COMPANY
Car and Van The motoring magazine for SME fleets
Seven-seat Tarraco is bang on the money
TOYOTA COROLLA
A welcome return – and the best yet
VOLKSWAGEN T-CROSS Junior SUV joins the gang
VAUXHALL VIVARO We drive Luton’s finest
August 2019
www.companycarandvan.co.uk
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No rest in the world of fleet, despite the sun August has arrived and it’s time for many people to take a well-earned break. The fleet sector, however, carries on regardless and to help you with those important purchasing and leasing decisions, we take a look at what’s new in the world of cars and vans. On our cover this month is SEAT’s new flagship SUV, the Tarraco, and as we found out, it’s really very good. Toyota has brought back the world’s bestselling car name, Corolla, which we drove recently. Volkswagen’s SUV range is now complete as we welcome the smallest member, the T-Cross. We also drive the red-hot Volvo S60 T5. Despite all of the anti-diesel hoo-ha, Jaguar has updated its XE range by giving it the company’s cleanest diesels yet. In other news, Hyundai now has a Kona hybrid, BMW announces details of its latest 1 Series and we drive a new electric car, the KIA Niro EV. In the commercial world, we get behind the wheel of Vauxhall’s new Vivaro, which proves much better than the old one, and the Mercedes-Benz Vito shows us that it’s still the classiest medium panel van out there. We also road test the Isuzu D-Max Yukon and we had the pleasure of a trip to Turin to test out the latest Ducato. Find out why we think it’s ready for the road ahead inside. Elsewhere, Iveco has updated its Daily range and it’s now better then ever, while Nissan has improved the formula for the Navara pick-up and LDV releases more info on their small electric van the EV30.
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Contents News update: Latest launches, new innovations – and a charity bike ride 4 Volkswagen T-Cross 10 Hyundai Kona Hybrid 14 Jaguar XE 16 Mazda6 20 Isuzu D-Max 23 Toyota Corolla 26 BMW 1 Series 30 Ray Chapman Volvo 34 Volvo S60 35 HSF Group 37 Lexus RX 38 Nissan Navara 40 Mitsubishi L200 Challenger 42 SEAT Tarraco 44 Kia e-Niro 47 DS3 Crossback 48 CV News Citroen Berlingo Vauxhall Vivaro Volkswagen Transporter Iveco Daily Ford Transit Mercedes-Benz Vito Premium LDV EV 30 Fiat Professional Ducato
Happy Holidays! Andrew Walker, Editor and Publisher
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AUGUST 2019 • ISSUE 56
Company Car & Van is wholly owned and published by: MNAZDA Walker Advertising & Marketing Ltd
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Car and Van The motoring magazine for SME fleets
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Seven-seat Tarraco is bang on the money
Follow us at twitter.com/andrewmaxwalker and www.linkedin.com/in/companycarandvan Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material contained within this magazine, the publisher can accept no responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies in its editorial or advertising content. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The carriage of adverts in this publication should not necessarily be viewed as an endorsement of the products or services advertised. All articles within this publication are copyright of Walker Advertising & Marketing Ltd. Editorial consent must be obtained before any are reproduced, either in printed form or electronically. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
TOYOTA COROLLA
A welcome return – and the best yet
VOLKSWAGEN T-CROSS Junior SUV joins the gang
VAUXHALL VIVARO We drive Luton’s finest
August 2019
www.companycarandvan.co.uk
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 03
NEWS
Ducato ready to light up EV Van sector with ultra-fast charge New Corsa has CO2 bonus
Just a few weeks after the presentation of the battery-electric version, Vauxhall has released first pictures of the all-new fifth generation Corsa, featuring a new range of high-efficiency petrol and diesel engines. The all-new Corsa offers reduced fuel consumption, flexibility and refinement as key characteristics of all powertrain options, with every variant of the new model emitting less CO2 than the most efficient versions of the Corsa currently on offer. New engines have significantly reduced fuel consumption and emissions while retaining similar power outputs to the outgoing model. Vauxhall is promising a new Corsa-e will be added to the roll soon.
Fiat Professional has just launched an all-new Euro 6D diesel engine for its large Ducato panel van, with safety features and tech that make it far more competitive in its sector. We review it in this issue (from pg 65). But Fiat hasn’t stood back and admired its handiwork. Instead, on our recent trip to Turin, they also gave CC&V a glimpse of the all-new Ducato electric, which will be arriving in Fiat and Fiat Professional showrooms during 2020. It will be available in all body variants with the same load volumes as the conventional Ducato, from 10m3 to 17m3 and the best payload on the market, up to 1,950 kg. Ducato Electric will offer a choice of battery options for a total range of 135 to 223 miles on the (NEDC cycle) and will come with a maximum power of 90kW and maximum torque of 280 Nm. The difference in range was explained by Fiat as a ‘modular battery size option’, allowing buyers to balance battery capacity against their payload requirements. Battery sizing will range from 47-70kWh and the battery size is going to be upgradable, ie, you will be able to purchase a Ducato Electric with the minimum battery size, but then pay to have the battery capacity
increased. As far as we know this is a first in the Van EV sector. As for charging time, Fiat claims that charging with a regular AC charger should give the Ducato Electric 62 miles of range in one hour, with the more powerful DC charger doing it in half the time. If the claimed range is correct, this coupled with the impressive charging times, will give Fiat class-leading capabilities and it will have a real winner on their hands. All we need now is a price…
Rob takes over top Hyundai sales role
New Master, Trafic set to build on Renault record LCV sales Renault Pro+ has announced the full specification and pricing for the new versions of its award-winning Trafic and Master light commercial vehicles. With both models already firmly established in the highly-competitive LCV sector, New Trafic and New Master are set to strengthen the brand’s popularity with commercial vehicle buyers and build on 2018’s record-breaking LCV sales success, which saw Groupe Renault grow its sales by 34 per cent compared to the previous year. The impressive result cemented Groupe Renault’s status as the European leader in the van market segment and electric light
04 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
commercial vehicles. New Trafic and New Master are available to order now with first deliveries scheduled for September. New Trafic is priced from £22,800 excluding VAT and New Master from £26,350 excluding VAT. Designed to offer Renault Trafic and Master customers even greater efficiency, convenience and comfort, the latest versions boast revised styling, new interiors and enhanced engines. The safety and manoeuvrability of New Master is also heightened with the availability of additional ADAS functions, while New Trafic can be specified with a new six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic transmission.
Hyundai Motor UK has appointed Rob Turnbull as its new Sales Director to oversee the brand’s sales operations. Rob, who has previously worked for BMW Group since 2000 and most recently held the role of Head of Sales at MINI, steps into his new role immediately. Rob boasts more than 20 years of automotive, sales and retail experience, having worked in a number of senior roles across the BMW Group including dealer accountancy at BMW Park Lane, production and supply planning, network development and national sales operations. He started out at Rover in 1992 based at Plant Oxford. This breadth of experience will be a great asset to the Hyundai UK
“I am really excited to be joining Hyundai at what is a critical time for the UK business as well the UK industry,” said Rob Turnbull, Sales Director, Hyundai Motor UK.
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NEWS
Vauxhall makes big move with new Movano Vauxhall has announced pricing and opened order books for its new Movano large van, which arrives at retailers from September. Production started in June for the new Movano. Improving on the previous version of the Movano, the new van features enhancements to exterior and interior design, new engines and new driver assistance and technological features. The introduction of the large van means Vauxhall’s LCV model range is completely refreshed. The award-winning Combo Cargo was launched at the end of last year, and with the new Vivaro arriving at the end of July, Vauxhall boasts the youngest LCV fleet in the market. Prices start from £27,745 excluding VAT
Kia tops Motor Trader industry awards Kia Motors (UK) Limited has been named ‘Car Maker of the Year’ at the Motor Trader Industry Awards. Acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards event in the vehicle retailing calendar, highlighting excellence in business across the board. The awards were hosted by actor, writer and presenter Alexander Armstrong and Motor Trader editor John Kirwan. This recognition follows on from an important 12 months for the brand as Kia continues to upgrade its sales offer and grow sales, shifting over 95,000 cars in 2018 and setting a new record for half-year sales total in 2019, with 53,232 new cars being delivered to customers by the end of June. John Kirwan, Editor of Motor Trader, said: “Kia was the unanimous winner of the Carmaker of the Year Award in 2019 because of the strength of its model line-up, its close relationship with its dealer network, strong new car sales performance in 2018 and profitability of the franchise.”
Simply Superb as hi-tech assistance systems added ŠKODA has announced prices and final specifications for its revised flagship Superb model – and the new model is set to raise standards in the sector once more. Featuring an updated interior and a host of new technologies, the facelifted Superb is available to order now with prices ranging from just £24,655 to £40,695. As part of the new package, full LED Matrix headlights are available for the first time in a ŠKODA production model. A number of new assistance systems are also making their debut, including Predictive Cruise Control. The Superb also features updated Blind Spot Detection, which now works at a distance of up to 70m. The Superb’s dynamic and elegant design has been subtly refined with a remodelled radiator grille and a chrome trim between the LED tail lights. Thanks to a new front bumper, the Superb has grown in length by 8mm to
4,869mm (Estate by 6mm to 4,862mm.) The wheelbase, width and height remain the same. In terms of drivetrains, the revised Superb is available with two petrol and two diesel options from launch; power outputs range from 120PS for the 1.6 TDI to 272PS for the range-topping 2.0 TSI. Seven-speed DSG gearboxes and four-wheel-drive are available on selected models.
e-2008 set to take a chunk of growing SUV sector Peugeot has announced the next car off the rank in its electric vehicle revolution, with news of its all-new PEUGEOT e-2008 SUV. The new electric will join diesel and petrol-engined counterparts in the range and will be the second vehicle to follow the ‘choose your PEUGEOT, choose your powertrain’ philosophy when it arrives later this year. The all-new PEUGEOT 2008 SUV will be available with a choice of 100% electric, petrol or diesel powertrains. Combining class-leading levels of technology, an instinctive driving experience and sharp design, the all-new PEUGEOT 2008 SUV will offer a unique proposition in the compact SUV segment. The all-new 2008 SUV features PEUGEOT’s latest 3D i-Cockpit® with hologram technology and a state-of-the art head-up display, increasing driver reaction times. 06 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
At the heart of the all-new e-2008 SUV is a 100kW (136bhp) electric motor and 50kWh battery. Under WLTP testing, the 100% electric zero-emission SUV will achieve 193 miles of range. Capable of supporting 100kW rapid charging technology, an 80% charge will take just 30 minutes, while a full charge using conventional 7.4kW and 11kW fast chargers will take
between eight hours and five hours. With the MyPeugeot® app, owners will be able to pre-set the charging times, heating and air conditioning on their all-new e-2008 SUV, as well as check its current charge level remotely. The all-new e-2008 SUV will feature two forms of energy recovery. Selecting Drive “D” recovery from the drive selector will feel similar to driving a standard diesel or petrol model, while Brake “B” provides more regenerative braking when lifting off the accelerator. Peugeot believes the speed with which the battery will re-charge, combined with the greater range it offers, will be a game changer for the brand, which thus far has struggled to put together a coherent e-vehicle strategy. Analysts say the e-2008 will be a real contender in the flourishing SUV market and will attract drivers who previously had not considered switching to electric. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
NEWS
Mercedes-Benz bikers win own Tour de France to beat cancer Mazda3’s ‘dot-on’ for new design
Chris Frome and Geraint Thomas have nothing to worry about, but when it comes to fundraising, this lot from Mercedes-Benz Vans are unbeatable. The team – all drawn from Mercedes-Benz Vans retails teams – pedalled the gruelling 62 miles between Manchester and Blackpool to net a cash windfall of more than £20,000 for Cancer Research. Their magnificent effort in the sponsored cycle means that over the last three years, riders representing the brand have raised a staggering total in excess of £65,000 for deserving causes… and the money continues to roll in! The ride is staged annually by The Christie cancer charity, based in Manchester, with some 6,000 cyclists of all standards taking part. More than 80 Mercedes-Benz colleagues, customers, suppliers and friends, started this year’s event at Media City, Salford and successfully negotiated the scenic Lancashire lanes and make it to the finishing line on Blackpool’s South Promenade. Uppermost in the minds of the cyclists and supporters was former Mercedes-Benz van sales manager Tim Page, who lost his short battle with cancer earlier this year. A well-known and beloved figure within the Mercedes-Benz Vans Retail network, Tim had worked at the Westbury headquarters of Dealer Group Rygor Commercials since 2003, having spent the previous seven years with East Anglia Dealer Orwell Truck & Van. “Tim was a key member of the company team and greatly respected and loved by those he worked with,” said director Paul Reed, one of several Rygor colleagues who travelled up to Manchester to take part in the ride.
Also remembered was Martyn Donnelly, a former van sales manager with two MercedesBenz Dealers in the North-East, who succumbed to the disease in 2017. His untimely death was the main focus of last year’s fundraising drive. Mercedes-Benz Vans Managing Director Steve Bridge has now completed the ride in each of the last three years. “This is a fantastic event and one that I now look forward to each July,” he said. “I’ll admit, though, to being relieved there was no repeat this time of the 30oC temperatures we endured in 2018! “I’m tremendously proud of the Mercedes-Benz Vans team, and delighted that we’ve again smashed our £20,000 target. This tremendous achievement serves to remind us that although we’ve had another great day out, and shared a few very welcome beers as well as some pie and mash at our post-event picnic, we’ve also been supporting the best of causes.” Supplementing the money raised through sponsorship contributions by participants, Mercedes-Benz Vans is also supporting Cancer Research UK through its Giving Back Programme. Steve continued: “I’d like to pay special tribute to District Manager Liz Verwey, who pulls everything together each year on behalf of our Charity Committee, and for the ‘backroom’ team of drivers and others who give up their Sunday to provide such fantastic support. This truly is a team effort, so my thanks and a huge ‘Well done’ go to all.” More at fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/ unite/mercedes-benz-vans-uk-fundraising
Mazda was in the spotlight again when its all-new Mazda3 won the ‘Red Dot: Best of the Best’ prize for design. The Red Dot product design awards’ top honour is given by the international jury of design experts on only the most exceptional products. Launched earlier this year, the latest edition of Mazda’s all-time best selling model features a newly evolved KODO: Soul of Motion exterior which Red Dot judges said took car design into a new era. Receiving the award with Ikuo Maeda, Mazda Motor Corporation’s global design chief and Jo Stenuit, European design director, the All-New Mazda3 chief designer Yasutake Tsuchida said: “We did away with character lines and other superfluous elements to express the purity of Japanese aesthetics and create a single-motion form that is deceptively simple yet profoundly expressive. “The level of refinement is the product of human hands with vast experience, and we’re delighted to be recognised by the global design community.” Alongside its award-winning looks, the All-New Mazda3 delivers a human-centric experience to driver and passengers alike. The car’s behaviour feels completely natural while at the same time filtering out undesirable road input. Cabin layout and components enhance usability to prevent discomfort and fatigue. The model is also the first to feature Mazda’s new Skyactiv-X with world’s first production petrol engine featuring compression ignition which combines the advantages of petrol and diesel power plants, increasing fuel economy and torque, whilst reducing emissions.
Isuzu adds magnificent seven to dealership roster Isuzu (UK) has added seven new dealerships to its UK network after a recent recruitment drive. The newly appointed dealerships are: Otter Vale Motor Services in Honiton, Harris Truck & Van in Gateshead, Madeley Heath Motors in Keele, M. M. Bellinger & Sons in Oxford, Trelawny in Penzance, Compass Tractors in Bridgewater and R W Crawford in Writtle. Isuzu has 105 full sales dealers and four 08 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
authorised repairers in the UK. Isuzu (UK) Ltd Manager Director William Brown said: “We’re delighted to welcome the new franchises to the Isuzu family of dealers. “I wish them every success ensuring the multi award-winning Isuzu D-Max continues to be the number one Pick-Up of choice in the UK and helping us achieve our goal of 10,000 units by 2025.”
Isuzu (UK) Ltd Head of Sales, Alan Able commented: “As an established brand in the pick-up market with a proven track record and continued growth, this year in particular we have seen more and more interest in becoming an Isuzu dealer. With our multi award-winning truck, low franchise costs and excellent profit opportunities, it’s an attractive proposition for any entrepreneurial business owner.” www.companycarandvan.co.uk
On test: VOLKSWAGEN T-CROSS
Get it on with the VW T-Cross! SUVs are still the ones people want to drive, so VW has given its Polo a set of stilts and created an SUV derivative in the form of the T-Cross. How does it fare... and does it pip its rivals? Andrew Walker finds out
The customer is king and with car buyers wanting a car that looks like an SUV, Volkswagen has launched its own superminibased SUV, the T-Cross. As with the T-Roc, launched in 2018 and based on the Golf, the T-Cross is based on the Polo. It’s larger than the Polo, with its more upright shape offering a spacious cabin and a decent 385-litre boot, which can be made larger, up to 455 litres, with the clever use of a movable fore and aft rear seat. Looks wise, it’s perhaps cuter than the T-Roc and although when parked side by side it doesn’t look that much smaller than its larger sibling, the rear passenger space and boot capacity are significantly less in the T-Cross than in the T-Roc. From the outside, the T-Cross is a similar shape to Citroen’s C3 Aircross and looks like a mini Tonka Toy. The front grille and headlights are unmistakably VW and overall it’s a little more conservative-looking than the Citroen. 10 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
The rear hatch features a light cluster that spreads right across the boot. Inside, it features a clever use of space in the cabin. Decent-sized front and rear door pockets will hold a couple of drinks bottles each. Up front there are two more smaller drinks holders in between the front seats, a medium-sized glove box, small cubby hole for odds and ends in front of the gear lever and a shallow dash-top storage space too. Front passengers will find great head and leg room and the good news is there’s plenty of this in the back for two, too, but the middle rear seat, as always in a car of this size, is compromised. By shifting the rear seats forward you do get extra boot space, but the extra space created produces a narrow, deep channel that’s lower than the rest of the boot, which means that smaller items will disappear. On the road, our 1.0 TSI 115 PS is the same engine found in our family T-Roc and it feels better suited to the slightly smaller and
lighter T-Cross. Indeed, we drove the seven speed DSG auto version which felt positively sprightly, with a 0-62mph time of 10.2 seconds and a top speed of 120mph. The 200Nm of torque on offer makes for a fun drive. Around town, the pocket-sized SUV makes a lot of sense and it’s easy to park as well. Like the T-Roc SE, the T-Cross is very well equipped, offering both VW’s connected Apps, an easy way to utilise Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and my personal favourite, Adaptive Cruise Control, which is a real plus for motorway journeys. The annoying (to me, anyway!) Lane Assist is also offered, which I turned off every time I re-started the car, because for some reason, it’s more annoying in the T-Cross than I’ve encountered in any other VW. Good points include an electric parking brake with auto hold, two rear USB sockets, Bluetooth with simultaneous pairing of two compatible devices, the excellent 8” VW colour touchscreen with DAB and an automatic post collision braking system. The dashboard layout mirrors that found in all new VWs and is extremely user-friendly. The front of the dash features some pleasant plastic, but the door pockets and lower down plastics aren’t as good quality as you’d expect from a VW. It’s also a little bland when compared to the funkier inside of the C3 www.companycarandvan.co.uk
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Aircross, although coloured features can be added as extras. Separate climate controls which sit underneath the infotainment screen make sense as well. Around town this pocket-sized SUV is very easy to park. The steering is very light and responsive and it feels agile at low speeds, allowing you to nip in and out of traffic. Leaving the urban area and hitting some country roads, the T-Cross performs adequately, but because of its upright shape, it is no match for the much more enjoyable drive offered in the VW Polo. The ride, too, is a little compromised with the raised ride accentuating the bumps more than the lower-down Polo. On the motorway though, it performs better, offering comfortable cruising. A 150-mile motorway round trip in the T-Cross was both relaxing and quiet and here it scores more highly than the Polo, which is less comfortable to be in than the T-Cross, and is noisier too. From a fleet perspective, VW isn’t really
VW T-Cross PRICE: £20,195 CO2:
111g/km
MPG:
45.7 (claimed combined)
BIK: 26%
pushing the T-Cross as a major fleet car, but if you want an SUV that offers Golf-like space, then it’s well worth considering. Our test model came with a combined fuel economy of 45.7mpg – we averaged 38.3mpg – and CO2 emissions are 111g/km, which gives you a 26% Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rating. Bear in mind that with the T-Cross currently, only petrol units are offered. One of the benefits of writing about cars is
that us motoring writers are well placed to compare and contrast similar ones. In the T-Cross’s case, there’s actually a lot to like. For a start it’s well priced, with our test car retailing at £20,195, a little above sister brand the Seat Arona, but it’s a more attractive car and feels more upmarket inside. A more likely rival is the Citroen C3 Aircross, which is cheaper and offers a more interesting take on the small SUV. It comes with a much softer ride than the VW, a Citroen trait, but it doesn’t feel quite as poised or as well built as the VW. Finally, the VW Polo on which the T-Cross is based, costs less and offers a far more engaging drive than the T-Cross, but on the down side, it’s neither as practical or as good to be in on longer journeys. Despite my seemingly damning the T-Cross with faint praise, I did actually really like it and if pushed, would personally choose it over all of the above.
Verdict Has its faults but still offers more than most of the opposition. Practical and great on longer journeys when you consider similar-sized vehicles, with a poise and build quality you get from VW CC&V RATING: N N N N
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Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 11
NEW CAR REVIEW: HYUNDAI KONA
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Hyundai adds hybrid option to build on Kona sales boom Success of all-electric prompts new model and proves public’s desire for ultra-green motoring shows no sign of waning Hyundai Motor is enhancing its popular, award-winning Kona line-up with the launch of the All-New Kona Hybrid. A natural extension to the Kona family, the All-New Kona Hybrid responds to European customers’ demands for more SUV-bodied eco-mobility models. In addition to its bold design, it offers an efficient full hybrid powertrain and features a range of technology enhancements including advanced Blue Link® connectivity features, SmartSense™ active safety and driving assistance systems, as well as state-of-the-art infotainment features. The hybrid model is a natural extension to the Kona range and builds on phenomenal demand for the electric version, making cleaner mobility available for even more drivers. The All-New Kona Hybrid features the Kappa 1.6-litre GDI, a direct-injection petrol four-cylinder engine providing maximum power of 105 PS and 147 Nm of torque. Its permanent magnet electric motor delivers 43.5 PS (32 kW) with maximum torque of 170 Nm, 90-99 g/km CO2 and fuel consumption of 3.9-4.3 litres per 100km. Confused by the last figure? It took us some working out but we reckon it gets you 75-85mpg on the combined cycle depending on the tyres specified (16” or 18”). Alongside this, the 1.56 kWh lithium ion polymer battery delivers outstanding charge and discharge performance, optimising output from the high voltage battery and allowing for rapid regeneration. Together with the powertrain output of 104 kW (141 PS) and up to 265 Nm of torque, this ensures the All-New Kona Hybrid delivers a dynamic driving experience. Away from the power unit, the Kona Hybrid features Blue Link®, a connected vehicle system which uses embedded telematics to allow drivers to remote lock or unlock their vehicle via a smartphone app. The optional Audio Video Navigation system (AVN) displays a wide variety of useful information across its 10.25-inch split touch-screen, and features Cloud-based voice recognition. The screen can be customised providing two home screen versions and the ability to edit displayed widgets and icons. 14 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
When choosing the standard connectivity system, customers benefit from Display Audio to mirror their smartphone’s content onto the 7-inch display via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In addition to this, the All-New Kona Hybrid arrives with Hyundai LIVE Services available when customers choose navigation. Drivers receive a five-year free subscription for this feature, which offers up-to-the-minute information about weather, traffic, speed camera warning (where legally allowed), nearest fuel stations with location and pricing information, on- and off-street parking, live nearby-dealer information and live POI search. Alongside these convenience features, the All-New Kona Hybrid has its own dedicated interior colour pack. This consists of white accents around the air vent surrounds and gear shift bezel, as well as Glossy Black accents on the door handles, steering wheel spoke and air vent bezel, and a grey headliner. Standard models feature black woven cloth seats with white stitching, or black leather seats with white stitching on higher trims. Kona Hybrid offers several features for maximum passenger convenience. The optional heated steering wheel provides warmth and comfort even in the coldest weather. Power front seats can feature an optional 3-step ventilation and 3-step heating system for a comfortable ride in any weather conditions (heating function also available with manual seats), while optional heated rear seats offer a high level of comfort for passengers. The stylish exterior also gets design upgrades. The All-New Kona Hybrid inherits the same expressive design and ‘go anywhere’ attitude of the Kona and Kona Electric. At the
front of the vehicle is Hyundai’s trademark Cascading Grille, while twin headlamps are available with full LED technology. For a comfortable and safe driving experience, the All-New Kona Hybrid is equipped with a comprehensive Hyundai SmartSense technology package. This cutting-edge driver assistance system constantly monitors the environment around the vehicle to protect drivers from potential hazards while on the road. The Kona Hybrid’s leading safety package includes Front Collision Warning and Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection ability. In addition, customers can also choose the optional Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go. This goes further than standard cruise control by incorporating advanced safety features such as automatic braking. It uses front radar sensors to maintain a constant speed and distance from the vehicle ahead by automatically accelerating and braking. If traffic comes to a halt, the Stop & Go system applies the brake until the car comes to a standstill and accelerates to the desired speed as soon as the road is clear. If the vehicle stops for longer than three seconds, the driver has to activate the system again with the steering wheel controls or by briefly pressing the accelerator pedal. Thanks to the All-New Kona Hybrid’s dynamics and performance, drivers can enjoy the fun-to-drive aspect of a well-built hybrid car with the responsive shifts of a 6-speed dual clutch transmission. Pressing the gear stick to the left, drivers can switch to Sport mode. Paddles on the steering wheel act as manual shifters. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
NEW CAR REVIEW: JAGUAR XE
Beautifully crafted ... to lower your BIK The new Jaguar XE delivers an enhanced exterior design, all-new luxurious interior and advanced technologies, including a segment-first ClearSight rear view mirror, utilising a wide-angle rear facing camera. The XE also becomes first-in-class to offer a diesel variant compliant with the stringent RDE2 NOx emissions limit, well ahead of the January 2021 legislative deadline. This aids company car drivers with a 4% BIK rate cut and also private retail buyers through a reduced first year VED charge. The XE’s beautifully-crafted all-new interior features extensive use of soft-touch materials, premium veneers and all-new door trims that improve usability and practicality. New XE’s luxurious and technology-packed interior delivers more comfort, quality and connectivity for all occupants. Every aspect of the cabin has been enhanced for increased convenience, improved stowage and better passenger comfort. The influence of Jaguar’s flagship two-seater sportscar is also evident as both the SportShift gear selector and JaguarDrive Control switch shared with the F-TYPE are on the revised centre console. A new steering wheel, shared with the all-electric I-PACE, features hidden-until-lit graphics and capacitive switches for intuitive, tactile control of key functions. With additional customer-focused specification as standard, the XE is also better value than ever before. The D180 R-Dynamic S, for example, priced at £36,145, is £670 cheaper than the 19MY XE R-Sport equivalent – at £36,815 – while adding around £1,100 of extra equipment, a total saving of £1,770 for customers. XE’s entry-level specification now features an automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels, electric leather seats, all-LED headlights and tail-lights with updated signature graphics, front and rear park aid, rear camera and lane keep assist. Customers can select from S, SE and HSE trim levels, with each also available in sporty R-Dynamic guise. There is also a range of option packs to provide even greater personalisation, covering everything from Dynamic Handling to Technology. The new XE is also the smartest and most connected yet. Jaguar’s Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, shared with I-PACE, is also available for the first time, delivering instinctive control through a pair of seamlessly integrated high-resolution touchscreens. Wireless device charging and clever Smart Settings technology also make their first appearance in the XE.
16 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
The first-in-segment ClearSight interior rear view mirror improves safety and convenience by ensuring the driver has an unobstructed view of the road behind. Using a wide-angle rear-facing camera, the system feeds images to a highdefinition screen within the frameless rear view mirror; unhindered by tall rear passengers, poor light or rain on the rear screen. An updated exterior design gives the XE a more purposeful and assertive stance. Continuing on from the beautifully judged proportions of the original car, new XE’s sporting intent has been taken up a level, with contemporary design cues inspired by the F-TYPE sportscar. XE appears wider and lower than before, with larger front apertures, bold graphics and muscular forms alluding to the car’s performance and advanced aerodynamics. Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director, said: “XE’s uniqueness is its totality. Customers get a complete package of progressive design, innovative technology and extraordinary driving dynamics. We don’t do ordinary and new XE personifies this. My team and I get huge satisfaction out of improving a car we’re all so familiar with; we’ve lived with it, we understand its character and it’s a wonderful opportunity to make a great car even better. With new XE, we’ve done just that in every way imaginable.” New all-LED headlights with a striking ‘J’ blade daytime running light signature create a more purposeful look. The rear of the car also features a new bumper design and slender all-LED tail-lights with updated signature graphics which accentuate the visual width of the car, giving the XE a more planted appearance. The new XE is available with a choice of clean and efficient Ingenium petrol and diesel engines. The 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol is available with 250PS and 300PS outputs, badged P250 and P300 respectively, while the efficient 180PS Ingenium diesel, badged D180, delivers 430Nm of torque and fuel consumption of up to 57.6mpg. The XE D180 RWD model has been optimised for certification as RDE2-compliant in a segmentfirst. For company car buyers, RDE2-compliant diesels don’t attract a 4% supplement to the Benefit-in-Kind tax, offering substantial savings. Jaguar’s latest diesel engines have approximately 25% better fuel economy than petrol engines, produce around 15% less CO2 and emit around the same amount of NOx. For drivers that travel more than 12,000 miles a year, a diesel engine is often the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice.
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New XE features an automatic transmission as standard and is available in rear and all-wheel-drive variants. Jaguar’s advanced torque on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) system and Intelligent Driveline Dynamics technology maintain the XE’s rear-wheel drive handling feel and agility while improving performance, traction and driver confidence in all weather conditions. The 300 PS petrol engine, equipped with all-wheel drive, accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds). For an even more performance-orientated character, R-Dynamic models include additional exterior design elements and
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interior tweaks, including sports-style seats with contrast stitching, Satin Chrome gearshift paddles and R-Dynamic treadplates. Jaguar XE’s lightweight aluminium intensive body structure continues to play a major role in the car’s agile handling, exceptional safety and efficiency. Aluminium makes up 75 per cent of the body and combines with proven rear and all-wheel drive systems, double wishbone front and integral link rear suspension, plus some of Jaguar’s most advanced engines, for dynamic handling and performance. Standard on all XE models, Dynamic
mode amplifies the car’s sporting character, with faster gear shifts, sharper throttle response and increased steering weighting. Drivers are able to shape the driving experience with greater ease thanks to the optional Configurable Dynamics system. This feature allows drivers to set up the vehicle to their personal preference by choosing Comfort or Dynamic settings for the engine, gearbox and steering through the central touchscreen. Where specified, Adaptive Dynamics constantly adjusts the dampers to provide the optimum balance between comfort and refinement at all times and in all driving situations.
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On test: MAZDA6
Refreshed 6 delivers qualities Mazda fans love Self-proclained Mazda devotee Andrew Walker thinks the 6 takes the marque to a new level As regular readers will know, I have a bit of a soft spot for Mazda. They’re not flash, nor are they expensive, but they are very good, reliable and get the job done with little fuss. The latest model to whizz its way up to the north west for Company Car & Van to test was the Mazda6, in 2.0-litre petrol 165ps Sport Nav+ guise, and it wholly kept up that reputation. The current 6 may have been around for a long time in car years, six, but two refreshes later and it still looks and feels like one of the best cars in its class. Squint hard and you may just about notice the updates on the latest model from its predecessor. There’s a new front grille with a different mesh, updated headlights, a refreshed rear bumper and a redesigned boot lid. Most of the changes are actually in the cabin or under the bonnet, including new steering and suspension – something we spotted fairly quickly as we drove it, as it’s great to drive and handles winding roads particularly well. The interior updates are subtle. The centre console layout has been redesigned and now comes with a smaller panel of climate control buttons. Our Sport Nav+ test car feels more premium than its predecessor, with black leather upholstery and a real wood trim. The 8” colour display, an inch larger than before, allows access to the SatNav, telephone and entertainment functions – in the Sport Nav+ this is a premium Bose system with 11 speakers. In truth, it looks a bit dated when compared to newer rivals but, despite this, it works well and it’s really easy to use. From a practical perspective you can adjust the settings using either the rotary wheel in the 20 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
centre of the front seats, or you can touch the screen to select certain functions. The graphics, too, although clear and concise, are also starting to show their age. Mazda has also improved the safety features in the latest 6, in line with the competition. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, radar cruise control, lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking are now fitted across the range. Our test car featured the addition of an £800 Safety Pack, which adds a 360 degree monitor, adaptive LED headlights, rear smart city brake support and driver attention alert. The Mazda6 is not an upright SUV, it’s a saloon, but despite this, the interior space is excellent and you’ll comfortably seat four adults. There’s plenty of leg room in front and back and even a couple of six footers will get comfortable in the rear seats. A common problem is found to the rear where the transmission tunnel takes up a fair amount of the rear footwell, meaning the fifth passenger will struggle for leg room. Storage wise, there’s a decent-sized glove box, four slim door pockets, two cup holders, a central arm rest/storage space and a small open cubby hole for your keys in the centre console. The boot offers a useful 480 litres of
space and if required it’s really quick and simple to fold the rear seats down, creating a large more useful space. Mazda offers customers the choice of petrol or diesel engines in the 6, with our test car featuring the smaller 2.0 litre petrol 165ps unit. As I found out when driving the Mazda CX-5 last year, this petrol engine is fine, offering a top speed of 134mph and a 0-62mph time of 9.6 seconds. However, unlike the diesel which offers a lower 150ps, there’s no mid-range oomph and the lack of torque makes the petrol less enjoyable than it’s diesel brethren. Factor in our test car’s claimed combined economy of 44.1 mpg (we averaged just 37mpg in a week where we covered over 200 miles) and CO2 emissions of 146g/km from its Euro 6d engine, and the 2.2 diesel’s 72mpg claimed combined economy and 102g/km of CO2 emissions seems a far better bet, in spite of the anti-diesel rhetoric out there. Still, the petrol 6 is happy enough on the motorway, with the well insulated cabin keeping both road and wind noise at bay. The seats are mega-comfortable and the seat adjustment works really well in helping to get that all important driving position just right. Continued on page 22 www.companycarandvan.co.uk
On test: MAZDA6 / ISUZU D-MAX
Continued from page 20 Local B roads offered up the chance to push this large saloon out of its comfort zone, but the 6 did not waiver. The suspension isn’t the softest out there but my, does it take corners in its stride. With a more powerful engine you could really have some fun. I don’t think I’ve driven a more comfortable car all year, with Mazda taking Saab’s old mantle of most comfortable car seats. Compared to the opposition, and in this I’m including the Volkswagen Passat, Peugeot 508 and Ford Mondeo, from a driving perspective the Mazda6 holds its own. The Peugeot is newer and it’s nicer inside and out, while the Passat and Mondeo offer comfortable if not exciting driving. The Mazda6 sits somewhere between these as it’s a better car to drive than either the VW or Ford, but lacks the Peugeot’s new style in the sector, which is heavily borrowed from the German marques. In what is fast becoming a ‘dinosaur’ sector, save for the German premium brands anyway, the saloon market has shrunk under the onslaught of a myriad of SUVs. There is an estate version of the Mazda6 and this is more practical, but I’m guessing that as a brand, Mazda is now selling or supplying more CX-5s than Mazda 6s as the great SUV obsession shows no signs of abating. In conclusion, then, if you really have to have a saloon car, then the Mazda6 is well worth
your consideration. With contract hire rates of just £209 + VAT per month on a three-year, 6+35, 10,000 mile, non-maintained contract, the petrol Mazda6 SE-L is competitive, especially when the diesel SE-L comes in at a much higher £283 + VAT per month on an identical contract. This equates to over £3,000 more for the diesel than the petrol, over three years, so perhaps the petrol engine does make sense after all?
Verdict In the days when every other car is an SUV, it is comforting to find someone else producing top-class saloons other than the Germans. Mazda6 is a refined, comfortable drive CC&V RATING: N N N N
Reach for the Skyactiv! The All-New Mazda3 with Skyactiv-X will go on sale in the UK this autumn. Making its debut in the All-New Mazda3, Mazda’s ground-breaking Skyactiv-X engine features Mazda’s unique Spark Plug Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) technology, making the 2.0 litre, four-cylinder Skyactiv-X engine the world’s first commercial petrol unit to combine the spark ignition of a petrol engine with the compression ignition of a diesel. Providing drivers with the free-revving performance of a petrol engine and the superior response of a diesel, the Skyactiv-X engine will have a maximum power output of 180PS and 224Nm of torque. Skyactiv-X achieves outstanding, WLTP-measured fuel economy of up to 52.3mpg and produces CO2 emissions from just 96g/km* – depending on transmission and wheel size. The All-New Mazda3 Skyactiv-X is also equipped with Mazda M Hybrid technology, fitted as standard. This intelligent 24V mild-hybrid system minimises fuel 22 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
consumption, increasing fuel economy and lowering emissions by recycling energy recovered during deceleration that powers an electric motor that assists the engine. The All-New Mazda3 Skyactiv-X engine will be available on both the hatchback and saloon models later this year, with a choice of six-speed Skyactiv-MT manual or six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmissions. The Mazda i-Activ all-wheel-drive system will be available on the All-New Mazda3 Skyactiv-X Hatchback. Full UK specification and pricing details of the All-New Mazda3 Skyactiv-X will be announced shortly. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
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Rough, tough D-Max shows more refined side with Yukon The early American pioneers’ hunt for gold in the Yukon wilderness inspired many a legend... and now it’s inspired a cracking pick-up, too, says Andrew Walker This year’s CV Show coincided with the week that I road tested the D-Max Yukon – and the show itself included a big announcement from Isuzu, with the news that the D-Max range will now fall into three categories. The second of these is designated as the All-Purpose Range, which encompasses the Eiger, Yukon and Utah models. Two years after the brand unveiled its new 1.9 diesel engine, William Brown, MD at Isuzu, explained that the company had done this to simplify the range in customers’ eyes. “This range re-assignment means we can put clear water between our product offerings, increase relevancy and better match the needs of our various target audiences. “It also broadens Isuzu D-Max appeal for those who are ‘100% workhorse’ customers and those who are more lifestyle-based
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customers. The revised range naming convention better matches a more fragmented pick-up market with a wider customer typology.” So, the Yukon now sits third in range of six D-Max models, plus a seventh if you include the specialist AT35. It, too, is fitted with the range’s 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine which
produces 164 PS and 360 Nm of torque. The smaller 1.9 engine which has replaced the old 2.5 version, retains the 3.5 tonne towing capacity and over one tonne payload, while providing a quieter, more refined and economical driving experience. Continued on page 24
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 23
On test: ISUZU D-MAX
Quality, comfort boosts to rugged D-Max Continued from page 23 Another key benefit is that the new engine meets Euro 6 standards without the need for the addition of AdBlue. As per previous D-Max models, Shift-OnThe-Fly 4×4 is a key feature of the D-Max. The rotary dial allows the driver to select four-wheel drive on the move and is also equipped with low range gears. We’ve had the opportunity to spend time in all of the D-Max models now and like the entry level Utility and range-topping Blade, the Yukon does exactly what it say on the tin. The Yukon is priced from £22,194 (CVOTR + VAT), is offered with 18” alloys, a reversing camera, silver side steps, colour coded bumpers and a 7” multifunction touchscreen. And that’s not all. LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, leather steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, Hill Start Assist, Variable Hill Descent Control, Bluetooth® connectivity, eight speakers, power windows and air conditioning. Furthermore, the D-Max comes with a five-year/125,000-mile warranty and was the first pick-up in the UK to be offered with such a comprehensive peace-of-mind package. Running costs are kept down by 12,000-mile or 24-month service intervals, five years’ roadside rescue and recovery including European cover, a three-year paint warranty and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty. The key design changes with the latest D-Max over its predecessor include a new front bumper, bonnet, grille and headlights with LED daytime running lights. The front of the pick-up has a wedge-shape which delivers a more aerodynamic silhouette and the roof has been designed to reduce drag by 0.4% versus previous D-Maxes, by directing airflow over the tailgate, thereby improving fuel economy, performance and the level of cabin noise. At the rear, the tailgate has been reshaped with a spoiler design moulded into the top section and features a newly designed handle. A full size spare wheel is now standard on all versions, previously optional on Double Cab models. The interior of the new-generation D-Max has also been improved. The instrument panel has been redesigned with an updated central display and clearer typeface. Manual transmission models come equipped with a gear shift indicator to assist drivers with achieving optimal fuel economy. Yukon offers twin USB ports within the AM-FM Radio. Extended and Double Cab variants are equipped with flexible rear seats that have a folding base, fold flat and also split 60/40. While the Yukon looks more aggressive than the entry model Utility, it’s not as in-your-face as the Blade or new XTR. The piano black 24 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
cabin of the D-Max is well laid out and I found all of the controls easy and comfortable to use. The quality inside is good too, with all of the fixtures and fittings made of sturdy plastics. The seat cloth, too, feels hard wearing, but being mid-ranged, you won’t find too much in the way of soft-touch finishes in the cabin. Both driver and passenger have plenty of room. The driver’s seat only adjusts fore and aft, but I was still able to get comfortable in there. Storage is good, with two water storage pop-outs in the dashboard, two decent sized door pockets and a useful glove-box. On top of the dash there’s also a pop-up storage area and above your head drop-down storage to put your sunglasses as well. You can get three adults in the rear, but whoever sits in the centre seat may not want to be there for long as the rear passenger ride, as with all pick-ups, especially when unladen, is bouncy. Access to the rear via the tailgate is straightforward. Driving in town is okay, although the manual gear change is a bit clunky and the heavy power steering makes parking in tight spaces a bit of a chore. On the open road on either the motorway or A-roads, the Yukon is a more enjoyable place to be that you’d expect from a pick-up. Acceleration is not to the fore, but once up to motorway speed the Yukon will happily keep up with fast-moving traffic. For those of you who want to keep an eye on the pennies, fuel economy in the Yukon is a claimed 40.4 mpg on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 183g/km. Both of these are lower than on the old model. In a week and about 300 miles of mixed urban and motorway driving, I managed to achieve an acceptable – to me anyway – 35.3 mpg. This was better than I have achieved in the more bigger engines fitted to the Ford Ranger, VW Amarok
or Mercedes-Benz X-Class. While even Isuzu has seen the lifestyle customer targeted with its new XTR, the Yukon will work extremely well for someone who wants their pick-up to be first and foremost a pick up, although personally, I would specify the auto box on my D-Max, just to make day-to-day living that bit easier. In detail, the D-Max 1.9-litre 164 ps turbo diesel engine offers maximum torque of 360 Nm @ 2,000 – 2,500 rpm and is Euro 6 compliant. Top speed is 112 mph. The turning circle is 12.2 metres on 17” tyres. The D-Max measures 5.295 m long by 1.860 m wide and is 1.795 m high. Ground clearance is 235 mm. Wheelbase is 3.095 m. The fuel tank holds 69 litres. The rear load bay is 1.552 m x 1.530 m x 46.5 cm with a maximum payload of 1101 kg. As we’ve said on these page before, the range of pick-ups that Isuzu offers is both more extensive and better value for money than most of its competitors, offering a pick-up for all budgets. The Yukon is a happy medium, between the basic Utility and bonkers AT35 within the D-Max range. Like all of the D-Max models we’ve driven, if you want value for money, you’ve come to the right place, for there’s gold in them there hills!
Verdict The old pioneers hunting for gold in the Yukon would have given their hind teeth for one of these: tough, durable, go-anywhere ... but with refinement and civility that surprises. Still a workhorse, but with a set of posh clothes to change into at the end of the day CC&V RATING: N N N N
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On test: TOYOTA COROLLA
Welcome back, Corolla, the whole family’s missed you The Auris has gone... replaced by the world’s best-selling car name, Corolla. Has Toyota simply turned the clock back, or is this a bold, futuristic new model in its own right? Andrew Walker finds out When the Toyota Auris replaced the Corolla in the UK 10 years ago, many thought that was the end of the line for the world’s best selling car in name only. However, when Toyota launched its new family hatchback, they sensibly went back to the Corolla name, consigning the Auris name to history. So, we get a much-loved car name back... and the good news is that Toyota’s latest family hatch is a big improvement over the departing Auris and should appeal to fleet
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customers who want a petrol car that actually does offer true 50mpg motoring. Thanks to the hybrid technology, the latest Corolla’s biggest plus is that it will save you money and in this day and age, you can’t say
fairer than that. The Corolla is being offered with a choice of three powertrains, including a non-hybrid, 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol version of the car that’s available with some trim levels. There are
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three body styles, with the five-door hatch we tested joined by an estate and a hybrid-only saloon. The likely best seller power-wise, is the 1.8-litre 120bhp hybrid fitted to the Excel hatch. Above this sits the more powerful 2.0 litre 177bhp and at the bottom, the aforementioned 1.2 petrol non-hybrid. UK customers can choose from four trim levels. Entry level Icon, comes with 16” alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, 8” infotainment screen, reversing camera and on the hybrid only, dual-zone air conditioning. Next up is the Icon Tech, which adds SatNav, voice control and parking sensors. Design comes next and offers 17” alloys, auto folding power-adjustable side mirrors, rear privacy glass and LED front fog lights. We were testing the range-topping Excel hybrid, which takes things up a notch with front sports seats, part-leather upholstery, 18” alloys and Simple Intelligent Park Assist. The 1.8-litre hybrid Icon costs from £23,750, with our Excel setting buyers back £27,350. The new Corolla has been built on the same platform as the Prius and CH-R, which is a good thing because it handles particularly well. It’s been designed in a similar vein too, with lots of angles both at the back and front. The front features slim wrap-around headlights, which merge into the Toyota logo at the centre of the bonnet. The rear hatch is a bulbous affair, with two axe-shaped rear light clusters making the Corolla really stand out.
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Corolla 1.8 Hybrid Excel PRICE: £27,350 CO2:
83g/km
MPG:
71 (combined)
BIK: 22%
The cabin is a big improvement in quality over the old Auris. All the knobs and buttons feel well made and of better quality than you’d find in Toyotas of old. The plastic surfaces, even on the door pockets, front of glove box and centre binnacle by your feet have been finished to a very high standard and are a real match for the Ford Focus. The red-stitched leather-upholstered finish to the dash is a nice touch as well. The 8” infotainment screen is logically located in the centre of the dash and underneath this sit the climate controls. The automatic gear lever is in the usual spot between the front seats, in front of which are the driving options buttons, where you can choose from Sport, Normal or Eco. Alongside this is the EV mode button. Excel also features an electronic handbrake with hill hold assist. Directly in front of the driver sits the 4.2” TFT multi-information display, with the rev counter on the left and speedo to the right. In between these are the fuel and engine temperature
gauges and trip info. The steering wheel buttons allow hands-free access to the phone, media, volume and voice control functions, with the car’s adaptive cruise control and lane departure buttons located to the right. For practical purposes there’s a single USB and 12v sockets inside the centre sliding armrest. Underneath this is a storage box. There’s a small cubby large enough for your mobile in front of the gear lever and in comparison with many competitors, an impressive glove box .The centre binnacle features two drinks holders. Toyota’s designers have created an illusion whereby the dashboard and doors appear to float towards the driver, which looks good. However, this style-over-substance means that the two front door pockets are hard to reach. Similarly, in the rear, there is only a single bottle holder in each rear door, with no storage space at all. The rear also features a fold down armrest with two drinks holders. So you get storage for four drinks and nothing else, which is strange? Front seat passengers get decent head and legroom. Those in the rear though, will suffer slightly from the Corolla’s sloping roof, which does reduce headroom, although legroom is fine. The centre rear seat is raised slightly, so as with pretty much all C Sector cars, there’s even less room when you sit there. Continued on page 28
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 27
On test: TOYOTA COROLLA
Continued from page 27 The driver will also find that the steering wheel adjustments are not as good as in many other cars, and the seat adjustment is fiddly. The 1.8 hybrid engine has been designed to be both frugal and easy to drive, and this is what it does well. In town or in traffic, the CVT auto box works well and the cabin is nice and quiet as you drive around. It’s a different story on the open road though, where the CVT gearbox does what it always does: basically suck any fun out of the drive. However hard you push the throttle, the CVT box takes an age to respond and this is despite the revs shooting up. Driving on B roads can be frustrating. Conversely, at motorway speeds it cruises perfectly happily in almost total silence. Top speed is 112mph and 0-62mph takes 10.9 seconds. Our test driving week took us on a myriad of roads around North Cheshire and South Manchester and we found that in the main, the Corolla really is a relaxing car to drive. Better still, if you’re looking to save money on fuel, the combined WLTP economy is an impressive 55-66 mpg, with CO2’s of just 76-90g/km, which are both much better for company car drivers than the 1.0 litre petrol engine found in both the VW Golf or Ford Focus. When we’ve tested both of these, we’ve struggled to better 38mpg, while our 300+ miles in the Corolla saw us average 49.8mpg so the figures back this up. During my test drive I was away for a night for a press launch, and the boot comfortably coped with my small suitcase and suit holder. In reality, the boot capacity isn’t all that impressive, with 361 litres available in the 1.8. It’s also worth pointing out that if you select the 2.0 Corolla, this version only offers 313 litres of boot space, because its 12V battery has to 28 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
go under the boot floor. On some winding country roads, the Toyota New Global Architecture-based (TNGA) chassis is actually pretty good fun and coupled with the Corolla’s low centre of gravity, makes for happy progress. From a comfort perspective the ride in the Corolla sits right between the harder Golf set-up and softer Focus. Despite the presence of the CVT gear box, in the small Corolla it actually performs better than in some of the larger, heavier Lexus models that use the same CVT box. If this sounds like damning by faint praise, you’d be wrong. If your car is used for the daily commute, the auto box makes driving very easy and I can’t think of a better family hatch to commute in. While Toyota has improved the on-board tech that features in the Corolla, the infotainment system feels dated. The interface is slow to respond and the button selection for functions, compared to what the competition offers, come straight out of the Noughties. Yes, there’s DAB radio and connecting your phone via Bluetooth is both quick and easy, but criminally, you don’t get Android Auto or Apple Car Play integration on any Corolla, although Toyota claims they are coming in 2020. We had to make do with Toyota’s in-house SatNav, which isn’t as good as Google Maps, and
that’s a real shame. In conclusion, the Corolla hybrid makes an awful lot of sense for company car drivers. Compared to the 1.0-litre petrol engines offered by Ford and VW, the 1.8 in the Corolla will both save you money at the pumps and has a low BIK of 22%. It’s also very well built, comes packed with safety features and stands out from the crowd. It’s only let down by the lack of connected apps, dated interface and some questionable storage option’s and flexibility in the cab. While the sector-leading Golf and Focus are better to drive, don’t write the Corolla off. If you want a hybrid family car, then at the moment, it’s as good as it gets.
Verdict A welcome return to the name and to the qualities we’d come to expect from Toyota. A good family car with the emphasis on comfort, practicality and low-cost motoring. Don’t write this one off when you’re thinking Focus and Golf. CC&V RATING: N N N N
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NEW CAR REVIEW: BMW 1 SERIES
New 1 Series delivers on lower emissions and consumption Sportier design, improved handling and agility Lower emissions, more power and improved fuel efficiency BMW Head-up display, BMW Digital Key, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and BMW Live Cockpit Plus Array of new driver assistant systems Pricing from £24,430 otr
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The arrival of the all-new BMW 1 Series heralds the dawn of a new era for this successful model that has consistently combined handling excellence, practicality, technology and quality. Now in its third generation, the BMW 1 Series features a dynamic design, roomier interior, a raft of cutting-edge technologies as well as BMW’s trademark agility and superior performance. It has a shorter bonnet and significantly more space within a footprint almost identical to that of its predecessor. At 4,319 millimetres, the new BMW 1 Series is five millimetres shorter, 34 millimetres wider and 13 millimetres higher. At 2,670 millimetres, the wheelbase is 20 millimetres shorter. There have been a number of design changes including a new headlight arrangement, a more wedged shaped silhouette and a pronounced ‘shark nose’. At the front, the BMW kidney grille is larger and, for the first time in this model range, the kidneys merge in the middle. The rangetopping BMW M135i xDrive features a distinctive grille with a mesh design instead of the classical bars. Viewed from the side, the BMW 1 Series features a distinctive window graphic
enhanced by two character lines. One runs below the door handles from the front wheels to the rear wings, while the other starts in the lower part of the front door before lifting towards the rear quarter. In addition, the greenhouse is elongated with the traditional Hofmeister Kink incorporated into the C pillar. The front-wheel-drive architecture with transverse engines and a lower centre tunnel offers the occupants more space than in the predecessor. This applies especially to those in the rear seats. Access is easier and there is an extra 33 millimetres of kneeroom available. Rear headroom is up by 19 millimetres when the outward opening panoramic sunroof is fitted. Rear passengers also enjoy 13 millimetres more elbowroom, while the driver and front passenger get extra 42 millimetres in this respect. Luggage compartment capacity rises by 20 litres to 380 litres (1,200 litres with the rear seat bench folded down). The minimum width of the luggage compartment has also increased by 67 millimetres. An electrically operated tailgate is now optionally available for the BMW 1 Series for the first time. Situated immediately in front of the driver is the instrument cluster along with the
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accompanying central Control Display. Designed for touch operation, it is oriented towards the driver and positioned optimally in their field of view. The controls for the heating, air conditioning and new hexagonal air vents are grouped together in the centre console below the Control Display. With the Start/Stop button and gear selector lever now also located in the control panel in the lower section of the centre console, all the controls relating to driving functions are clustered together in one area. This includes the iDrive Touch Controller used to control the infotainment system. In front of the selector lever is a storage area which can be specified with the Wireless Charging option for smartphones. The interior has more space and features high-quality materials throughout, driverfocused controls and innovative details, such as backlit trim strips. The BMW 1 Series with optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional features the new BMW Operating System 7.0 – with optional gesture control – which can be controlled via 10.25 inch screen. The BMW 1 Series offers SE, Sport and M Sport trims as well as the range-topping M135i xDrive, all of which differ from one another in both exterior and interior details. SE comes with matt black air guide grilles on the front bumper, while Sport adds exclusive air inlets finished with a high-gloss black, the kidney grille features a chrome frame with high-gloss black struts. The M Sport features aerodynamic bodystyling as well as satin aluminium struts in the kidney grille whilst the seat upholstery is in Dakota
leather with contrast stitching. The range-topping BMW M135i xDrive incorporates the mesh-design BMW kidney grille and frame, exclusive front bumper air inlet clasps, and wing mirrors all finished in Cerium Grey. Exclusive black high-gloss rear diffuser with mesh design, and side sill covers featuring exclusive M135i xDrive black high-gloss inserts complete the look. Inside there’s the M Sport seat with integrated headrest design finished in Trigon Cloth/Alcantara Anthracite upholstery. The new BMW 1 Series features the actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation (ARB) technology used in the BMW i3s. This is the first time it has been used in a combustion-engine car and it has the effect of significantly improving traction when pulling away, cornering or when driving in the wet. The system works in close tandem with the DSC system to significantly reduce power understeer. In the 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine powering the entry level BMW 118i, modifications have cut CO2 emissions by 29g/km at the same time as boosting maximum power output by 4hp to 140hp. The power unit generates peak torque of 220Nm. The BMW 118i accelerates from zero to 62mph in 8.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 132mph. Combined fuel consumption is 47.1-40.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 123-114g/kg. The newly developed 2.0-litre unit under the bonnet of the M135i xDrive model is BMW Group’s most powerful four-cylinder petrol engine. It delivers 306hp with the help of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and
peak torque is 450Nm. It accelerates from zero to 62mph in 4.8 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph. The M135i xDrive returns 35.3-34.4mpg and emits 157-155g/km of CO2. Three diesel units are available, all bringing lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of around five per cent, at the same time as lowering other pollutant emissions. The BMW 116d has a 1.5-litre 116hp three-cylinder engine with a maximum torque of 270Nm, while returning 61.4-54.3mpg and emitting CO2 of 103100g/km. Top speed is 124mph and a zero to 62mph benchmark time of 10.3 seconds (10.1 seconds with the seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission). The BMW 118d and 120d xDrive, which feature two-stage turbocharging, are powered by 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engines. The 118d returns 60.1-51.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 111-108 g/km. The output of the BMW 118d peaks at 150hp while maximum torque is 350Nm. The zero to 62mph sprint takes 8.5 seconds (8.4 seconds with eight-speed Steptronic transmission) and top speed is 135mph (134mph with Steptronic). The BMW 120d xDrive features BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive and the eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission as standard. Its four-cylinder power unit produces 190hp and a peak torque of 400Nm. The 120d xDrive accelerates from zero to 62mph in 7.0 seconds reaching a top speed of 143mph. Combined fuel consumption is at 51.448.7mpg while emitting 119-117g/km CO2.
BMW 1 Series
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PRICE:
from £24,430
CO2:
from 108g/km
MPG:
up to 61.4 (combined)
BIK:
from 30%
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 31
DEALER NEWS AND VOLVO S60 ON TEST
People’s choice – York Volvo retailer new models’ multiple award wins Ray Chapman Motors York is celebrating multiple honours for its SUV models, as voted for by the buying public. The Volvo XC40 scooped Premium Crossover and the prestigious Car of the Year title at the Honest John Awards, while the XC60 was named best Premium Mid-size SUV and received top marks in the Safety Features category in the Driver Power survey. Both models are available at Ray Chapman Motors, Poppleton and the honours are all the more significant for being determined by the opinions of the readers of HonestJohn.co.uk and Auto Express magazine respectively. The XC40’s two awards are the latest additions to the 15 major trophies the model has now received since its launch in February 2018. The hotly contested Car of the Year award cements the model’s popularity, which is also demonstrated through impressive sales contributing to Volvo’s unprecedented UK growth during the first quarter of this year (up 39% on 2018’s figures). In the Driver Power survey, the XC60’s safety rating was higher than any of the 100 models featured. Asked to judge their cars on design, comfort, practicality, running costs, engine and gearbox, infotainment, ride, handling, build quality and reliability, the customer responses also secured the Volvo’s best premium mid-size
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Ray Chapman Motors is opening a new showroom this autumn
Roger Burkill, Fleet Sales Consultant at Ray Chapman Motors
SUV status, with a score of 92.1%. Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief, praised the XC60’s achievement: “It takes something very special to reach the top of the competitive premium mid-size SUV market – and that’s exactly what the Volvo XC60 has managed. Owners praised it in a range of areas, including seat comfort, where it beat every other car.” On the XC40’s double success, Honest John said: “We were mightily impressed with the XC40 when it was launched, but even we couldn’t predict just how popular it would be, ultimately being crowned Honest John Car of the Year for 2019. Well built, stylish and refreshingly different from the usual crossovers, the XC40 is a car we have found ourselves
repeatedly recommending to readers over the past 12 months.” Roger Burkill, Fleet Sales Consultant at Ray Chapman Motors, said: “It is hugely rewarding to see the XC40 and XC60 not just winning awards, but winning in the showroom, too. “These awards reflect the popular enthusiasm for our new SUVs, cars which epitomise the style, desirability, quality and sheer all-round capability that we are bringing to our comprehensively renewed range. “We are immensely proud of these two models and we encourage car buyers in York to come and take a test drive to experience the award-winning features for themselves.” • For more information on the XC40 and XC60, and to use the online car configurators, see www.volvocars.com/uk or contact Roger Burkill on 07807 967616 or roger. burkill@raychapmanmotors.co.uk
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Volvo’s petrol gamble pays off as S60 delivers real appeal Andrew Walker could have been upset by the lack of a diesel option on the new S60... but the car is such a great drive the Swedes are forgiven! Volvo’s new S60 sports saloon was launched recently and interestingly, is only being offered with petrol engines. As a bona-fide diesel fan, especially when it comes to premium saloons such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class, this came as a bit of a shock although, as I found out, the petrol engine is excellent, offering a great combination of power and fun. The question was, though, how would it perform on fuel economy? We took the opportunity to spend a week in the T5 R Design model, the most likely best seller. It’s turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine develops 248bhp and 350Nm of torque, sent
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to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. In line with the rest of the current Volvo range, the S60 looks good both inside and out and is perhaps the brand’s first real competitor to the German cars offered in this sector. The smooth exterior features subtle lines and it looks like a cross between a 3 Series and Alfa Giulia, which is very good thing. At the back there’s a small spoiler headlining a tailgate with a distinctive E-shaped set of LED tail-lights. The R-Design bodykit is subtle and our test car had 18” double-spoke diamond-cut black alloys. Inside, the interior and dashboard have been lifted from the V60 estate. This smacks of quality even if the predominance of black is a little dull. R-Design models do come with subtle blue detailing, which lifts this a little, but you can only have charcoal leather upholstery in the S60. If you want a lighter tone the alternative is offered in the Inscription model where Nappa leather upholstery comes as standard. The clean design of the dashboard is all thanks to Volvo’s Sensus touchscreen, which
dominates the dash. It’s portrait shaped and features most, but not all, of the functions you’ll need while driving. Having experienced this several times I am now familiar with its idiosyncracies and really like it, all except the temperature adjustments, which can be annoying. You can circumvent this using the voice command, although this only allows you to adjust the temperature by half a degree at a time, which is a little frustrating. Sensus offers you the choice of three screens. The screen that is on permanent display offers the four main options of SatNav, Audio, Phone and Connectivity, in our case, AppleCar Play, with the car’s heating controls at the base. Scroll left to access the Car Function set up screen, where you can turn on or off functions such as lane departure warning or StopStart. Scroll right and you enter the Car Applications menu, with access to the radio, Bluetooth, sound experience and car apps, such as Spotify. The dashboard also features Volvo’s design-friendly vertical air vents, which flank Continued on page 36
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 35
On test: VOLVO S60
Continued from page 35 the 9” colour touchscreen infotainment system. In front of the driver is a 12.3” digital instrument panel which offers up the speedo, rev counter and SatNav, which is standard fit on all S60s. Volvo’s On Call connected services platform is also included as standard, as is a head-up display broadcast onto the windscreen, which can be adjusted to your eye line. R-Design models also feature sports seats and a 15-speaker Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system. The S60 measures in at 4.76m long and just over 2m wide including mirrors, making it marginally larger than the 3 Series BMW. The front seat passengers get decent leg and head room and even those in the rear get plenty of leg room – indeed, more, it felt to me, than you’d find in the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class. The central seat is slightly raised and there’s a tunnel in the floor, so that’s not the most comfortable seat to be sat in. Storage wise, there’s two large front door pockets: the rear ones only hold one bottle each. There’s also an average glove box and space in between the front seats for two more drinks, your keys and your phone. This storage area can be covered over as well. Underneath the central armrest is where you’ll find more storage and the two USB connections. Rear seats feature storage nets on the back and there’s also a fold-out rear armrest with two more cup holders with a shallow storage space underneath. Behind this is a useful ski hatch. Because the V60 offers 529 litres of storage space, the S60’s 442 litres doesn’t seem too bad. The boot lip is low and the load area floor is flat. For carrying longer loads you can opt for a Convenience pack, which allows you to fold the rear seats down flat at the touch of a button, enabling loads up to 1.8m to be transported. On the road the S60 R-Design is a lot of fun. Acceleration to 62mph takes just 6.5 seconds, with a top speed of 145mph. You can select from four drive modes; Comfort, Eco or Dynamic, all self explanatory, or choose your own in Individual. Eco is great for the
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motorway, where at a steady speed we averaged 39mpg. Take in some country B-roads and select Dynamic and you can have more fun. The R-Design chassis allows for swift, steady progress through the corners and the tyres grip the road well. There is a tendency to oversteer and the ride is a little harsh over imperfect roads, but otherwise it doesn’t disappoint. The paddles behind the steering wheel allow for manual gear selection, but I found they delayed rather than enhanced the eight-speed box. For the company car driver, CO2 emissions are 152g/km, BIK is from £212 a month and fuel economy is 35.3-39.8mpg, measured on the new WLTP system. In truth, a week in the S60 driving mainly in Eco mode saw us average only 32.9 mpg. A glance back at our V60 diesel drive from 2018 revealed a motorway return of 50 mpg and an aroundtown figure of 42mpg, so the S60 T5, while an awful lot quicker and far more enjoyable to drive than the diesel V60, will see you average around 10mpg less than you’d average in the equivalent diesel offered on the V60. Food for thought. From a purely driving perspective, I couldn’t fault the S60. I spent a hugely enjoyable week in it and wanted more when it went back to Volvo. The interior is fantastic, the Sensus
infotainment system is classy and it’s packed with more safety equipment than you can shake a stick at. It really is a contender when put up against the best exec cruisers offered by the Germans and comes with equal best-in-class residuals of 46% after three years and 30,000 miles. From a fleet perspective, I understand why there isn’t a diesel version... Brexit, diesels slated, etc... but I don’t necessarily think that this was the right decision, especially if you’re driving 10,000 miles a year or above. Still, if you’re sold on a Volvo and want a more likely 50mpg, there’s always the V60, which is also one of the best estates in its class and is offered with a diesel engine.
Verdict A striking saloon that delivers. Great tech, great handling, great comfort, great safety and great diesel engines... hang on, no, great petrol engines... Volvo has taken an almighty punt on bringing the S60 without a diesel option – but the S60 pulls it off CC&V RATING: N N N N
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HSF Group is ‘Tier 1’ for Volvo Business Sales The HSF Group is a privately-owned Volvo Cars dealership group with five sites across Surrey, Kent and East Sussex. The Business Sales Team is based at the group’s Hildenborough dealership. Over 10 years ago the group was named as a ‘Volvo Tier 1 Business Centre’, of which there are only 10 within Volvo Cars UK. Since then the HSF Group has expanded and established a knowledgeable and experienced Business Sales Team with its own demonstrator fleet and access to over 250 additional demonstrators, allows the HSF Group to supply SOHOs to SMEs through to large and blue-chip companies. The team is made up of five members offering over 50 years of industry experience and over 30 years with Volvo. They are: Group Business Sales Manager, Mark Wilson; Business Sales Consultant, Jim George; Fleet Administration Manager, Kirsten Smith; Fleet Administrator, Jacky Woodberry; and the team’s Driver, Dave Kent. This summer, Mark will have been with the group for 10 years. With an inspiring 25+ years of experience, he began his career in business
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Mark Wilson has over a quarter of a century of experience in car sales sales as a fleet administrator and has worked his way to the top through Ford, Audi, Jaguar and Volvo dealerships. Mark is often seen out and about, visiting companies who have arranged a Volvo Ride &
Drive event with a range of models. This offers the employees eligible for a company car the chance to look around the vehicles, book test drives. All participants are subsequently entered into a prize draw to win tickets and hospitality to various sporting events. A high level of customer service is very important to Mark and his team. They pride themselves on offering a first-class service to their current and potential customers, contributing to their increasing and ongoing success. The team this year are undergoing an exciting transition, moving to a new, upgraded showroom located in Tonbridge, Kent, where it will sit alongside the HSF Group Hildenborough dealership. The team is looking forward to the move and the opportunities it may present. If you are interested in including Volvo within your fleet, would like to book a Ride & Drive event, or would like more information on our offers, please contact Mark on 07710 614234, 01732 832424 or email him at corporate@hsfgroup.co.uk.
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 37
NEW CAR REVIEW: LEXUS RX
RX gives you renowned Lexus quality in a sporty SUV guise Lexus has revealed the new RX luxury SUV, sustaining the model’s reputation as a pioneer in its class. When the original RX was introduced in 1998, it helped establish the market for prestige SUVs, while in 2004 it was the first premium model to adopt self-charging hybrid technology. The new RX and seven-seat RX L go on sale in the autumn. They retain their powerful, sporty appearance, with more emphasis given to the character line that runs the full length of the vehicle to generate a more flowing, consistent look. In terms of driving character, the focus has been on achieving more engaging performance, building on the experience Lexus gained in engineering the LC coupe and LS saloon models. Every part of the vehicle was scrutinised to see where gains could be made, leading to enhancements in body rigidity and suspension performance. The result is a car with excellent handling feel and precision steering that allows accurate tracing of the drivers’ desired lines. The new RX also benefits from new technologies, with the latest Lexus Safety System+ portfolio of active and preventive safety systems and the adoption of a new multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. The new RX sports new-look, sculpted bumpers that achieve a flowing integration of the more prominent character that flows from front to rear, increasing the car’s dynamic look. The rocker panels connect with the bottom of the spindle grille along a straight line, generating a heightened sense of strength and stability. Meanwhile, at the rear of the vehicle, the lower part of the bumper has been linked to the rear wings, which in turn blend with the window graphic at the base of the C-pillar, creating a distinctively elegant and powerful shape. The rear end has also been given a sportier look by adjusting the arrangement of the tailpipes and valance. The signature spindle grille has a new modulation of its L-patterned mesh and new frame that blends into the front bumper to create a unified profile. The slender new headlamps add sharpness to the frontal appearance, while at the rear the combination lamps are arranged in an L-shape motif. In the seven-seat RX L the third row seats now have two different seating positions, with the additional new setting giving more leg room for the occupant when required. Lexus RX Chief Engineer Takeaki Kato worked closely with the production team to 38 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
improve areas of the car’s performance that contribute to driving pleasure and agile handling. This included increasing body rigidity and making detailed adjustments to the suspension. To gain greater rigidity, greater use has been made of laser screw welding and spot welding, together with more extensive application (4.2m) of high-strength adhesives in key areas. Together with the use of stiffer anti-roll bars (now hollow-section with a 1mm increase in diameter) and more rigid hubs, this gives more immediate response to steering inputs. The RX is equipped with Active Cornering Assist, which suppresses understeer when the driver steps on the throttle in mid-bend. Significant improvements in tuning of the electric power steering result in a much more linear feel and faithful line tracing in all driving conditions. New-design shock absorbers have been introduced, fitted with a friction control device which further reduces the high-frequency vibrations caused by minute imperfections in the road surface. The dampers also allow for flat cornering and exceptional responsiveness. The new RX benefits from the latest version of Lexus Safety System+, equipping it with advanced safety and accident prevention technologies to warn the driver of a collision risk and help them avoid or mitigate the severity of an impact. The features include: The Pre-Collision System (PCS), which monitors the road ahead using an in-vehicle camera and a millimetre-wave radar, is now
able to detect pedestrians in day and night-time driving and bicycle riders during daylight. The radar-controlled Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) works in conjunction with the Lane Trace Assist (LTA) to make it easier for the driver to keep the RX in its intended traffic lane. If the system detects the car is straying out of lane, it alerts the driver with a visual warning and either a buzzer or vibration of the steering wheel (it can also apply a small amount of corrective steering). Road sign Assist (RSA) acquires road sign information using a camera and information from navigation system maps and presents it as an image on the head-up display and driver’s multi-information display. This reduces the risk of the driver overlooking important warnings and commands such as speed limits and lane closures. New connectivity functions with introduction of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and new multimedia touchscreen The new RX offers a new multimedia touchscreen in addition to Lexus’s Remote Touch Interface (which is now exclusively in trackpad format). Smartphone use is also catered for with a new phone holder, USB port and connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Using voice control, customers can access Apple Siri or Google Assistant via their smartphone, and they can also choose whether to use the Lexus Navigation system fitted to their vehicle, or an alternative service on their smartphone. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
NEW CAR REVIEW: NISSAN NAVARA
Smart choice to check out Nissan’s safer Navara pick-up
Nissan has unveiled a smarter, safer, and more connected new Navara, with a host of features designed to boost the appeal of the awardwinning pickup. Key changes include a new six-speed manual gearbox, revised alloy wheel designs, and the latest in-car connectivity. Multi-link rear suspension has now been added to the King
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Cab, making this feature standard on all models. At the same time critical utility vehicle features improve with an increase in braking performance, payload up by 46kg (dependent on model) and more torque available on the 163PS version. Andrea Patti, LCV Category Manager at Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, said “The multi-award
winning Navara once again sets a new benchmark in the pickup sector, combining the best of Nissan’s Crossover leadership with over 80 years’ experience in designing and manufacturing robust and cleverly engineered pickups.” Unique in its segment and now fitted to ‘King Cab’ takes the multi-link rear suspension
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system, with new dual stage coil springs, to the full Navara range. With a revised set-up, the rear posture is raised by 25mm to give the pickup an upright and more powerful looking stance, whilst continuing to deliver a more comfortable and dynamic ‘car-like’ driving feel. As a result, Navara’s payload also increases by up to 46kg,
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dependent on model. The 163PS 2.3 dCi engine is now fitted with two turbo-chargers, similar to the higher powered 190PS version, to produce 425Nm of torque, up 22Nm from the previous version. Both outputs now conform to the forthcoming new Euro 6d-temp emission standard. Completing the powertrain improvements is an
all-new six-speed manual gearbox that features longer gear ratios and a shorter shift pattern, providing a less frequent and slicker gear selection. Safety has been improved with a reduced stopping distance along with a 40% reduction in braking force. This has been accomplished by changing the rear drum brakes to discs and callipers along with larger front brake discs (+4mm) and an increase to the boosters size (+1”). Trailer Sway Assist is now incorporated into the whole range. Exterior upgrades include new 17” and 18” alloy wheel designs and new black bezel inlays to the LED headlamps. Inside the cab, fitted as standard from N-Connecta grade, is Nissan’s latest generation Nissan Connect entertainment system featuring an 8” touch screen and Apple Car Play, to give owners the latest in-car connected technology. New features include smartphone integration, with customers able to locate the vehicle, lock/unlock the vehicle, check vehicle health (fuel and fluid levels) and send their destination to the vehicle’s satnav ahead of departure. The Nissan Navara is priced from £21,850 Basic Retail (excl. VAT, VED & FRD) for the 4WD King Chassis Cab Visia 6 Speed Manual, rising to £31,125 Basic Retail for the range topping 4WD Double Cab N-Guard 7 Speed Auto. In calendar year 2018, global sales totalled 231,435 units – a 6% increase year-on-year – establishing Navara as Nissan’s highest selling pickup worldwide.
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 41
NEW CAR REVIEW: MITSUBISHI L200 CHALLENGER
A new Challenger as Mitsubishi makes pick-up a hi-tech experience New version of the multiaward winning Mitsubishi L200 Series 5 Black 17-inch alloy wheels, black styling elements and detailing Available in three colours – white, grey and black Priced from £27,705 (OTR excluding VAT)
Mitsubishi has launched a new highspecification of its Mitsubishi L200 Series 5 pick-up – the L200 Challenger. This addition to the model range is available to order now, with sales continuing alongside the new Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 when it goes on sale in the autumn. Based on the popular Mitsubishi L200 Warrior, the new Challenger variant is offered in three colours – white, grey and black – and features black 17-inch alloy wheels and bespoke black detailing including the front grille and front bumper accents, front fog lamps surrounds, wheel arch extensions, side steps, door mirrors, door handles and rear bumper. Inside, the new Mitsubishi L200 Challenger
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offers a relaxed and opulent atmosphere, with a matching black leather interior (with an electric driver’s seat and heated front seats) as well as a seven-inch Smartphone Link Display Audio system (SDA) with Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility, DAB digital radio and an integrated reversing camera. Other standard features include keyless operation, bi-xenon headlamps, LED DRLs, dual zone climate control and automatic windscreen wipers, along with safety systems such as lane departure warning, hill start assist and trailer stability assistance. In terms of hardware, the L200 Challenger utilises the proven Super-Select 4WD system which allows users to change from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive at speeds of up to
62mph utilising a dial-controlled selector to switch between drive modes. Powered by Mitsubishi’s renowned 180hp, 430Nm 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine, coupled with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic, the L200 Challenger is capable of towing up to 3.5 tonnes (up to 3.1 tonnes with a twin-axle trailer) and has a payload of one tonne which classifies it as a commercial vehicle. The Mitsubishi L200 Challenger is on sale now, priced from £27,705 (OTR, excluding VAT) for the Challenger manual and £29,105 (OTR excluding VAT) for the automatic version. The Mitsubishi L200 has won the Auto Express Pickup of the Year award four years running and was also named Car Buyer Pick up of the Year for three consecutive years.
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On test: SEAT Tarraco
Tarraco is in a hurry to catch up with the pack It might be a little late to the party but the new SEAT seven-seat SUV has a lot to offer, says Andrew Walker Customers looking for a seven-seat car that’s not an MPV have traditionally faced a bit of a quandary, because there really hasn’t been a large choice out there. However, as the SUV revolution continues unabated, the car manufacturers have stepped up to the plate by introducing plenty of new SUVs with a seven-seat option. There’s the premium offerings, which include the Volvo XC90, Land Rover Discovery, Tesla Model X and Audi Q7. Or there’s the more cost-effective options, such as the KIA Sorento, Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 500. It was to this company that SEAT introduced its own newcomer, the Tarraco. We got a chance to drive the new rangetopping Seat and thankfully it was diesel, because despite the Tarraco range being offered with petrol engines, if you’re doing the miles, then the diesel model still makes the most sense. Although the Volkswagen Audi Group bought both Seat and Skoda into the fold at around the same time, here in the UK anyway, Skoda has been more popular, despite the fact that the equivalent Seat models have always 44 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
been a touch more exciting, both to drive and to look at, especially the Cupra range. Skoda’s Kodiaq has been around for a couple of years already, so the Tarraco, built on the same MQB platform, is already playing catch up. With the launch of Tarraco, Seat now has a three-model SUV line-up, as it joins the Ateca and Arona, which already account for a third of all Seat sales. By launching a larger model, Seat hopes to grab a piece of the large SUV pie. The model we tested was the Tarraco Xcellence 2.0 TDI 4Drive 190PS 7-speed DSG in fetching Atlantic Blue metallic, with a price tag of £36,330. Other options available are a couple of petrol versions, a 1.5 TSI or a 2.0 TSI NR DSG-auto, with two more diesels, a 6-speed manual or auto 150. Things got off to a good start as the Tarraco is, to my eye, a better looking car then the Skoda Kodiaq, with VW Tiguan-esque lines down its flanks, a chrome criss-cross front grille, triangular LED headlights and a tidy rear end. The stand-out, though, is in the cabin. The finish and quality of the dashboard, switchgear and steering wheel gives Audi a run for its money. It’s definitely the nicest Seat interior thus far. It’s not gone overboard though, with the Baza Grey cloth upholstery and brown Alcantara sport seats adding just a bit of va va voom to proceedings. The familiar VW Group infotainment system and digital driver’s display compliment each other, with a choice of three screen options to
view your rev counter and speedo. The interior is also cavernous, with loads of room in the front and in first row of rear seats. Getting to seats six and seven is tricky, but not impossible, and again once you’re in the back, there’s actually a decent amount of space for two small adults/older children. Fold down the rear two seats, which go flat into the Tarraco’s floor, and you’ve a very useful 700 litres on offer. Up front, there’s a central storage cubby with two cupholders, two large door pockets, a usable glove box and a cubby for your phone when connected via the USB and even space for your car keys. Rear passengers get decent door pocket storage as well. While the interior scores highly across the board, another positive is the seven-speed DSG gearbox, which makes driving this large vehicle an absolute doddle. As a fleet writer I tend towards the ECO mode on any auto box and this time was no different. ECO provides the most cost-effective drive and is especially useful around town and on long-haul motorway trips. There are plenty of other options for the driver, though, as this is a car built to handle bad weather and light off-road terrain, as well as the urban jungle. Choose from Normal, Sport, Individual, Offroad and Snow, all of which are self explanatory. I drove both in Eco and Sport mode and found them enjoyable. I also refrained from using the manual gear shift which is there if you want it. A real plus for buyers is that the Seat navigation system is among the best in class, with easy-to-understand menus and a snappy www.companycarandvan.co.uk
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user-friendly touchscreen interface. The screen itself is sharp and the hi-res images are crystal clear. It also comes with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, which many customers expect nowadays. Driving the Tarraco is a positive experience. While SUVs are never going to handle like a saloon car, the Tarraco does a good job of offering relaxed driving with a touch of fun thrown in, thanks to the useful 190bhp on offer. Select the Sport driving mode and it will reach 62mph in eight seconds and it does so quietly. The driving position gives a good view of the road and the front seats are comfortable as well. On uneven roads it rides well, soaking up any imperfections as you go. For a car that weighs over 1,700kg, the steering is really light and precise and Seat’s engineers deserve a mention here because it’s this that makes it fun to drive. Compared to what else is offered in the sector, the Tarraco is very much a better car to drive than the Peugeot 5008 or KIA Sorento and is more than a match for Skoda’s Kodiaq, which we praised highly when we tested it. For me, though, the Tarraco beats the Skoda: it’s more attractive to look at and the interior is fresher and is more upmarket, resembling an Audi on many levels For business customers the model we drove offers a combined fuel economy of 50.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 147g/km. Continued on page 46
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Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 45
On test: SEAT TARRACO, KIA e-NIRO
Kia e-Niro cracks range wide open
Tarraco is an SUV in a hurry Continued from page 45 The manual 2.0 litre diesel is slightly better in both departments, with a combined fuel economy of 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions are 129g/km. We would steer clear of the petrol variants, despite the trend for petrol, because you’ll get almost 16 mpg more from the diesel manual than even the most frugal 1.5 TSI petrol version. If I’m being honest, the Tarraco surprised me. It’s not only the nicest Seat yet, it’s the best car I’ve driven in the seven-seat SUV in class. Although brand-obsessed customers will pay stupid money for an Audi Q7, rather than choose the wonderful Volkswagen Touareg, the Tarraco genuinely offers a bargain alternative to both. It features the same engine, the same gearbox, the same tech and it’s built on the same platform, but will cost you a lot less. For example, the Tarraco 2.0 litre TDI manual will cost you under £300 a month on a 3+35 contract. A Q7 will cost almost double that. Is that badge really worth it?
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Andrew Walker
Verdict Well, that was a nice surprise! SEAT has really pulled out all the stops with the Tarraco: versatile, sensibly priced and offering pretty much everything the SUV fan who needs flexibility on seating up to seven could ask for. The badge obsessed should give it a go CC&V RATING: N N N N N
Hot on the heels of the Hyundai Kona EV comes the KIA e-Niro, the second all-electric Korean car to be launched in recent months. Where Nissan’s Leaf has steadily improved its range to 170 miles on a single charge, the Niro EV blasts passed that, with a claimed range of 282 miles. It’s also a proper five-door family car that doesn’t look out of the ordinary and isn’t expensive, so what’s not to like? The e-Niro looks similar to its hybrid and plug-in hybrid stablemates. KIA has added 17” alloys, a flat front grille, a sleeker front bumper and a smoother more aerodynamic rear end. Inside, too, it’s familiar, with the regular KIA infotainment system and dashboard. Only the gear lever, or lack of, is different, replaced by a rotary dial which frees up centre cubby space. From launch, there’s only one trim level to choose from, the First Edition. This includes a reversing camera, heated front leather seats, an eight-way driver’s power adjustable seat and a JBL stereo. There’s also a DAB radio, front USB and AUX in port, Bluetooth, a wireless phone charger and Apple CarPlay and Android
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Kia e-Niro Price: £32,995 (after grant) 0-60mph: 7.5 seconds Top speed: 104mph Range: 282 miles (WLTP) CO2: 0g/km Verdict: N N N N N
Auto compatibility. Some of the trim in the cabin is very nice – the gloss black finish on the doors and around the gear area – but lower down, it’s a little cheaper looking. From a practical perspective, there’s plenty of room for odds and ends with the front door pockets especially useful. The boot offers a useful 451 litres, with space underneath for the two charging cables. Power comes from a 201bhp motor that drives the front wheels and like the 64kWh battery pack, is shared with the Hyundai Kona EV. It’s actually good fun to drive, offering a sprightly 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds, with a maximum torque of 395Nms helping pull the car along. To aid economy it features a pair of paddles behind the steering wheel to control the strength of brake regeneration. The three levels available allow you to make the most of the car’s battery charge.
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What we all really want to know is how far you can go in a e-Niro before recharging? On the tougher WLTP combined test procedure, the KIA say that it will be able to cover 282 miles on a single charge. As a real-world guide we spent a week in one, covering over 200 miles in the process and we did charge it once at the start and once before handing it back. It was delivered 80 per cent charged so I plugged it into my Rolec home charger for 2.5 hours to charge it to to full. Ours is not a 100kW fast charger, which where available, will take the batteries from zero to 80% charge in just 55 minutes. That’s enough for at least 150 miles the way I drive, or 200 miles if you’re more careful than I am and don’t turn on too much stuff, such as the air-con. Negatives? It’s not an exciting car to drive and the battery weight, as in the hybrid Niro, makes the car feel heavy, especially around
bends. On the motorway, though, it’s a quiet, comfortable companion and the cabin is as pleasurable place to be as you can get. What’s really great about the e-Niro, though, is the price: £32,995 after the £3,500 government grant has been taken into account. This puts it price-wise right up against top-of-the-range SUV models, such as KIA’s own Sportage, Nissan’s Qashqai and the Peugeot 5008, with similar spec too. And of course, it’s far cheaper to run than any of these, especially if you can charge overnight and get a decent tariff from your home electricity supplier. We really like it. Fleet customers take note. If you’re not churning up the motorway miles, where diesel is still king, then this may be, with Hyundai’s Kona EV, the joint first EV that will work for you, price-wise and range-wise, especially if you can charge it at home or at work, or better still, at both.
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 47
DS 3 / CV NEWS
DS 3 is a high-tech icon The exciting DS 3 CROSSBACK is a ‘Premium B SUV’ with distinctive sculptural styling and exceptional proportions. Initially available with the choice of petrol or diesel engines (ICE), an ‘E-TENSE’ electric vehicle will join them later this year. Built on Groupe PSA’s all-new ‘Common Modular Platform’ (CMP) that combines exclusive technologies and takes refinement to a new level, the DS 3 CROSSBACK is both a city car and a long-distance road car. Pushing conventions aside, it opts for spectacular technologies including DS Matrix Led Vision headlights, flush door handles that deploy automatically and a fully-digital driving display. These advanced features go hand in hand with a sense of refined comfort, a rich array of safety equipment and driver assistance functions and unequalled acoustic excellence. Powerful and sculptural, DS 3 CROSSBACK is for all those looking for a car with instant appeal that is stylish, high-tech, comfortable and dynamic. “DS 3 CROSSBACK fits perfectly into the second generation DS: technology leadership and unequalled sophistication,” said Yves Bonnefont, CEO of DS Automobiles. “With DS 3 CROSSBACK, DS Automobiles writes a new chapter in its history: electrification. With
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the E-TENSE version, DS 3 CROSSBACK is 100% electric, with no compromises over style and benefits.” Viewed from the side or the rear, the DS 3 CROSSBACK is a vehicle of perfect proportions with its large wheels, well-proportioned length
the vehicle exterior where buyers will find non-visible weather-strip seals, elegant flush-fitting door handles, a clean roof line with no visible aerial antenna, the roof and body in contrasting colours and chrome-finished twin tailpipes on ICE engine models.
and strong on-road stance. From first glance, you can see that it is unlike other cars. Simple, sculptural lines expressing performance and strength, enhanced by a bewitching light signature. Attention-to-detail is a hallmark of the DS brand and is visible everywhere, starting with
The rear sits squarely on the road, its broad, powerful shoulders striking an evocative note of imposing style. It is also elegant with a high-tech rear LED light signature complemented by a surround that in the centre references the iconic CROSSBACK name.
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Berlingo’s one of the family! Andrew Walker Vans come and vans go, but in 2019 they are most definitely light years ahead of those from a decade ago. Take the new Citroen Berlingo. CC&V got to drive it at the start of the year and the first thing you notice is that it now offers the same safety and technology that can be found in the Citroen passenger car range, such as Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, as well as a choice of safety packs that include speed limit and road sign recognition. The materials used in the cabin are also a step up from vans of old and unladen the Berlingo drives very much like a five-door family hatchback. New Berlingo comes to market at a good time, alongside sister vans the Vauxhall Combo Cargo and Peugeot Partner. Existing small vans from Ford, with the Courier and Volkswagen, with the Caddy, are the main competition, whereas such rivals as the Renault, Kangoo, Mercedes-Benz Citan and Fiat Professional’s Doblo Cargo look a bit long in the tooth in comparison, especially from an engine range and tech perspective. Citroen has kept it simple, with Berlingo offered in two lengths, M and XL. These models offer cargo space of 3.3 and 3.8 cubic
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metres respectively. All models bar the entry level X feature the clever Extenso pack, which adds a through-loading bulkhead and an extra half a cubic metre of load space. In common with many small vans today, the front seat folds down so that longer items can be loaded. There are four trim levels. Entry level is the Berlingo X, then the Worker, the Enterprise and, finally, the Driver. M vans get a single sliding side door, featured on our Enterprise
test model, while XL versions get double sliding doors. Both models get asymmetric double doors at the rear. These rear doors come in steel as standard, but glazing can be added as an option. Climb aboard and you’ll find that the cabin is a comfortable place to be, with decent seat adjustment on offer and plenty of storage. Continued on page 50
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 49
On test: CITROEN BERLINGO
Continued from page 49 There are four trim levels: Entry level Berlingo X, then the Worker, the Enterprise and finally the Driver. M vans get a single sliding side door, featured on our Enterprise test model, while XL versions get double sliding doors and asymmetric double doors at the rear. All Berlingo van models feature electric front windows, electric mirrors, six lashing eyes in the cargo floor, remote central locking with deadlocks and separate cab locking. Climb aboard and you’ll find that the cabin is a comfortable place to be, with decent seat adjustment on offer. For those who love cubby holes and spaces to put their water bottles, keys or paperwork, the Berlingo offers eight dashboard storage spaces, two with lids, plus a full cabin width overhead storage space above the driver and front passengers heads. There’s even two decent-sized door pockets. A reach and rake adjustable steering wheel makes it easy to get the right driving position as well. I’m pleased to say that like the larger Dispatch, the dashboard, fixtures and fittings in new Berlingo, are all of good quality, including the seat fabric, while also looking and feeling built to last. Modern van customers, especially those who travel, will like the goodies in the Berlingo. We were testing an Enterprise M model which comes pretty well specced, with dual AirCon, which warmed the cabin up quickly on a few cold mornings during the test week. There’s also a centrally located dashboard mounted 8” touchscreen, which offers Citroen Connect DAB radio, MirrorScreen, Bluetooth, a USB socket and aux in. On the Enterprise the system also included SatNav, which we utilised and found to work well, unsurprisingly, as it’s the same system featured in for example, Citroen’s C3 Aircross passenger car. A week behind the wheel gave me plenty of scope to drive the Berlingo locally on a mixture 50 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
Berlingo’s car-like appeal makes it one to watch of motorway, A, B and urban roads. At no point was the Berlingo driven laden, save for a fairly light load of toilet paper, tissues, washing powder and dishwasher tabs on our quarterly run to and from our local Makro. I was also driving alone, so how the van performed and the results we found were based on this. What’s really appealing about Berlingo is that it drives like a small family car. Steering is light and the five-speed manual gear box and clutch are very light and easy to engage. On the motorway I selected cruise control, adjusted this to 70mph and the Berlingo sat comfortably in lanes one and two as I journeyed across the Pennines to Leeds and back. The Berlingo works well on the motorway: the cab is quiet, the seats are comfortable, the full steel bulkhead keeps the heat in the cab and the load space noise at bay and, when utilising the Bluetooth hands-free phone and the DAB radio, outside wind and road noise are not an issue. On smaller roads around home the Berlingo will sit quietly in traffic, with the light clutch a real bonus in stop-start traffic. There are some winding country roads in our area, so I took the Berlingo for a spin and again, the handling impressed. Point it into a corner and it does what’s required and with the M van anyway, there is little or no rolling encountered on entry or exit from these. The only negatives I could find were that whoever gets to sit in the middle seat of three up front, will find legroom a challenge and the five-speed gearbox in our 100 SandS model, can be found wanting at higher speeds, although if that’s problem for you, there is a
six-speed manual or eight-speed auto, available on the 1.5 diesel 130 SandS range. Economy and emissions are worth noting. For the Enterprise M 1.6 Blue HDi we tested these are 67.3mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 109g/km. We tested the Berlingo unladen with one passenger, the driver and seven days of mixed driving across different types of road, resulted in an economy figure of 50.5 mpg, which isn’t half bad Berlingos of old were popular because of their durability and price, but came with the caveat of little in the way of comfort or extras. The new version looks and feels tough, comes very well equipped with good tech and safety features and it’s attractively priced, with the Berlingo range starting at £19,995 for the X panel van, M 75 Blue HDi 650X. Our test model, the Enterprise M 100 Blue HDi 1000 retailed at £23,205. I have a gut feeling that this could well be the most popular model in the range, either this, or, the slightly lower priced Worker with the same capacity, which is priced at £22,077.
Verdict More than matches the Vauxhall Combo Cargo and Peugeot Partner. All three are excellent and compete on an even keel with the Transit Connect and beat the Volkswagen Caddy. Best Berlingo yet CC&V RATING: N N N N
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On test: VAUXHALL VIVARO
Local touches help to keep UK van flag flying
The all-new Vauxhall Vivaro shares a great deal with its French siblings – but there are plenty of neat touches to give it a distinctively British feel, says Andrew Walker With the purchase of Vauxhall-Opel by the PSA Group, it was inevitable that the Vauxhall product would become intertwined with the PSA brands of Peugeot and Citroen. Indeed, the Vauxhall Combo Van became the first Vauxhall product to go down this route, with the second, the medium Vivaro van, now following suit. Hopefully, the all-new Vivaro van heralds a bright future for the company’s Luton plant where the vehicle is built. The PSA Group have invested £100 million in transforming the Luton facility to be capable of producing up to 22 Vivaros an hour and after CC&V took a tour of the plant, it’s clear to see that the workers at Luton are itching to get started on building the targeted 100,000 vans a year. The third generation Vivaro medium van is based on the PSA Group’s EMP2 platform and is available in two lengths; L1H1 4.95m and L2H1 5.30m. Body styles include panel van, doublecab for up to six occupants and a platform chassis. The Vivaro is available in three trim levels: 52 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
Edition, Sportive and Elite, with Dual Side Sliding Door, Driver/Passenger Airbags and Cruise Control with speed-limiter all available as standard on Vivaro for the first time. Sportive models offer higher specification than the outgoing model, with standard equipment including body coloured mirrors, handles and body side moulds, alarm, auto lights and wipers, acoustic windscreen and thickened side glazing. Top-of-the range Elite model features the latest safety technology as standard including Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Information, Intelligent Speed Adaptation, Driver Attention Alert and Blind Spot Detection. The new Vivaro will also offer up to a 1,458kg payload, 6.6m3 cargo capacity and 2,500kg towing capacity, meaning that the new Vivaro has a payload of 200kg more than its predecessor. The same applies to towing weights: the maximum trailer load is 2,500kg, 500kg more than the outgoing model. Objects up to 4.02m long can be stowed securely in the 5.30m version thanks to Flex Cargo, an optional load-through flap under the front passenger seat. Adding to its office-onwheels credentials, the FlexCargo also allows the back of the middle seat to fold down to become a table for documents, a notebook or a tablet. Automatic side sliding doors are also available for the first time on Vivaro. A foot movement towards the sensors on the vehicle is all that is needed to open the door. Stability and safety on a variety of slippery surfaces – mud, sand or snow – is provided by
the advanced IntelliGrip traction control system (optional) including the work-site set-up comprising higher ground clearance and underbody protection. The Vivaro features ultrasonic sensors in the front and rear aprons. They warn the driver of obstacles when parking and monitor the side blind spot. Depending on the equipment level, the rear-view camera image is displayed either in the interior mirror or on the seven-inch display. The Multimedia and Multimedia Navi infotainment systems come with a large 7” touchscreen. Both feature ’phone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Multimedia Navi additionally features European navigation with 3D view. The all-new Vivaro range features an array of powerful yet frugal engines and smooth transmissions, for low running costs, reduced emissions and maximum efficiency, with all validated and approved to Euro 6D Temp (Euro 6.2) which utilises the more real world representative WLTP emissions cycle. WLTP also takes into consideration options and the impact of payload. Vauxhall gave us the opportunity to drive the Vivaro both laden and unladen on a test route from Luton to Bicester and back. Having driven sister models the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert, plus the Toyota Proace, which also shares the same platform, the overall look and interior layout of the new Vivaro was familiar to us and both are an improvement over the outgoing model, which was based on the Renault Trafic. Continued on page 54 www.companycarandvan.co.uk
On test: VAUXHALL VIVARO
Continued from page 52 The cabin itself is well designed and it’s easy to reach all of the switches and buttons while driving, an important consideration for most van users, as is the view from the front, which is also excellent. For those readers currently running the old Vivaro, the simple fact of the matter is that this new version is a real step forward. It’s newer, better equipped and more practical and this is most clearly felt in the cabin. New Vivaro offers a car-like interior with our test model, the Vivaro Elite L1H1 2700 1.5 120 PS Turbo, featuring a multimedia Navi Pro, 7” colour touchscreen, voice control, DAB radio, Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone portal, two USBs, four speakers and air-con.
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It’s easy to get comfortable in the six-way adjustable driver’s seat and utilising the multi-function steering wheel allows drivers to access the van’s multi-function trip computer, infotainment system and safety features such as cruise control and Lane Departure Warning. Vivaro Elite also comes with front and rear parking sensors, a heat reflective acoustic windscreen and a dual passenger front seat with underseat storage. In addition to the under-seat area, customers will benefit from a total of 49 litres of storage space around the cabin, including ubiquitous large door bins, two glove boxes on the passenger side and an A4-sized compartment on top of the dash. The gear stick sits in the centre of the dash, in common with most panel
vans, and juts out into the centre passenger area, but importantly, not too far, so leaving some decent legroom. Above the gear stick are the climate buttons, which are large and easy to understand. Built in the centre of the dash are the touchscreen and shortcut buttons, with these too some of the easiest in the sector to work with. On the road, the 1.5 engine is surprisingly nimble and we comfortably kept up with fast-moving traffic on the M1. The insulated bulkhead helped to keep the cabin quiet, even without a load in the rear, and after connecting my iPhone I was even able to receive a couple of hands-free calls while on the move and not have to shout to be heard. The Vivaro handles well too, with a number
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that the manual versions will make up the bulk of sales, with both Sportive and Elite the likely best sellers spec-wise. Overall, we felt we knew what to expect from the Vivaro, as we had previously awarded its PSA siblings, the Dispatch, Expert and Proace, our Medium Van of the Year Award for 2017. Nonetheless, having fielded a number of phone calls and emails from readers who run hundreds of Vivaros in the past year, I’m pleased to say that the new one really is a no brainer. It offers up to a 19 per cent greater payload, 25 per cent better towing capacity, a 28 per cent improvement on fuel economy and offer’s 19 per cent better CO2 emissions than the previous model. And, if that’s not enough, the entry level model is cheaper to buy ! of roundabouts en route encouraging us to test this out, a test it passed with aplomb. The six-speed manual gearbox is slick and the clutch is light and overall I was very impressed with how the Vivaro drives. The 1.5 diesel engine also offers a decent return when it comes to fuel economy, with our 50 mile drive on a mix of roads, seeing us average 42.4mpg. CO2 emissions are 159g/km. As I mentioned earlier, we drove the Vivaro laden and unladen and in our first drive, the 1.5 was unladen. On our return, we took the opportunity to try the more powerful 2.0 litre manual in Sportive spec, which came laden, and on the return route this version clearly felt
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faster, even with a 500kg load in the rear. Like the 1.5, the light clutch and gears combination makes for casual van driving, giving the Vivaro a real car-like feel on the road. The 2.0 isn’t quite as good as the 1.5 when it comes to combined fuel economy though, as we averaged only 34.76 mpg on the return route while laden, with CO2’s higher as well at 183g/ km. Although the Elite comes better equipped, the more powerful Sportive we drove is exactly the same price as the 1.5 Elite, which is £26,370 excluding VAT. Food for thought for customers. Time ran out and we weren’t able to try the eight-speed auto Vivaro, although we suspect
Verdict Kudos to Vauxhall. We now have a UK-built van that matches the best in the sector and one that will give the Transit Custom a run for its money. CC&V RATING: N N N N
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 55
On test: VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER
Transporter brings VW’s car style to the commercial world Andrew Walker loves a van... and there are few he loves more than the VW Transporter
Volkswagen’s commercial range, just like its car range, is reassuringly familiar. I tested the latest T6 Transporter T28 Highline SWB EU5 2.0 TDI 150PS 6-speed Manual, and despite my unfamiliarity with the vehicle, felt immediately at home in a very recognisable environment. 56 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
As a car driver who drives vans, I like a van that feels car-like and is equipped similarly, and in the Transporter I could well have found my perfect match. With the majority of changes to the T6 being under the bonnet, the outside design of the latest Transporter is a little unadventurous – indeed, it’s hard to tell what’s different from the previous model – but it serves a purpose and is still clearly a Volkswagen. The interior, although a little bland, is made of top-notch plastics, with the dash and cloth finished in ‘Classic Grey.’ But all of the instrumentation is first class and the dashboard, doors, seats and roof are of incredibly good quality plastics and fabric. Don’t be fooled, though. Very much like the Volkswagen Passat, the Transporter may not look fantastic but trust me, this is not an important factor when you drive it.
Just like their cars, the build quality is excellent and with an instantly recognisable Volkswagen switch gear and dashboard layout. Nice touches include the separate driver and passenger drinks holder on the dash and storage space under the front seats. Even my son knew it was a Volkswagen when he got in it as the dash looks like our old Mk6 Golf. The instrumentation is clear and the trip computer keeps the driver aware of fuel consumption, distance driven and how many miles are left in the tank. Start up the engine and pull away and the Transporter doesn’t disappoint. The steering is remarkably light and after a few minutes you realise that it’s very easy to drive and manoeuvre. In fact, it’s just like driving a large car and for any regular van driver that has to be good thing. A real plus for me as well, is www.companycarandvan.co.uk
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that unlike other vans I’ve driven, it’s a van that drives just as well unladen as when it’s fully loaded; that’s not an easy trick to pull off. It’s also better equipped than its predecessor, with ABS, EDL, EBD and ESP fitted to my model. There’s also a driver alert system and traction control with hill hold offered as standard. Add in remote central locking with deadlocks, electronic immobiliser, driver and passenger airbags and daytime running lights and the car-like comparisons are well founded. Stop/Start is also fitted to the Transporter and is actually better than many available in cars I have driven and testament to VW’s build quality. Other features included energy recuperation through braking, cruise control, drivers seat height/lumbar/reach/rake adjustment, a dual passenger seat, electric heated mirrors, heat reflective glass, electric front windows, height and rake adjustable steering and on my test van AppConnect, Bluetooth, composition media including DAB radio and a USB input on the dashboard I utilised the van to collect some new bathroom fittings. In the load space there was a useful rubber floor covering which stopped my bathroom goodies from sliding around. It www.companycarandvan.co.uk
also had a full bulkhead with sliding window, half-height load side lining in hardboard, an interior entry step, interior roof trim in painted hardboard, six load-lashing rings, a rear door interior release lever, steel flooring and two-door activated interior lights. Loading and unloading the bath, shower tray, etc, was a doddle. The rear load area is easily accessible and the rear doors open easily. None of my stuff moved at all on the return journey thanks, I think, to the rubber floor The load space is the same as on the previous Transporter. The loading height of the van is an accessible 571 mm, while the loading length is 2970 mm. Between the wheel arches is 1,244 mm widening to 1,692 mm in the remainder of the van. Load height is 1,470 mm and there’s also a useful side door for easier access. The two-litre engine rewards the driver who is careful with a combined fuel consumption of 45.6 mpg – in truth I averaged 31.8 mpg – with emissions of 162g/km. A torque of 340Nm and maximum power is 140PS at 3,500 rpm. The loading height of the van is an accessible 571 mm, while the loading length is 2,970 mm. Between the wheel arches is 1,244 mm widening to 1,692 mm in the remainder of the
van. Load height is 1,470 mm and there’s also a useful side door for easier access. Are there any negatives? Well, it’s not fast, taking 12.2 seconds to hit 62 mph from a standing start. Other than that, no, there aren’t, although it’s not the cheapest van you can buy. My test van with standard equipment starts at £32,639 OTR, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for and with the Transporter you get a seriously good van.
Verdict A seriously good van; most car-like load lugger you’ll find, with a cockpit and equipment levels that are akin to anything else you’d get from the VAG stable. Hard to find a negative and too many positives to list CC&V RATING: N N N N
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CV NEWS
Innovative Iveco delivers with Daily The New Daily from Iveco addresses the key trends of modern motoring, rising to the challenges of digitalisation, automation, electrification and servitisation. The latest model builds on the strengths of its heritage to deliver on performance and sustainability, which come hand in hand with fuel efficiency and low Total Cost of Ownership, benefiting the customers’ profitability. It also raises the bar on Connectivity, unlocking a world of new services to provide a complete package closely tailored to the customers’ use of the vehicle and their businesses. A full set of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and enhanced safety features provides the best-in-class on-board living comfort and driving experience. Technology first The New Daily introduces a complete range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that enable the driver to focus on the job, which requires an increasing degree of multitasking, and improve their safety. In developing these features, IVECO has focused on functionalities aimed at helping drivers in urban missions. The Advanced Emergency Braking System and City Brake PRO prevents collisions at speeds below 50 km/h, and mitigates the
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impact at higher speeds. It autonomously detects the potential for a collision ahead and brakes accordingly if the driver doesn’t intervene, ensuring their safety. The New Daily goes even further with the City Brake PRO, which operates to prevent accidents when driving as slowly as 5 km/h. New Daily delivers top performance and sustainability in every mission The New Daily is true to the reputation it has gained for its extensive line-up: it is the only vehicle in its segment to offer two engines optimised to deliver the best performance in every mission. The 2.3-litre F1Aengine is now available in both light- and heavy-duty
homologation, with rated power ranging from 116 to 156 hp. The 3.0-litre heavy-duty F1C engine offers three power ratings with increased performance ranging from 160 to 210 hp, as well as a Natural Power compressed natural gas version. The New Daily once again takes the lead in sustainability as the first vehicle in its segment to comply with Euro 6D/Temp (WLTP & RDE) and Euro VI D emissions standards. The New Daily stands out for its fuel economy, achieved through a host of features, starting from the Start&Stop system, which is now available as standard on all models running the 2.3-litre F1A engine, including the Daily Hi-Matic. The Daily has built a strong reputation for innovation, strength and great customer satisfaction in its 40 years of success. With this latest arrival, once again it raises the bar and leads the way into the new world of services to provide a complete, tailor-made solution that precisely matches the customer’s use of the vehicle and their business – changing the way they approach the purchase: not just a vehicle, but a complete package. The New Daily will also change the everyday life of the driver with stressbusting, safetyboosting technologies, and the best-in-class on board living and driving experience.
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Weight loss pays off for the Transit The latest Ford Transit helps operators to be even more productive, with the two-tonne van offering up to 80kg more load-carrying capability following a top-to-bottom programme of weight savings. Sophisticated engineering including Ford’s first aluminium bonnet for a commercial vehicle in Europe, a composite bulkhead and spin-formed wheels were optimised during the development process using advanced computer-aided design (CAD) systems typically employed in the aerospace industry. These are among the innovations that have helped Ford engineers reduce the kerb weight of the new Transit to enable customers to carry larger loads for greater operating efficiency. The new Transit rear-wheel-drive 350GVM, long-wheelbase, medium-roof model, for example, is 80kg lighter than the comparable out-going model. The equivalent front-wheeldrive van is 48kg lighter. The new Transit is also up to seven per cent more fuel efficient, thanks to an upgraded 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel line-up delivering CO2 emissions from 156g/km, a more powerful 185PS variant and a new 10‑speed automatic transmission for rear-wheel-drive models. A segment-first EcoBlue Hybrid 48-volt mildhybrid option further improves upon 2.0-litre EcoBlue fuel efficiency by up to an additional eight per cent in stop-start urban applications,
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delivering CO2 emissions from 144g/km. New driver assistance tech and advanced new connectivity features make working days less stressful for operators, and FordPass Connect on-board modem technology will help fleet professionals to improve vehicle utilisation and optimise running costs. In addition to the upgraded 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel line-up, features contributing to increased fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 include the introduction of electric powerassisted steering (EPAS) to the Transit for the first time; the use of low-rolling-resistance tyres; and aerodynamic enhancements. Fuel-saving Auto Start-Stop technology remains standard across the range. Drivers can also use EcoGuide, which uses GPS positioning to give predictive advice on how to achieve the best fuel efficiency on the road ahead. Ford recently announced that a new
all-electric Transit will join the company’s line-up of electrified commercial vehicles in 2021. Designed to deliver pure-electric propulsion, the new van will contribute to cleaner, quieter towns and cities, and reduced running costs for business and operators. The Ford Transit’s smart new exterior features a taller, more assertive three-bar grille and a redesigned lower fascia. Inside the cabin, an all-new interior design delivers enhanced style, practicality and driver comfort, with advanced technologies including Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system that can be operated using simple, voice commands, or via pinch and swipe gestures on an eight-inch touchscreen. The Transit’s refined and car-like driving character is enhanced with the introduction of EPAS technology that also helps reduce driver fatigue by adding more assistance while parking and manoeuvring, and enables driver assistance technologies including Active Park Assist and Lane-Keeping Aid. For the first time, Transit drivers will be able to choose from Selectable Drive Modes to match driving performance to conditions: Eco Mode, Slippery Mode, Mud/Rut Mode for all-wheel-drive models and Tow/Haul Mode for smooth power delivery when towing large trailers or boats that weigh more than the vehicle kerb weight.
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 61
On test: MERCEDES-BENZ VITO PREMIUM
Old-stager still packs a punch Andrew Walker Mercedes-Benz Vans UK has revised the trim levels on its Vito van and crew range. The Vito sits in the hugely competitive medium van sector, which has become even tougher with the arrival of the new Vauxhall Vivaro. Ford’s Transit Custom is the runaway leader in the sector and it changed the way that customers perceived their vans, with far better safety tech, body options and connectivity on offer when it was launched. All of the competition followed suit, with most now offering top-notch safety features, as well as Bluetooth phone connectivity, DAB radio and connected Apps for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Vito range is now identified by three distinctive trim levels: Pure, Progressive and Premium, with all Vito models benefitting from a leather steering wheel and gear selector on manual models, comfort driver’s seat, automatic headlights and parking sensors. List price for the Vito 114 CDI panel van L2 starts from £23,900 for the PURE, £25,570 for the PROGRESSIVE and £27,580 for the PREMIUM, all excluding VAT.
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We had the opportunity to spend a week in the 114 CDI Premium L2 van, the most likely best seller, finished in a striking obsidian black. The stand-out part of the Vito is the quality of the cabin, which is still class-leading. The steering wheel in front of the driver contains the controls for the trip computer and Bluetooth, with the indicator/wiper stalk on the left as well as the cruise control lever. The ignition is also on the left and is slightly obscured by the cruise control stalk. Power steering is standard and the wheel is both rake and reach adjustable. The driver’s seat also offers a myriad of adjustment, so getting comfortable was not a problem. The hand
brake is located on the floor, as it is in Mercedes cars. You push a ‘fourth’ pedal with your left foot to engage the brake and then pull a dash-mounted lever to release. I found it straightforward to use, although some may not like it as it doesn’t help you with hill starts. In common with most modern vans, the gear stick is raised and emerges from the dash board and this is mounted on a moulding which does stick outwards, making cross cabin movement slightly tricky. To the left of this is a deep locking glove box. The door pockets are handily large and there’s an overhead shelf and a stowage area within the passenger seat frame for further storage.
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In the centre of the dash and higher up than in some vans are the Audio 15 infotainment system and heating controls. The infotainment screen is slightly awkward to reach for the driver, as is the USB input which is also on the left of the dash. For left-hand driven Vito this location would make perfect sense. The front windows are electric and keeping the cabin quiet is a full width bulkhead. Safety is foremost in the Vito with adaptive ESP, ABS, ASR, EBD as well as Brake Assist. Daytime running lights are standard and there is remote control locking. There’s also a driver’s airbag and all three seat belts are three point with belt tensioners. The cruise control is simple to activate and allowed me to spend a relaxed 400 miles on the motorway. The cabin is particularly comfortable and definitely at the top end of van interiors, something you’ll be pleased with if you spend a lot of time in your van. Around town, the Vito copes well in busy traffic, with the booklet in StopStart one of the best out there. Even though my test van was a manual, the six-speed gearbox and clutch combo are excellent. The 114CDI’s 2143cc engine, pulls the Vito along nicely, with a useful 136hp and 380 Nms of torque on offer to the driver. The RWD featured on this model makes for smoother handling than in FWD van and creates a very car-like ambience for passengers when you’re out on the road. Claimed combined fuel economy is 42.8 mpg, although we averaged 36.7mpg in our 460 miles driven, with CO2 emissions of 171g/km.
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Despite the upgraded model line-up, the Vito is still missing a couple of things rival vans offer: there’s no DAB radio nor connected apps and if you’re used to both of these, they will be missed. Google Maps is better than almost all franchise SatNav offerings. Instead, I made do with connecting my iPhone via Bluetooth, to access my music library and podcasts. There’s no touchscreen either. You have to manually turn or push a button and scroll left or right to access the different driving and entertainment functions, which feels both outdated and slower than may offerings. From a practical point of view, the L2 Vito we drove comes with left and right-hand slide-opening side doors and twin rear doors that open 180 degrees. The L2 is 5140mm long x 2249mm wide x 1910mm high. The floor load length is 2831mm, the load space width 1685mm, (1270mm between the wheel arches), highest roof height is 1391mm and payload volume is 6000 litres. With the competition hotting up, the Vito is
starting to show its age. When compared to the Transit Custom, Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert, Toyota Proace and Vauxhall Vivaro, the interior feels particularly dated. These models are more modern and offer better connected tech, cleverer storage solutions, such as the Moduwork bulkhead on the Expert, which allows the twin passenger seat to be flipped and/or folded for longer load lengths and in some cases, a wider choice of model variants – the Vito is only available in one height. Having said that, the Vito still offers the highest quality cabin in the sector, one of the smoothest, quietest engines you can drive in any van and a wonderful manual gear box, which makes driving the Vito incredibly relaxing.
Verdict
The current Vito is entering the twilight of its lifecycle, with newer, cleverer, better connected rivals out there. But the latest Mercedes Benz Sprinter comes equipped with all of the latest tech and connectivity and I’m sure the next Vito will follow suit. For now, the current model is still worth a look, as it is still the best built and nicest to drive van in the sector. CC&V RATING: N N N N
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 63
CV NEWS: LDV, FIAT PROFESSIONAL
EV30 lights up show with a range to shock its rivals One of the highlights of this year’s CV Show was the launch of a second electric van by LDV, the LDV EV30. The new vehicle joins the larger LDV electric option, the EV80, in the manufacturer’s line-up. The new EV30 will be in direct competition with the likes of the Renault Kangoo ZE and Nissan’s e-NV200. It gives the relatively new Chinese-backed brand two electric vans which have been brought to market far quicker than most of the established CV manufacturers have managed. The EV30 is built in China, with the UK the first export market it will be launched into when it arrives in 2020. It comes in long and short wheelbase variants. Interestingly, LDV claims a maximum range of up to 200 miles on a single charge, with the 53kWh battery fitted, which would make it comfortably ahead on range in the sector. There’s also a cheaper version on offer, with a 35kWh battery, with a claimed driving range of 127 miles, which is still impressive. Fast charging the lithium-ion power pack is claimed to take 45 minutes, while an AC charge takes five hours. The EV30 looks not unlike the Nissan
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e-NV200, even featuring the charging flap in the front like the Nissan. An 85kW (114bhp) electric motor drives the front wheels. The van has a cargo volume of five cubic metres in SWB length and in the LWB model, comes with six cubic metres of space. The long version is extended by 600mm between the axles. The standard van offers a 600kg payload,
while the long version has a more impressive 1000kg on offer. Access comes via twin barn-style rear doors, twin sliding side doors and for passengers, the option of a two or three-seat cabin. The EV30 will go on sale in the UK at the start of 2020, with prices starting at £22,000 making it a very attractive proposition, in what is bound to be a continuing growth area.
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Fiat Professional has latest Ducato ready for the road ahead Andrew Walker finds the new Ducato already primed for 2020’s challenges With the growth of internet shopping, the van market continues to thrive as more and more customers have parcels delivered to their homes and place of work. Parcel delivery has grown rapidly and the demand for new vans to cater for this has grown in equal measure. However, while electric vans are already here, their limited range on a single charge, typically 50 – 100 miles, means that for most companies, diesel is still the preferred choice. With many European cities now charging drivers who enter them, especially if they’re in older diesels, while allowing cleaner newer powered vehicles in free of charge, the van manufactures have had to move fast in updating their old Euro 6 diesel units. The latest brand to do just this is the FCA Group, with its large panel van, the Fiat Professional Ducato, updated for 2020.
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Ducato is now offered with a range of improved Euro6D engines, including a new nine-speed automatic transmission with latest-generation torque converter. Fiat has also taken the opportunity to upgrade the safety and tech on the range, adding advanced ADAS driving assist systems, the latest-generation infotainment system and
revised the exterior. In its sector Ducato has been the European market leader for the last five years, as well as the leading vehicle as a base for motorhomes in Europe, with approximately three in every four motorhomes sold based on the Fiat Ducato Continued on page 66
Company Car & Van | August 2019 | 65
CV NEWS: FIAT PROFESSIONAL DUCATO
Continued from page 65 The new range of MultiJet 2 engines come with a variable geometry compressor, which gives a smoother drive, increased flexibility at low speeds and improved fuel consumption. The entry level Ducato produces 120hp from the 2.3-litre MultiJet 2 engine at 2,750rpm with a maximum torque of 320Nm at 1,400rpm. It is teamed with the manual gearbox, which improves power and torque delivery by 10% compared to the previous 2.0-litre engine. The 140hp version offers 350Nm torque at just 1,400rpm and is offered with a choice of 6-speed manual gearbox or the new 9-speed automatic transmission. The 160hp variant reaches peak power output at 3,500rpm and distributes up to 400Nm torque at 1,500rpm in the automatic version. The range-topping engine boasts 180hp, with peak power coming in at 3,500rpm and 400Nm torque from 1,500 to 3,000rpm, with manual gearbox. Combined with the new 9-speed automatic transmission it produces 450Nm torque, 12% more than the previous model placing it best-in-class in terms of torque in its category. The new 9-Speed automatic transmission offers drivers a choice of three different driving modes: Normal, Eco and Power, with two operating modes, Drive and Autostick. In Drive the control module automatically selects and shifts into gear according to the various driving conditions. In Autostick the driver can change gear manually. The Ducato MY20 also comes as standard with the new EcoPack, which includes Start and Stop, smart alternator and electronicallycontrolled fuel regulator. It also adds new safety and tech, including blind spot assist, rear cross path detection, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, high beam recognition and a rain and dusk sensor. Infotainment comes courtesy of a 7” touchscreen by Mopar®, USB port, DAB and SatNav. The new system includes integration for Apple CarPlay and Android AutoTM. We had the opportunity to spend some time driving a couple of the new models and came away impressed. First up we tackled a 140hp manual LWB version. On a route that took in city and country roads plus the motorway, in and around Fiat HQ in Turin, this version proved very capable. With two passengers and a one-tonne load on board, this version will be the most likely most popular engine of choice in the UK. Despite the LWB dimensions, when we headed out of Turin onto some rural B roads south of the city, this Ducato handled the typical Turin rush hour tragic with aplomb, dealing well with errant parking and sudden stops from other drivers, by utilising the new on board safety features. The addition of Lane Departure Warning gives the driver a quiet nudge when the road narrows, or you are forced off line, but unlike in many cars and vans we’ve driven, it’s not intrusive. There’s also a reversing camera built into the 7” 66 | August 2019 | Company Car & Van
screen. This provides further assistance when performing a three-point turn, which we tried out on an industrial estate. We followed a circular 35km route around the city following the built-in SatNav. Of course, if needed, you can connect your phone via USB to utilise Google Maps, but the built in SatNav worked just fine, even offering a reassuring beep when you take the correct exit off a roundabout. The interior has also been redesigned and our test model featured a clever notepad-cumiPad rest which can be lifted up to allow your tablet to rest on it. There’s a couple of decent sized glove boxes on the passenger side, two deep door pockets, storage on top of the dash, twin drinks holders in front of the centre passenger seat and two more storage areas, which are also located in front of the third passenger seat. The load area features a new addition, which is a large LED light in the middle of the roof inside the loading area. The twin rear doors fold almost flat to the side of the van and there’s also a single sliding side door, both allowing better access to the rear of the van. The ratios in the six-speed manual gear box make changing up or down simple and the Ducato also benefits from a light clutch. All three pedals are easy to reach, with room to rest your foot on the motorway as well. The steering wheel will only adjust up or down though. Next up was the more powerful 160hp unit, matched to the new 9-speed auto gear box. This offers a manual shift if you prefer. However, for stop/start driving especially on the motorway, the automatic is a blessing in disguise – as was the air-con when stuck in Turin’s famed congestion with the outside temperature nudging 32 degrees. That and the auto-box helps keep you more calm and relaxed than in the manual version. The extra 20hp that’s on tap also gives the Ducato a bit more pull, especially at the top end. Where the 140hp version tends to fade after 2,000 revs, doing all of its work lower
down, the 160hp version keeps pulling all the way up to 3,500rpm. The driving position is excellent, with a clear view of the road ahead and to left and to right, thanks to the large windows and windscreen. The driver’s seat adjust’s fore and aft and up and down, so getting comfortable was easy. Any negatives? In reality, the basic design of the Ducato is now eight years old and while the upgrades won’t hurt, it’s still a relatively old vehicle. This means for example, that the handbrake is still located to the right of the driver rather than in the centre, which has always been a little annoying. And although the new tech is much improved, I can’t help but feel that a larger screen than the 7” one offered would make life easier still. Quality-wise, the interior feels better than before but it does still feature some cheap looking plastics in places. On the plus side, the seat fabric looks and feels hard wearing and there’s a pretty good choice of new colours for your Ducato, including a Farrell and Ball-like Expedition Grey, the colour we got to drive with. By updating and improving the latest Ducato, especially with the addition of the new cleaner diesel engines, Fiat Professional has given itself a chance to remain number one in Europe in the large panel van sector for some time to come. Prices for the diesel Ducato, start at £24,670 (excluding VAT) for the lowestpowered, short wheelbase version, climbing to £36,270 (excluding VAT) for the range-topping long-wheelbase crew-cab variant.
Verdict Great improvements in on-board tech and safety but, most importantly, under the bonnet, too. Cleaner, more frugal diesel engines give the Ducato a clear run at the road ahead CC&V RATING: N N N N
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Fuel consumption figures for the Fiat Professional Ducato range in mpg (l/100km): Combined: 35.3 (8.0) – 42.2 (6.7). CO2 emissions 186 g/km - 216g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. * Standard warranty and roadside assistance for one year plus an additional four years’ warranty and roadside assistance valid until the expiry of five years from the date of first registration or the vehicle has travelled 75,000 miles, whichever comes first. Free servicing covers the cost of parts, lubricants and labour required as part of the manufacturer’s scheduled servicing until the expiry of five years or the vehicle has had its first five scheduled services, whichever occurs first. 5-year warranty, roadside assistance and free servicing available on Sportivo and Tecnico versions only, until further notice. Retail sales only. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Offer valid until further notice. * Terms and conditions apply. The price of £16,450 is for a Fiat Ducato SWB Van 35 140bhp in colour white. Prices for alternative models, colours and vehicle factory options may vary. Date restrictions, subject to availability. Subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Dealership HTC Van Centre and Trafford Van Centre.