Something stirring in the van sector

THE new generation Expert van has gone on sale in Peugeot dealerships.

It is available in panel van and special-order crew cab or platform cab variants.

It comes in three lengths — compact, standard and long — and in two trim levels, active and professional.

Expert offers load volumes of up to 6.6 cubic metres, payloads from 1,000kg-1,400kg and a floor load length of up to 4m. The standard and long versions, at 4.95m and 5.30m, are designed for the core market. The compact 4.60m version, unique in the segment, allows loads of up to 5.1m cubic metres and 1,400kg with a useful length of 3.32m.

A reduced height of 1.90m, rare in this segment, allows the new expert access to all car parks.

Built on Peugeot’s new modular EMP2 platform, the new expert introduces innovative features to the segment for the first time alongside the new, highly efficient 1.6 95bhp/115bhp and 2.0 BlueHDi 120bhp Euro6 diesel engines. Standard equipment on the new expert active range includes; twin side sliding doors, twin panel rear doors, full steel bulkhead, dual passenger seat with under-seat storage, cruise control with variable speed limiter, front electric windows, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors.

The new expert is priced from €21,520 plus delivery charges (from €17,553 ex-VAT) for the compact active 1.6 BlueHDi 95bhp 1,000kg version.

NEW PROACE VAN RANGE FROM TOYOTA

The new Toyota ProAce van range has been joined by a shorter 4.6m version.

A new ProAce van range from Toyota includes a compact version of just 4.6m in length, bringing the nameplate into a new segment.

Two other lengths are available in the range, which has a starting price of €20,495.

Power options include 1.6 diesels with 95/115hp options, and 2.0 diesels in 120/150/180hp outputs. The higher outputs in each case are for combi/shuttle variants of the ProAce.

The combi/shuttle variants can carry up to nine people.

NEW FORD VAN ENGINE

Ford’s Transit and Transit Custom vans are powered by the Ford EcoBlue diesel engine

Ford presented their latest Transit and Transit Custom line-up at the recent Hannover Commercial Vehicles Show, powered by the Ford EcoBlue diesel engine.

The engine delivers significant cost of ownership and performance benefits with fuel efficiency now up by 13pc and low-end torque by 20pc compared to the outgoing 2.2 diesel, with C02 emissions from 157g/km.

Hannover also had the show debut for the new 6-speed automatic transmission variant of the Transit and Transit Custom, and Ford revealed the enhanced all-wheel drive system and the new SYNC 3 communications system on Transit.

G10 IS NEXT GEN FROM LDV

LDV’s G10 has a 2-litre direct injection turbocharged diesel engine. The warranty on all LDV vehicles is five years or 200,000km including five years roadside assistance cover

A next generation compact van from LDV, the G10, will be available in panel van and MPV passenger formats.

The LDV G10 has a 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged diesel engine.

Standard features include Bluetooth, MP3 connectivity, a high-quality audio system with touch-screen LCD and a rear camera with park assist.

Cruise control is standard on the automatic version, and all models come with air conditioning, power front windows, power side mirrors and keyless entry.

With plenty of storage space for portable office equipment, the G10 doubles up as a mobile office.

The warranty on all LDV vehicles is for five years or 200,000k and includes five years roadside assistance cover as standard.

MERCEDES-BENZ FUTURE VAN VISION

Mercedes-Benz introduced its concept Vision van, an all-electric with a range going up to 270km

A Mercedes-Benz concept ‘Van of the Future’ unveiled in Stuttgart will showcase a range of initiatives the brand is developing for the light logistics area.

The event provided the opportunity for presentations on a number of these initiatives, under the broad banner of AdVANce.

They include initiatives in digitisation, automation and robotics, as well as integrated parcel delivery systems using drones and sidewalk robots.

The concept van has an all electric powertrain, and envisages a range of up to 270km.

Speakers at the event noted a number of “megatrends” which will require new ways of managing the logistics business — increased urbanisation, the rapid growth of e-commerce, and the need for greater sustainability in transport are among these.

Drones, robots, automatic van loaders, and toolboxes which “talk” to the suppliers of construction consumables are all part of the future of deliveries.

The Mercedes-Benz Vision is also integrated with drone and sidewalk delivery robots.

The Mercedes-Benz “Vision Van’ previewed at the event is in one sense a forward look at the next generation Sprinter. It was specifically used to showcase the various technological solutions for delivering home and business packages in an e-commerce growth reckoned to double in two years’ time from its current level. New automatic warehouse loading systems will automatically load and present items for delivery saving 80% of the time it takes to currently carry out this process, according to Mercedes-Benz supported technologies shown.

The van will go to designated hub areas in business or residential spaces, and from these packages will be delivered either by drone —

currently a 2kg limit applies, which is adequate for eight out of 10 deliveries — if the address has a dedicated drone landing zone, or by hand.

Ground-based automated delivery, using robots that travel along footpaths to their packages’ destinations, are another option in the delivery chain, in a system currently on trial in Australia.

RENAULT GETTING A PICKUP

The robust, athletic-looking Renault Alaskan pickup will attract both commercial and leisure customers

Renault Alaskan is a new pick-up from Renault, based on the Nissan pick-up truck technology.

This is a robust, athletic looking vehicle with sharp styling and a forceful stance.

It comes with a tall front end, sharp headlights and a three-slat grille with the big Renault badge in the middle.

It will be of interest to both commercial and leisure customers and is powered by a 2.3 4-cylinder diesel engine able to produce 165hp.

ELECTRIC CRAFTER

Volkswagen unveiled its prototype for its full electric Crafter at Hannover Commercial Vehicles Show.

The prototype for a fully electric Crafter van was revealed by Volkswagen at the Hannover Commercial Vehicles Show.

Based on the brand new generation Crafter, the new electric version will be arriving with customers in 2017, and will have a range of 208km.

It’s claimed charging will be as low as 45 minutes.

Loads capacities of up to 1.7 tonnes will be available.

Meanwhile, the new Crafter has been voted European Van of the Year 2017.

When it arrives, the completely new vehicle will be available in a number of drive options, FWD, RWD and AWD, and buyers will have a choice from manual and automatic gearboxes.

A wide range of Volkswagen driver assistance packages will be optional. The 2.0 diesel is a new unit developed especially for the vehicle.

The engine will be available in four outputs from 102hp-177hp.

Up to three different vehicle lengths will be on sale, with three different optional roof heights.