Sector Analysis Medium vans


LOOK OUT FOR FOUR TO FIAT PROFESSIONAL SCUDO


The Scudo comes with the choice of two MultiJet diesel engines; a 1.5L producing 100hp or 120hp or a 2.0L pumping out 145hp or 180hp. A six-speed manual box is standard with an automatic transmission offered as an option. Two wheelbases are listed across the range, but just one roof height. Load cubes extend from 5.3m3 to 6.1m3


while gross payload runs from


1,000kg to 1,446kg. Fiat Professional offers three trim levels – SX, Tecnico and Business – and Scudo is marketed as a crew van as well as in van guise. We sampled a stylish-looking short- wheelbase van in top-of-the-range Business trim powered by the 145hp diesel. The well-equipped cab includes a middle seat back that flips down into


Load volume


2.0-litre 1,446kg 5.3m3


MERCEDES-BENZ EVITO


a handy desk, complete with an elasticated strap to hold paperwork in place. By pulling the seat cushion upwards, you reveal a hidden storage compartment. The Scudo is sturdily built and handling is sharp. It is embraced by a three-year/100,000-mile warranty, with roadside assistance provided for the first year, while service intervals are set at two years/24,000 miles.


Sample model: Fiat Professional Scudo Business 2.0 litre Engine size Payload


Combined mpg CO2


Price (ex VAT)


39.8mpg 185g/km £32,480


While the old Mercedes-Benz eVito could barely cover 90 miles before its battery needed replenishing, its successor is good for up to 162 miles, according to the WLTP test. A rapid 80kW DC charging point will boost the battery from 10% to 80% of its maximum capacity in just 35 minutes. Available with two wheelbases – L2 or L3 – and a single roof height, eVito comes with a choice of two trim levels, Progressive or Premium. Rear entry to the front-wheel drive L2 eVito’s 6.0m3 6.6m3


load bay (L3 offers


) is through twin doors that can be swung through 90° then through a full 180º if required. There is a sliding door on both near- and off-side of the body. A space under the front seat increases load bed length by 370mm to 2,831mm.


Premium eEvito’s interior features include air-conditioning, a reversing camera, parking sensors, heated seats (optional for the passenger perches), cruise control, two USB sockets and a 12V power point. It’s class-leading safety offerings include active brake assist with pedestrian recognition, attention assist, crosswind assist, cruise control with an adaptive speed limiter, lane keeping assist and intelligent LED lights.


Sample model: Mercedes-Benz eVito Premium L2 Engine size 114hp electric motor Payload


Load volume


749kg 6.0m3


Battery range CO2


Price (ex VAT)


162miles 0g/km


£46,900


TOYOTA PROACE


The Proace at 4,959mm long, 1,920mm wide and 1,890mm high, is short enough to park on a domestic driveway, easy to thread through traffic and low enough to enter underground car parks. The rear doors open to 90º or 180º, with twin side- loading doors, six lashing eyelets in the floor and a full bulkhead. Inside the cab frontal-arc visibility is fine but the mirrors lack a sufficiently wide view and need a secondary wide-angle element. Storage is not brilliant; the door bins are big but it’s an open shelf where the lidded glove box should be. Cup holders reside at each end of the facia top and the middle seat’s backrest folds down to make a small ‘desk’ with job sheet strap. In these days of ‘touchscreen everything’, it’s nice


2.0L


VAUXHALL VIVARO ELECTRIC


to see push buttons and proper switches around the cab.


The diesel 140 is reasonably refined, offers a performance curve that doesn’t feel too peaky and turbo-boost arrives from 1,500 rpm. In top gear it shows 33mph for every 1,000 rpm, placing its peak torque at 66mph, ideal for motorway work. In town, the six-speeder is light and quick but the steering slightly vague.


Sample model: Toyota Proace Icon 140 Engine size Payload


Load volume


1,466kg 5.8m3


Combined mpg CO2


Price (ex VAT)


38.2mpg 194g/km £32,829


The GS features 18in alloy wheels, a lip spoiler at the front, side skirts around the vehicle and a two-piece spoiler at the rear. Inside, leather seats with red stitching and a GS logo add to the styling enhancements. Safety equipment includes lane departure warning, blind spot protection, semi-adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking, hill start assist and a good rear-view camera. A 75kWh battery gives the GS a range of 189 miles on the WLTP cycle. The van’s performance is certainly impressive, particularly when in power mode rather than normal or the far more sedate, not to say sluggish, eco setting. When power is engaged, the GS zips away from a standing start if the


throttle is floored – but beware, battery juice will equally rapidly evaporate if left in this setting. Normal mode offers the best mix of performance and range if you’re carrying a load. Vauxhall claims a 100kW DC charger will deliver a 0 to 80% fill in 45 minutes, an 11kW AC charger will go from 0 to 100% in seven hours and a 7kW AC charger will do the same in 11 hours 20 minutes.


Sample model: Vauxhall Vivaro Electric L1 GS Engine size 136hp 75kW electric Payload


Load volume


1,000kg 5.8m3


Battery range CO2


189 miles 0g/km


Price (ex VAT, inc PiVG) £50,000


34


WhatVan? October 2023


www.whatvan.co.uk


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