Iveco – Daily
Iveco was awarded the International Van of the Year 2015 for its new Daily range at the show. As Daily is starting to arrive in dealers, the firm has already increased its offering on the van, with a new option of a ZF eight-speed Hi-Matic automatic transmission now available on both 2.3-litre and 3.0-litre models.
The transmission is available on all vans and chassis cabs right up to a range-topping 7.2 tonne Daily, that offers a class-leading potential payload of up to 4.9 tonnes. The automatic transmission will eventually replace Iveco’s Agile automated manual gearbox and is said to deliver up to 4% fuel savings against a standard manual van, thanks to the additional ratios.
Early in 2015 Iveco will also add two completely different 4×4 models to the Daily line-up. These will include a dedicated high-riding off-roader, in the same vein as the previous all-wheel drive model, along with a new all-weather on-highway 4×4 system. Developed with Austrian firm Achleitner, the all-weather 4×4 will be offered on all twin rear wheel versions of the panel van and chassis cab.
June 2015 will also see the introduction of a second generation Daily Electric van, based on the recently revised diesel model. With upgraded sodium batteries and super-capacitors, the Daily Electric will offer a 25% increase in efficiency with a 250km driving range. A new rapid charging system will also permit two hour recharging periods.
The electric van will be the first Daily to feature a 7-inch tablet screen that can be removed from the van, maintaining contact with the vehicle’s control systems through Bluetooth. This allows the driver to control heating and ventilation, along with charging, remotely. It will also incorporate a TomTom navigation system, allowing route planning to be carried out in the office and activated once in the vehicle.
Iveco – Vision concept
Iveco unveiled its latest concept van at the IAA show. The Iveco Vision is powered by a dual energy electric and hybrid driveline. The concept features see-through A-pillars and rear facing cameras with screens above the windshield, for a panoramic view from the cab.
The van features a futuristic version of the new 7-inch screen that will be used in the Daily Electric from next year, with the driver able to operate numerous systems within the vehicle and use the tablet for delivery notification and other office functions.
The van features a load management system in the rear, with automatic containment devices that sense the size and shape of the load and move to hold that load in place. Sensors identify the size and weight of the load and assign the correct position within the load area for maximum security and ease of unloading.
Hyundai
Hyundai is set to take on the mainstream LCV market with the launch next year of its first 3.5-tonne van, the H350. Available initially in nine left-hand drive European markets, the van will come to the UK in right-hand drive in the second half of 2015.
H350 is available as a panel van, minibus and as a chassis cab for conversions. The van offers a 12.9m3 load volume, enough to fit five Euro pallets, with payloads of 1,336-1,365kg. The chassis cab model will be available with two chassis length to suit a variety of bodies.
The Hyundai is powered by a choice of 2.5-litre Euro 6 diesel engines, delivering 150hp with 373Nm of torque or 170hp and 422Nm. Both engines drive through a six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels.
Bearing more than a passing resemblance to several leading vans in the market, the H350 boasts LED daytime running lights and Hyundai’s family hexagonal front grille. The vans will be built in cooperation with Turkish manufacturer Karsan Automotive.
Hyundai admits that it will have to work with dealers across Europe to improve LCV service levels, but insists that it will deliver a distinct price advantage when the vans come to market.
A standard steel bulkhead help to keep in-cab noise levels low and the driver is well looked after with Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control and a Lane Departure Warning system. A multi-function steering wheel provides control for the audio system and hands-free telephone connectivity.
Heated electric mirrors, automatic wipers and lights are also standard, along with cruise control and Start/Stop.
Fiat
Fiat Professional has taken the wraps off an updated Doblo van range, with a revised front end and improved cab interior. The fourth generation model retains its two wheelbases and two roof heights, with payloads of up to 1-tonne.
However the new van now comes with the option of seating for three and load volumes of up to 5.4m3. Both the 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre diesel engines have been tuned for improved torque delivery, with up to 40% more torque available at lower rpm. The 90hp 1.3-litre engine and the 1.6-litre Multijet II can now also be had in Ecojet versions, with Start/Stop, low rolling resistance tyres, low viscocity oils, a smart alternator and a variable displacement oil pump. This combined pack results in emissions as low as 115g/km and fuel consumption of up to 64mpg.
The vans all come with ESC stability control, complete with ASR anti-slip regulation, hydraulic brake assist and Hill Hold systems.
Following the launch of new Ducato this year and the arrival of Doblo at the start of 2015, Fiat Professional says that it will overhaul its entire range in the next two years, with both Scudo and Fiorino set for updates by 2016. The company has also announced its intention to launch a new pick-up range by 2016, completing its LCV line-up.
The company will also launch a compressed natural gas (CNG) powered Ducato in the New Year. The 3.0-litre engine offers up to 136hp and reduced emissions. Fiat will also offer a CNG engine for the revised Doblo. The new Doblo van will also be sold in the USA for the first time, under the Ram badge alongside Ducato.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen has given the clearest impression yet of the appearance of its sixth generation Transporter van, to be launched early next year. The company showed the Tristar concept, resurrecting a name last used on a tough pick-up variant of the T3 van.
Looking past the big show wheels and unusual pull out storage trays, you can get an impression of the T6 Transporter’s front end and overall dimensions. Wrap-around lines and LED headlights also point the way forward for T6, though it is doubtful that Tristar’s 204hp version of the Volkswagen 2.0-litre diesel will make it to many fleet users.
Volkswagen might be the last manufacturer to show its hand in the current round of mid-range van updates, but that is hardly surprising as T5 production is sold out through to April next year. Indeed T5 sales are up 6% in the first eight months of this year and the company is having to take on a night shift at its Hanover plant to cope with demand.
Volkswagen has also started construction of a new van plant in Poland that will be home to the 2016 Crafter van range, which will separate from Mercedes’ Sprinter and be an all-VW product this time around. Indeed Volkswagen has promised to renew its entire LCV range by 2016, starting with the T6 Transporter in 2015.
Volkswagen has also announced that it will sell the compact e-Load up! van that we first drove in concept form earlier this year. With the e-up! electric car now on sale, the compact commercial, which is basically the car with no rear seats or rear side windows offers a perfect urban delivery option.
It has a payload of 306kg and 1.4m3 of load volume, while the 60kW electric motor delivers up to 210Nm of torque for rapid acceleration and nippy about town capabilities. Lithium ion batteries stored below the floor deliver a claimed 100 mile range. As yet there are no prices for the electric LCV.
Nissan
Nissan is aiming to increase its European LCV sales by 40% in the next five years, taking its market share from 3% to 4.5% and sales volumes from 55,000 to more than 100,000 vans. At the heart of this growth is the belief that its investment in electric LCVs, with the recent launch of the e-NV200, will pay dividends.
‘We believe that in Europe, one third of LCV customers could be ready to look at electric vans,’ says global general manager of LCVs, Dany Boulanger.
‘Two thirds of vans in Europe do less than 100km per day,’ adds electric vehicle chief marketing manager, Julien Foucher.
‘The charging infrastructure needs to increase a bit and the decision to buy takes longer, but in passenger cars we have seen electric numbers double every year in Europe.’
To meet this growing demand, Nissan is currently testing a number of prototype e-NT400 Cabstars in Japan, with three domestic customers. Though there is no word on when, or indeed if, these electric trucks will be offered in Europe, the company is keen to increase its electric LCV business.
‘Nissan is looking to build its LCV business around the world,’ says Mr Boulanger.
The company’s largest van, the NV400, has been updated in line with alliance partner’s Master van, with the adoption of new single and bi-turbo engines, improved safety systems and an Eco driving mode to reduce fuel consumption.
All models now come with ESC stability control and there is the option of an Extended Grip system for both front and rear drive vans.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes Trucks’ Fuso division is to test fully electric E-Cell versions of its Canter truck with customers over the coming year. The firm, which already successfully sells an Eco-hybrid version of the truck, has built eight all-electric models for customers to try.
The Canter E-Cell is based on the smallest single cab model, fitted with a 4.3m dropside body or a 4.4m long box. With a gross weight of 6.0 tonnes, the truck offers up to 3.0 tonnes of payload.
An electric motor delivers 110kW of power and up to 650Nm of torque, with a single speed transmission delivering drive to the rear axle. Top speed is limited to 90km/h in line with diesel-powered trucks of this weight and Fuso claims a range of more than 100km should be possible.
Charging the batteries takes around seven hours on a 230V system, or just one hour with a rapid charger.
Fuso has also lifted the weight of its largest truck from 7.5 tonnes to 8.55 tonnes. This provides a potential payload of up to 6.0 tonnes, which is class-leading for a truck of this size.
Hanover also provided many customers with the first opportunity to take a closer look at the new Vito van line-up. Available for the first time with front-, rear- and all-wheel drive, Vito comes with a choice of three body lengths.
Maximum weights have increased to 3.2-tonne for the rear-drive models, offering up to 1,369kg of payload. Van Fleet World will be driving the new Vito range in the coming months.
Ford
Ford has completed its new Transit line-up with the introduction of the extra-long L5 Super Jumbo, the double-cab-in-van with four-person rear seat, the people carrying Kombi and various chassis cab options.
Ford is also making an improved all-wheel drive system available on Transit, with a high performance electric pump and AWD clutch coupling to distribute torque between the four wheels. The AWD transfer case is integrated within the transmission and front axle, adding just 45kg to the van’s base weight.