Offers best-in-class low CO₂ emissions for the Expert Tepee – 172g/km
• The 2.0l HDi Expert Van delivers the best power/CO₂ emissions ratio -168g/km
• Introduces a 6-speed automatic gearbox on the 2.0-litre HDi 163bhp engine.

The Freight Transport Association has announced that GreenRoad, a leader in driver performance and road safety management, is the latest partner of the association’s innovative Van Excellence scheme.

GreenRoad is designed to significantly reduce crash incidents and cut fuel consumption by enhancing driver performance while behind the wheel and a typical GreenRoad customer sees up to a 10% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, as well as a 50% reduction on collision costs.  

The Van Excellence scheme aims to raise standards and improve the image of the UK’s growing van sector and includes a tough accreditation system and a strict code of practice. It is backed by many household names and is a standard set by van operators for use by van operators, formalising “best working” practices already used by leading companies in the commercial vehicle sector.  

Mark Cartwright, FTA’s Van Project Manager, said:

“We are delighted to have GreenRoad on board as partners of Van Excellence.  As leaders in driver performance and safety management they bring a huge amount of value to the scheme in terms of experience and expertise, and their support is invaluable.”

For further information on the Van Excellence scheme visit www.fta.co.uk

Citroen Berlingo

The Citroen Berlingo LCV has just gained the accolade of the Institute of Transport Management’s (ITM’s) ‘Best LCV 2012’ award. The ITM’s key criteria for choosing the award winner meant a van had to, “embody perennially important qualities such as reliability, cost-effectiveness and durability. It is because of this that the Institute of Transport Management has named the Citroen Berlingo the ‘Best LCV 2012’.”

The ITM’s judges were very impressed with the Citroen Berlingo and said, “Businesses are looking for LCVs that are lighter, with lower emissions and better fuel efficiency, qualities that the Citroën Berlingo range has in spades.  In particular, the Citroen Berlingo e-HDI Airdream models are equipped with e-HDi micro-hybrid Stop & Start technology. For further fuel savings, all Berlingo vans are specified with Citroen’s unique Trafficmaster telematics package.  This further reduces urban fuel consumption and emissions by offering the fastest congestion avoidance routing direct to the driver.”

Citroen’s key addition to their Euro 5 Berlingo range is the new e-HDi Airdream models, with their efficient micro-hydrid drivetrain. This power unit provides a unique combination of environmental, economic and driver benefits.

Berlingo Airdream vans have Stop & Start with an advanced micro-hybrid starter/generator to restart the engine quickly and smoothly and incorporate regenerative braking to recover and store energy that would otherwise be lost.

Berlingo e-HDi vans are available with a choice of either a 5 speed manual transmission or Citroen’s advanced 6-speed automated manual transmission, which provides the benefit of two-pedal driving and a combined cycle fuel consumption of up to 60.1mpg and CO₂ emissions as low as 123g/km. We have the full range of Citroen vans, including e-HDI models, on the site now on Citroen commercial vehicle contract hire.

The driver training specialist, IAM Drive & Survive, is offering weekly motoring tips to drivers from its head of training, Simon Elstow and this week Simon is advising on driving your car or van in the dark:

• To improve the view ahead as far as possible, keep your lights and windscreen clean at all times.
• Use your main beam, but when other drivers are approaching, and when following others, make sure you dip your headlights to avoid dazzling any oncoming traffic.
• Only use your fog lights when visibility is below 100 metres (it is illegal at other times). Rear fog lights distract other motorists because they look like brake lights.
• Make sure you always can stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear.
• If you are feeling tired, having caffeine alone is not a fix. Remeber to take a break, drink a cup of coffee and have a 20 minute nap after drinking your coffee.
• If an approaching car forgets to dip its lights, glance to the left-hand kerb to avoid being dazzled by their headlights.
• If it’s gloomy in the morning, don’t forget to put your headlights lights on.

Elstow said: “The risk of fatal accidents increases in the dark as visibility is reduced.¹ Have regular eye examinations to ensure you are wearing glasses or contact lenses if you need to.”

Volkswagen Caddy Match

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has just launched a new special edition Volkswagen Caddy, called the Caddy Match. The Caddy Match is only available until the 30th April 2012 and features additional specification over the standard model as follows.

• Air conditioning
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Trip computer
• Electric windows
• Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors
• Cruise control
• Body-coloured bumpers and wing mirrors
• Wheel trims

It is available in the standard Caddy and the long wheelbase Caddy Maxi (except 4MOTION and EcoFuel models) and has a range of Euro5 emissions compliant 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre TDi engines plus Bluemotion technology.

Paul Vissian, Product Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said,”It’s great to start the New Year with an outstanding special edition for one of the UK’s best-selling compact vans. We’ve studied the market carefully and chosen some of the most popular options to give Caddy Match an unbelievable standard specification and probably the best value for money model we’ve ever offered”.

Ford commercial vehicles

Ford’s centenary year has finished in style with the brand closing 2011 as the UK market leader, selling 265,894 cars, as final 2011 sales figures are released by the SMMT. Their top-selling vehicle range secured 15 per cent of the UK’s total 2011 market and there were also some other notable highlights in a tough trading year.

• They are the number one UK car brand for 35 successive years, with the Ford Fiesta the best seller for the third successive year, selling 96,112 vehicles.
• Ford commercial vehicles record sales increases compared to 2010 and the Transit remains the UK’s favourite van.
• The new Ford Focus (77,804 to 81,832 units) and C-MAX (8,357  to 18,925 units) ranges also recorded significant sales and share increases, when compared to 2010.
• The Ford Transit totalled 71,607 units, up from 62,308 in 2010. Ford Fiesta Van, Ford Transit Connect and Ford Ranger also saw sales increases.

Ford Fiesta

Mark Ovenden, Ford Britain managing director, said,”Ford’s 2011 sales performance benefitted from a combination of our best-ever range of vehicles, advanced technology engines, including the new low-CO2 EcoBoost engines, and the unrivalled strength of our dealer network”.

Mr Ovenden went on to say,”More  people choose Ford over any other vehicle brand in the UK and as we face economic uncertainty and intense competition in 2012 we will look to satisfy the needs of our private and business customers through the introduction of a number of new models and technologies, starting with the launch of the new Ford Ranger and the introduction of the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine in Ford Focus”.

The full range of Ford cars and vans are on the site now on Ford contract hire.

Vauxhall Vivaro

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles has reported that it sold more vans at retail in 2011 than any other commercial vehicle manufacturer, according to the figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The Luton-based manufacturer sold 11,436 vans to small businesses last year, with sales up 28.05 per cent in a market up 8.32 per cent.  The Vauxhall Vivaro was the best selling van in the retail medium van segment with sales up 58.05 per cent year-on-year.

“Last year proved to be an excellent year for Vauxhall van sales,” said Richard Collier, Vauxhall’s National Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager.  “It’s fantastic news for Vauxhall that despite the uncertain economic outlook there’s still strong demand for fuel efficient, high quality vans with low running costs and excellent manufacturer support.”

The latest edition to the Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles range, the all-new Combo, is due next month and Vauxhall contract hire is on the site now on all the current van range.

The road safety charity, the Insitute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has issued some timely advice for driving in windy weather as severe gales have spread across the UK. 

• Plan your journey in advance – is there a route with less exposure to the weather and less risk of fallen trees?  If there is, choose a sheltered route if you have this option.
• Strong winds are not constant, they are usually gusty so ensure you hold the steering wheel firmly at all times.
• Overtaking high sided vehicles or driving past buildings can result in a sudden gust from the side of the other vehicle as you clear it – take care.
• Give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual as they get blown around more by side winds.
• Watch our for trees and bushes on the roadside – their branches will show you how strong the wind is.  Look well ahead as that way you don’t need to take your eye off the road. You can then see any windy patches ahead before you get to them.
• Go slow enough to cope with the strong gusts.  Wind can get underneath a car or van and reduce its handling and braking significantly.
• Keep an eye on what is happening to other vehicles on the road – where they are affected by strong winds will give you a pre warning.
• Keep an extra distance between you and the car in front.
• Be careful of any debris in the road and try and have space beside you in case you need to dodge it.

IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger commented: “I have seen a parked car moved by the wind.  Don’t underestimate how powerful it is and how it can affect you whilst in the car.”

To help drivers stay safe this winter, the IAM’s website, www.drivingadvice.org.uk, offers traffic updates, weather forecasts and tips on how to drive safely in winter. These tips include driving in rain, snow, ice, fog and wind.

Kangoo Van Z.E.

Renault has just announced the list of their specialist UK electric vehicle dealers to sell and service their four-model electric vehicle line-up. Twenty one sites have been branded Z.E. Expert and are now live. All the specialist Renault dealer sites have a Kangoo Van Z.E. demonstrator on site for full test drives and also three new Chargemaster E.V. charging points.

The E.V. charging points are located in the workshop, the demonstrator area and car park and there is also a dummy domestic charging point to show customers how to charge the vehicle.

The full list of Z.E. Renault dealers is:

Renault Manchester
Renault Birmingham
Renault Liverpool
Renault Leicester
Renault Cardiff
Renault London West
Renault Enfield
Renault Croydon
Ness Inverness
The Co-operative Bradford
Seward Portsmouth
Donnelly and Taggart, Londonderry
Charles Hurst Belfast
Vospers Plymouth
Motorline Maidstone
Benfield Newcastle
Bristol Street Exeter
Westover Poole
MarshallMilton Keynes
Smiths Peterborough
Toomey Basildon