Sector Analysis Large vans


LOOK OUT FOR FOUR TO FIAT PROFESSIONAL DUCATO


Fiat claims the latest version of Ducato – its eighth incarnation – is the first light commercial to boast level two autonomy. While that does not mean the Ducato can drive itself, the ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) package means driving is both easier and safer than it otherwise would be.


Adaptive cruise control with stop and go ensures drivers can keep a safe distance from vehicles in front, when braking and accelerating, and stopping and pulling away – as and when required – without having to do anything. This collaborates neatly with traffic jam


assist, which means drivers no longer have to keep pressing the brake or accelerator pedal when inching along in


2.2L


a queue. Lane keep assist will also gently steer drivers back into lane if they lose concentration and start to veer into the adjacent lane.


The Ducato comes with a load cube of from 8m3


to 17m3 . It is produced as


a van, a glazed van, a chassis cab and a chassis cowl and comes in four trim levels – Standard, Tecnico, Tecnico Plus and Business Edition.


Sample model: Fiat Professional Ducato 35 LH2 2.2 MultiJet III Engine size Payload


Load volume


1,472kg 13.0m3


Combined mpg CO2


Price (ex VAT)


34.0mls 216g/km £37,950


FORD E-TRANSIT


The E-Transit range encompasses 25 variants of van, double-cab-in- van and chassis cab. Gross payload goes up to over 1.7 tonnes on the van model, while gross weights run from 3.5–4.25 tonnes. Two specification levels are up for grabs – Leader and the more-upmarket Trend. Both offer more kit than the equivalent diesel model, says Ford. Trades people who use power tools may value the ProPower Onboard, which delivers up to 2.3Kw and can also drive ancillary equipment. Enter the 11.0m3


cargo area in this


test van through the sliding nearside door or the twin back doors, which can be swung through 90° or 180°.


Load volume


184hp 135kW 951kg 11.0m3


The E-Transit comes with Ford’s SYNC-4 communications, a 12in touchscreen and is well equipped with ADAS. The E-Transit displays sure-footed handling and delivers strong acceleration all the way up to the maximum legal motorway speed. The 135kW/184hp motor packs sufficient punch for most applications.


Sample model: Ford E-Transit Trend 350 L3H2 135kW Engine size Payload


Battery range CO2


197mls 0g/km


Price (ex VAT inc PiVG) £48,385


PEUGEOT E-BOXER


The e-Boxer comes with a choice of two battery sizes: a 37kWh or the larger 70kWh that we tested, which achieves a 139-mile range between charges in official WLTP testing. It can be recharged to 80% capacity in one hour using a 50kW DC charger, or alternatively to 100% with a 22kW or 7.4kW wallbox, taking nine and 12 hours respectively. It is available in three vehicle lengths, as either a panel or window van. The location of the battery under the floor means there is no reduction in the size of the load space – compared with a diesel Boxer – although the weight of the battery means a reduced gross payload.


An electric motor output of 120hp might not sound like much for a large


Load volume


120hp 90kW 740kg 13.0m3


VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER


The Crafter is available with an eight- speed, fully-automatic gearbox that can be specified in either front or rear-wheel drive variant. The alternative is the standard six-speed manual box. Both transmissions are married to a


van – and is a surprise, given that smaller Stellantis vans come with more powerful motors – but in urban areas, where we expect the e-Boxer to spend most of its time, it performs reasonably well. The quick response-to-throttle inputs you get with an EV is useful when pulling out of junctions, and having no gear changes means a straightforward driving experience.


Sample model: Peugeot e-Boxer Van Professional L3 H2 Engine size Payload


Battery range CO2


139mls 0g/km


Price (ex VAT inc PiVG) £57,035


2.0-litre TDI diesel, the only power plant fitted to the vehicle. The horsepower choices are 102hp, 122hp, 140hp or 177hp, and the automatic box is on offer as an option with the two most powerful variants.


Grossing from 3.0–5.0 tonnes, the Crafter is produced in van, chassis cab and chassis double-cab guise. Van load cubes range from 9.3m3 18.4m3


to an echoing


– two different wheelbases and three different heights are listed –


Load volume


2.0-litre 1,191kg 10.7m3


while gross payload capacities extend from 801kg to 2,560kg. Customers can choose from Startline, Trendline or Business specification levels. Worthy of note is the 4MOTION four-wheel drive Crafter. The 4x4 system is fitted by VWCV itself rather than a converter. The Crafter features a high quality, roomy cabin, the auto box is smooth and it handles well on the road.


Sample model: Volkswagen Crafter CR35 Trendline MWB 2.0 Engine size Payload


Combined mpg CO2


Price (ex VAT)


28.2 mpg 203g/km £41,741


34


WhatVan?July 2023


www.whatvan.co.uk


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