Company Car & Van April 2022

COMPANY

CAR AND VAN The motoring magazine for SME fleets

Toyota Proace City Electric

Good things come in small packages

BMW i X

KIA SPORTAGE

Bold electric premium motoring from Bavaria

Exciting all-new bestseller has landed

VOLKSWAGEN TAIGO

RENTAL SPOTLIGHT

New compact coupé SUV hits the streets

Industry offers new routes into electric and plug-in models

April 2022 • Issue 72

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Contents

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Time to switch your fleet on to the latest cars and vans Our April print and digital issue showcases the cars and vans that are right at the top of the SME fleet list, and we begin this issue with some news on the LEVC VN5, which is beginning to make inroads into the SME sector and which is now available as a rental vehicle at Europcar.

Electric vans are arriving almost as quickly as electric cars and the latest to impress was the Toyota City Proace, a small electric van with big ambition. Our review is from pg 30.

Vehicle rental is moving with the times and Europcar and Northgate tell us about how their rental fleets are now more varied than ever, with a rise in electric and plug-in cars and vans now available.

If you’re thinking of going electric, using a specialist charging systems installer at your workplace is a priority. So in this issue we take a look at how Southport-based AmpEV has helped Wrexham Glyndwr University go greener and why the EV Charging Company, was able to aid the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust when installing new chargers in Manchester.

Last December, BMW ran an ‘Electric Showcase’ driving day where we spent some time driving the premium iX electric SUV. It’s big, it’s bold, it’s different! Kia has launched a new version of its best-selling Sportage and it’s certainly impressive. Find out why inside.

Lexus also has a new premium product

in the new NX450h, which in + guise comes as a plug-in hybrid offering low BIK, giving Lexus another fleet-friendly model. Elsewhere, Volkswagen has launched a new compact coupé SUV crossover, the Taigo, and we look at Mazda’s new CX-60 PHEV. With UK van sales at an all-time high, the Fiat Professional Scudo returns to the sector, with a feature inside. Mercedes-Benz’s electric e-Sprinter is driven and we’ve a story on why LH Evans chose one for their business, supplied by Cardiff Merceds-Benz dealers Euro Commercials.

And finally, our Small Electric Van of the Year, the Maxus Deliver 3, is on test and we look ahead to the arrival of the Volkswagen Vans ID Buzz, the brand’s latest electric vehicle.

Andrew Walker, Editor and Publisher

NEWS, CARS & REVIEWS

LEVC VN5 EV Charging Company / Rolec Breeze Commercials Q & A with James Taylor, B2B Director, Stellantis UK OLEZ funding, with Craig Slater, managing director, Sevadis AMP EV Northgate Europcar Lexus NX 450h+ Vauxhall Grandland BMW iX Volkswagen Taigo KIA Sportage Mazda CX-60 PHEV

4 6-7 6 8 8 9 10 12 14 18 20 22 24 26

COMMERCIALS Mercedes-Benz e Sprinter LH Evans/Euro Commercials Toyota Proace City Electric Volkswagen ID Buzz FIAT Professional Scudo LEVC VN5 / HTC Maxus eDeliver 3

27 29 30 38 39 40 41

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Company Car & Van is wholly owned and published by: Walker Advertising & Marketing Ltd 12 Oakwood Lane, Bowdon, Cheshire WA14 3DL t: 07734 264735 e: andrewmaxwalker@icloud.com w: www.companycarandvan.co.uk 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

Company Car & Van | April 2022 | 03

NEWS: LEVC VN5

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LEVC VN5: Delivering the future – today Van’s pioneering eCity tech finally takes range anxiety off the table Launched in 2020, the LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company) VN5 has been hard at work winning over businesses with its blend of practicality and long-range operational ability ever since. Those qualities won us over too, which is why we named it the Company Car & Van 2021 Medium EV Van of the Year.

Developed, engineered and built at LEVC’s state-of-the-art headquarters in Ansty, Coventry, the VN5’s brief is to cope with the most demanding conditions. With a pure electric range of more than 60 miles,* it treads exceptionally lightly, effortlessly crossing cities in pure electric mode. Yet it can also travel far and wide using the nation’s motorways without the driver having to give a journey a second thought.

Long range and rapid charging Utilising LEVC’s pioneering and proven eCity range-extender technology, first developed for the company’s electric TX Taxi, the VN5 provides a total flexible range of 319 miles and takes range anxiety completely off the table.

When required, the range-extender recharges VN5’s battery, which in turn powers the electric motor that drives the wheels, only acting as a power source to provide electricity to the battery, extending the driving range.

As a result, the VN5 is the ultimate green commercial vehicle: the van in the yard that can be called on to deliver to a city centre with zero emissions. – or travel long distances at the drop of a hat.

But should a driver need to stop, it won’t be for long. The VN5’s ultra-rapid 50kW DC charging capability takes just 30 minutes to fully replenish the battery from zero to 100%.

Built to last VN5 is engineered to last twice as long as the competition. Its strong yet lightweight first-in-sector bonded aluminium monocoque, and Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) composite construction brings numerous advantages, being highly resistant to corrosion and absorbing twice the crash energy of mild steel. With a high level of dent-resistance engineered in, the VN5’s SMC body panels are adept at shrugging off the inevitable minor bumps and scrapes that occur when a van is subjected to a hard-working life.

Class-leading warranty and service intervals The VN5 offers owners complete peace of mind, as it comes with a class-leading five-year, 04 | April 2022 | Company Car & Van

Payload & dimensions Length: Overall width including mirrors: Overall height, unladen: Max Load Volume: Side load door entry width: Rear door entry width: Max payload: Gross vehicle weight: Turning circle kerb to kerb:

5,233mm 2,083mm 1,990mm 5.5m3 1128mm 1253mm 830kg 2900kg 10.1m

150,000-mile vehicle warranty and a battery warranty of eight years, 150,000 miles as standard. Customers can opt to extend the warranty even further if they wish. Equally impressive lengthy 25,000-mile service intervals also play a crucial role in minimising downtime and maximising profitability.

Built for rapid loading and unloading Another place operators won’t want the VN5 sitting idle for too long is in the warehouse.

With a maximum cargo capacity of 5.5m3, the VN5 effortlessly accommodates two Euro-sized pallets, with a gross payload of 830kg. A large side-loading door makes it easy for the pallets to be placed inside the cargo area.

The VN5’s 60/40 split rear door makes it simple for the driver to load and unload items.

And with a class-leading turning circle of just 10.1 metres, the VN5 is endowed with the same exceptional levels of agility and mobility found in its TX electric taxi sibling.

Driver-centric cabin and impressive equipment levels The VN5 Van also shares the TX Taxi’s driver-centric cabin, making for the perfect working environment. The ergonomically

designed driver’s seat is fully adjustable, while the steering wheel is also adjustable for reach and rake. Once the driver has found their ideal seating position they can effortlessly control vehicle settings via a large central touchscreen with an intuitive interface. Everything in the cabin has already been robustly proven on the hectic streets of London by thousands of cabbies.

All models feature Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), front and side driver and passenger airbags, cruise control, nine-inch touchscreen and dual-zone climate control as standard, in addition to 50kW DC rapid charging and minimum 11kW AC fast charging capability.

Conclusion With a total flexible range of 319 miles and a pure electric range of over 64 miles*, the LEVC VN5 enables drivers and operators to meet the needs of zero-emission mobility without compromising practicality, productivity or profitability. The VN5’s first-in-sector body construction and class-leading warranty ensure exceptional durability. A highly advanced, ergonomic driver-centric cabin and spacious, cleverly-thought-out cargo area meet the demands of businesses today whilst futureproofing them for tomorrow.

* Total flexible range of 318.9 and pure EV (electric only) range of 63.8 miles, in accordance with official EAER Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) figures (October 2020). These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a few factors including accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle loads. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

RECHARGING SPOTLIGHT / NEWS

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Smart finish to hospital charging project – with more power to add The EV Charging Company – an approved installer for electric vehicle recharging equipment specialists Rolec EV – has helped Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust improve its capacity to recharge staff and visitors’ electric vehicles.

A site survey revealed numerous locations for the required EV chargers and the feasibility of installing cables to the desired positions.

A spokesperson for the EV Charging Company commented: “We offer a ‘One Stop Shop’ and using our partnered civil contractors we were able to quote for all the groundworks associated with pedestal mounted chargers.

This included installing ducting, ground root kits and tarmac. We installed eight twin chargers using a mixture of 7kw BASIC CHARGE and 11kw QUANTUM pedestal chargers.”

Before installation it was discovered that the Trust’s existing distribution boards were full, so two new dedicated EVDBs were installed, with sufficient capacity for future expansion as the hospital’s EV charing needs increase in time.

The EV Charging Company was also able to provide line marking which not only stops non-EV vehicles parking in dedicated bays but as you can see from the photos, it really

finishes off the installation and creates a neat, professional look.

Government grants are available and SES was able to assist with this process giving the customer £5600 off the total cost of the works.

The chargers are OCPP compliant which offers a ‘pay to charge’ solution via the EV drivers smartphone or RFID card and linked through a back office management system.

Find out more by calling the EV Charging Company on 01625 569574 or see www.ev-installed.co.uk Alternatively, you can email them at: hello@stockportelectrical.co.uk

Great customer service? It’s a Breeze for us!

Members of the Breeze team celebrate their awards

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has recognised the achievements of the top performers in its UK network at its 2021 annual performance awards, with Breeze Van Centre Portsmouth holding on to the Service and Parts Award for the second year in a row.

On the win, James Allitt, Head of Aftersales at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said, “Over the last three years, the incredible Portsmouth team has tripled in size while always keeping an impressive team ethos billowing in their sails.”

The annual awards, given for performance and customer satisfaction across key areas, also saw Breeze Portsmouth placing top three in the Used Sales category and being commended for consistently having “the right level of used vehicles, competitively priced and professionally presented.”

Commenting on the awards, Group

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Operations Director of Breeze Motor Group, Michael Gunner, said: “I’m delighted Breeze Van Centre Portsmouth has been recognised as winner of the Service and Parts Award for the second year in a row. When you’re up against 93 VW CV dealers in the UK it’s a real achievement to win once, so we’re incredibly

proud of our reigning Portsmouth team.”

Breeze Van Centre Portsmouth, which opened in 2019, was also named in the overall Top 10 UK Volkswagen Van Centres.

For more information on Breeze Van Centres visit www.breeze.co.uk

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STELLANTIS Q&A / RECHARGING

We’ve got our sights set on a bright, electric-powered future Company Car & Van caught up with James Taylor, B2B Director, Stellantis UK, to find out more about his company’s plans for electrifying its suite of vehicles CC&V: James, you’re now director of B2B for the Stellantis brands. We understand that there will now be one Stellantis point of contact for large fleets, but what about for SMEs? Will your dealers have a part to play here?

James Taylor: Yes, they will. We’ll be targeting national fleet, with the Stellantis brands as one, which will allow customers to have a single point of contact, rather than five or six.

Each franchise will keep its regional fleet teams, who will be on hand to help customers with, for example, Vauxhall enquiries, while at dealership level, our franchise dealer network will look after SMEs and small fleet, including CVs. CC&V: The arrival of EVs has completely changed the fleet sector. What strategy have you put in place to allow Stellantis to capitalise on vehicle electrification?

JT: We’ve been lucky in that our electrified range of vehicles which have come to market over the past couple of years has already established our electric cars, and especially our electric vans, prominently in the market place.

For example, we’ve sold more small electric

vans in 2022 than we did all electric vans in 2021, which is a brilliant position to be in.

And, because there is still some uncertainty among some fleet customers about going electric, we are also in discussions with electricity and chargepoint providers to offer our fleet customers extra support when they go electric.

CC&V: You now have three electric van models across four franchises: Citroen, Fiat Professional, Peugeot and Vauxhall. However, electric vans with their current driving ranges, won’t work for all. Do you think that your diesel vans still have a part to play for SMEs? JT: Diesel vans will remain an option across our brands for the foreseeable future, with 2028 pencilled in as the year when all of our CVs will be electric.

CC&V: We recently drove the new Grandland plug-in, which offers fleet

customers who travel longer distances a great compromise in the electric sector. Will you continue to offer some car models as petrol and electric and others as petrol and plug-in? The New Astra, for example?

JT: We’ve just made some announcements about this. Both the next Vauxhall Crossland and Insignia models will be fully electric. We’ll be reintroducing the Manta model to the Vauxhall range mid-decade as a BEV and of course, the new Astra-e and Astra-e Sports Tourer will be electric as well.

New Grandland, JEEP Renegade and JEEP Compass, plus the updated Citroen C5 Aircross, will continue to be offered as PHEVs, so fleet customers will continue to get the best of both worlds.

CC&V: Where do you think Stellantis will be in the fleet sector in two years time?

JT: With our large car and CV franchise offering, we would hope to be at the front of electric fleet sales, with car and CV in the UK by volume. We would also like to be better established with our premium brands, Alfa Romeo and DS, in the fleet sector, both of which have exciting new models coming with DS4 E-Tense and launching soon, the Alfa Romeo Tonale.

Getting to know OZEV grant funding Craig Slater, the new managing director of Sevadis, outlines the fresh incentives available to encourage charging infrastructure installation among SMEs Electrification is the current buzz-word circulating not only within the sustainability sector, but across sectors of all disciplines.

SMMT’s (Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders) vehicle registration data evidences the surging proliferation in the genuine interest for cleaner and greener vehicles.

However, as the number of electric vehicles on the UK’s roads increases, so does the requirement for charging infrastructure, both for public and private scenarios.

This year, OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Transport) has introduced a number of grant funding initiatives to further support the roll-out of EV charging points across the country, enabling electric vehicle drivers and businesses to reduce their expenditure in charging point investment. From April 2022, SMEs can benefit from OZEV grant funding toward their chosen charging points via the WCS (Workplace Charging Scheme), enabling businesses to 08 | April 2022 | Company Car & Van

offer charging facilities to their employees, visitors and customers. A grant of up to £850 is available per parking bay, providing that there is a fully-working charging point installed at the bay. For businesses seeking to future-proof their premises, grants will also be provided towards supporting infrastructure that allows for a charging point to be installed at a later date – up to £500 per parking bay is available. A maximum grant of up to £15,000 is obtainable per building, with a limit of five grant applications per building (note that businesses with multiple buildings can apply for up to £15,000 OZEV grant funding per building).

To be eligible for the SME-specific WCS, applicants must be registered with Companies House or possess a VAT registration; the business must also employ fewer than 250 employees and have private parking facilities for installation of the charging points.

There exists a common misconception that the installation of EV charging points can be a costly procedure, however, with the financial

support from OZEV, SMEs can significantly reduce the overall costs towards the implementation of their charging infrastructures.

The EV charging requirements for businesses will differ, for example, a last-mile delivery organisation will require fast-charging facilities for their operational fleet, while an office will require charging facilities for both company electric car drivers and visitors.

At Sevadis, we work with our clients from project concept to completion, ensuring that all requirements are met efficiently. With our comprehensive range of OZEV grant funded charging hardware and associated software, we are proud to be able to support all SMEs with their charging requirements, wherever their location, whatever their requirements.

Want to know more?

To discuss Sevadis’ range of OZEV grant funded charging solutions, please contact: craig.s@sevadis.com or call: 0330 058 7144.

Alternatively, to learn more about the range, visit: www.sevadis.com www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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AMP EV helps University take a leap forward in its quest for sustainability Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU) has been leading the way in sustainability and green solutions. After securing a £1.6m capital funds boost from the Welsh Government, the university has been heavily investing in decarbonisation, green economy and digital learning infrastructure projects.

One of the major areas for investment was their introduction of a fleet of electric vehicles.

Facilities manager Dennis Powell said: “This funding is a massive leap forward for our green agenda and has allowed us to replace our entire fleet with more environmentally sustainable vehicles”.

Following a competitive and rigorous tender process, AMP EV was awarded the contract to fit electric vehicle charging points at WGU, to support their move towards sustainability.

Amp EV’s managing director Alasdair Croft said, “It was a pleasure to work with Wrexham Glyndwr University to help them achieve this giant step towards a greener campus. We were proud to win the contract based on our understanding of their needs.”

In addition to demonstrating the quality and safety considerations necessary for a project like this, AMP EV was able to offer the best commercial value, and demonstrable

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experience in this field. Its understanding of the constraints of working on a busy campus, and the necessary safety precautions and flexibility required to deliver the project gave their bid an added boost.

With supply chain arrangements in place with UK and international EV charging equipment suppliers, and close working relationships with electricity providers and their supply chains, AMP EV is in a position to ensure the right solution for every location.

Its work with independent connection providers allows a full turnkey project management approach to supply and connection. This avoids the long lead-in times often associated with direct instructions to the electricity suppliers. All of this was important to WGU when it was selecting the

right supplier.

Working closely with the university throughout the installation process, AMP’s team remained focused on quality, value, and engineering. They knew that one of the big concerns for GWU was cost and energy efficiency, and so ensured that they were able to offer the most efficient charging options.

Throughout the process, the team at AMP EV kept the stakeholders at the university up to date with the progress of the project, and ensured that it was completed on time.

The university’s new electric fleet has been well received by staff and students alike. The Students’ Union’s sustainability officer, Daniel Holmes, welcomed the introduction of electric vehicles. “I’m delighted that we have been able to bring in these vehicles,” he said. “When I first came here one of the things I noticed was that we had diesel minibuses which travelled to and from our various campuses. We wanted to have more efficient modes of transport that reduced our environmental impact and air pollution.”

Amp EV’s range of chargers, coupled with their online EV charger management portal, make them key UK-wide providers of electric vehicle charging points, helping the UK keep pace with its sustainable and environmental commitments to reach the 2050 net zero target.

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COMPANY NEWS: NORTHGATE

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Company Car & Van | April 2022 | 11

NEWS: EUROPCAR

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Is your fleet ready for the CAZ revolution?

Across the UK, Clean Air Zones – and in the case of London, an Ultra-Low Emission Zone – are being introduced or extended in order to improve air quality in our towns and cities.

Traffic pollution is quite rightly a top concern for people living in urban areas, and while Clean Air Zones are a welcome and necessary step in reducing traffic emissions, the profusion of rules and different approaches taken by local authorities can make it difficult for businesses to stay on top of what vehicles can be driven where and when.

Oxford City Council has, for example, recently introduced a zero-emission zone in the centre of the city which means that zero tailgate emissions vehicles can enter the zone without charge. But other vehicles will pay between £2 and £10 per day, depending on their emissions levels.

If effective, this pilot scheme could be rolled out to the rest of the city next year.

In Greater Manchester, however, the introduction of a Clean Air Zone has been delayed until later this year following concerns around people’s ability to upgrade to cleaner vehicles in time.

While the timings for the introduction of low-emission zones vary across the UK, the Government’s plan for all authorities to meet legal emissions limits by 2024 stands.

Earlier this year Europcar Mobility Group UK published a new whitepaper ‘Clearing the Air’: Are Fleet Managers Ready for the Clean Air Revolution? based on research of 300 fleet managers. This showed that 63 per cent of fleet managers expected between a quarter and half of their fleet to enter a Clean Air Zone each week. A large majority (87 per cent) confirmed that Clean Air Zones will impact their business operations and for 1-in-5, cost was the main concern around their ability to move to a lower emissions vehicle fleet.

The challenge is how to build and manage a fleet that meets CAZ and London ULEZ requirements, but is also flexible and costeffective. And all while vehicle supply is constrained. Having the ability to manage costs and ‘flex’ fleet by using rental, short and long-term, in response to fluctuations in demand will be key.

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Having access to the latest electric vehicles, without having to make long-term financial commitments, will be also crucial.

Responding to these challenges, Europcar is not only increasing the share of green vehicles in its fleet, it is also making a significant investment in vehicle charging at the Europcar network around the UK as well as taking an innovative approach to cutting down emissions in its operations, with the use of e-bikes for drivers delivering and collecting vehicles.

Europcar adds 100 LEVC VN5 vans to commercial fleet Demonstrating its clear intent to deliver electrified and flexible transport solutions for commercial vehicle users, Europcar added 100 London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) hybrid electric VN5 vans to its Vans & Trucks fleet at the start of 2022.

Clean Air Zone facts n For 89 per cent of businesses, a

quarter or more of their fleet need to enter a Clean Air Zone more than once a week n Just under 30 per cent of businesses had not calculated the potential cost for their fleet to enter a Clean Air Zone or the extended London ULEZ n 40 per cent said that they intend to use long-term/flexible rental as a way of increasing the number of ‘Clean Air Zone friendly’ vehicles in their fleets

Available for long-term rental from its Vans & Trucks locations across the UK, with a particular focus on the cities where Clean Air Zones are in force or scheduled for 2022, this new fleet addresses an urgent need among commercial vehicle users.

They give businesses the flexibility to ‘try before they buy’, without having to commit to lease or outright purchase, giving them the chance to really understand how electric will work for them and their drivers. Long-term rental of the VN5 also provides important financial flexibility while the UK economy remains uncertain. Plus, crucially, the VN5 gives customers a compliant solution eliminating the need to factor in additional costs for entering Clean Air Zones.

The VN5 is a truly innovative workhorse that delivers great storage capacity as well as the flexibility of LEVC’s eCity Range-Extender to eliminate the range anxiety that is holding back many commercial vehicle users from moving to electric.

GET IN TOUCH Europcar has availability for immediate delivery so call the team now on 0371 384 0140.

For more insights into how rental as part of an overall fleet strategy can help balance business mobility needs with those of the environment and driver well-being, download the ‘Clearing the Air’ White Paper at europcar.co.uk/business www.companycarandvan.co.uk

NEWS: LEXUS NX 450h

There’s a lot of love out there for all-new Lexus NX 450h+ Lexus’s first: plug-in hybrid: electric joins: exciting new: range of luxury SUVs:

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hybrids than just about anybody and it’s pretty much nailed the experience when it comes to daily driving.” The NX 450h+ will be “utterly painless to own,” referencing the up to 10 years warranty cover.

Perhaps crucially, Parkers justified a high score for its “peerless” material inside; the Lexus “is a very nice place to sit. Running on electric can often display refinement issues – with no engine to drown out wind and road noise it becomes more prominent. That’s no issue with the NX, which remains impressively silent whether the engine’s off or on.”

Glowing stuff. What they all agree upon is that the all-new NX range opens the next chapter for the Lexus brand, – and the 450h+ is a crucial part of this.

Overall customers can expect a stunning new design, powertrains, connectivity, safety and convenience technologies to a car that has comprehensively improved its dynamic performance on the outgoing model.

The NX also debuts a new multimedia platform that takes connectivity, information and

‘‘

Its lines flow backwards to accentuate the long bonnet... as well as looking great the elegant shape also supports good forward visibility...

‘‘

It’s never a bad move to keep the motoring media on your side – and it looks like Lexus has done just that as the reviews come in on its exciting and all-new NX 450h+.

The first drives of the mid-size luxury SUV yielded a raft of high-scoring reviews and praise for the vehicle’s key qualities, in particular the performance of the plug-in system, the new multimedia platform and the core Lexus qualities of comfort and refinement.

What Car? gave it a four-star review, commending it as “the best car Lexus has launched for years,” highlighting the “impressive pure electric range,” “strong performance,” and “promise of stellar reliability”.

It also points out the particular appeal for company car drivers who pay benefit-in-kind tax, quoting the seven per cent rating achieved thanks to the model’s low CO2 emissions and EV driving capability.

Awarding a four-out-of-five-star rating in Auto Express, James Brodie praises the Lexus as “efficient, refined, comfortable, practical (and) relaxing to drive,” noting the size of the high-voltage battery and role it plays in the NX’s “impressive” performance figures.

He also highlights interior quality “as plush as you’d expect of the badge” and the “decluttered” driver’s cockpit, commenting: “It’s improvements like these that exemplify the new Lexus attitude.” In his verdict he declares the NX to be “efficient, refined, comfortable, practical, relaxing to drive”.

Car magazine was equally pleased, pointing out Lexus has had “more experience making

convenience to a higher level, and benefits from expansion of the scope and functionality of the next generation Lexus Safety System+ active safety and driver assistance systems to help guard against an even wider range of accident risks and reduce the burden on the driver.

From the outside the intention has been to preserve the avant-garde character that proved so attractive to customers with the firstgeneration model while using a more sophisticated, mature and dynamic design language. The result is what Lexus has dubbed “functional beauty,” a blending of design with performance to produce styling that delivers improved aerodynamics, noise reduction and fuel efficiency.

The bodywork presents contrasting curved surfaces and sharp angles, with dynamic proportions that express agility and a roadgripping look. At the front, the hallmark Lexus spindle grille plays a more integral role in the design. It has a more upright position, which helps improve airflow into the engine compartment, and dispenses with its chrome frame. Its lines flow back to accentuate the long bonnet and generate the overall form and volume of the body as it flares broadly through the muscular rear wings. The elegant shape of the bonnet also supports good forward visibility from the driver’s seat.

The cockpit has been radically changed. To help keep the driver’s attention focused on the road ahead, the primary sources of information – the multi-information display, multimedia screen, gauges, meters and optional head-up display – are grouped so they can be read

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at-a-glance.

The head-up display can be used in three modes to show different levels of information: full mode includes the status of the Lexus Safety System+ safety and driver assistance features; standard mode summarises key information at the lower edge of the display; and minimum mode shows only the speed.

Touch tracer switches on the steering wheel can be used to change or update the contents of the multi-information display without having to look away from the road ahead.

While the driver experiences the focused, engaging environment created by the new Tazuna cockpit design, passengers enjoy a greater sense of space with an elevated level of comfort, quality and attention to detail that are quintessentially Lexus, evoking the feeling of a luxurious lounge. It’s a cabin that is innovative, elegant and practical, delivering a “tangible space” – a concept whereby areas of open space are integrated in the design, rather than simply being a void between different solid elements. This helps create a luxurious lounge feeling for the front seat passenger.

But a real highlight is the tech behind first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the NX 450h+. It draws on Lexus’s more than 15 years of hybrid technology expertise to feature a four-cylinder, 2.5-litre hybrid Atkinson cycle engine, a 134kW front electric motor, a 40kW rear electric motor, a hybrid transaxle and a lithium-ion battery with 18.1kWh capacity – one of the highest capacities in its class. The engine’s high output and fuel efficiency are www.companycarandvan.co.uk

supported by a long, 103.4mm stroke and high 14.0:1 compression ratio, together with Dual VVT-i electrically controlled intelligent variable valve-timing and D-4S direct/indirect fuel injection with multi-hole injectors.

The full plug-in system, including electric motors and battery, produces a maximum 305bhp/227 kW, enabling acceleration from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds. At the same time, CO2 emissions between 20 and 26g/km and fuel economy between 256.8 and 313.9mpg are among the best in the new NX’s class.

Thanks to its powerful battery and superior efficiency, NX 450h+ also provides a

substantially higher EV range. At 43 to 47 miles in the combined WLTP cycle, rising to 55 to 61 miles in the urban cycle, this is as much as twice the range offered by competitors in the NX’s segment. The new battery’s performance also enables all-electric driving at speeds up to 83mph. Using Lexus’s new compact and lightweight hybrid transaxle, the plug-in hybrid electric system delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency and power.

Highly efficient charging means the NX 450h+ battery recharging can be accomplished in around 2.5 hours using a 230V/32A connection and the 6.6kW on-board charger.

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ON TEST: VAUXHALL GRANDLAND

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Grandland grows up – and looks great Vauxhall’s Grandland-X has a new moniker and is now known simply as Grandland. The new name kickstarts a model refresh for Vauxhall’s C-sector SUV, and we got to drive the fleet-friendly plug-in version recently.

The shorter name also ushers in a slimmed down model range that’s better equipped, visually different and substantially cheaper then the outgoing Grandland-X. It’s also been built on Vauxhall’s Efficient Modular Platform 2 (EMP2) – a multi-energy platform that supports both electrification as well as advanced petrol and diesel powertrains.

Choose from three models: a 1.2T 130 PS 6-speed manual and an 8-speed auto petrol; a 1.5D 130PS 8-speed auto diesel or a 1.6T 225PS 8-speed auto PHEV. Vauxhall has also simplified the model range with now just three on offer, in Design, GS Line and Ultimate. Design isn’t offered as a PHEV though and is only available in GS Line and Ultimate specs.

Interior and exterior While the Grandland doesn’t look that different to the outgoing Grandland X, there are some notable changes. There’s a new Vauxhall Vizor front end with wing-style headlights and a redesigned front bumper. At the rear, the Grandland name stretches across the rear hatch and there’s some subtle changes to the rear bumper.

The interior has been sharpened up too; there’s a redesigned dashboard with PurePanel multimedia twin displays, with improved finishes to the dash front and top. The use of darker greys and blacks on the dash and seats also lifts the interior which previously was very grey.

It feels more upmarket and all at a lower price point, which is good news for customers.

Interior space is good. Both front seat passengers have plenty of head and legroom while in the rear, thanks to the almost flat floor, three adults will have decent leg room as well.

Rear passengers also benefit from a fold down centre seat armrest with two cup holders that doubles as a ski hatch. Door pockets are generous and there’s a couple of drinks holders in the centre cubby and under armrest storage too.

Our test car featured a hands-free power tailgate with HYBRID-e offering a 390 litre boot, ( 514 litres in petrol or diesel format ) which extends to 1,528 litres when folding down the rear seats.

Why should I pay more for the PHEV? It’s a good question. The cheapest way in to a Grandland is with the petrol 1.2T manual Design, which costs from £25,810. GS Line is likely to account for 60% of Grandland sales, so a better comparison is the GS Line turbo auto, costing £29,570 vs the GS Line PHEV, which costs £33,820, so £4,250 more 18 | April 2022 | Company Car & Van

expensive. Retail customers therefore, may well be better off taking the standard petrol Grandland, but for corporate customers, it’s a little more complicated.

For starters, the BIK on the plug-in is 11%, meaning that for a 40% tax payer on a three-year lease, the low BIK represents almost a £6,000 saving over the term of the lease. So, the plug-in makes an awful lot of sense.

The plug-in Grandland mates an 81kW motor to a 1.6T 4-cylinder petrol auto engine. They combine to offer 225PS. with the onboard 13.2kWh battery providing up to 39 miles of pure electric driving. Unlike pure EVs which come with large batteries, the beauty of a PHEV is that the small battery, in this case 13.2kWh, can be charged quickly, for example from 0-100% in 3.5 hours on a home 7kWh charger, or if you select your PHEV with the optional 6.6kW On-Board-Charger, in just 1.75 hours.

On the road The Grandland Hybrid-e offers three driving modes: Electric, Hybrid and Sport. In Hybrid the car automatically selects the most efficient method of propulsion, while Electric allows you to utilise the car’s battery range. Sport increases the fun but decreases driving range.

In Electric Mode, the HYBRID-e silently moves off and over short distances and at lower speeds, you can really take advantage of the battery range. Speed up and it makes sense to drive in Hybrid where you get the best of both worlds. Push the boat out in Sport Mode and the 360Nm comes to the fore, with a 0-60mph time of 8.9 seconds and a top speed of 140mph achievable.

Over some challenging roads, the Grandland performed admirably, with a quiet engine, comfortable seats and auto-box making progress serene. Apple CarPlay connects quickly and the new multi-media systems features decent graphics and a swift response when scrolling. We like the separate climate controls, so there’s no fiddling in the touchscreen required when you want to adjust the temperature.

On the road tight corners, even at speed, are taken in their stride and the battery weight is not really noticeable as you drive along.

Fuel economy On the latest WLTP testing, Vauxhall claims 192 mpg and with CO2 emissions of just 31g/ km, company car drivers should take a serious interest. As we’ve said before though, the only way you’ll see any kind of fuel economy return close to 200 mpg is if you drive in Electric only, plug-in after every short journey and utilise the range-saver function. Engage the B regeneration mode on the car’s gear leaver and you’ll top it up as you go, too. We’d guess that if you don’t do these things regularly, and many PHEV customers don’t, then 40 mpg is a more likely scenario.

Pros The Grandland is a vastly improved offering than the departing Grandland X. It’s now fitted with the latest tech and safety, oifers a quiet comfortable ride and uses a smooth 8-speed auto box. The plug-in’s low BIK makes it attractive for fleet and in GS Line spec, it’s also cheaper to buy than the competition, as well as being £4,000 less than the old Grandland X HYBRID4.

Cons It may look better than before, but it doesn’t stand out looks-wise vs the Hyundai Tucson or Citroen C5 Aircross.

CC&V VERDICT It’s massively improved: cheaper, better equipped, better improved engines, lower emissions and improved fuel economy.

The PHEV version is especially attractive for fleet customers and in 225PS guise, makes a really strong case to be your next family, company car. Feels more grown up than its predecessor and is cheaper than its main competition.

CC&V RATING: N N N N www.companycarandvan.co.uk

ON TEST: BMW iX

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iX hits the spot for premium electric SUVs Top quality drive and a mammoth range – what’s not to like, asks Andrew Walker While BMW has had the small electric i3 and the i8 supercar since 2014, last year was when its electric range really stepped up a pace, with the launch of a host of new models, including the iX, its electric premium SUV. The iX is a five-door hatch that’s a similar size to the X5, with the internal space of the larger BMW X7. What’s different is it features BMW’s fifth generation eDrive electric motors and the EV architecture that will eventually underpin the brands electric model range.

Model choice and range You can choose from the xDrive40 Sport or M Sport, which come with AWD and 326hp, or the more powerful xDrive50 Sport, also with AWD, but with an eye-watering 523hp. We were testing the xDrive40 which will go from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds and comes with a range of 246-257 miles on the WLTP combined electric range. Opt for the iDrive 50 and the range extends to 365-380 miles and a faster 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds. Both models use an electric motor on the front and rear axles.

Charging Select an EV and the second question you want answered after range is how long does it take to charge?

For the xDrive40, the full range of 257 miles is achieved in 11hrs 30mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) through a standard wall box charger, or 31mins (10-80%, 150kW) via rapid charge. The same stats for the xDrive50 are 381 miles of range after 16hrs 45mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) charging or 34mins (10-80%, 200kW) via a rapid charger.

Most people run 7kWh home chargers, and while the xDrive40’s charge to full in 11.5 hours is pretty standard, the xDrive50’s enormous 111.5 kWh battery, while delivering great range, does make home charging very slow.

Looks The iX is always going to stand out, with its lowish roofline, smooth surfaces and elongated sides. It’s clearly out to hit the Tesla Model X where it hurts.

The interior is exemplary. From the quilted leather seats to the curved dual-screen dash, it’s all beautifully engineered and finished in top-quality plastics and leather. Only the dash-top speaker cover felt disappointing.

The controls are located on a floating centre console, producing a clutter-free dashboard.

The hexagonal steering wheel is different and 20 | April 2022 | Company Car & Van

contains short cuts to infotainment and controls.

As with the i4 the dashboard’s curved display features a 14.9” infotainment screen alongside a 12.3” customisable digital instrument panel. The graphics are sharp, response is quick and the scroll action precise and easy to use.

Other standard equipment includes Shadow Line exterior trim, climate comfort windscreen, heated front seats, four zone auto air con, high beam assist, DAB, Harman/Kardon audio and Apple CarPlay.

Interior and boot space Cabin room is hugely impressive. Five six-footers would sit comfortably inside, with plenty of head and legroom to go round as there’s no transmission tunnel. Internal storage is good, too. You get a large glovebox, partitioned door bins, a wireless phonecharging pad, two USB-C sockets, a 12V socket, two cupholders, under armrest storage, plus a large and small cubby in front of the centre console.

Driving modes and energy regeneration Driving modes offered are Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport, with three levels of regeneration, especially useful in the 40 version with its lower range. Choose from High, Medium or Low and push the gear lever to the left from D to utilise these in B mode. As with the i4, the one pedal driving mode allows for almost brake-free driving and it’s not heavy on your right foot either.

On the road We were testing the iDrive 40 and like all large EVs, the battery is the key to how this car drives. BMW is proud of the driving enjoyment its cars create, and for such a heavy, boxy shaped car, the iX does a remarkable job of

hiding the fact it’s so heavy. This is aided by the rear-wheel steering, which shortens the wheelbase, improving agility.

As with the i4, the heavy battery is located low down and centre and this helps road holding and cornering by limiting body roll.

Hop on a motorway and the iX offers limousine luxury, although you really do need to watch your speed. Outside road noise is kept to a minimum, but the upright stance means wind noise is prevalent. Uneven surfaces are dealt with by the impressive suspension and it feels more comfortable than the similarly sized Audi e tron, while the Mercedes-Benz EQC doesn’t deal with the road as well as the iDrive 40, which at present is by far the best in the class to drive.

Pros Fabulous interior, loads of space, new BMW operating system is excellent and company car drivers pay just 1% BIK. Best of all, it’s actually good to drive.

Cons It is expensive, and it’s boxy shape won’t appeal to everyone.

CC&V VERDICT The XDrive 40 is our choice. It’s accessibly priced, comes with decent battery range and when charging at home, doesn’t take an age. The interior is the stand out in the sector, the cabin is cavernous and it’s a quality drive, too

CC&V RATING: NNNNN

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NEWS: VOLKSWAGEN TAIGO

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Taigo’s a VW first as it brings coupé style to the SUV sector The Volkswagen Taigo is now open for order to UK customers, offering the latest safety and driver assistance systems, connectivity and infotainment, versatility and desirability, wrapped up in a stylish SUV-coupé body, and fitted with an array of efficient and flexible petrol engines.

The model starts at £21,960 OTR for the model in Life specification, allied to a 1.0-litre, 95 PS TSI engine and 5-speed manual gearbox.

At 150 mm longer than the entry-level SUV in the Volkswagen range – the compact T-Cross – and shorter and lower than the stylish T-Roc, the Taigo complements neatly the brand’s SUV line-up, which also comprises the Tiguan, ID.4, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg.

The newcomer features the higher seating position and ground clearance of an SUV, while also offering comfort and style. Personalisation is provided via a wide and vibrant range of paint colours, while further customisation is available optionally across various aspects of the interior.

Customer demand for high levels of technology and connectivity are met, with wireless App-Connect and wireless smartphone charging, as well as streaming and internet services, all included from Life trim upwards.

The Taigo is equipped as standard with LED headlights; an 8.0-inch Digital Cockpit; a multifunction steering wheel; wireless smartphone charging; Park Assist; a fatigue detection system; and curtain airbags in the front, with a central airbag adding to the numerous safety features of the charismatic new SUV, across every trim level. Big-car technology such as Travel Assist is also

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included, while the brand’s innovative IQ.Light LED matrix headlights are fitted as standard on the Taigo Style.

The entry-level Taigo Life is generously equipped as standard, with a suite of driver assistance systems providing safety and assurance. These include Lane Change Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Assist with front and rear parking sensors, and more. From the outside, the Taigo Life’s 16-inch ‘Everett’ Black alloy wheels, front fog lights, LED headlights and black-finished roof rails complement its sharp styling. Comfort and convenience features include logo projection lighting from the car’s door mirrors; a multifunction camera; lumbar support for the comfortable front seats; electrically-folding door mirrors with electric heating and adjustment; and a multifunction steering wheel.

Standard equipment for the Taigo R-Line builds upon that of the Life, offering a sportily-styled alternative with 17-inch ‘Valencia’ alloy wheels and R-Line exterior styling with bespoke bumpers. On the inside, more R-Line styling cues are present, with a black rooflining, R-Line badging on the floor mats and an R-Line specific multifunction steering wheel; while luxuries such as ambient lighting; 2-zone Climatronic climate control; an upgraded, 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro dashboard display; and an 8.0-inch Discover Navigation infotainment system, are all fitted. The driver can also select between profiles to change the characteristics of the car’s drive, to suit sportier or more relaxed driving styles. Rear privacy glass adds to the dynamic look of the Taigo, and is also standard on the Taigo Style.

Majoring on luxury and comfort, the Taigo Style builds even further upon the model’s generous equipment package, with the standard fitment of IQ.Light LED matrix headlights. These feature individually controlled modules that are able to automatically switch modes to suit a variety of driving situations. The IQ.Light series was introduced on the Touareg in 2018, but has now been adopted across much of the Volkswagen model range. These intelligent headlights are enhanced by a full-width LED bar in the Taigo’s front grille. The Taigo Style also features 17-inch ‘Aberdeen’ alloy wheels, as well as Dynamic Light Assist for the IQ.Light headlights as standard.

The Taigo range features four engine and gearbox configurations, with the combination depending on specification. The entry-level Taigo Life is available with a 1.0-litre, threecylinder, 95 PS TSI petrol engine, fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox, as well as a 110 PS engine of the same size, mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox1, or a 7-speed DSG automatic.

This 110 PS unit is available across all three Taigo specifications – with the manual version of the 110 PS arriving across all Taigo specifications on 11 November. A second DSG-equipped option – a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI engine with 150 PS – is available in the Taigo Style and R-Line. These three engines return 175 Nm, 200 Nm and 250 Nm of torque respectively, while the 110 PS, 6-speed manual-equipped Taigo returns the greatest fuel economy within the range of 52.3 mpg, and the lowest CO2 emissions, of 124 g/km (WLTP, combined).

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ON TEST: KIA SPORTAGE

New Sportage carries on where KIA’s best-seller left off KIA Sportage was never tempted to mess around too much with its best-seller, the Sportage, and Andrew Walker finds the latest version is a better looking chip off the old block The Kia Sportage is the brand’s most successful car, so it’s no wonder that the launch of a new one is a big deal for the Korean brand. Six years ago, Company Car & Van was at the previous Sportage launch to see what all the fuss was about, and we really loved the diesel and petrol models on display. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, however, and the new range features a choice of petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. That list just proves how much has changed in such a short space of time.

There are five model grades – ‘2’, ‘GT-Line’, ‘3’, ‘4’ and ‘GT-Line S, and when you factor in the powertrain options there are18 models to choose from.

Exterior Built on Kia’s brand-new ‘N3’ architecture, the latest Sportage is 30mm longer, 10mm wider, features a 10mm longer wheelbase and it’s also 10mm higher. The front has a new take on the Kia Tiger Nose grille, boomerang LED daytime running lights, with Matrix LED headlamps. Along the side is a chrome belt line that kicks up at the rear and at the back, there’s a fastback design with razor rear lamps, all finished off with the option of a black roof, the first time this has been available on European models. There’s also a choice of ten colours and four alloy wheel designs, through 17”, 18” or 19” versions.

Interior and equipment First seen in the EV6, the dashboard is dominated by the car’s infotainment and instrument cluster screens, which stretch across two-thirds of the car. Below the central touchscreen sits the car’s multi-mode display.

This replaces physical buttons with a dedicated ‘haptic’ touchscreen, providing shortcuts to control the cars climate control, infotainment and SatNav. The good news is that you don’t need to delve into too many sub-menus to choose what you want. It’s easy to work, with a small arrow which when pushed, switch from climate to the other functions, which helps free-up dashboard space.

The centre console on automatic versions 24 | April 2022 | Company Car & Van

also features a new shift-by-wire automatic transmission dial, taking up less space than a traditional gear selector, which is available on ‘GT-Line’, ‘GT-Line S’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ grades. Also new is a high speed 15W wireless charging for smartphones on ‘4’ and GT-Line S’ editions.

Practicality Up front you get twin cupholders between the front seats. On some versions, the cup holders rotate outwards and can be pushed back in when not needed, creating more space in the cabin. In front of this are two USB connections and a 12v socket. The door pockets will hold a bottle, but the glove box is slim. The front armrest lifts up to add more storage. Front and rear head and legroom is good as well.

The cabin now offers an integrated hangertype design within the headrests, allowing clothing or bags to be hooked into place.

Sitting next to these are twin USB inputs located on the inside of the front seat sides.

Slimmer front seats increase rear legroom to 996mm and coupled with the increased measurements all around, the cabin is more spacious than any previous Sportage.

The 40:20:40 split rear seats fold down by pulling a lever and the boot features up to 591 litres of luggage space with the seats up, with a maximum boot capacity of 1,780 litres when folding the rear seats down. The battery pack for HEV models has been cleverly placed underneath the back seats, resulting in similar rear legroom in these versions, to that you get in the petrol and diesel versions. The boot floor

can also be lifted to reveal some useful storage space underneath.

With a choice of petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains, the latest Sportage caters for most tastes.

Customers can choose between front and AWD. Improvements include the 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine now being offered with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. Furthermore, the seven-speed DCT automatic gearbox now comes with both petrol and diesel drivetrains and Terrain Mode is fitted on all hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, featuring Mud, Snow and Sand modes.

Build quality As with Kia’s latest electric car, the EV6, the cabin quality is excellent, especially on higher spec versions. So there’s plenty of soft touch finishes in black and chrome and it’s all very tastefully executed. However, as you shift down to ‘2’ or ‘3’ models in the line-up you’ll find the quality dips a little, with cheaper plastic used between the front seats.

Technology and safety Kia has come up trumps here, with twin 12.3” touch screens and the curved panoramic display standard on most variants, plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility fitted as standard.

Safety-wise, again Kia has been generous, with Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) which includes sensors for city, pedestrian, cyclists, and junctions, offered on all models.

Choose an auto and benefit from Highway www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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Driving Assist (HDA), Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go and paddle shifters. All models come with Lane Follow Assist (LFA) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA), front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Parking Collision Avoidance Assist (PCA) is standard on ‘4’ and ‘GT-Line S’ versions, with Remote Smart Park Assist (RSPA) standard on ‘4’ and ‘GT-Line S’ hybrid models.

On the road At launch we had the opportunity to drive a manual petrol ‘3’ model and both AWD and FWD hybrid automatic versions.

First up was the AWD full hybrid. The first thing you notice is how easy this is to drive. In town the auto box is excellent and on the motorway you simply select cruise control and away you go. At motorway speeds the cabin is quiet and the driver’s seat is comfortable. Kick down to overtake and the revs go up and the engine noise gets a little intrusive. There’s plenty of power on offer, with the hybrid version offering 226bhp and 350Nm of torque for a decent 0-60 mph of 7.7 seconds.

This version blends a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 1.49kWh battery, which enables the car to travel short distances using electric power, which is useful in stop-start traffic.

The three versions we drove all had light steering and good all-around visibility. On some smaller B roads the hybrid does feel a little

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unsettled over bumps – after all, with AWD and battery, it’s quite heavy at 2,245kg – but where neither is present, such as on the 2,085kg petrol version, it is more forgiving. The FWD hybrid sits somewhere in between, weighing in at 2,175kg.

Talking of which, while the ‘3’ spec manuals are not as fancy inside as the GT Line S, we found it both more fun to drive and better to handle than both the hybrid and mild-hybrid versions. There’s something about a manual gearbox that connects the driver so much better, in my mind.

Company car drivers Until the PHEV version arrives this summer, the hybrid’s CO2 emissions of 125-140g/km, coupled to fuel economy of between 4751mpg, make this version the most attractive to company car drivers.

Pros With a wide range of engines and a good choice of specs, there’s a Sportage for all. The interior is arguably best in class, with the excellent infotainment system lifting this Sportage to new heights. Some clever interior design touches such as the coat hangers are also good news, while the more aggressive front and rear makes it stand out from the crowd.

Cons Like all SUVs, the Sportage is a little bland to

drive. Prices of between £26,745 – £43,795, reflect the car’s upmarket feel and for most, they’ll want at least a GT-Line version, which starts at £29,745. The PHEV will be the most attractive to fleet customers, so you’ll need to wait a little longer for that one.

Conclusion How do you improve your best selling and most successful car? Simple ...

• Don’t fiddle around too much with how it looks, tick.

• Offer a wide choice of engines including a fleet-friendly plug-in version, tick.

• Offer loads of goodies even on the cheaper versions, tick.

• Add a great looking, top notch infotainment system, tick.

• And, build it using higher quality materials, tick.

CC&V VERDICT In essence, the new Sportage does what all of the other Sportages did from Gen 2 onwards, which is to make a very good car even better. Existing Sportage customers will love it and it gives the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai a real run for their money.

CC&V RATING: NNNN

Company Car & Van | April 2022 | 25

NEWS: MAZDA CX-60 PHEV

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Mazda’s CX-60 makes connection between the driver and car The all-new Mazda CX-60 will arrive in the UK this autumn to expand Mazda’s award-winning SUV range. The flagship SUV comes with Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, which combines a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre fourcylinder petrol engine with a 100 kW electric motor and a 17.8 kWh high-capacity battery.

Offered in the UK in three trim grades: Exclusive-Line, Homura and Takumi, customer choice is further enhanced with the ability to add two option packs across all grades: Convenience Pack and Driver Assistance Pack, with a Comfort Pack available on ExclusiveLine. An additional option to specify a Panoramic roof on Homura and Takumi models is also unique to the CX-60.

The debut of the new 327ps PHEV is key.

Power comes from a 327ps and 500Nm e-Skyacvtiv powertrain, which combines a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 100kW electric motor and a 17.8 kWh high-capacity battery, backed by a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

Designed to offer drivers a smooth and responsive gear shift with slick steps between ratios, it achieves the right balance between driver engagement, comfort, dynamic

performance and environmental efficiency. The new transmission shifts gears in the same manner as a torque converter gearbox – via planetary gears and multi-plate clutches – but it does not have a hydraulic converter as an input clutch, instead it has a multiplate clutch as well as an integrated electric motor/generator. By replacing the torque converter with a clutch, the torque of the engine and the electric motor is transmitted directly, with a similar fast and rhythmic shifting feel akin to a manual transmission.

The CX-60’s e-Skyactiv PHEV powertrain also allows for the independent power mixing of the petrol engine and electric motor, so that at all speeds the transmission delivers shifts and changes smoothly. Part of an powertrain set up that delivers outstanding environmental credentials with WLTP combined fuel consumption of 188mpg and WLTP combined CO2 emissions of only 33g/km, this new transmission also ensures excellent levels of driver engagement in what is Mazda’s most powerful car to date.

The all-new Mazda CX-60 PHEV’s e-Skyactiv powertrain and all-new eight-speed automatic transmission is matched to Mazda’s i-Activ

‘‘

The new technology found in the CX-60 is all about delivering that unique connection between car and driver you’d expect in a Mazda...

‘‘

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All-Wheel Drive system. While the Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) offers a choice of drive modes: Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Towing and EV, with the latter making it possible to drive under electric power alone.

While across each of the driving modes the Mi-Drive system is designed to provide optimum control and driving pleasure in every driving scenario.

Commenting on the reveal of the Mazda CX-60, Mazda Motors UK Ltd, Managing Director, Jeremy Thomson, said: “the Mazda CX-60 heralds the start of a new chapter for Mazda, not only is it our first car with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, but it also sets new standards for interior quality, design and technology – highlighting Mazda’s uniquely Japanese premium brand direction”. Adding, “whether it’s our new eight-speed transmission or clever tech like the Mazda Driver Personalisation System, the new technology found in the CX-60 is all about delivering that unique connection between car and driver you’d expect in a Mazda.”

The new technology tally with the Mazda CX-60 is set to grow even further with two brand new upcoming Mazda engines joining the e-Skyactiv PHEV. Developed using Mazda’s ‘right sizing’ concept which calls for optimised displacement for improved fuel and power efficiency, new-generation in-line straight-six 3.0-litre e-Skyactiv X petrol and 3.3-litre Skyactiv-D diesel engines, which feature M Hybrid Boost - Mazda’s 48V mild hybrid system – will join the CX-60 line-up in the future.

Available to order now the £43,950 Mazda CX-60 PHEV Exclusive-Line, the £46,700 Mazda CX-60 PHEV Homura and £48,050 Mazda CX-60 PHEV CX-60 Takumi will arrive in UK dealerships later this year.

Heralding a new chapter in Mazda’s successful SUV history, the Mazda CX-60 joins the battery electric Mazda MX-30, Mazda M Hybrid mild-hybrid equipped Mazda CX-30 and recently updated 2022 Mazda CX-5 in Mazda’s comprehensive SUV line-up.

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CVS ON TEST: MERCEDES-BENZ e SPRINTER

eSprinter: The discerning delivery driver’s choice Given the renowed reputation of the Mercedes-Benz brand, it’s no surprise that the eSprinter is regarded as the premium urban delivery vehicle.

Andrew Walker takes one for a spin

We first drove the latest iteration of the best-selling Mercedes-Benz Sprinter back in 2018 and came away, as you would expect, mightily impressed. The brand spent a couple of years working on the technology before adding an electric version to the line-up in 2020.

It’s an obvious stablemate to its conventionally powered sibling. The eSprinter shares its running gear with the smaller eVito electric van, which we also drove back in 2020 and like its smaller electric brethren, it’s quite a bit more expensive than the diesel variant, with prices starting at £51,950 for the eSprinter Progressive L2 H2 FWD. This price excludes VAT and the OLEV grant, which is currently a

maximum of £6,000. Customers should note that where the diesel range feature three specs – Pure, Progressive and Premium – the eSprinter is only offered in Progressive trim and with one size of battery, at just over 55kWh in capacity, which equates to a range of up to 96 miles.

The big question, of course, what is it like compared to a diesel Sprinter?

From the outside, there’s not a lot to distinguish the eSprinter from any other Sprinters. There’s a lower case blue ‘e’ in front of Sprinter on the rear left door and hidden underneath the Benz badge located in the centre of the front grille, is the EV charging port. Even inside it’s almost identical to an auto diesel Sprinter, featuring the same steering wheel stalk gear lever, an identical dashboard and offers the same cabin storage. There’s also a top quality finish to the dash and the neat and tidy matt black interior.

The main difference is that underneath the Start button is a Drive Mode selector, which allows you to select from three electric driving modes, C, E and E+. C stands for Comfort and is the default mode, delivering the full power and torque of the van. E is for Economy and limits the power and torque, while E+ lowers the power further and also deactivates the climate control.

Furthermore, like many current EVs, eSprinter also comes with brake regeneration.

You can adjust the level of this via steeringwheel-mounted paddles. The default is D- , offering the most regen, and you can also opt for D or D+, which both reduce the braking force.

There’s also the option to choose D++, which turns the regen braking off. All of these settings can be viewed in the instrument cluster located in front of the driver.

How well equipped is it?

You get a heated seat for the driver with armrest, dual passenger seat, comfort overhead control panel, a full-width partition, height and rake adjustable steering wheel, TEMPMATIC air-con, a wooden floor, a mode 3 type 2 eight-metre charging cable, linear speed limiter 120km/h, headlight assistant, heatinsulating glass, and 270-degree double-wing rear-end doors.

In addition to DAB radio, the Mercedes-Benz audio system comes with a Bluetooth interface with hands-free function and a USB port.

Safety features include Active Brake ASSIST, Attention ASSIST, Crosswind ASSIST and Emergency eCall. There is also a Thatcham Category 1 approved alarm.

Continued on page 28

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Company Car & Van | April 2022 | 27

ON TEST: MERCEDES-BENZ eSPRINTER

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eSprinter: The discerning delivery driver’s choice accelerator pedal feel heavy, so more effort is required to push it. Premium specced Sprinter features cruise control, a far less tiresome way to drive at a constant speed and an option that would make the eSprinter even more rangefriendly.

Continued from page 27 You also get remote locking, theft warning alerts and geo-fencing, thanks to Mercedes PRO connect.

Recharging details Standard charging speed is 20kW, which takes two hours to charge from 10 to 80 per cent. This can be upgraded to 80kW rapidcharging which lowers that time to 30 minutes.

Both options come as standard with an eight-metre Type 2 cable. We would definitely recommend either of these charging methods as fully charging the eSprinter at home, as we discovered on a 7.4kW Rolec home charger (https://www.rolecserv.com/home-charging) takes upwards of eight hours.

It’s worth knowing that Mercedes PRO connect is free for the first two years when you buy an eSprinter. It features a remote eCharging function, which enables drivers to programme cooling or heating while their van is still charging. Use this regularly and you will conserve battery energy while maximising driving range.

Do the batteries reduce payload or load space?

Four parallel high-voltage battery blocks are installed securely in the eSprinter’s underbody as standard, so that these can be replaced individually in the event of damage. The clever location means that the load space on eSprinter remains uncompromised. However, due to the extra battery weight, the payload is reduced to 774kg. While this may seem a major negative, we would argue that due to its short range of 96 miles, the eSprinter is really built for last-mile deliveries.

With a load area of 11 cubic metres, three metres of loading length and over two metres of height, in effect it’s perfect for parcels. To back us up, Amazon has ordered 800 for its UK fleet.

But what’s the eSprinter like to drive and most importantly, how good is it’s claimed range?

Offering single speed, FWD transmission, powered only by a 114hp electric motor, the eSprinter gets up to 30 mph quickly and then the acceleration peters out. We took it out on the motorway and just like the diesel model, the eSprinter is a every quiet place to be, limiting outside wind and road noise.

At a constant 62mph the eSprinter makes good progress. We used E driving mode on departure, as the outside temperature was below zero which made E+ a no-go. We also used the D brake regeneration, which enabled us to recharge when we slowed down. After a journey of 43 miles, the battery range reduced from 96 miles to 53 miles – bang on one mile 28 | April 2022 | Company Car & Van

used per mile of charge. Pretty impressive; it’s amazing how few vans can match this. In a smaller electric van driven the previous week, we had only averaged 0.5 miles driven to every 1 mile of range.

A couple of local trips over shorter distances resulted in the same findings. Drive a mile, use a mile of range. Handling in town is decent too, with the light Sprinter steering a real bonus.

For van fleet operators, our range results are a positive, enabling companies to plan their routes and driving distances accordingly and to factor in regular re-charging as well.

It can’t all be good news, can it?

While the cabin is very comfortable, the seating wide enough for three and the cabin easy to get in and out of, the single spec option of Progressive on eSprinter means that drivers miss out on MB’s excellent 10.25” colour touchscreen media system, fitted on Premium models. This means access to a mono display, non-touch screen, fitted with a DAB radio and single ‘C’ USB input.

Also, the steering wheel on eSprinter doesn’t feature any short cut buttons, so you can’t adjust the radio or Bluetooth hands-free phone volume or change the function without having to reach across the cab to push the buttons manually.

In addition, we praised the Benz’s brake regeneration earlier, but utilising this on the motorway and trying to keep a constant speed, as we also found on the eVito, can become a chore. Brake re-generation makes the

Will it work for me?

If your business involves carrying lighter payloads, travelling shorter distances in or around an urban area, then yes, the eSprinter is definitely worth your consideration. With a starting price north of 50k you’ll have to look at the eSprinter as a long-term investment before it begins to save your business money. Charge your eSprinter regularly, especially overnight on cheaper electricity, utilise the range daily, take advantage of the OLEV grant and reduced taxation and the eSprinter will start saving you money quicker than you’d imagine.

Servicing costs should reduce too, as electric motors have fewer moving parts than a combustion engine, so in theory, there’s less to go wrong or need replacing. Furthermore, the eSprinter comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty and the battery pack is warranted for eight years, or 100,000 miles, guaranteeing at least 70% capacity after this time.

Finally, Mercedes-Benz Pro Connect service comes free for two years with each eSprinter.

It’s designed to help business users utilise data, enabling them to simplify the use of vans within their day-to-day use. With an electric van this type of tech is even more relevant, as it will allow operators to keep on top of a vehicle that offers a far shorter range than a diesel and is far more likely to be delivering door to door.

Another great selling point for the eSprinter.

CC&V VERDICT As with any EV, the verdict lies in understanding its range and your needs.

You can be reassured that the range does not lie: if it says one mile, you’ll drive a mile, and that’s great news. In addition, the eSprinter has a modern, clutter-free interior, with high quality fixtures, pa hard wearing finish and plenty of standard safety kit. What we have here is a large electric panel-van that does anything and everything you’d want a large panel-van to do, but over shorter distances, so factor in huge storage space, decent urban handling and zero emissions. It’s a package that makes a very strong case to add one to your fleet.

CC&V RATING: NNNNN

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EURO COMMERCIALS

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LH Evans is charging on with eSprinter Electrical wholesaler LH Evans has marked its 60th year by commissioning its first batterypowered van, a Mercedes-Benz eSprinter supplied by dealer Euro Commercials.

The Cardiff-based operator’s new vehicle is now undertaking deliveries around the Welsh capital, where its electric driveline is ideally suited to the typical pattern of short distances with frequent stopping and starting.

LH Evans has branches across Wales and regularly sends vans on long-distance runs, so needed flexibility and extended range offered by conventional vehicles. This explains why Euro Commercials will shortly be delivering another seven diesel-engined Sprinters to its long-standing customer.

“The past decade has shown that we can rely on both our Sprinters and Euro Commercials to provide reliable, cost-effective service,” said LH Evans’ finance manager Mark Etchells. “The vehicles are built to a very high standard and with the dealer’s workshop open 24 hours a day, downtime is kept to an absolute minimum.”

He added: “The eSprinter builds on that quality buts adds the advantage of a batterypowered driveline. For urban operation, in and around Cardiff, it’s ideal. Not only are there no exhaust emissions but it’s great to drive too,

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Charging ahead: Managing Director Andrew Evans with LH Evans’ new eSprinter

with instant torque, smooth running, very little noise and no gear changes to worry about.”

The eSprinter is powered by a 114 hp electric motor that drives the front wheels. It can travel 95 miles (combined WLTP with 80 km/h speed limiter) on a single charge – ample for most urban delivery and ‘last mile’ applications. The vehicle is based on the L2 (medium length), H2 (high roof) Sprinter. Its 55 kWh high-voltage battery pack is securely mounted beneath the body, so does not impinge on cargo carrying space. As a result, the eSprinter’s 11m3 load volume is identical to that of its diesel-engined, front-wheel drive stablemate, and half a cubic metre larger than the rear-wheel drive equivalent.

“We’re keen to do everything we can to

minimise the effect of our operation on the local environment, and to prepare for any future restrictions on the use of diesel and petrol vehicles in city centres,” continued Mr Etchells. “The fact that we can dedicate one vehicle to short-radius work, where the daily distances are well within its range capability, means we’ve been able to take this step with confidence.”

LH Evans’ diesel Sprinters are all 315 CDI models, with 150 hp/340 Nm 2.0-litre engines.

Six are long-bodied L3 variants while one has an extra-long L4 body, the largest in the range.

Like the eSprinter, all were specified with Progressive trimlines which include Tempmatic air conditioning and a full complement of active and passive safety equipment.

Meanwhile, ‘Mercedes me’ employs 4G Internet technology to provide operators with remote access to data on the vehicle including its location and remaining battery charge. The eSprinter is charged overnight – and sometimes topped up in the afternoon, so it can make more drops if required – using an 11kW wall box supplied by Rolec Services, of Boston, Lincolnshire.

Company Car & Van | April 2022 | 29

ON TEST: TOYOTA PROACE CITY ELECTRIC

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Practical Proace City Electric shows it has a fun side Who says driving CVs has to be dull? The Toyota Proace City Electric makes every day behind the wheel a joy, says Andrew Walker The Toyota Proace City Electric is a great package for van operators: a small electric van, with a cargo area of up to 3.3 cu. m3 and a useful battery electric range of 161 miles. Like the larger Proace Electric, it is built in conjunction with the Stellantis small electric vans from Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall, and gives Toyota another string to its bow in the electric van marketplace. We drove one recently and here’s what we thought.

Model range, specification and equipment SWB and LWB panel van versions are offered. The shorter wheelbase models have an 800kg payload, while long-wheelbase models have a 750kg payload, but come with a larger loading area. Both versions feature the same 50kWh battery, which offers a WLTP range of 168 miles.

In SWB or LWB versions, the City is offered only in Icon spec. Fear not, however, as Icon 30 | April 2022 | Company Car & Van

offers plenty of standard equipment, including two sliding side doors, a reversing camera, smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front parking sensors, a reversing camera, DAB, two USB’s, air-con and cruise control.

Performance and charging The 50kWh battery uses a 100kW electric motor, putting out the equivalent of 136bhp.

This is good enough for a top speed of 80 mph, but it’s the instant torque that’s most impressive, making forward progress smooth as well as silent.

Fast charging is included as standard. This means that the City Electric can top up its battery from 0-80 per cent using a 100kW rapid charger, in just 30 minutes. This is quite expensive so most of your charging will take place at home, where using a 7kW charger, like our own Rolec Smart Charger, charging the 50kWh battery from 0-100 per cent will take 7.5 hours. Toyota also offers the option to upgrade from 7kW Type 2 charging capability to 11kW, so a home charge can take as little as 4.5 hours Saving cash on charging Increasing energy prices are likely to be making many potential electric van customers pause before taking the plunge. Perhaps now is not the right time to ditch petrol/diesel?

It’s true, electric vans come with a higher initial purchase price – and the cost of recharging is rising. But it’s not going up as fast as fossil fuel prices, and what we say is that there are ways to ensure that your electric van saves you as much money as possible, so here are a few tips. First, always charge your City Electric at home where prices are cheapest.

Second, and just as important, switch your electric supplier and tariff to one that offers cheaper overnight electricity prices, such as Octopus Go. For example, using the EV Energy App, who partner Rolec, you can set your charger to only charge at off-peak times and can even set a price per kWh limit.

Rivals So who are the rivals? Well, obviously, Peugeot, Vauxhall and Citroen offer their own versions of the City Electric. Later in 2022 Renault’s new Kangoo E-Tech, Mercedes-Benz eCitan and Nissan’s electric Townstar will arrive and of course, there’s our reigning Small Electric Van of the Year, the Maxus eDeliver 3.

All are worth a look but the City Electric has got a touch of something special about it. Read on...

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ON TEST: TOYOTA PROACE CITY ELECTRIC

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‘‘

What’s really appealing about City Electric is that it drives like a small electric family car... steering is light and the auto gearbox easy to operate...

‘‘

Continued from page 30 Interior and exterior We were testing the Proace City Electric Icon L1 50kW model. The electric City looks just like the diesel model, with just a slight nod to it’s electric roots, namely an ELECTRIC logos on the rear door and front nearside.

The interior has a car-like feel to it, with the dashboard dominated by the colour touchscreen. It’s also finished in nicely textured plastics, with the grey seat fabric looking and feeling hard wearing.

I had a good look around my test van before I took it out and it featured the Toyota Smart Cargo bulkhead with a hatch, allowing a longer load length to fit into the cargo area and into the front rear left passenger footwell. After January’s recent storms I needed to repair a fence so required two 3m lengths of wood. I was able to slide these over the front passenger seat into the perfectly placed dashboard gap, managing to just close the rear doors. Perfect!

There’s also under passenger seat storage, large enough to store a small bag, two decent sized door pockets, storage between the front seats, twin drinks holders on the dash top and space lower down for odds and ends.

The only negative is that the centre-front seat doesn’t offer much legroom, though the twin sliding side doors and 180° opening rear doors make getting in and out of the van easy.

On the road What’s really appealing about City Electric is that it drives like a small electric family car.

Steering is light and the auto gearbox, located just to the left of the driver, is easy to operate.

Here you can select from Park, Reverse, Neutral or Drive with another setting, ‘B’, that

adds two levels of regenerative braking to the equation. There also three drive modes: Eco, which slows everything down and turns of the heating; Normal, in which we drove all week; and Power, useful if your van is heavily laden.

In Power mode, you get the van’s full 134bhp and the most fun, with quick acceleration from a standing start. The downside is that it reduces the range considerably. The 108bhp you get with Normal mode is the level we used, primarily because it was cold. This gives you a good amount of throttle response. Selecting ‘B’ mode in the gear selector puts some energy back into the battery when coasting. It’s not really noticeable and certainly doesn’t offer anything strong enough to allow for singlepedal driving.

On the motorway, the City Electric drives nicely. The cabin is quiet thanks in part to the full steel bulkhead and the seats offer a firm and supportive ride. The driver’s view of the road is good and all of the switches and buttons fall easily to hand.

Continued on page 34

32 | April 2022 | Company Car & Van

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ON TEST: TOYOTA PROACE CITY ELECTRIC

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‘The City Electric also does a good job of masking the battery weight under the floor plan, making it a fun, small van to drive, especially in town...’

Continued from page 32 The Icon is fitted as standard with cruise control, which allows you to select your motorway speed, which in turn aids battery range. The City Electric also does a good job of masking the battery weight under the floor plan, making it a fun small van to drive, especially in town.

Range Once I had charged the City Electric fully at home on my Rolec charger, (https://www. rolecserv.com/home-charging), the total battery range showing was 161 miles in Eco and 151 miles in Normal. Some local journeys saw us achieve the holy grail of a 1:1 ratio of distance travelled to range used. As with all EVs, though, the range isn’t as great when you drive over 65 mph or in low temperatures. We took a 50-mile motorway spin in February, with outside temperatures of just 3 degrees celsius.

Travelling at a constant 65mph, we used up 68 miles of range.

Pros Excellent payload, great to drive, top-notch cabin, on-trend tech and if driven carefully, expect a range of 130 miles.

As with the firm’s passenger cars, the Proace City Electric is covered by Toyota’s 10-year service warranty, which should bring added peace of mind to business users tempted to make the switch to electric. It’s worth noting that its Stellantis competitors are not as generous with their warranties.

Cons The Proace City Electric Icon comes supplied with a higher spec than the Stellantis versions, which makes is a little more expensive. Like all EVs, be aware that very cold weather and a heavy right foot will affect your vehicle’s range.

Conclusion If you drive the length and breadth of the UK, any electric van is not going to be for you. The range is too small and at motorway speeds, the battery drains far faster.

However, if your van use is local, even regional, then a van such as the Proace City Electric could be a solution. An electric van is plainly cleaner, you don’t need to pay vehicle excise duty and EVs are currently Congestion Charge exempt. And we haven’t even mentioned the fuel savings you’ll achieve in an electric van, which will typically cut your monthly expenditure on diesel by 75 per cent.

Furthermore, the Proace City Electric offers a competitive payload, comes complete with the latest tech and safety features and offers the reassurance of Toyota’s 10-year service warranty.

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INTERIOR DIMENSIONS

CC&V VERDICT

Volvo XC60 Interior length (mm) 3090 mm Interior width (mm) 1229 mm Interior height (mm) 1200 mm Deck length (mm) 1817 mm Deck width (mm) 1527 mm Deck height (mm) 1200 mm Load volume with Smart Cargo (2 seats, m³) 3.8 m³ Loading length with Smart Cargo (2 seats, mm) 3090 mm Load volume (m³) 3.3 m³

A great van to drive, good range if you are focused on short-run urban deliveries and gives you the ecocredentials you may be looking for. Will also save money in the long run in the charging v petrol/diesel debate – and don’t ignore the warranty offer, either

CC&V RATING: NNNN

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CV NEWS

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New VW’s causing quite a Buzz!

The world premier of the exciting new Volkswagen ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo took place last month in Hamburg. With Europe’s first all-electric bus and transporter range, Volkswagen is providing yet another solution to sustainable and CO2-free mobility. The ID. Buzz comes with the latest ID. software and sets new standards in its segment with the latest systems and functions for safety, comfort and charging.

Ralf Brandstätter, Chairman, Volkswagen Passenger Cars: “The ID. Buzz is a genuine icon for the electric era. A car, the likes of which only Volkswagen can build. In the 1950s, the Volkswagen Bulli stood for a new feeling of automotive freedom, independence and great emotion. The ID. Buzz picks up on this lifestyle and transfers it into our time: emission-free, sustainable, fully networked and now ready for the next big chapter: autonomous driving. With this car, we are bringing together the core themes of our ACCELERATE strategy in one product for the first time.”

As is the case for all the models in Volkswagen Passenger Car’s ID. family, the ID. Buzz is also based in engineering terms on the Group’s Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB). The world’s first scalable mass production platform for all-electric cars provides the cross-brand basis for all sorts of different models and segments. Its architecture allows for an evolutionary further development of software and technology, which not only benefits new models such as the ID. Buzz, but also models that have already been delivered, by means of over-the-air updates.

Latest generation ID. software The new model line’s assistance systems perfect ease of driving and safety. Included as standard in the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo is the ‘Car2X’ local warning system, which utilises signals from other vehicles and the transport infrastructure to spot hazards in real time. Also included as standard: the ‘Front Assist’ emergency braking function and, in the MPV, the ‘Lane Assist’ lane-keeping assistant. With new software, new assistance functions are also making their way into the ID. family.

Available as an option is ‘Travel Assist with swarm data’, which facilitates partially automated driving across the entire speed range and, for the first time, assisted lanechanging on the motorway. Also new: the ‘Memory Function’ for automated parking on a previously saved route.

Up to 170 kW charging power The ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo are launching across Europe with a 77 kWh battery (gross energy content: 82 kWh). It provides current to a 150 kW electric motor, which – as the flat engine once did in the T1 – drives the rear axle. The position of the battery, integrated 38 | April 2022 | Company Car & Van

deep down in the sandwich floor, and the lightweight electric drive system result in a good distribution of weight and a low vehicle centre of gravity. Both factors optimise the handling and agility.

The lithium ion battery can be charged from wall boxes or public charging stations using 11 kW alternating current (AC). Via a CCS plug connector at a DC rapid-charging station (direct current) the charging power increases to as much as 170 kW. When charged in this way, the battery charge level rises from 5 to 80% in about 30 minutes. Using the latest ID. software, the model line will also offer the ‘Plug & Charge’ function in the future. Via this function, the ID. Buzz authenticates itself at compatible DC rapid-charging stations via the charging connector using the ISO 15118 standard. It also exchanges all necessary data with the charging station in this way – an added convenience.

Bidirectional charging enables the ID. Buzz to feed unneeded energy from the battery into the customer’s home network (Vehicle-toHome). The power transfer and communication take place via a special DC bi-directional wall box.

New face of a sustainable mobility The visual frame around these future-oriented technologies is formed by the unique design of the ID. Buzz. “The T1 – an icon of the 1950s – enabled people to gain mobility and freedom.

With the ID. Buzz, we are transferring this T1 DNA to the present day and thus into the era of electric mobility,” says Jozef Kaba, Head of Volkswagen Design. “The ID. Buzz brings a lot of sympathy and proximity to people back to the road,” the chief designer continues. And it is the proportions that make the ID. Buzz so unique. Adds Kaba: “In the T1 you are

practically sitting on top of the front axle – there’s no front overhang. For all its safety relevance and technology, the ID. Buzz has super short overhangs.” The designer sums up: “The ID. Buzz is timeless, sustainable and yet also extremely functional – that makes it unique.” Another feature that has always been typical of the model line is the iconic front with its V-shaped front panel between the charismatic LED headlights. That goes for the optional two-tone paintwork too.

Thoughtfully designed, spacious interior ID. Buzz drivers and passengers experience the new Bulli feeling in a spaciously designed interior. Typically Bulli: the layout is very clear, the concept well thought through and utilisation of space optimal. In the lounge-like, friendly ambience of the MPV version, five people have ample room for travelling and for their luggage (1,121 litres of capacity).

If the second row of seats is folded down, the load capacity increases to up to 2,205 litres. Two or three seats up front, as the customer desires, and a fixed partition separating off the 3.9 m3 cargo space are distinctive features of the ID. Buzz Cargo. The zero-emission cargo version can take two loaded euro pallets, loaded in transversely.

Long wheelbase, compact body One feature of the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo is the long wheelbase of 2,988 mm, roughly the same as that of the current T6.1.

The length of both versions is 4,712 mm. By virtue of what, in relation to the overall length, is a very long wheelbase, optimal use is made of the vehicle footprint. Including roof aerial, the two versions of ID. Buzz measure 1,937 mm or 1,938 mm in height, a width of 1,985 mm and a turning circle of just 11.1 metres. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

CV NEWS: FIAT SCUDO

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New Scudo is ultimate all-rounder The all-new Fiat Scudo is based on the Stellantis mid-van platform and available with a 100% electric powertrain – the E-Scudo – alongside four diesel units. It arrives with a series of features to make it best in its class.

Key is its best-in-class range of up to 205 miles (WLTP), ideal for those who work in the city and inner suburbs.

The zero-emissions E-Scudo also boasts unique flexibility from the perspective of the client’s mission, offering two battery sizes – 50 and 75kWh, an AC charging capacity of up to 11kW, and up to 100kW in DC, to charge the more capacious battery to 80% in just 45 minutes.

The load capacity of all Scudos does not change across powertrains – up to 6.6m3 loading bay volume, payload up to 1t and a towing capacity of 1t.

Another aspect carefully considered in the design phase of new Scudo was comfort. The aim is to offer a stress-free experience at work, via various measures such as a car-like driving position and top level soundproofing, to minimise jolts and vibrations.

Compact external dimensions, less than 5m long for the core version and 1.9m high, makes Scudo suitable for all-purpose use, ensuring the agility necessary in an urban environment A head-up driver display delivers key

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information without driver distraction and reducing stress, while the car-like driving position ensures an excellent comfort level and optimal road visibility. Easy accessibility is provided by an ergonomic step in the cabin, and road holding, comfort and suspension are excellent.

The new Scudo has been designed as an all-round commercial vehicle, but one that offers smart solutions while maintaining its compact dimensions.

The dimensions themselves are another of the model’s strengths: the 1.90m height makes storage units easily accessible. Combined with a length of 5m, and up to 5.3m in the Maxi version, the result is a vehicle that can transport anything and go anywhere.

Load volumes of 5.3 or 6.1m3 depending on the wheelbase and capacity of up to 1.4t

ensure the new Scudo’s uncompromising capabilities.

It also features a special kind of cabin modularity courtesy of the exclusive Moduwork system, which transforms the passenger seat into a workstation and an extension of the load compartment, to transport items up to 4m long (Maxi version), and to increase the volume by 0.5m3, to a total capacity of up to 6.6m3. The vehicle is therefore flexible enough for all requirements and all kinds of clients, from hydraulics operators and shipbuilders to the needs of home delivery professionals.

As a tribute to its nature as a flexible, multipurpose vehicle, the new Scudo is available in three configurations (Van, Crew Cab and Cab with platform), three trim levels (SX, Tecnico and Business), and four diesel powertrains on top of the electric powertrain.

The entire range is available in an electric version, from the van to the cab and crew van Together with the electric version – equipped with a 100kW (136hp) electric motor – also available are four diesel powertrains: • 1.5l with either 100hp or 120hp and 6-speed manual transmission; • 2.0l 145hp unit combined with either an 8-speed manual or automatic; • 2.0l engine with 180hp paired with the efficient 8-speed automatic transmission.

Company Car & Van | April 2022 | 39

LEVC NEWS

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VN5’s a perfect fit for Sunbelt LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company) has announced another fleet supply deal with the establishment of a new partnership with Sunbelt Rentals – the UK’s largest equipment rental group – to supply 22 new VN5 electric vans.

LEVC’s sector-leading VN5 electric van, which offers zero range anxiety thanks to its eCity range extender technology, is successfully meeting ever-growing demand from businesses for sustainable, zero-emission transport. As part of Sunbelt Rentals’ new £1.1 million investment that will transform its ecofriendly solutions to meet customer demands, the new fleet of VN5s will play a crucial role in the company’s sustainability strategy.

LEVC’s VN5 will aid Sunbelt Rentals’ ‘Our Planet’ plan, centred on its commitment to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations by 35 per cent by 2030. LEVC’s green VN5 is ideally suited to the demands of the workplace thanks to its flexible, tried and tested eCity powertrain that already features in LEVC’s TX electric taxis around the globe, enabling drivers and operators to cover long distances and also enter Clean Air Zones emissions-free.

Joerg Hofmann, LEVC CEO, added: “I am delighted Sunbelt Rentals has become another of our UK fleet customers. VN5 is the ideal solution for businesses looking to electrify their fleet and transition to greener mobility, offering zero-emission capability with minimal downtime and no range anxiety.”

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David Phillips, Sunbelt Rentals’ Logistics and Supply Chain Director, comments: “Investing in electric vehicles is a natural fit for Sunbelt Rentals; we’re always keen to stay ahead of the curve and future proof the business with increasingly sustainable practices.

“We’ve chosen to work with LEVC as our values are very similar, they’re passionate about their business and are willing to support our ambitious plan to electrify our fleet of vehicles.

“The VN5 is made from sustainably-sourced aluminium from Wales, and they fit the needs of our multiple business units, making them the ideal asset for the business.”

Designed, engineered and built at LEVC’s state of the art electric vehicle factory in Ansty, Coventry, VN5 utilises the same strong, lightweight bonded aluminium monocoque and SMC construction as the TX taxi – a first in sector for the 1-tonne van segment, designed to last twice as long as the competition.

VN5 is based on the same innovative architecture and proven eCity technology as LEVC’s TX electric taxi. With a pure EV range of over 60 miles and a total flexible range of 304 miles, VN5 is ideally suited to urban deliveries in zero-emission mode, as well as longer journeys outside of town.

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ON TEST: MAXUS eDELIVER 3

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eDeliver 3 is the electric option that’s shaking-up the sector Andrew Walker gets behind the wheel of an upstart van that aims to shake up the sector: the Maxus eDeliver 3

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sensors and cruise control.

The van is light thanks to the inclusion of aluminium and high strength steel, which aids both range and payload.

While the exterior of eDeliver 3 bears an uncanny resemblance to the Nissan e-NV200, inside, it’s more modern than the Nissan, with

‘‘

Inside it feels more modern than the interiors of the Nissan e-NV200 or Renault Kangoo... the dash-located touchscreen is a highlight and overall, cabin build quality is good

‘‘

Maxus is owned by the Chinese SAIC corporation and is distributed in Europe by the Harris Group in Ireland. While Maxus is still making diesel vans, it is in the electric van sector that it is ahead of the game, with the larger eDeliver 9 now being offered alongside the eDeliver 3.

First announced at the 2019 CV Show, the Maxus eDeliver 3 is the brand’s small electric van. While the Chinese came late to the combustion engine party, they were pretty much the first in with electric powertrains and their expertise makes the Maxus electric vans extremely competitive.

Customers can select either a SWB panel van or LWB version as a chassis cab, paired with the more powerful battery. Talking of which, there are two battery packs to choose from. A 35kWh battery, offering a city range of 141 miles and a combined range of 99 miles and the larger 52.5kWh battery, which increases the city range to 213 miles and the combined to 151 miles.

A rapid 45-minute DC charge with both batteries will top up your battery to 80 per cent of range, while using the most common Type 2 AC charger with the 35kWh battery, will take six hours and for the 52.5kWh battery, this increases to eight hours.

Payload is competitive, with the 35kWh SWB van offering 865kg. The SWB van coupled with the 52.5kWh battery gives you a touch more, at 905kg, while the LWB chassis cab fitted with the larger 52.5kWh battery offers a 1202kg payload, which isn’t too shabby either.

The SWB van measures 4.55m long, with a 4.8m3 capacity. The maximum cargo space height is 1330mm, maximum width is 1665mm and it measures 1220mm between the wheel arches. The cargo length is 2180mm in the SWB van.

The access at the rear comes courtesy of a 60:40 split doors, which are 1.25m high and 1.25m wide. The side door is 710mm wide because of bulkhead intrusion, and 1230mm high.

Standard equipment includes arm rests, air-con, SatNav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, twin USB’s, Bluetooth connectivity, a driver’s airbag, a reversing camera, rear parking

the dash-located touchscreen the highlight.

Overall, the cabin build quality is good, with some decent plastic and finishes, and on the steering wheel, but it’s not as good as the

quality you’ll find in the larger Maxus diesel Deliver 9. In comparison, it feels more modern inside than the interiors of the Nissan e-NV200 or Renault Kangoo, which are both beginning to show their age.

Up front there are two front seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a drive mode selector dial, which frees up cabin space.

There is plenty of useful storage in the doors and between the front seats, with two drinks holders and an open glove box.

Courtesy of Chadderton Motor Company our local Maxus dealer, we took to the road in the SWB 35kWh version of the eDeliver 3. It’s incredibly easy to drive and even offered up some decent speed when pushed, hitting 60mph in about eight seconds. Top speed is 75 mph, which is more than adequate for the motorway.

Utilising the regeneration and the ECO button, we made our way around Manchester driving approximately 30 miles, but only using 20 miles of range, which was good.

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ON TEST: MAXUS eDELIVER 3

Continued from page 41 ECO means you’re top speed is limited to around 65mph, but if you switch it off, swifter progress can be made. The regeneration switch can be set to low, medium or high, dependent on what type of driving you are doing.

Generally, motorway would be low, urban medium and city high regeneration.

On the motorway at speed, the van did feel a little front heavy, especially when steering from lane to lane and when you’re in traffic. There’s also some battery noise when you slow down, that takes a bit of getting used to. The van panels are not the stiffest on sale and the rear doors don’t close with as much of a thud as we’d like. These, though, are our only criticisms. Overall, the ride is good, it generally handles well and the cabin is quiet. The on-board tech is easy to use and works well

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and it’s very well equipped.

If you’re still not sure about electric vans for your business because of range, it’s worth noting that the eDeliver 3 fitted with the larger battery offers one of the best ranges of any similar sized electric van. It’s also competitively priced.

With two new electric vans – don’t forget, if payload really is your thing, there’s a larger eDeliver 9 – the future looks bright for Maxus, as the Chinese-owned company aims high in the European van market.

Perhaps just as importantly, with a growing dealer network there’s now almost certainly a Maxus dealer near you – something to think about when you have to take servicing into account.

If you haven’t tried an electric van yet, the eDeliver 3 proves there’s no excuse not to pop in to a Maxus dealer and try one.

MAXUS delighted as Stoneacre comes on board MAXUS has partnered with the Stoneacre Motor Group to grow its dealer network in the UK with the addition of a dealership at Stoneacre Vanworld in Chesterfield.

The dealership is now offering dedicated sales, servicing, and aftersales services to MAXUS customers throughout the Derbyshire / South Yorkshire area. The Stoneacre Motor Group already represents over 25 motor brands, in over 60 locations.

The dealership is located at Station Road, Chesterfield in Derbyshire.

Mark Barrett, General Manager of Harris MAXUS spoke of the expansion of its dealer network: “We are thrilled to have partnered with Stoneacre Motor Group to bring a new MAXUS Dealership to Chesterfield. With several reputable brands already under their

42 | April 2022 | Company Car & Van

belt, we know our brand is in good hands with the team at Stoneacre.

“We look forward to seeing more MAXUS vans on the road and a successful partnership in the years ahead.”

Speaking about the new partnership with MAXUS, Andrew Main of Stoneacre Motor Group commented: “We are very proud to include MAXUS as part of Stoneacre Motor Group’s offering. The brand offers a fantastic range of large and medium-sized electric and non-electric vans which have class-leading features. We are looking forward to welcoming MAXUS customers to our Chesterfield dealership and to a bright future working together.”

For more information on MAXUS commercial vehicles or dealer locations, visit www.maxus.co.uk

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