Company Car & Van February 2020

COMPANY

Car and Van The motoring magazine for SME fleets

Vauxhall Corsa Small car, big ambitions CoMpANy CAR & VAN AwARdS 2020 our winning line-up is revealed

NISSAN e-NV200

The small electric van with a 100-mile range

February 2020

RENAULT TRUCKS Master Red Edition shows its versatility

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Contents

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Welcome to 2020 If, like me, you have more questions than answers on how the UK leaving the EU will affect our industry, that wouldn’t be a great surprise. We do at least have a new government, one that will hopefully listen to the likes of the SMMT when they finally start to come up with a new trading relationship with our European partners.

Happily, for a few more weeks, we can at forget about this and concentrate on the here and now, which for us includes announcing our Car & Van of the Year Awards for 2020. We have a special section devoted to these inside, starting on page 4.

Despite the slow-down in car sales, the manufacturers are striding on with plenty of new model launches and in this issue we review the best of them, starting with the brand new Vauxhall Corsa in petrol and diesel variants. There’s an electric version due later this year, too. We also take a look at the new Nissan Juke, which has a hard act to follow after the success of the previous version.

Volkswagen has announced a new Golf, the eighth since launch, and it’s set to be the most technologically advanced VW yet.

Little more than a year on from its own launch and Toyota’s Corolla gets some new tech and engines while Skoda goes hybrid with the Superb iV.

There’s also a first drive of the KIA XCeed and features on the Hyundai Kona Hybrid, Mazda CX-30 and DS’s first electric car, the DS3 Crossback E-Tense.

For those in the director’s seat we get behind the wheel of the Range Rover Vogue plug-in and there’s news on the updated Lexus RX self-charging hybrid.

Hot on the heels of their Renault Trucks Master Electric, Renault Trucks showcased the Master Red Edition to us in December.

We spent an enjoyable day driving it in various configurations and came away mightily impressed. Electric vans are no longer a rarity and Nissan has been active in this sector for a while, and we test the e-NV200. Fiat Professional has updated its medium panel van, the Talento, adding new engines, safety and tech and it is now back in the game, while Iveco’s latest Daily now offers customers more than ever before. Finally, we’ve an update on Volkswagen’s new Transporter T6.1, our Medium Van of the Year, the Vauxhall Vivaro and our Small Van of the Year, the Citroen Berlingo Van. Upwards and onwards!

Andrew Walker, Editor and Publisher

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Company Car & Van Awards 2020 Special feature, from pg 4 New Cars Vauxhall Corsa

22

Hyundai Kona

24

Range Rover Vogue P400 SE

30

Lexus RX

32

Kia XCeed

34

Volkswagen Golf

35

BMW 330e

38

Nissan Juke

42

DS3 Crossback E-Tense

43

Skoda Superb

44

Mazda CX30

45

Toyota Corolla

46

Commercials Nissan e-NV200

18

Volkswagen Transporter

51

Renault Trucks Master Red Edition

54

Citroen Berlingo Van

56

Vauxhall Vivaro

58

Iveco Daily

60

Fiat Professional Talento

61

51

54

Company Car & Van is wholly owned and published by: Walker Advertising & Marketing Ltd 12 Oakwood Lane, Bowdon, Cheshire WA14 3DL t: 0161 941 4296 / 07734 264735 e: andrewwalker@uwclub.net 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 | February 2020 | 03

Award winners

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Company Car & Van

Awards, 2020

To mark the start of 2020, Company Car & Van looked back at the new cars and vans we’ve tested over the previous 12 months and handed out our Awards to the best. With the growth in electric vehicle production and increasing demand for EVs as a whole, for 2020 we have 12 categories; seven for cars and five for commercials, four of which are for pure electric vehicles. Read on to find out who won our awards.

Vauxhall Combo Cargo What we said: Vauxhall’s Combo Cargo small van won this award last year and has deservedly retained the trophy. Low emissions, good fuel economy, a host of practical touches and a modern, connected cab will make any van driver smile.

Pictured, Richard Hughes, LCV Director Vauxhall, with the award for the Combo Cargo

MG ZS EV

What we said: Unlike some of its electric competitors, what the MG ZS EV does well is to offer what most customers want. It’s attractively priced, very well equipped and is a proper, practical five-seat family car. In launching the ZS EV, MG has given the EV sector a timely boost.

Company Car & Van editor and publisher Andrew Walker with Geraint Isaac, National Fleet Sales Manager, Sales & Marketing, MG

04 | February 2020 | Company Car & Van

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Award winners

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Richard Hughes, LCV Director Vauxhall, was proud to accept the Medium Van of the Year Award for the Vivaro

Vauxhall Vivaro

new Vivaro offers up to a 19% greater What we said: Kudos to Vauxhall. The y a 28% improvement on fuel econom payload, 25% better towing capacity, a e hav now the previous model. We and 19% better CO2 emissions than tor sector, and one that will give competi UK-built van that matches the best in models a run for their money.

Steve Tomlinson. Head of Fleet at Mazda Motors UK Limited, with the Mazda3 – winner in our Small Car category

Mazda3

ng special to put a dent in What we said: It would take somethi it, Mazda has built both Golf and Focus sales. To its cred the latest Mazda3, which an incredibly attractive contender with smart, well made, beautifully offers a viable alternative to both. It’s d. proportioned and stands out in a crow

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Award winners

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SEAT Tarraco

Craig Cavanagh, Head of Fleet, SEAT UK, with the Company Car & Van Award for the Tarraco, our Large Car of the Year

Anthony Bradbury, UK Marketing Director, Jaguar Land Rover UK, with the I-Pace and our Large EV Car of the Year Award

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d What we said: The Tarraco surprise it’s yet, t Sea st nice us. It’s not only the all ve dro we the best seven-seat SUV ers year. While brand obsessed custom i will pay stupid money to lease an Aud Q7, the Tarraco offers a genuine – cheaper – alternative to both the Q7 the and Volkswagen Touareg. It features same engine, the same gearbox, the same tech and it’s built on the same platform, but will cost you a lot less.

Jaguar I-Pace

that drives as well as the What we said: Making an electric car e. But, by starting from the Jaguar I-Pace should not be possibl build a large EV that handles ground up, Jaguar has managed to e EV Car of the Year is the like a sports car. I kid you not. Our Larg Jaguar I-Pace.

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Award winners

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Mark Barratt, General Manager LDV, UK & Ireland, with the EV Van of the Year award for the EV80

LDV EV80

of new What we said: Even with the arrival the LDV ter, electric vans like the Renault Mas e EV80 really is, at present, the only larg can that e rang mile + electric van with a 100 rs. be fully charged in two hou tried and It’s also in plentiful supply, has been too. An tested and comes as a chassis cab, short-run easy decision to make and ideal for re on ssu pre e mor transport operations. With like a look n air quality in urban areas, will soo ‘must have’ for some fleets...

Peugeot Partner

What we said: The Partner is perfect for the urban van user, while handling the motorway with aplomb. It’s backed by low emissions, great fuel economy and driver-friendly tech. The small Peugeot steering wheel, stolen from the car range, makes the Partner a tad more enjoyable to drive than its siblings, the Berlingo Van and Combo Cargo...

Jason Crompton, PEUGEOT LCV Product Manager, receives the Small Van of the Year Award for the Partner from Andrew Walker

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Award winners

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Clive Messenger, General Manager - Fleet Operations at Mitsubishi Motors in the UK

Mitsubishi L200

ghted to Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 we were deli What we said: When we drove the new s than ner man d fact, and came with far better roa report that it was good, very good in ed hart 0 Series 6 has taken the range into unc all previous L200 models. The new L20 ining its an almost car-like drive, while still reta territory for Mitsubishi and now offers top of the class. work-horse credentials. It’s right at the

Rob East, General manager for corporate sales, with a BMW 330e in M Sport trim

BMW330e

n good.

What we said: The 330e is pretty dam 320d or 330i, the as e driv to Perhaps not quite a good that most but it’s surprisingly close. Close enough electric only ile won’t be put off, especially with a 41-m of up to 138mpg range, 16 per cent BIK, fuel economy bably the best and CO2 emissions of only 39g/km. Pro plug-in car yet.

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Award winners

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Maxime Bailly, PEUGEOT Product Manager – 208, 308 & 508, receives the company’s awards for the Medium Car of the Year (left and below) and Small EV Car (bottom) from CC&V’s Andrew Walker

Peugeot 508

a great all-rounder and for fleet What we said: The PEUGEOT 508 is d -50s mpg. While many cars are blan customers, the diesel will achieve mid that s look star the trend, with movie to look at nowadays, the 508 bucks customers expect. Add in the don’t take away any of the practicality it’s a clear winner! driver-friendly Peugeot i-Cockpit and

Peugeot e-208 What we said: “The e-208 is a far more attractive, exciting, classy and enjoyable car than the rest of the current electric car competition. For company car drivers, the range comes with a 2019/20 BIK of just 16 per cent, which will drop even further from April 2020 to 0%.... it’s just another reason why the e-208 is our favourite small EV.”

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Award winners

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Fiat Professional’s Richard Chamberlain with our Large Van of the Year Award for the Ducato

Fiat Professional Ducato

What we said: By updating and improving the latest Ducato, especially with the addition of the new cleaner diesel engines and updated tech, Fiat Professional has given itself the chance to stay as number one in Europe in the large panel van sector for some time to come. These big improvements lift the Ducato to our 2020 award.

Citroen Berlingo Van Robert Clark, Head of Citroën Product, receives the CC&V Award for Small Van of the Year from Andrew Walker

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What we said: Well built, well designed and drives beautifully on Euro6 engines. Add in the techfriendly cabin, top-notch design and build quality, and you’ve got one of the leading vans in the sector.

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NISSAN e-NV200

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There are a host of new e-vans coming in 2020 – but Andrew Walker likes the look of the tried and tested Nissan e-NV200 The number of electric cars you can buy is increasing by the week and soon it will be the same with vans. Currently, the main e-van options are the Renault Kangoo Z.E., Citroen Berlingo Electric, LDV EV80, Peugeot Partner Electric and the Nissan e-NV200. However, this choice will increase hugely in 2020, with pretty much all van manufacturers bringing out a new variety to tempt you.

In Nissan’s case it can’t be accused of being late to the party: the e-NV200 has been with us since 2013. It had an upgrade in 2018, using the running gear from the Nissan Leaf and improving the battery – it’s now a 40kWh – with a big lift in range, to 124 miles on the combined cycle. That’s a distance even the latest new electrics may struggle to beat.

We tested an e-NV200 in Tekna + trim, which comes with SatNav, 15” alloys, automatic lights and wipers. It comes with two charging cables: a three-pin 10Amp and a seven-pin 32Amp. The seven-pin cable allowed us to use our own Rolec wall charger, which goes from zero to full in seven hours. You lift the flap at the front, attach the cable and away you go.

The Acenta and Tekna versions come with a Chademo socket that allows rapid charging from public charge points. This can add 80% charge to the battery in as little as 40 minutes, conditions permitting.

The Nissan only comes with two front seats and only the driver’s seat can be moved back and forth as well as reclined. You should be able to find a comfortable driving position, we did, as the steering wheel offers both tilt and rake adjustment. If you need more cabin space, the passenger seat can be folded down to create a tray table. There’s also a full steel bulkhead, two sliding doors, near side and off side and unglazed French rear doors.

The cabin itself is rather bland, finished in grey and blacks, and switchgear quality is decidedly average, but it all works well and is easy to use. For storage, you get a small glove box, two slim door pockets, a large flat area between the seats, twin dash mounted cup holders, a small dash top area and a lift up and over central box.

The Tekna is fitted with a really nice infotainment touchscreen, so accessing the DAB radio, SatNav, Bluetooth telephone and CD player is simple to perform. There’s hard to reach 12v and USB connector so you can plug your mobile in, but there’s no connected Apps for Apple Car Play or Android Auto.

Press the starter button, engage D and you are ready to move off, in total silence. It’s nippy too, reaching 62mph in just 8.7 seconds but top speed is a less exciting of 77 mph. It’s easy 18 | February 2020 | Company Car & Van

Tried and tested to go the distance to drive and simple to manoeuvre, but it’s hardly thrilling. It makes sense to utilise the Eco button, which adds some regenerative braking Nissan Leaf-style to the drive. This allows you to let the van slow itself down without the driver having to use the brakes and it’s easy to get used to. Disengage Eco and the Nissan is far more sprightly. But the down side is that you drain the battery and the range decreases faster. Eco is the option!

The Tekna is fitted with large side mirrors and a wide angle reversing camera, so going backwards is a cinch. The e-NV200 has a cargo volume of 4.2 cubic metres and there’s a payload of 705kg, putting it ahead of sister model the Renault Kangoo. The rear compartment is not large enough to stand up in at 1.36 metres, but it’s a useful rectangular shape. The battery is located underneath the load area so volume does not suffer and there’s space for two Euro Pallets, with 1.22 metres of space between the rear wheel arches. The rear sill is 524mm off the ground and there are six D-ring lashing eyes set into the load area floor.

Payload is 705kg, almost 100kg more than the Renault Kangoo.

While an electric van with range of 124 miles will work for some, it won’t work for all. Having a home charger makes all the difference. We were able to charge the Nissan to full, with the range showing 123 miles. We then drove it for just over 100 miles including two 40-mile motorway round trips using the cruise control at 70mph, before we felt the need to charge again. We reckon that if you avoid the motorway you can easily achieve a 124 mile range or even more, but only if you stick to

under 50mph or under this in urban areas. Even short, motorway, trips at a constant 70mph will reduce the battery range much more quickly.

Another caveat: we were unladen all week.

Driving with a full load will eat into that range.

It’s comfortable, quiet and relaxing: all in all, a comfortable work place.

In conclusion, whether your business would benefit from running an e-NV200, really depends on your daily journey. For a florist, the Post Office or anyone who performs a series of short, local journeys, owning the Nissan is a no brainer. A government grant of 20% up to a maximum of £8,000 can be applied to e-NV200 sales to sweeten the deal. This would make the Tekna + version we drove £26,839, a reasonable investment.

With other brands in the process of launching an electric van in 2020, the competition is hotting up. Nissan’s electric van has been here awhile, making it a reassuring proposition for potential customers.

One interesting note: Nissan covers the battery for eight years and 100,000 miles. In this period if the battery capacity dips below nine bars (out of 12) when recharging, Nissan will replace it free of charge. Good to know.

Verdict Tried and tested and with that 124-mile range, is well worth knowing about for short-range users CC&V RATING: N N N N

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ON TEST: vAUXHALL CORSA

Corsa’s diesel economy makes it the fleet choice A chance to test the new Corsa range sees Andrew Walker give a big thumbs-up to the diesel options – on performance and frugality alone Launched in 1993, the Corsa has been Vauxhall’s best selling model for almost all of that time, so the arrival of a new one is a really big deal for the brand.

The latest Corsa is the first Vauxhall model to be developed jointly with new owners the PSA Group, and Vauxhall has made sure that the Corsa, which is built on the same platform as Peugeot’s latest 208, is subtly different from its French sibling.

Engine wise, Vauxhall has kept things simple, with just two petrol engines offered, a 1.2 75PS manual and 1.2 100 PS manual or auto, plus one diesel manual, which is a 1.5 102PS turbo diesel. An electric version, the Corsa-e, will follow later this year, powered by the same 100kW electric motor and 50kWh battery that powers the e-208.

Vauxhall has simplified the model range specs, with just four on offer. Entry level SE features 16” alloys, 7” multimedia colour touchscreen, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, mobile phone portal, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a single USB connection.

Next up is SRi, which adds a leather

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flat-bottomed steering wheel, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, electric front and rear windows, an exterior styling pack which includes a sports fascia and visible chrome tipped exhaust, dark tinted rear windows, a black roof, rear parking sensors and adds a ‘Sport’ switch for more driving enjoyment.

Elite Nav comes next and this offers additional goodies, such as a 10” colour touchscreen, SatNav, a black roof,A and B pillars and spoiler, ambient LED light, a panoramic rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The range-topping Ultimate Nav features 17” alloys, leather seats with a drivers massage function, Intellilux LED Matrix headlights, keyless open and start, electronic climate control, adaptive cruise control and an electric parking brake.

A new lightweight design means that the Corsa weighs in from just 980kg, with some models weighing up to 108kg less than the outgoing model. It’s also 48mm lower than it’s predecessor, with the new lower profile most noticeable on the black roof models.

Where the Corsa is most obviously different from sibling the Peugeot 208, is from the outside, with the Corsa offering a lower, more angular profile than the Peugeot. All models pull off the trick of looking sporty, with alloys offered even on the base models. The black roof also adds an upmarket feel. The front and rear lights are more angular on Corsa than 208 and these too add to the sportier looks of the

latest Corsa range.

Where Peugeot has the i-Cockpit and a small steering wheel, Vauxhall has kept the dashboard neater and more conservative and there is a larger steering wheel too.

The cabin is nicely laid out and it’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel. The touchscreen is simple to use and easy to understand and you can also access the phone and various modes via switches on the steering wheel. Underneath the screen sit easy to use heating and ventilation controls, beneath these are a USB input and 12v socket.

On our test model, which were all SRi or above, there’s a starter button to the left of the steering wheel, so you can leave your keys in the small cubby in front of the gear stick.

Up front, there’s plenty of room for driver and front seat passenger. Despite the sloping roof, rear headroom is fine, but rear leg room is tight. The black headline that featured in most of our test cars looks lovely, but can make the Corsa on a gloomy winter’s day seem little claustrophobic, especially in the rear.

The Corsa’s boot offers a decent amount of space with 309 litres available, which increases to 1081 litres with the rear seats folded.

We drove three versions of the Corsa, beginning with the likely best seller, the SRi Nav Premium 1.2 100PS Turbo manual, which costs from £20,440 OTR. This petrol version is good fun and offers quite a bit of driving enjoyment. The gear change is slick and with a 0-60mph time of 9.3 seconds and a top speed of 121mph, it offers decent performance. The new better insulated cabin, noticeably keeps wind and road noise at bay and the suspension is noticeably improved on the outgoing model. Vauxhall claim on the WLTP combined low/high fuel economy, 47.9 – 52.3 mpg for this model, with CO2 emissions of 96g/km. On our test route, which to be fair was on mostly winding A and B roads, we averaged just 38mpg, which is a little disappointing.

Next up was the fleet favourite, 1.5 102PS Elite Nav Premium Turbo D. Costing from £21,560 OTR, the diesel needs to be pushed a bit more than the petrol version to eke out any fun. You need to change gears late and rev the diesel much more than the petrol, but it too offers up a decent, quiet ride. Top speed is 117mph and the 0-60 mph time a little slower than the petrol at 9.6 seconds. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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Where the diesel reigns supreme, however, is on fuel economy. Again, under WLTP combined low/high fuel economy, Vauxhall claims 62.8 – 70.6 mpg, with CO2 emissions of 85g/km. On exactly the same test route as the 100PS petrol, we managed to achieve 68mpg, a full 30 mpg better than petrol and for us, this makes the diesel a no-brainer for any fleet customer looking at the Corsa range.

Last up, we tried out an Ultimate Nav 1.2 100PS Turbo auto, which costs from £25,990. This was by far the most fun version to drive, especially in Sport mode, although the claimed 0-60mph time of 10.2 seconds is actually slower than both the petrol and diesel versions. The auto box is a joy to use and the suspension and set up on this version feels tighter and more sporty.

Vauxhall claim a WLTP combined low/high fuel economy of 45.6-48.7 mpg for this version with CO2 emissions of 99g/km. We

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got nowhere near this, averaging just 31.4mpg. The temptation to utilise the Sport mode meant that more fuel was used and we think that you’d have to be very disciplined driving this version to get that economy higher – and avoid Sport mode at all costs.

While the new Corsa ticks all the boxes it needs to if it is going to appeal to existing Corsa customers, especially with AppleCarPlay and Android Auto offered as standard, on all the range, you’ll need to spend £25,000 to get a range-topping auto Ultimate Nav model, which we think is rather a lot for a small five-door hatchback. Better to look at the SRi range which is around £5,000 cheaper.

Despite the media obsession with petrol over diesel and the fact that the petrol Corsa will be the biggest seller, our findings prove that there’s still plenty of life left in diesel yet. As a company car driver or fleet

manager, why would you choose the petrol, which as we discovered, offers around 40 mpg, when the similarly priced diesel offers almost 70 mpg? For us it’s a no brainer. Let retail customers loose on the petrol Corsa and leave the sensible fleet money to be best invested in a very neat and tidy 1.5 Turbo D.

Verdict The new Corsa looks good, comes well equipped and is also way better than the previous version. Petrol options great for retail but diesel is hard to beat for fleets CC&V RATING: N N N N

Company Car & Van | February 2020 | 23

HYUNDAI KONA HYBRID

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Kona’s cracked it All-New Kona Hybrid extends popular, award-winning range to offer even more choice as Hyundai moves to offer SUV bodied eco-mobility models Hyundai Motors has launched the latest version of its popular, award-winning Kona in an exciting hybrid format.

A natural extension to the Kona family, the All-New Kona Hybrid responds to European customers’ demands for more SUV-bodied eco-mobility models. In addition to its bold design, it offers an efficient full hybrid powertrain and features a range of technology enhancements including advanced Bluelink connectivity features, SmartSense™ active safety and driving assistance systems, as well as state-of-the-art infotainment features.

The original Kona originally launched in 2017 as Hyundai’s first sub-compact SUV in Europe, with the Kona Electric, the first full electric sub-compact SUV, following last year.

Hyundai’s stylish Kona range has exceeded customer demand across Europe. After its first full year of sales, Kona has captured new customer groups and significantly contributed to Hyundai’s strong position in the trending segment of compact SUVs. The impressive worldwide demand for the popular Kona Electric version in particular, thanks to its powerful electric drivetrain and long driving range, has surpassed even Hyundai’s expectations.

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The All-New Kona Hybrid features the Kappa 1.6-litre GDI, a direct-injection petrol fourcylinder engine providing maximum power of 105 PS and 147 Nm of torque. Its permanent magnet synchronous electric motor delivers 43.5 PS (32 kW) with maximum torque of 170 Nm. Alongside this, the 1.56 kWh lithium ion polymer battery delivers outstanding charge and discharge performance, optimising output from the high voltage battery and allowing for rapid regeneration. Together with the powertrain total combined output of 104 kW (141 PS) and up to 265 Nm of torque, this ensures the All-New Kona Hybrid delivers a dynamic driving experience.

Technological enhancements including Bluelink The All-New Kona Hybrid features Bluelink, a connected vehicle system which uses embedded telematics to allow drivers to remote lock or unlock their vehicle via a smartphone app.

The optional Audio Video Navigation system (AVN) displays a wide variety of useful information across its 10.25-inch split touch-screen, and features Cloud-based voice recognition in six languages. The screen can be customised providing two home screen versions and the ability to edit displayed widgets and icons.

With the standard infotainment system, customers can choose to opt for the benefit of Display Audio to mirror their smartphone’s content onto the 7-inch display via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In addition to this, the

All-New Kona Hybrid arrives with Hyundai LIVE Services available when customers choose navigation. Drivers receive a five-year free subscription for this feature, which offers up-to-the-minute information about weather, traffic, speed camera warning (where legally allowed), nearest fuel stations with location and pricing information, on- and off-street parking, live nearby-dealer information and live POI search.

A 4.2-inch cluster screen highlights dedicated HEV-specific graphics for customers.

The connectivity offer is rounded off by an optional combiner type head-up display, projecting relevant driving information directly to the driver’s line of sight. This allows for the faster processing of information while keeping attention on the road ahead.

To ensure that occupants’ phones are always charged, the All-New Kona Hybrid also provides an optional wireless inductive charging pad (Qi standard) for mobile phones.

An updated interior design and convenience features Alongside these convenience features, the All-New Kona Hybrid has its own dedicated interior colour pack. This consists of white accents around the air vent surrounds and gear shift bezel, as well as Glossy Black accents on the door handles, steering wheel spoke and air vent bezel, and a grey headliner.

Standard models feature black woven cloth seats with white stitching, and customers can also choose black cloth-leather seats with white piping, or black leather seats with white stitching.

Continued on page 26 www.companycarandvan.co.uk

HYUNDAI KONA HYBRID

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‘The integrated Coasting Guide analyses road information from the navigation system to notify the driver when deceleration is imminent.

The feature aims to reduce fuel consumption and minimise brake usage...’

Continued from page 24 In addition to the exclusive colour pack that is standard on Kona Hybrid, customers can choose from three other expressive colour packs known from Kona: Orange, Lime and Red. The colour accents are featured on the air vent surrounds, around the gearshift, the engine start button ring, the stitching on the seats and steering wheel. All interior colour options come with a black ceiling. The Lime and Red options are moreover available with coloured seat belts as well as glossy black interior door handles and steering wheel spoke, while the steering wheel itself is perforated Kona Hybrid offers several features for maximum passenger convenience. The optional heated steering wheel provides warmth and comfort even in the coldest weather. Power front seats can feature an optional 3-step ventilation and 3-step heating system for a comfortable ride in any weather conditions (heating function also available with manual seats), while optional heated rear seats offer a high level of comfort for passengers.

The stylish exterior also gets design upgrades The All-New Kona Hybrid inherits the same expressive design and ‘go anywhere’ attitude of the Kona and Kona Electric. At the front of the vehicle is Hyundai’s trademark Cascading Grille, while twin headlamps are available with full LED technology.

In addition to the launch colours of Blue Lagoon with a black roof, customers can choose from 26 other colour combinations to tailor the look of the car to their personal style.

Customers can choose from between two newly designed and dedicated alloy wheels, one design available in the standard 16-inch

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and the other on the optional 18-inch size.

An upgraded safety package For a comfortable and safe driving experience, the All-New Kona Hybrid is equipped with a comprehensive Hyundai SmartSense technology package. This cutting-edge driver assistance system constantly monitors the environment around the vehicle to protect drivers from potential hazards while on the road.

The All-New Kona Hybrid’s safety package can add the optional Front Collision Warning and Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection ability. In addition, customers can also choose the optional Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go. This goes further than standard cruise control by incorporating advanced safety features such as automatic braking. It uses a front radar sensor to maintain a constant speed and distance from the vehicle ahead by automatically accelerating and braking.

If traffic comes to a halt, the Stop & Go system applies the brake until the car comes to a standstill and accelerates to the desired speed as soon as the road is clear. If the vehicle stops for longer than three seconds, the driver has to activate the system again with the steering wheel controls or by briefly pressing the accelerator pedal.

The optional Lane Following Assist works in tandem with SCC with Stop & Go for the highest driver convenience by keeping the car in the centre of a lane so drivers can navigate safely even in heavy traffic during rush hour.

Meanwhile, the optional Intelligent Speed Limit Warning uses the front camera and information from the navigation system to identify road speed signs and displays the speed limit and

no-passing signs in real time. Additional options include Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, while Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist and High Beam Assist come standard.

The All-New Kona Hybrid also features an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) at the command of the driver’s fingertips as standard.

ECO-Driving Assist System: state-of-the-art technology to improve fuel economy The All-New Kona Hybrid with the 10.25inch AVN is equipped with the ECO-Driving Assist System (ECO-DAS) to help improve fuel economy. The integrated Coasting Guide analyses road information from the navigation system to notify the driver when deceleration (for example, change of direction, cross-roads, highway exits) is imminent. The feature aims to reduce fuel consumption and minimise brake usage. The Coasting Guide can be activated when in Eco mode between 40 and 160 km/h.

Eco-DAS is further equipped with a Predictive Energy Management system, which manages charging and discharging of the battery in uphill and downhill situations to maximise the battery usage. When an incline is expected on a route, and the battery state of charge is low, the vehicle increases engine operation slightly to pre-charge the battery ahead of the uphill section. This ensures that the electric motor can assist going uphill and minimizes the inefficient use of the petrol motor on incline driving situations – thus optimising fuel-efficiency. If the battery is sufficiently charged, IONIQ Hybrid increases the level of electric motor power usage before driving downhill to minimise fuel consumption. The electric power is then recovered on the way downhill by regenerative braking.

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Verdict

Range Rover P400e VOGUE

Finally, a Range Rover for the Greta generation

The addition of an electric hybrid engine could prove the missing link for fans of the Range Rover, says Andrew Walker It may seem incongruous that you would want to swap a V6 or V8 Range Rover for a 2.0-litre petrol version. However, the 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol unit that comes with the Range Rover P400e also comes with a 114bhp electric motor, and together they create the first Range Rover plug-in hybrid.

The electric motor is fed by a 13.1 kWh battery pack under the boot floor giving, Land Rover claims, a pure electric range of 31 miles.

Land Rover also claims a fuel economy on the WLTP measurement of 74.7 – 85.1 mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of just 28 | February 2020 | Company Car & Van

72g/km. In these challenging times, if you still want to drive a Range Rover but feel guilty about doing so on environmental grounds, or you simply want to have some extra money in your pocket by paying less company car tax, then the plug-in Range Rover might just be for you.

So, from either a ‘green’ or tax break perspective, there is a great deal of logic in choosing the plug-in Range Rover. Despite the fact that you lose the ‘roar’ associated with petrol-only versions, in year one, the plug-in is classed at 19% BIK and 20% in years two and

three. As a 40 per cent tax payer you’ll pay around £635 per month for the privilege of driving one, or just £303 per month if you’re a 20% tax payer, which really is quite remarkable.

And there’s more good news. Land Rover has updated the interior and the exterior of the P400e. The all-new dashboard now features Land Rover’s InControl Touch Pro Duo, first seen in the Velar, which uses two screens.

There are also wider, more supportive seats.

Everything is very upmarket, with quality buttons to open the twin glove boxes, adjust exterior mirrors, find a comfortable seating www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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position or open a window. The seats themselves are covered in a perforated semi-aniline leather and up front, they are also 20-way adjusted, heated and cooled. In the rear the seats offer power recline and are also heated and cooled.

The SE model we tested also features soft door close, morzine headlining, heated steering wheel, three-zone climate control, a powered gesture tailgate, a Meridian™ sound system, a digital TV and a 360 degree parking aid.

In addition to the standard 8-speed automatic transmission and twin speed transfer box, for a spot of off-road fun the car comes with AWD, Dynamic Stability Control, Low Traction Launch, Electronic Traction Control, Roll Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, Hill Descent Control, Electronic Air Suspension and EBD. In addition, our SE model was fitted with All Terrain Progress Control ... just in case you want to go off-road.

For on road progress you can select from three drive modes: Comfort, Eco or Dynamic.

Go off-road for a spot of adventure and you can also select options such as Grass Gravel Snow, Mud Ruts, Sand or Rock Crawl.

The exterior’s tasty too, with 21” seven split-spoke ‘Style 7001’ silver finish alloys, a new ‘Atlas’ grille mesh foil and inner surround with Narvik Black frame, ‘Atlas’ front bumper accent, ‘Atlas’ door handle surrounds, a satin body-coloured front bumper vent finisher and satin body-coloured side vent, graphic and side accent graphic.

The interior is cavernous, with room on board for five adults. Storage includes a twin glove box, two cup holders and a covered armrest that hides a storage compartment large enough, I found to my surprise, to hold a four-pint milk bottle. In the rear there’s a fold down centre armrest with two more cup holders. There’s also a 12v socket and twin USBs in the front.

The automatic boot can be selected to just open the hatch, the hatch and lower boot lid or just the lower section. And, inside thee’s a top quality carpet lining the boot space. With this plug-in you also get a neat and tidy cable bag, in which both your EV charger and home plug cable fit in nicely.

Once comfortable in the driving seat, you press the dash-mounted starter button, select D with the rotary gear dial and move off silently in EV mode. Other all-electric cars and many plug-ins, when driving in EV mode, are actually quite loud, letting in both road and tyre noise, but the P400e’s combination of large wheels, tyres and excellent suspension deaden this noise intrusion and it’s surreally quiet. The silence is also enhanced by new, thicker glass fitted to the car. Put your foot down in Dynamic Mode and the engine comes to life, but the 2.0 litre unit doesn’t roar as you’d expect; it’s more of a quiet rumble. Don’t be fooled, though, because this large motor shifts, with a 0-60mph time of just 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 137mph.

The P400e is fitted with air suspension and www.companycarandvan.co.uk

Range Rover P400e Vogue

PRICE: £95,800 CO2:

72g/km

MPG:

74.7-85.1 (combined)

BIK: 19-20%

as with the non-hybrid versions, the car tends to roll a little if you oversteer into corners. After a few hours behind the wheel, you get used to the sensation and it’s much easier to control.

Soon you’ll come to realise that this large car offers up an almost magic carpet ride, as it eases its large frame over pot-holed roads in almost silent tranquility.

After the Range Rover arrived at our office I plugged it into our Rolec charger and after just 90 minutes, the battery was fully charged. The following morning I drove locally in EV Mode only and did so again the following day, notching up about 20 miles before it ran out. I then drove 250 miles using the petrol engine mostly in Eco Mode, with 200 miles of this driven on the motorway, averaging 27.3mpg.

Plainly, if you drive short distances you will get 20-25 or so miles out of the plug-in Range Rover and if you can charge it at work or at home, then this would enable you get you around in electric more only. However, if you need to take a couple of motorway trips, in EV Mode, the battery runs down in super-quick time, so it’s best to save the battery for urban driving and luckily, there’s a Save Mode on board to hold the charge for later use.

If in doubt, as with other plug-in hybrids there are different ways of driving the Range Rover. There are two drive modes: default Parallel Hybrid and pure EV. The former lets the car choose which powertrain works best at that point in time, while the latter puts the car into its electric only mode. So you don’t even have

to do the thinking as this Range Rover will switch between the petrol engine and electric motor, as well as combining both if required.

This technology is also linked to the GPS, so when you enter a destination, the GPS data will allow the car to decide the best way to utilise the engine and battery.

While a week driving such a lovely car is always a pleasure, it does throw up the odd negative and the P400e was no different. In SE spec, Adaptive Cruise Control is not offered, which for a £90,000 car seems a little tight. It’s also not possible to use the petrol engine to charge up the batteries whilst on the move, something many other cars do offer. And, Land Rover claims a 31 mile electric range, for the P400e, when we found it be closer to 21 miles on pure electric only.

So, if you’re lucky enough to be able to lease a Range Rover for your business, what the plug-in version offers is almost unbeatable. If you’re not ready for full-electric in they sector, offered by the likes of the Tesla Model X or the Jaguar I-Pace, then this dual-powered SUV has lot’s of appeal. You’ll be driving a ‘greener’ car and you’ll save a lot of money you’d ordinarily lose in company car tax. Even better news, is that you’ll still be getting all that’s great with the Range Rover brand, with almost no compromise.

Verdict Supremely comfortable motoring with a touch of green. Some interesting leaps forward, particularly the way the tech links to your GPS data and calculates best driving mode.

CC&V RATING: N N N N

Company Car & Van | February 2020 | 29

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LEXUS RX

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Lexus RX: First among hybrids and continues to set standards In 2005, the Lexus RX 400h made history as the world’s first luxury hybrid vehicle. Today, the RX continues to set the standards, being named Best Premium Hybrid Car in the DrivingElectric Awards.

This accolade from Britain’s foremost consumer website dedicated to electrified motoring rewards Lexus’s constant improvement of its self-charging hybrid technology, and its commitment to luxury craftsmanship, striking design, rewarding performance and advanced safety.

“The Lexus RX 450h has always been an attractive proposition, thanks to its eye-catching looks, luxury, refinement, large SUV practicality and fuel-efficient hybrid drivetrain,” said Vicky Parrott, DrivingElectric Associate Editor.

“Recent improvements to its infotainment system and styling have made it an even better choice for those after something different from the sporty German SUV offerings.”

The fourth generation RX recently benefited from significant upgrades that sharpened its styling and handling and introduced new equipment features and options, including the standard provision of smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and access to connectivity services using the Lexus

32 | February 2020 | Company Car & Van

Link app.

Available in RX, F Sport and Takumi grades, and as a purpose-designed seven-seat model in the form of the RX L, it comes with an impressive standard specification.

Features for the entry-level RX include dual-zone climate control with an intelligent Climate Concierge system to optimise heating and ventilation, smart entry and start, wireless smartphone charger, 12.3-inch multimedia display, power-adjustable heated front seats, power tailgate, Lexus Navigation, triple-eye LED headlights, Intelligent Clearance Sonar, E-Four all-wheel drive and the Lexus Safety System+ suite of active safety and driver

“Recent improvements to its infotainment system and styling have made it an even better choice for buyers after something different from the sporty German SUVs.”

assistance systems.

All RX models share the same self-charging hybrid-electric powertrain. Featuring a high-efficiency 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, this produces 308bhp/230kW for nought to 62mph acceleration in 7.7 seconds, yet returns CO2 emissions from 134g/km (NEDC correlated figure) and fuel economy of 35.3 to 35.7mpg (WLTP data).

Ewan Shepherd, Director of Lexus in the UK, said: “We highly value this award as it shows the RX as the best hybrid choice in the luxury market as a whole, not just within the SUV segment. This year we have been able to strengthen its appeal even further, ensuring that we continue to anticipate and meet the changing preferences and requirements of our customers.”

It’s not the only accolade the RX 400h has collected. Autocar described it as “the world’s most complex production car and, arguably, right now the most interesting, too,” adding that it was “a towering, status-enriched 4x4 that accelerates to 62mph in 7.6sec and has a top speed of 124mph yet returns 35mpg on the combined cycle and posts a jaw-droppingly low (for a full-sized performance SUV) 192g/km carbon dioxide emissions figure.”

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KIA XCEED

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Sporty XCeed has the edge Kia’s latest Ceed, the XCeed, is the sporty big brother to the range, with tasty looks and an all-new KIA infotainment systems. Question is, is it worth the inevitable extra cash?

Everything is better quality. The cabin uses good quality soft touch plastics, with some nice matt silver and black plastic trim. The seat covering, roof lining and door finishes are also tasteful in black and the sloping roofline gives the cabin a sportier stance over the Ceed Hatch. To give it a more aggressive stance, the XCeed’s ground clearance has been increased by up to 42mm. Despite the extra height, it’s really only a soft-roader.

On the road the ride is firm, but pliable, with nicely weighted steering and the car hugs the road with aplomb. It will sit happily in slow moving traffic or offer more fun on an open B road.

On the motorway the 1.6 CRDi 3 six-speed manual test car really shone. Costing £25,345, this version offers 134bhp and 280Nm of torque from just 1,500rpm and a Euro6 compliant diesel engine, which should remind diesel haters that new, cleaner, diesels, are not actually that bad. To ram that point home, a claimed 64.2mpg in WLTP tests is at least 10 mpg more than any of the XCeed petrols being offered and while 116g/km of CO2 emissions may not look that great, it’s actually lower than

34 | February 2020 | Company Car & Van

all of the petrol models as well.

The XCeed finished in Grade 3 spec is generous, with 18” alloys, privacy glass, power lumbar supported front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, an electric parking brake, a reversing camera, parking sensors, 4.2” supervision colour cluster display and useful USB fast charger in the front centre console.

Undoubtedly the highlight inside the XCeed, is the new 10.25” touchscreen, however, which sits proudly in the centre of the dash. Larger than the one found in the Ceed Hatch, its graphics are sharper and responses to your

inputs feel quicker.

If given a choice in the company car list between the Ceed Hatch and XCeed, we’d plump for the latter. On looks alone it’s a winner. In diesel guise it’s frugal and a very good motorway runner. The boot is larger than the Ceed Hatch, too. As for petrol v diesel debate, the 1.0 litre petrol does offer a lower BIK of 28%, but at 31%, the diesel’s not far away, especially when it’s for the 1.6 in 134bhp guise, which offers decent performance and a gutsy drive.

CC&V RATING: N N N N

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VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

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Top marks for new Golf as it scores five stars from NCAP There’s been a dream start for the new Golf after it achieved the highest score in the Euro NCAP crash test (European New Car Assessment Programme).

Auditors gave the new compact model very high ratings on all criteria – for the protection of adult occupants, children and vulnerable road users as well as in terms of assistance systems.

A small test fleet of Golfs lined up for the Euro NCAP test. In the “Protection of adult occupants” category, the cars had to undergo various crashes: head-on with 40% overlap against a deformable barrier, head-on with full overlap against a rigid wall, side impact and pole impact.

Collision speeds ranged from 32 to 64 km/h.

Further tests focusing on such aspects as the infliction of whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions were carried out on seat crash sleds.

The effectiveness of the Front Assist emergency braking system in preventing imminent rear-end collisions at city speeds was also put to the test. All in all, the new Golf scored 95% of the points available for the protection of adult occupants.

The results of the front and side impact were included in the rating for the protection of accompanying children, supplemented by an installation test for standard child seats and a check of mounts such as ISOFIX. In this category, the new Golf scored 89%. The score for pedestrian and cyclist protection was 76%.

The focus here was the impact of the car on head, thighs and lower legs as well as the effectiveness of the emergency braking system.

Other assistance systems such as the speed limiter, the area monitoring system for higher speeds and the lane keeping system were assessed in the “Safety Assist” category.

Volkswagen has fitted the new Golf with an all-round package of assistance systems, some of which are drawn from the higher vehicle categories. Two standard safety systems are particularly important: the Lane Assist lane keeping system and Front Assist, which

monitors traffic in front of the car using a radar sensor and front camera. The car brakes automatically in dangerous situations – even at very low speeds in the city. The system’s spectrum has been extended to include Cyclist Monitoring, swerve support and a braking when turning function – all of which are available for the first time in the Golf. The Euro NCAP crash test demonstrates its effectiveness: with a score of 78% of the points available, the new compact car by Volkswagen put in an excellent performance in the “Safety Assist” category, too.

Six airbags – two front airbags, side airbags and head airbags – are standard features of the new Golf, as are belt tensioners and belt force limiters on all outer seats. The proactive occupant protection system is available as an option. This is able to mitigate the consequences of an imminent collision by tightening the belts or closing open windows, for example. It also includes side airbags in the rear.

Volkswagen offers further high-end assistance systems on an optional basis

including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with predictive speed detection. Travel Assist makes assisted driving possible at speeds of up to 210 km/h. Another feature contributing to safe, relaxed driving is Car2X communication, which in dangerous traffic situations enables the new Golf to communicate with other vehicles – and in future also with the infrastructure. The same applies to Traffic Jam Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, Emergency Assist and Park Assist.

With its score of five stars for the new Golf, Volkswagen continues its success series in the Euro NCAP crash test – the T-Cross likewise achieved the maximum point score in May 2019. The European New Car Assessment Programme has served as a strict benchmark for the safety level of new cars for 20 years. It provides car buyers with prompt information the safety of popular, new models. In recent years, test procedures and the requirements placed on standard driver assistance systems and passive safety have become increasingly rigorous.

Full details are publicly accessible at www. euroncap.com.

Golf will ‘Warm feet’ at the sound of your voice Volkswagen has claimed its new Golf is the most intuitive on the road, with a host of technological innovations to make driving easier.

A visible and tangible example is the control for the 3-zone automatic air conditioner “Air Care Climatronic”. This newly designed air conditioning system has a Smart Climate menu that can be used to activate specific individual functions such as “Warm feet” or “Clear view”– not only at the www.companycarandvan.co.uk

press of a button, but also using voice control. The new model is the first Golf to respond interactively to the wishes of the driver and passenger.

The temperature of the air conditioning system can be adjusted using a touchslider or voice input. The driver and passenger can access the menu control of the “Air Care Climatronic” with allergen filter and 3-zone control via the screen of the Infotainment system or the touch field below with direct

access buttons. As an alternative to the classic controls, such as for the fan function or air recirculation mode (Classic Climate), the screen features the new Smart Climate menu. To access specific air conditioning settings in this menu, it is no longer necessary to spend time adjusting different parameters of the air conditioning system.

You can now intuitively activate preconfigured scenarios with one touch or alternatively by using voice control.

Company Car & Van | February 2020 | 35

BMW 330E

Leading the pack, even with the battery in the back Real drivers love the BMW 3 Series ... but will they still love it with an electric battery added to the payload? Andrew Walker thinks so

BMW tech means you can charge the 12kW battery at home or at the office in minutes 38 | February 2020 | Company Car & Van

People who like to drive will tell you that the BMW 3 Series is the best. Indeed, in these very pages we have waxed lyrical for years on just how good the 3 and the 5 Series are to drive. For example, we recently drove the new 320d and yet again, BMW has a class leader.

As fleet managers and company car buyers make up a large percentage of 3 Series customers, the previous 330e accounted for a quarter of all 3 Series sales and BMW knows that the 330e plug-in hybrid needs to appeal to the corporate sector. Can a car that weighs 200kg more then the 330i petrol, really be that good to drive? Read on to find out.

In reality, those who often make short journeys and can charge their car at work, at home, or both, are the customers who will really benefit from choosing the 330e. High mileage is still better taken in a 320d or 330i.

The previous 330e only had a real-world electric range of 25 miles, while the latest version significantly increases this to 41 miles.

BMW has also cunningly priced the 330e to appeal too, with the range costing from £37,875, rising to £39,980 for the rangetopping M Sport, just a few hundred pounds

more than the 330i, although the 320d is cheaper.

Having said that, company car drivers won’t care about the gross cost, just the Benefit in Kind and this is where the 330e shines, with a rate of just 16% compared to the 320d’s 30-32% depending on model. And who doesn’t want money in their pocket?

But despite the financial logic, existing 3 Series drivers may worry that the 330e doesn’t drive like a 3 Series. So let’s put that one to bed.

The 330e is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in combination with an electric motor, both of which send power to the rear axle. The engine delivers 182bhp, with the electric motor adding an extra 67bhp for a total output of 249bhp. To add to the fun, the 330e comes with a new XtraBoost mode, accessed when the 330e is in Sport mode. This allows the electric motor to run in overdrive for short periods, taking the total power up to 289bhp and 420Nm. The 330e offers the driver various driving modes to make use of the hybrid, electric-only and Sport functions. To further the efficiency of www.companycarandvan.co.uk

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the car during real world use, BMW has developed a feature called Intelligent Deceleration with Adaptive Recuperation. This tells the car whether to coast or to use regenerative braking to put power back into the battery pack. And there’s a Battery Control Mode, which allows the driver to keep the battery charged at a selected level so that battery power can be saved for later. Have a full charge but about to embark on a motorway trip? Then save the power and utilise it next time you’re driving round town.

We only had a short time driving the 330e, but on a series of winding Yorkshire roads in pouring rain it felt both poised and purposeful.

It helps that it uses an eight-speed automatic gear box and that it’s rear-wheel drive. In Sport mode, the torque of the electric motor is instantaneous and this makes for satisfyingly swift progress.

Don’t get me wrong, experienced drivers will get a feel for the 12kW battery which is located under the rear seats, especially in tight turns.

But the extra weight doesn’t stop the 330e from being fun to drive, far from it.

We don’t always drive quickly, though. When you’re driving more slowly in town or in traffic, the 2.0-litre engine shuts out, allowing the car to operate on electric power alone. In theory, if your commute is under 40 miles you should be able to get to work using electric power only.

However, we would surmise that 35 miles is a more likely range. More good news is that if you use the motorway on your commute, the new top-speed on the battery powered motor is an improved 68mph. Again, be warned, drive in electric power at this kind of speed and the 35 mile range will evaporate in front of your eyes.

As with the rest of the 3 Series range the 330e is larger than its predecessor: 85 www.companycarandvan.co.uk

BMW 330e PRICE: £39,925 CO2:

37g/km

MPG:

138 (combined, max.)

BIK: 16% Based on 2.0e 12kWh 292 SS M Sport

millimetres longer (at 4,709mm), 16 millimetres wider (1,827mm) and just 1 mm taller (1,442 millimetres) than the Series 6. The wheelbase has also grown by 41mm, with the result of increasing leg room in the rear. The car’s front and rear tracks have also been widened, which in turn improve the ride and handling. More legroom also helps to increase headroom, which is better in the 3 Series than either the C Class or the A4. Getting in and out of the car is also easier for the rear passengers, because the door aperture height on the new version has been increased.

Undoubtedly one of the best improvements over the previous model on the new 3 Series is the interior. Gone is the slightly Bavarian drabness of previous incarnations, replaced by a far more attractive and user-friendly layout.

Perhaps BMW felt it needed to change, because the latest Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class are now pretty impressive inside.

What BMW has cleverly done is to also up the ante with a selection of higher quality materials, which have really improved the finish. Both the look and the feel of everything is more aesthetically pleasing. I struggled to find anything you can see or touch that doesn’t either look great or feel top notch.

As far as the interior and exterior of the 330e go, they are almost identical to the 320d, with just a few subtle hints that this is a hybrid.

Negatives? Inevitably the battery reduces rear boot space, from 480 litres to 375 litres, so that’s a quibble, and the 330e runs on low rolling resistance tyres, which in our experience don’t offer the same grip as normal tyres and are apt to need replacing, especially at the front, every 12,000 miles or so. In addition, the regenerative brakes, designed to recoup energy, don’t feel as responsive as the standard 3 Series set-up. Brake hard and the car shudders more to a halt than in the 320d and the brake pedal takes a little bit of getting used to. But that is about it.

Hopefully, if you’ve read the review up to this point, you will draw the same conclusion that we have. The 330e is pretty damn good.

Perhaps not quite as good to drive as the 320d or 330i but it’s surprisingly close. Close enough, we believe, that most won’t be put off, especially with a 41-mile electric only range, 16% BIK, fuel economy of up to 138mpg and CO2 emissions of only 39g/km.

Verdict We still love the 320d and for long motorway driving, it’s still our choice.

However, if we had a shorter, daily commute, then we would drive the 330e. At time of writing it’s the best plug-in hybrid BMW has produced and is arguably the best plug-in, full stop.

CC&V RATING: N N N N N

Company Car & Van | February 2020 | 39

NISSAN JUKE

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Juke’s most connected Nissan ever Offering the same sense of style and fun together with a suite of advanced technologies, the Next Generation JUKE is the most connected Nissan ever. The new-look compact crossover SUV also offers a new, advanced powertrain, with a downsized turbo petrol engine which is compact, lightweight, responsive and economical. Together with an all new chassis, the new JUKE is fun-to-drive, refined and efficient with exceptional safety.

The all-new JUKE has certainly grown up but still maintains its sense of fun, with a contemporary interior and exterior look which will once again set a new standard in the B-crossover segment. It combines sporty style with a crossover stance. This offers a true ‘best-of-all-worlds’ cross which is perfect for the city and beyond.

Despite being all-new, the car retains iconic design features, including the signature circular headlamps instantly recognisable as JUKE. To give it a new twist and bring the design up to date, these lights now feature a Y-shaped LED signature which complements Nissan’s trademark V-Motion grille.

Stylish 19-inch wheels give an imposing and athletic stance, while a ‘floating’ roof design and sharply-creased side panel details add a new level of prestige.

A range of 11 body colours in combination

42 | February 2020 | Company Car & Van

with three roof contrasted colours ensure the new JUKE stands out, with matching or contrasting colour combinations for body, roof and interior.

The new JUKE is transformed on the inside as well, with more style, more space, upscale quality and advanced technology. It is roomier for both passengers and their belongings, with rear-seat knee room increased by 5.8 cm, rear headroom by 1.1 cm, and 20% more luggage capacity to 422-litres.

The reimagined interior design has been finished with upmarket materials and ambient lighting, offering more style and comfort.

Under the sculpted bonnet is a 3-cylinder petrol engine which is both efficient and responsive. The turbo-charged 1.0-litre unit is compact and lightweight, delivering fun-to-drive performance. It produces 117PS and 180Nm of torque (200Nm with over torque function). A six-speed manual transmission is standard.

Fuel economy has improved, achieving 45.6-47.9mpg (WLTP) for manual transmission versions and 44.1-46.3mpg (WLTP) for DCT models. CO2 emissions are also reduced, starting from 112g/km (NEDC-BT) for manual versions and 110 g/km (NEDC-BT) for the DCT.

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DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE

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All-electric adds spark to DS3 DS Automobiles has launched the DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE – a Premium Compact SUV that’s the first all-electric DS car. It comes with a potential range of 200 miles (on the WLTP cycle) and has been designed without compromise – maximising occupant and boot space while also offering similar trim level choices with an excellent driving capability. It’s where luxury and advanced technology come together.

At first glance, there is not much to differentiate this ‘zero emission’ livery from other versions. But on the outside, its exclusive Pearl Crystal paint finish, satin-chrome finishes, E-TENSE signature emblems and special rear bumper (without an exhaust pipe), give the game away.

Inside, the dedicated information displayed on the digital instrumentation and its gear lever embossed with the ‘E-TENSE’ emblem point to the fact that you are indeed in a 100% electric vehicle. With the batteries housed within the new multi-energy CMP architecture, DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE boasts the same spaciousness and the same boot volume as all other versions.

The electric drivetrain is made up of a 100kW (136hp) electric motor with 260Nm of torque, linked to a 50kWh Lithium-ion battery and a system for recovering energy during

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deceleration and braking. The potential range is 200 miles (WLTP drive cycle, or 267 miles on the NEDC drive cycle) and the performance revolutionises driving, with acceleration from 0 to 30mph possible in 3.3 seconds.

Comfort sets new standards with remarkable management of road noise and the absence of engine vibration. Driving behaviour is improved by the compact battery being centrally located under the floor.

Three driving modes are offered: ECO to maximise range, NORMAL, and SPORT with extra torque. These are complemented by two energy recovery options, inherited from

Formula E, which can be controlled by the driver: NORMAL to simulate the behaviour of an internal combustion engine and BRAKE which decelerates at 1.2 m/s.

The 100kW rapid charging adds 5.5 miles of range every minute and will complete an 80% charge in 30 minutes. DS drivers can purchase a connected smart wall box enabling a 100% battery charge in 8 hours. With a 50kWh battery and an electric motor of 100kW (or 136bhp DIN), it delivers an exceptional level of performance with maximum torque available from start-up. As a result, it can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in just 8.7 seconds.

Company Car & Van | February 2020 | 43

SKODA SUPERB iV

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Superb adds hybrid option to range ŠKODA has broken new ground with the launch of its Superb iV, as the perennial fleet favourite is offered with a plug-in hybrid engine for the first time.

This delivers an electric range of 35 miles (56km) in WLTP cycle and when backed by a 1.4 TSI petrol engine, produces a combined output of 218PS (160kW).

The introduction of the Superb iV is a further boost to the range, which benefitted recently from a comprehensive facelift. ŠKODA’s first electrified car is available in four trim levels with the plug-in hybrid powertrain: SE Technology for fleet customers, SE L, SportLine Plus, as well as the range topping L&K. While still an impressive sight on many a corporate car park and a proven driver’s favourite, the latest Superb iV’s success hinges on the combination of a turbocharged 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and 85kW electric motor. The stats are impressive: it delivers a total performance of 218PS (160kW) and CO2 emissions of less than 40g/km.

The Superb iV also offers a zero-emission drive up to 35 miles (56km) and can travel up to 578 miles (930km) on a single full tank and a fully charged battery when in hybrid mode.

The Superb iV is ŠKODA’s first electrified

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model and the brand’s flagship doesn’t disappoint with its enhanced driver connectivity and assistance features. The new-look Superb iV is noticeable by its remodelled bumpers, wider grille, new full-LED matrix headlights with anti-dazzle, full-LED taillights and dynamic indicators.

The sophisticated look continues inside, with the fleet-specific SE technology trim offering customers a leather interior and an 8”

infotainment system screen. The Superb iV follows the new Scala and Kamiq by including the new third-generation infotainment system (MIB3). Featuring an in-built SIM card for data and wireless connection for SmartLink and Apple CarPlay, it provides real-time traffic information and online support, allowing route suggestions to be calculated more quickly and accurately.

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MAZDA CX-30

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KODO design helps CX-30 stand out from the crowd •The Mazda CX-30 joins SUV line up between the CX-3 and CX-5.

• Priced from £22,895, the 26 model line-up features five grades and two petrol engines.

• Mazda’s revolutionary Skyactiv-X engine is available with a choice of front and all-wheel drive Mazda’s latest model to join its award-winning CX line-up has arrived in the UK – the all-new CX-30 compact SUV. First revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March in 2019, the CX-30 enters a new market segment for Mazda, slotting into the firm’s award-winning SUV range between the CX-3 and CX-5.

Following the launch of the all-new Mazda3 earlier this year, the Mazda CX-30 is the second model in the company’s next generation line-up and the second to feature the groundbreaking Skyactiv-X spark-controlled compression ignition engine. Combining the bold stance of an SUV with the sleek profile of a coupe, its styling is a sophisticated evolution of Mazda’s KODO design philosophy, while it’s spacious and versatile cabin ensures it has the practicality and comfort demanded by customers in this popular sector.

Available in five trim levels – SE-L, SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, GT Sport and GT Sport Tech - the new CX-30 features Mazda’s characteristic generous standard equipment across the entire range, and is offered in the UK with a choice of two petrol engines, both of which feature the 24v Mazda M Hybrid mild-hybrid system.

Familiar from the recently launched all-new Mazda3, the 122ps 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine features cylinder-deactivation and is exclusively matched to front-wheel drive with a choice of

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automatic or manual transmission across all five trim levels. Likewise, the ground-breaking Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) Skyactiv-X petrol engine is also offered across all grades with a choice of transmission.

Additionally from Sport Lux upwards, the Skyactiv-X CX-30 is available with Mazda’s latest advanced i-Activ all-wheel drive system.

Thanks to its unique combustion method in which spark plug ignition is used to control compression ignition, the resulting efficiencies mean this 180ps petrol SPCCI engine delivers diesel rivalling economy combined with low CO2 emissions and flexible performance. With emissions as low as 105g/km and WLTP combined economy as high as 47.9mpg, the Skyactiv-X engine is the perfect solution for private and fleet customers, offering the ideal alternative to diesel in a segment that has seen demand for diesel powered cars dramatically reduce.

While Mazda is committed to diesel and the development of next-generation clean diesel engines for appropriate sectors, the abilities of Skyactiv-X and diminishing consumer demand for diesel engines in the compact SUV segment

mean that in the UK the Mazda CX-30 will be exclusively petrol.

As with the all-new Mazda3, the CX-30 features a generous standard equipment tally across the whole range with every car featuring a colour windscreen projecting head-up display, radar cruise control and LED headlights to name just a few of the high-grade items found on every model. Visually, the CX-30’s sleek upper body hints at the streamlined silhouette of a coupe, while the black cladding lower down, and the CX-30’s dimensions deliver the sense of rugged stability you’d expect of an SUV. With a choice of eight colours, SE-L and SE-L Lux cars feature 16-inch grey metallic wheels, while from Sport Lux onwards 18-inch wheels are standard: silver metallic on Skyactiv-G and bright silver metallic on Skyactiv-X models.

Inside, premium dark grey cloth with navy blue accents is standard, while GT Sport and GT Sport Tech models feature black leather with rich brown accents or for £200 stone coloured leather. With a high-quality, stylish and practical cabin, the Mazda CX-30’s interior sets new standards for a Mazda SUV, while the 430-litre boot ensures it’s practical, too.

‘Combining the bold stance of an SUV with the sleek profile of a coupe, its styling is a sophisticated evolution of Mazda’s KODO design philosophy...’

Company Car & Van | February 2020 | 45

ToYOTA News

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Toyota places faith in hybrids as Corolla adopts powertrain Upgrades and new models for 2020 as Toyota gives entire Corolla range in the UK hybrid engines with improved performance The new Toyota Corolla has wasted no time in making its mark with motorists, with more than 13,000 reaching the UK’s roads since its launch in March this year. The impressive popularity of the British-built Hatchback and Touring Sports, plus the elegant Corolla Saloon, is now being enriched with a series of upgrades and new model versions for 2020.

Significantly, Corolla becomes exclusively a hybrid range in the UK with the discontinuation of the 1.2T turbo petrol engine. The new line-up carries forward Toyota’s improved 120bhp 1.8-litre system and the new, 181bhp 2.0-litre hybrid which made its debut with the model.

This dual hybrid strategy – also applied to the new C-HR crossover – gives drivers the traditional rewards of Toyota’s self-charging hybrid technology with low emissions, fuel efficiency and a relaxing drive, plus improved response and, with the 2.0-litre, greater power

on demand, effortless acceleration and added fun-to-drive quality.

Corolla’s early success since its launch has continued with its election by international judges as one of seven finalists for the 2020 European Car of the Year title, an award which will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show on 2 March next year.

New Corolla GR Sport Corolla is the latest model to benefit from the influence of Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s global championship-winning motorsport arm, with the introduction of new GR Sport models. These feature design and specification details that give the car a wider, more planted and powerful look and a sportier cabin ambience.

The dedicated styling elements include a sharper design for the lower centre bumper section, a wide honeycomb mesh pattern for the front grille and piano black surrounds for the grille and fog lights. There is a black insert in the rocker panels and the new 18-inch black alloy wheels have a contrasting bright machined finish to the tips of each spoke and red GR centre caps (17inch diameter wheels in the same design are featured on the Touring Sports model). At the rear there is a silver insert in the lower bumper, creating the look of

twin tailpipes and a diffuser.

The finishing touches are black backgrounds for Toyota emblems on the bonnet and tailgate, official GR (Gazoo Racing) badging and the option of a new Ash Grey paint finish.

The GR Sport cabin is fitted with sports front seats, upholstered in fabric with a dedicated pinstripe pattern and with seatback and cushion bolsters finished in black and grey synthetic leather. It is also equipped with Toyota’s latest multimedia package, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions for seamless smartphone integration.

The equipment specification matches the Corolla Design grade and further includes a new seven-inch colour TFT multi-information screen with 3D-effect graphics, and a colour head-up display. Other standard features include Toyota Safety Sense, LED headlights, smart entry, rear privacy glass, automatic wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and power-adjustable door mirrors with an auto-folding function.

The new head-up display measures 265 by 70.5mm and presents data clearly in the driver’s line of sight, even in bright light conditions. Brightness and the position of the display can be adjusted using controls on the steering wheel.

Continued on page 48

Corolla GR Sport

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TOYOTA NEWS

Continued from page 46 Corolla Touring Sports TREK The new Corolla Touring Sports TREK celebrates a partnership between Toyota and the internationally renowned bicycle manufacturer TREK. It stands apart from the rest of the range with its SUV-influenced look: the suspension has been raised by 20mm and special exterior styling details have been added, including black edging for the front and rear bumpers, silver-finished front and rear under-runs, black wheel arch mouldings and black rocker panels with silver inserts.

There’s a new machined/black contrast design for the 17-inch alloy wheels and TREK badging on the tailgate, plus rear privacy glass, a honeycomb-pattern grille and LED headlights.

The interior features further special detailing, including TREK-branded scuff plates, a special

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two-tone fabric upholstery and subtle woodfinish trim on the dashboard. The specification matches the regular Corolla Design grade, with the addition of a power tailgate with kick sensor. It also adopts the new Toyota multimedia system (see above).

Corolla Excel For 2020, the Corolla Excel grade has been enhanced with the standard provision of sports seats with black leather upholstery and red accents. The Excel Touring Sports further adds the convenience of a hands-free power tailgate that can be opened using a kick sensor below the rear bumper.

Corolla Saloon The Corolla Saloon matches its Hatchback and Touring Sports stablemates by introducing

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone functions as standard on all versions. It’s also available with a new Scarlet Flare paint finish option. The Saloon’s powertrain choice is the 1.8-litre self-charging hybrid system.

2020 Corolla range The new-look Corolla range is available in Icon, Icon Tech, Design, Excel and GR Sport grade for the Hatchback and, with the addition of TREK trim, Touring Sports. The Corolla Saloon, powered by the 1.8-litre hybrid system, is offered in Icon, Icon Tech and Design specifications.

Toyota’s latest multimedia system, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions, is standard on all new Corolla models.

The new line-up is on sale and available for delivery now.

Mighty Land Cruiser picks up sustainability award When it comes to “sustainable” vehicles, the familiar points of reference are qualities such as fuel economy, low emissions and recyclability. But there’s another aspect to the issue that has helped earn Toyota’s mighty Land Cruiser the Sustainability Award in 4×4 Magazine’s 4×4 of the Year Awards.

Where the judges were concerned, Land Cruiser has no equal when it comes putting in year after year of reliable service, delivering the kind of longevity that other models cannot match. And that’s the key to making it a winner as a “sustainable” vehicle.

4×4 Magazine Editor Alan Kidd explained:

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“Not everyone will be able to understand why the Land Cruiser has won our Sustainability Award, but it’s very simple.

You can buy one and, if you so choose, never need to return to the car market for the rest of your life.

“It’s built to last for decades, and its long history of outstanding build quality means a well-maintained one will rarely need new parts. All that points to a tiny whole-life carbon footprint. It’s a world-class vehicle, and a sound investment in every sense.”

With a heritage spanning more than 60 years, the Land Cruiser is a truly global

product proving its strength in the toughest environments, whether delivering aid to remote areas or safely transporting owners through inhospitable terrain. Land Cruiser is the only diesel model in Toyota’s UK passenger car range, a line-up in which full hybrid models have increased their share of the company’s new car sales to 60 per cent in the past year.

Land Cruiser is now being put to perfect use in the model’s latest development as a rugged, go-anywhere light commercial vehicle, part of the new Toyota Professional LCV range.

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TOYOTA NEWS

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Corolla leads triple triumph at What Car? awards British-built Corolla named best hybrid car Yaris Hybrid wins award as best hybrid car for under £20,000 Aygo x-play ‘best value car’ The Toyota Corolla has taken the title of Best Hybrid Car in the 2020 What Car? Awards, leading a haul of three honours for the brand.

Announced at a ceremony in London on January 14, the awards also saw the Toyota Yaris Hybrid taking the title for Best Hybrid Car for Less Than £20,000 and the Toyota Aygo being named the Best Value Car (priced between £10,000 to £12,000).

Steve Huntingford, What Car? Editor, said: “The Toyota Corolla comfortably beats the fuel economy of pure petrol-powered rivals and betters a fair few diesels in its 1.8-litre form that we recommend. Better still, it manages this while delivering more performance than most people will need. Plus, in stop-start traffic, near-silence descends when you use electric power alone.”

Corolla earned five stars for reliability, equipment features, running costs and ride comfort in its full What Car? test, scoring four

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stars overall.

The Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports are built at Toyota’s UK car plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, and use engines supplied by its factory in Deeside, North Wales.

Corolla has pioneered Toyota’s new dual hybrid strategy as the first Toyota model in Europe to offer customers the choice of two hybrid powertrains – 1.8 and 2.0-litre – offering a wider range of performance but with uncompromised fuel and emissions efficiency.

Following Corolla’s lead, the same choice has

recently been extended to the C-HR compact crossover.

The strength-in-depth of Toyota’s hybrid technology helped the Yaris compact hatchback claim the award for best hybrid car costing less than £20,000. This success follows on from its 100 per cent fault-free record in the What Car? 2019 Reliability Survey Editor Huntingford explained: “The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is one of the most efficient cars we’ve ever tested, returning 80mpg around town and doing decently on the motorway.

“Notably Yaris’s award comes just as the current model prepares to make way for an all-new range, due for launch later this year.

The fourth generation Yaris will offer a new hybrid powertrain that promises to be even more efficient than its predecessor.”

Toyota’s third award recognised the great value of its Aygo city car. Huntingford commented: “Aygo has plenty more going for it than just funky looks. Not only is it cheaper to buy than rivals in our recommended x-play trim, but its 1.0-litre petrol engine is gutsy yet efficient, so should be cheap to run.

“It’s agile around town, too, with a tight turning circle, which makes it ideal for city car parks.”

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VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

It’s ‘Transporter 6.1’ as improved digital connectivity added to range New power steering and safety features offer considerable upgrade in driving appeal Volkswagen has given the Transporter a reboot for 2020 – and the new ‘6.1’ version features a sharper look, inside and out, as well as improvements to connectivity, safety and convenience innovations.

For the T6.1 panel van and kombi models, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has reduced model complexity and reduced options down to just Startline and Highline models, with Sportline to follow later.

The Startline will be available in T26 (SWB only), T28, T30 and T32 (denoting GVW eg 2600kg) in short or long wheelbase and with 2.0-litre TDI 90, 100 or 150 PS engines.

Highline models are also offered with a 2.0-litre 199 PS TDI with standard seven-speed DSG gearbox; 4MOTION four-wheel drive is available in combination with certain 150 and 199 PS units.

All models have an enhanced specification compared to previous models, with a new electro-mechanical power steering system not only improving on-road performance but also enabling the fitment of a number of standard and optional safety and assistance features.

These include, as standard, driving steering recommendation and crosswind assist (on top

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of the previous model’s automatic postcollision braking system, front assist with city emergency braking, driver alert and trailer stabilisation), as well as the options of park assist, lane assist, side protection, trailer assist, rear traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.

Most notable inside the Transporter 6.1 are all new infotainment systems: Composition Colour, Discover Media with sat nav and Discover Pro. App Connect also now comes as standard to allow screen mirroring of mobile phones and access to certain apps while on

the move. Wireless App-Connect is now available as an option for the first time.

All T6.1 models also feature an integrated SIM card (eSIM), which opens up a new range of online-based functions and services via We Connect – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ connectivity solution – including eCall, breakdown call, vehicle health report and driving data plus parking position.

Adding the option of We Connect Plus* adds a host of other functions including online anti-theft alarm and speed alerts, ‘Beep and Flash’, Lock and Unlock, online route planning, info on filling stations and car parks, online voice control (via the ‘Hey Volkswagen’ control), web radio and media streaming. Data comes from telephony partner Cubic Telekom’s package or personal mobile phone hotspot.

Also available as an option for the first time on passenger carrying models (standard on Caravelle Executive) is the digital cockpit, a fully digital representation of the instrument cluster, with 10.25-inch full-colour digital display and numerous personalisation options.

Prices for the new panel van start from £21,635 (excl VAT and OTR) for the entry-level T26 Startline 90 PS SWB, and rise to £36,915 for the T32 Highline LWB with 199 PS with DSG and 4MOTION four-wheel drive.

All have enhanced spec compared to T6 models. Kombi prices start from £25,000 (excl VAT and OTR); Shuttle from £29,430 and Caravelle from £38,095.

Shuttle (with five to nine seats) will be offered as before in S or SE trim; Caravelle as SE or Executive.

Customers can pre-order now, with first UK customer deliveries in March 2020.

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RENAULT TRUCKS

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We go wild in the country with the Renault Trucks Master Red Edition A chance to test the new Renault Trucks Master Red range was just too good to miss for Andrew Walker Renault Master Trucks has recently launched the Red Edition Master van. It’s available in front wheel drive and rear wheel drive panel van format as well as a crew van and a mini-bus, and there’s a chassis cab and platform cab alongside a staggering 350 other conversions, including OptiTipper, Curtainsider, Luton and OptiTraffic.

CC&V got a chance to run its eye over the results during a test day out in the Cotswolds provided by Renault Trucks.

It has been updated to meet the latest EU provisions on emissions and the environment.

There is also a Master EV model, as Renault Trucks seeks to offer short distance operators an alternative to their diesel range.

Three new engines are available: • A Light Duty Euro6 D-Temp, 4-cylinder 2.3L twin-turbo, with three power options. A 135hp/360Nm, with a six-speed manual gearbox; 150hp/ 385NM Stop and Start 6-speed manual or auto; and a 180hp/400Nm Stop and Start, as a six-speed manual or auto.

• A Heavy Duty Euro V1 D c4-cylinder 2.3L twin-turbo, with 130hp/330Nm in rear wheel drive, 145hp/360Nm Stop and Start and a 165hp/ 380Nm Stop and Start, all six-speed manuals.

• Finally, the Z.E 100% electric with 57kW/225Nm and auto box.

The Master Red has a new exterior design with a chrome radiator grille, high power headlights and unique Red Edition livery. Additionally, Master Red features a USB Bluetooth radio and side-wind assist system. The range is offered with carrying capacities from 3.1-6 tonnes GVW. First up on our test drive was the 3T5 OptiTipper with Tool Pod and a 145ps heavy duty EuroV1 engine and six-speed manual gearbox.

Our test model had been specced with a Body Builder pack, which means alloy construction with galvanised caged sides and an alloy floor, plus a GRP Tool Pod with internal shelving and a roller shutter with locks.

The new cabin is definitely an improvement over the old Master. It looks and feels solid and the addition of connected Apps a huge benefit.

The engine is quiet and the six-speed manual gear box and clutch light and easy to use. All of the controls fall easily to hand and I was able to find a comfortable driving position despite the steering wheel adjustment only being up or down.

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Company Car & Van was among those invited to the Renault Trucks Master Red Edition test day The ride unladen was a little bouncy, as to be expected, while this version had decent puling power when accelerating. Indeed, we managed to average a combined 32.8 mpg on our journey, which is not bad at all.

After 30 miles on mainly A and B roads we switched to an identically powered OptiTraffic, featuring alloy construction, galvanised supports and alloy floor. A 700mm stow-away step on the nearside offered access to the load area, with working-at-height bars, chapter 8 lighting and strobes.

This too was an enjoyable drive, although the infotainment system was more basic, so no connected Apps. It cruises well at motorway speeds comfortably, averaging 32mpg.

Next up was the Curtainsider, again fitted with the 144ps heavy duty EuroV1 engine and six-speed manual gearbox. This section of the drive was mainly in stop-start traffic along B around the Cotswold towns of Buford and Chipping Norton. The high sides (2075mm) do catch the wind and made it feel less steady on the road when unladen. It’s a large load career though, capable of taking six pallets in the rear.

It’s offered with alloy construction rear doors, a phenolic floor, interior lights and came with a 3D air kit in the cab. Average economy for this version was 29.4 mpg.

Up last was the E20+ RWD panel van.

Surprisingly, the Renault Truck Master panel van only accounts for 28% of sales, with the vast majority of these, 71%, being conversions, with just 1% mini bus. We were testing a RWD version, which account for an eighth of Master panel van sales. This also featured the 145ps heavy duty EuroV1 engine and six-speed manual

gearbox. This version was the most enjoyable to drive; it felt quicker and more nimble than its conversion counterparts, ideal for motorway journeys or local deliveries with it’s L3H2 MWB measurements.

There are several other versions offered: L3H2 E30+ LWB, LSH3 E30+ LWBL4H2 Extra LWB or even as a 4X4 with selective drive. So there is a version for everyone.

We drove this model from Chipping Norton back to Warwick along undulating B roads, averaging 29.4 mpg. The FWD panel van was also driven as a L3H2 LWB van, fitted with the 150ps light duty engine and 6 speed manual gearbox. This was our fuel economy winner, averaging 37.8mpg on the 120-mile journey. This version is the Renault Truck Master most likely to trouble the Renault Yellow Master market and to our mind, the version we’d most like to drive every day.

Talking of which, while the standard Master panel van you’ll see is most likely to be from a Renault car Pro+ dealership, Renault Trucks was keen to point out that if you need to be looked after 24/7 and kept on the road, then Renault Trucks offers customers a tailored repair and maintenance contract, truck 24/7 service and opening hours and the know how of a truck manufacturer. All well worth considering.

A chance to drive almost the entire range of panel van and van conversions in one go, doesn’t come along very often and the Renault Master Red Edition vans didn’t disappoint. Whether you need a specialist conversion or just a plain old panel van load-lugger, the new Master comes better equipped, with more frugal engines than before. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

CITROEN BERLINGO

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Car-like appeal puts Berlingo on the road to sales success Citroen has brought its popular small panel van, the Berlingo, a long way in a short space of time, says Andrew Walker Vans come and vans go, but they’re most definitely light years ahead of the vans of the recent past. Take the new Citroen Berlingo.

Company Car & Van got to drive it recently and the first thing you notice is that it offers the same safety and technology you’ll find in the Citroen passenger car range, such as Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and a comprehensive range of safety packs. Materials in the cabin are also a step up from vans of old. The whole package is first class – as is the drive, with the Berlingo handling unladen like a five-door family hatchback.

The New Berlingo has come to market at a good time, alongside its sister vans the Vauxhall Combo Cargo and Peugeot Partner. It is a fiercely competitive sector, with the Ford Courier, Volkswagen Caddy, Renault Kangoo, Mercedes-Benz Citan and Fiat Professional Doblo Cargo all vying for your money.

When it comes to the range, Citroen have kept it simple, with Berlingo offered in two lengths, M and XL with just a single roof height offered. These models offer cargo space of 3.3 and 3.8 cubic metres respectively. All models bar the entry level X feature the clever Extenso pack, which adds a through-loading bulkhead and an extra half a cubic metre of load space where the front passenger seats are located. In common with many small vans today, the front seat folds down so that longer items can be loaded.

Four trim levels are offered. Entry level

Berlingo X, then Worker, Enterprise and finally Driver. M vans get a single sliding side door, featured on our Enterprise test model, whilst XL versions get double sliding doors. Both models get asymmetric double doors at the rear. These rear doors come in steel as standard, but glazing can be added as an option. All models feature electric front windows, electric mirrors, six lashing eyes in the cargo floor, remote central locking with deadlocks and separate cab locking.

Climb aboard and the cabin is immediately enticing; it’s a very comfortable place to be, with decent seat adjustment, lots of space for paperwork and kit and a reach and rake adjustable steering wheel, makes it easy to get the right driving position as well.

It’s all good quality, too, and the seat fabric looks good and feels built to last.

Modern van customers, especially those who travel, will want to know what goodies Berlingo has in store to make those longer journeys more bearable. Our test vehicle, the Enterprise M, comes pretty well specced, with dual AirCon, and 8” touchscreen, SatNav and two useful 12v sockets.

Enterprise also features rear parking sensors, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, tough rubber floor protection, cruise control with limiter, an alarm, a tyre pressure monitor, electrically folding mirrors with temperature sensor and a drivers airbag. All in all, not a bad haul.

A week behind the wheel gave me plenty of scope to drive the Berlingo locally on a mixture of motorway, A, B and urban roads. At no point was the Berlingo driven laden, save for a fairly light load of toilet paper, tissues, washing powder and dishwasher tabs on our quarterly run to and from our local Makro. I was also in

the main, driving alone, so how the van performed and the results we found were based on this.

What’s really appealing about Berlingo, is that it drives like a small family car. Steering is light and the five-speed manual gear box and clutch are very light and easy to engage. On the motorway I selected cruise control, adjusted this to 70mph and the Berlingo sat comfortably in lanes one and two as I journeyed across the Pennines to Leeds and back. For those of you who want a small van that works well on the motorway, the Berlingo ticks that box. It’s quiet in the cab, the seats are comfortable, the full steel bulkhead keeps the heat in the cab and the load space noise at bay and when utilising the Bluetooth hands-free phone and the DAB radio, outside wind and road noise are not an issue.

On smaller roads it sits quietly in traffic, with the light clutch a real bonus in stop-start traffic.

On more winding country roads the handling impressed, too. Point it into a corner and it does what’s required and with the M van anyway, there is little or no rolling encountered on entry or exit from these.

The only negative I could find was that the front middle seat isn’t great for legroom.

Economy and emissions are worth noting.

For the Enterprise M 1.6 Blue HDi we tested these are 67.3mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 109g/km. We tested the Berlingo unladen with one passenger, the driver and seven days of mixed driving across different types of road, resulted in an economy figure of 50.5 mpg, which isn’t half bad.

Berlingos of old, were popular because of their durability and price, but came with the caveat of little in the way of comfort or extras.

The new version looks and feels tough, comes very well equipped with good tech and safety features and it’s attractively priced, with the Berlingo range starting at £20,016 for the X panel van, M 75 Blue HDi 650X. The Enterprise M 100 Blue HDi 1000, retailing at £23,466, will possibly be the most popular model.

Verdict The Berlingo matches anything else out there, including its siblings and the ever-popular Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy. Most definitely the best Berlingo yet and one of the leading vans in the sector.

CC&V RATING: N N N N

56 | February 2020 | Company Car & Van

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VAUXHALL VIVARO

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Andrew Walker finds the latest Vivaro in fine form as it makes a tilt for the Transit Custom’s crown The purchase of Vauxhall-Opel by the PSA Group meant it was inevitable that the Vauxhall product would become intertwined with the PSA brands of Peugeot and Citroen. The Combo Van was the first Vauxhall product to go down this route, with the second, the medium Vivaro van, following suit.

The all-new Vivaro heralds a bright future for the company’s Luton plant where the vehicle is built. The PSA Group have invested £100 million in transforming the facility to be capable of producing up to 22 Vivaros an hour.

The third generation Vivaro is based on the PSA Group’s EMP2 platform and is available in two lengths – L1H1 4.95m and L2H1 5.30m.

Body styles include panel van, doublecab for up to six occupants and a platform chassis.

There are three trim levels: Edition, Sportive and Elite, with Dual Side Sliding Door, Driver/ Passenger Airbags and Cruise Control with speed-limiter all available as standard.

The new Vivaro will also offer up to a 1,458kg payload, 6.6m3 cargo capacity and 2,500kg towing capacity, meaning that the new Vivaro has a payload of 200kg more than its predecessor. The same applies to towing weights: the maximum trailer load is 2,500kg, 500kg more than the outgoing model.

Objects up to 4.02m long can be stowed securely in the 5.30m version thanks to Flex Cargo, an optional load-through flap under the front passenger seat. Adding to its office on wheels credentials, the FlexCargo also allows the back of the middle seat to fold down to become a table for documents, a notebook or a tablet. Automatic side sliding doors are also available for the first time on Vivaro.

Vauxhall gave us the opportunity to drive the Vivaro both laden and unladen on test route from Luton to Bicester and back. Having driven sister models the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert, plus the Toyota Proace, which also shares the same platform, the overall look and interior layout of the Vivaro was familiar and an improvement over the outgoing model.

The cabin itself is well designed and it’s easy to reach all of the switches and buttons while driving, an important consideration for most van users, as is the view from the front which is also excellent. For those currently running the old Vivaro, the simple fact of the matter is that the new Vivaro is better. It’s newer, better equipped and more practical and this is most clearly felt in the cabin. New Vivaro offers a car-like interior with our test model, the Vivaro Elite L1H1 2700 1.5 120 PS Turbo, featuring a multimedia Navi Pro, 7” colour touchscreen, voice control, DAB radio, Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone portal, two USBs, four speakers and air-con.

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Latest Vivaro is a real contender It’s easy to get comfortable in the six-way adjustable driver’s seat and utilising the multi-function steering wheel allows drivers to access the multi-function trip computer, infotainment system and safety features. There’s good storage available and plenty of room for the crew, including in the middle seat.

On the road, the 1.5 engine is surprisingly nimble and we comfortably kept up with fast moving traffic on the M1. The insulated bulkhead helped to keep the cabin quiet, even without a load in the rear and after connecting my iPhone, I was even able to receive a couple of hands-free calls while on the move and not have to shout to be heard. It handles well, with a number of roundabouts en route encouraging us to test this out, a test it passed with aplomb.

The six-speed manual gearbox is slick and the clutch is light and overall I was very impressed with how the Vivaro drives.

The 1.5 diesel engine offers a decent return when it comes to fuel economy, with our 50 mile drive on a mix of roads, seeing us average 42.4mpg. CO2 emissions are 159g/km.

Our return journey was in the more powerful 2.0 litre manual in Sportive spec, which came laden and was clearly faster, even with a 500kg load in the rear. Like the 1.5, the light clutch and gears combination makes for casual van

driving, giving the Vivaro a real car-like feel on the road. The 2.0 isn’t quite as good as the 1.5 when it comes to combined fuel economy though , as we averaged laden it has to be said, only 34.76 mpg on the return route, with CO2’s higher as well at 183g/km. Although the Elite comes better equipped, the more powerful Sportive we drove is exactly the same price as the 1.5 Elite, which is £26,370 excluding VAT. Food for thought for customers.

Overall, a huge improvement on the previous model. The facts don’t lie: 19% greater payload, 25% better towing capacity, a 28% improvement on fuel economy and 19% better CO2 emissions. And, if that’s not enough, the entry level model is cheaper to buy than the older models!

Verdict Kudos to Vauxhall. We now have a UK built van that matches the best in sector and one that will give the Transit Custom a run for its money CC&V RATING: N N N N

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IVECO DAILY

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New Daily takes stress out of driving The latest Daily from Iveco sets new standards in on-board living and driving experience and makes important strides towards autonomous driving and enhanced safety features.

It also takes connectivity to a new level, unlocking a world of highly personalised services precisely tailored to the customer’s real use of the vehicle to provide a complete transport solution that will change the way they fulfil their transport requirements.

The New Daily is the first vehicle in its segment to comply with Euro 6D/Temp emissions standards, delivering sustainability together with more power and fuel economy, to the benefit of the customers’ profitability.

Most importantly, during a time of seismic change in the LCV sector, the Daily builds on the strengths of its heritage to deliver on performance and sustainability, which come hand in hand with fuel efficiency and low Total Cost of Ownership, benefiting the customers’ profitability. It raises the bar on Connectivity, unlocking a world of new services to provide a complete package closely tailored to the customers’ use of the vehicle and their businesses. It offers a full set of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and enhanced safety features, while providing the best-inclass on-board living comfort and driving

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experience.

The New Daily introduces a complete range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that enable the driver to focus on the job, which requires an increasing degree of multitasking, and improve their safety. In developing these features, IVECO has focused on functionalities specifically aimed at helping drivers in urban missions.

The Advanced Emergency Braking System and City Brake PRO prevents collisions at speeds below 50 km/h, and mitigates the impact at higher speeds. It autonomously detects the potential for a collision ahead and brakes accordingly if the driver doesn’t intervene, ensuring their safety. The New Daily

goes even further with the City Brake PRO, which operates to prevent accidents when driving as slowly as 5 km/h.

The New Daily also uses technology to reduce the driver’s stress levels. In urban missions, where customers often drive in heavy traffic, Queue Assist will make a big difference by following the vehicle ahead in slow-moving queues up to a standstill, eliminating the stress of stop-start traffic. The New Daily is the first 7.2-tonne vehicle to offer the Queue Assist and City Brake PRO functionalities.

The New Daily is the only vehicle in its segment to offer two engines optimised to deliver the best performance in every mission.

The 2.3-litre F1A engine is now available in both light- and heavy-duty homologation, with rated power ranging from 116 to 156 hp.

The 3.0-litre heavy-duty F1C engine offers three power ratings with increased performance ranging from 160 to 210 hp, as well as a Natural Power compressed natural gas version.

The New Daily once again takes the lead in sustainability as the first vehicle in its segment to comply with Euro 6D/Temp (WLTP & RDE) and Euro VI D emissions standards. That means up to 10% fuel savings in urban missions and similar savings on maintenance.

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FIAT PROFESSIONAL TALENTO

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2020 sees new-look Talento put the emphasis on home comforts The new Fiat Professional Talento has been updated with a host of new features for the new model year.

Model Year 2020 (MY20) sees the introduction of new 2.0-litre Euro6d-Temp engines and updated features in the cabin, including a seven-inch Touch-Radio Nav infotainment system that is Apple CarPlay ready and Android AutoTM compatible, while still remaining the ideal workmate with its classleading load capacity and cabin functionality.

New efficient engines The MY20 Talento sees the introduction of the new 2.0-litre EcoJet engine with Start & Stop technology, which provides improved fuel economy, reduced CO2 emissions and better power and torque than the previous 1.6-litre engine.

Available in three different power outputs – 120hp and 320Nm, 145hp and 350Nm and 170hp and 380Nm – peak torque is already available at 1,500rpm.

The engine is equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger for smoother performance at low speeds and thanks to its

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electronic control, the new turbocharger can adapt its fluid dynamics to engine speed and driving style.

These new engines use Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to decrease nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by injecting a solution of AdBlue® into the exhaust gas.

Comfort and functionality for trouble-free travels Inside, the Talento MY20 has been refreshed with new Black interiors to create an elegant and functional ambience that is complemented by numerous storage compartments.

Continued on page 62

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FIAT PROFESSIONAL TALENTO

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New Talento puts focus on home comforts Continued from page 61 There’s a total cabin storage capacity of 90 litres. The base version now features the Techno Silver Pack as standard, while SX, Tecnico and Sportivo will come with the Glossy Black Pack to highlight air vents, infotainment system and buttons in the cabin.

To improve productivity on the go, the new Talento MY20 features a new DAB radio with Bluetooth as standard on the base and SX models, while the Tecnico and Sportivo versions are now fitted with a new 7-inch Touch-Radio Nav, which is Apple CarPlay ready and Android AutoTM compatible.

Equipped with USB input and DAB radio, the system also offers navigation and Bluetooth® technology as standard. As well as mirroring apps from the driver’s phone, CarPlay also implements Siri voice control for use while driving. The system is compatible with Android AutoTM as well, projecting apps and services on to the central display.

Volumes and lengths to meet all professional transport needs Available with a full range of body types (low roof and high roof van, crew cab and platform

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cab), the Talento MY20 comes in a choice of two lengths, two heights and two wheelbases.

By combining these elements, the renewed model can be tailored to meet all needs for light transport, from 5.2 to 8.6 cubic metres and with a gross vehicle weight from 2.80 to 3.05 tons and a payload that can reach 1,258kg.

In addition to all this, by opening the “CargoPlus” partition situated under the passenger seats, professionals can carry objects measuring up to 3.75m in length (4.15m for the long wheelbase trim level). The

extraordinary flexibility is also guaranteed by the loading height of just 552mm and the sliding door width of 1,030mm. The load volume of 5.2 cubic metres in the short wheelbase trim, 6 cubic metres in the long wheelbase trim and a generous 8.6 cubic metres in the long wheelbase and high roof trim means that the Talento MY20, even in the short wheelbase trim, can carry three Euro pallets.

The Fiat Professional Talento MY20 is priced from £22,695 for a Short Wheelbase 10 120HP.

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