Automotive giant Stellantis has revamped its van line-up for the Citroën, Fiat Professional, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall brands, taking the fight to Ford.
The group launched its commercial vehicle offensive last week under its new Pro One umbrella brand, which leverages its “undeniable commercial vehicles leadership” to offer the “most complete” line-up across six brands.
It’s now premiered its renewed van portfolio in a global event, unveiling its full range of renewed and electrified compact, mid-size and large commercial vans – 12 vehicles in all.
“The essence of our customer-centric renewal of our entire van line-up is no compromise – in range, capability, safety and connectivity,” said Luca Marengo, global head of product – serial life for the Stellantis Commercial Vehicles Business Unit.
Across all model ranges, changes include renewed cockpits, a new 10-inch infotainment screen, upgraded advanced driver assistance system with semi-autonomous driving features up to Level 2, plus 100% connectivity as standard, keeping managers connected with their fleets in real time. A new e-PTO (electric Power Take off) solution also debuts, enabling usage of the traction battery instead of requiring a separate power source and without compromising the vehicle’s payload. All the new vans are also equipped with full LED headlights.
Changes for the small vans line-up – which includes the Citroën Berlingo, Fiat Professional Doblò, Opel/Vauxhall Combo and Peugeot Partner – include a new-look exterior and interior, enhanced equipment and a heat pump plus extra range for the electric variants. This pushes the official range up to 205 miles (330km), up by around 30 miles. The updated models also get a new Smartphone Station that connects to a dedicated app, enabling the mobile phone to become a control panel for the vehicle, including interaction with steering wheel buttons.
The revamped midsize vans – which span the Citroën Dispatch (Jumpy in Europe), Fiat Professional Scudo, Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro and Peugeot Expert – also get revised styling, including a completely new front-end, updated dashboard and a new 10-inch instrument panel, along with wireless connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless smartphone charger.
As before, two electric versions are on offer – featuring 50kWh and 75kWh batteries, the latter offering boosted range that now stands at up to 224 miles (350km). Latest-gen hydrogen fuel-cell versions will launch mid-2024, providing up to 249 miles (400km) of range.
The group’s large vans – which run from the Citroën Relay (Jumper in Europe), through the Fiat Professional Ducato and Opel/Vauxhall Movano, to the Peugeot Boxer – are available in electric guise with a 110kWh battery that delivers a range of 261 miles (420km) and can charge at 150kW, powering it from 0 to 80% in less than one hour. They also get a new-generation 2.2-litre diesel, available with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while hydrogen fuel cell power arrives in 2024, giving a range up to 311 miles (500km) and a refill time of five minutes.
Technology includes a Level 2 assisted driving solution combining Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go function, Lane Centering and Traffic Jam Assist.
In the US, Stellantis is also revamping the Ram brand commercial vehicle product line-up, including the Ram ProMaster EV by the end of 2023 and the Ram 1500 REV in late 2024. Future products will also include hydrogen fuel cell technology.
“This second generation of zero-emission vans, in line with customer expectations and offering increased BEV autonomy, additional fuel-cell offer, 18 ADAS, full connectivity, and innovations such as ‘electric Power Take Off’, will reinforce even further our current leadership in BEV vans and in all van segments,” said Xavier Peugeot, senior vice president, Stellantis Commercial Vehicles Business Unit.
