Company Car & Van February 2021

COMPANY

CAR AND VAN The motoring magazine for SME fleets

Volkswagen Caddy Best-seller enjoys a new lease of life

COMPANY CAR & VAN AWARDS 2021

VOLVO XC40 T5 RECHARGE

CITROËN C4

MERCEDES-BENZ

Our winning line-up is revealed

Gallic take on the family hatch

February 2021 • Issue 65

Who said saving money couldn’t be fun?

Electric eSprinter joins the ranks

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Contents 18

22

Let’s leave Brexit and Covid in the rear-view mirror of some great new cars and vans If, like me, you have more questions than answers still on how the UK leaving the EU will affect our industry, that wouldn’t be a great surprise.

We have at least left, with a last-minute deal, which will hopefully allow the UK car and CV industry to prosper. And, of course, the Government has decided to bring forward the date that we stop selling ICE vehicles in this country to 2030, and made this decision despite the pandemic.

Happily, within our February print and digital edition we can momentarily forget about all these worries and concentrate on the here and now, which for us includes announcing our Car & Van of the Year Awards for 2021.

We have a special section devoted to these inside, starting on page 4.

Despite the slow-down in car sales, the manufacturers are racing on with plenty of new model launches and in this issue we review the best of them, starting with the all-new Citroen C4; there’s an electric version coming, too. Lockdown denied us the chance to get our hands on a number of scheduled cars and vans, but happily we did get into the latest Tesla Model 3, which is proving a popular company car choice thanks to an extended range and 0% BIK. Not to be left out, the best-selling Volvo

24 COMPANY CAR & VAN AWARDS 2021 Special feature, starting from pg 4

XC40 is now available as a Chancellor-friendly plug-in, and this Recharge version is not only tax friendly, but brilliant fun to drive!

There’s also a look at Mazda’s new electric car, the MX-30, we drive our Medium Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Golf, and re-visit the excellent BMW 330e, another plug-in star.

We spent a day in the company of our Medium EV Van of the Year, the LEVC VN5, and came away very impressed. Nissan has a new small van in the NV250 that’s well worth a look and we break down the facts about the new Volkswagen Caddy Cargo, which arrives shortly. We also cast our eye over the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, a pure-electric large van, and tell you why the Fiat Professional Ducato has retained our Large Van of the Year Award. On the pick-up front, Toyota has updated and improved its legendary Hilux.

And finally, we find out why Mercedes-Benz dealers, Orwell Truck & Van & S & B Commercials won a prestigious award from Mercedes-Benz Vans after launching a customer care initiative that has delivered outstanding results despite the pandemic.

Andrew Walker, Editor and Publisher

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CARS & NEWS Volvo XC40 Recharge

18

Rolec 19 BMW 330e

20

Tesla Model 3

22

Mazda MX30

23

Citroen C4

24

Volkswagen Golf

26

COMMERCIALS LEVC VN5

28

Nissan NV250

29

Mercedes eSprinter

30

Volkswagen Caddy

31

Fiat Professional Ducato

34

Orwell Truck & Van / S & B Commercials

36

Toyota Hilux

38

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31 FEBRUARY 2021 • ISSUE 65

Company Car & Van is wholly owned and published by: Walker Advertising & Marketing Ltd

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CAR AND VAN The motoring magazine for SME fleets

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Volkswagen Caddy Best-seller enjoys a new lease of life

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 AWARDS 2021 Our winning line-up is revealed

CITROËN C4 Gallic take on the family car

February 2021

VOLVO XC40 T5 RECHARGE

Who said saving money couldn’t be fun?

MERCEDES-BENZ Electric eSprinter joins the ranks

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Company Car & Van | February 2021 | 03

COMPANY CAR & VAN AWARDS 2021

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Company Car & Van Awards 2021: Our salute to the best of the best And that was the year that was. 2020 gave us little and took an awful lot, in many way, as most of us spent at least part of the year in lockdown. Despite the disruption caused by Covid 19, however, the car and van manufacturers continued to deliver exciting, new, cleaner models to market, and in this issue we celebrate that, with our annual Company Car & Van Awards.

Our Awards now number 14, as the growth of EVs means we now have three electric car and three electric van categories. Read on to find out who’s won.

Plug-In Car of the Year: ŠKODA Octavia iV Like the larger Superb iV, the Octavia iV offers company car drivers major tax benefits, while still being an incredibly versatile car. Whether you choose saloon or estate, you’ll get a top quality interior, with all the latest safety and tech plus an electric range of up to 43 miles. Even when you engage the petrol engine, you can look forward to 50mpg. Simply brilliant!

Left and below right, Pietro Panarisi, head of Press & PR, ŠKODA UK clasps the awards for Superb and Octavia iV. Below left, the plug-in Octavia iV

Large Car of the Year: ŠKODA Superb

Saloon, estate, petrol, diesel or plug-in, the Superb has it all.

Brilliant motorway cruiser with acres of space inside.

Opt for an iV and the personal tax savings you’ll make are serious.

The Superb really is a car for all seasons and a worthy winner of our Large Car of the Year award.

04 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

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COMPANY CAR & VAN AWARDS 2021

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Medium EV Van of the Year: LEVC VN5 Geely-backed LEVC has come up trumps with the VN5 van. Based on the TX taxi, the VN5 offers a pure electric range of 60 miles, coupled to a clever petrol range extender, which increases range to over 300 miles. Add in an 830kg payload, a city-friendly turning circle and an ever growing UK dealer network and you have a new kid on the block that’s set to make some serious waves

Left, Joerg Hofmann, CEO, London Electric Vehicle Company

Large Van of the Year: Fiat Professional Ducato The Ducato retained its title because it’s very hard to fault. It is well priced, is fitted with excellent Euro6D engines, offers a 9-Speed auto with torque converter and comes with great safety features and user-friendly tech across the range. And if that’s not enough, it’s also available in a myriad of conversions.

Left and below, Richard Chamberlain, Director of Commercial Vehicle & Head of brand at FCA Fiat Chrysler, with the company’s two awards, for the Ducato and e-Ducato

Large EV Van of the Year: Fiat Professional e-Ducato The e-Ducato is available in all body variants with the same load volumes as the conventional model. It also gives you a choice of battery options for a total range of 135 - 223 miles, with 90kW of power and 280Nm of torque. The e-Ducato literally has you covered, which is why it is our Large EV Van of the Year.

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COMPANY CAR & VAN AWARDS 2021

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Medium Car of the Year: Volkswagen Golf The eighth version of the iconic Golf is a runaway success. Classy interior, on trend-tech and excellent road manners, all combine to offer a five-door hatch that feels almost perfect in every way.

A runaway winner.

Mike Orford, Head of Press & PR, Volkswagen UK, with the Golf’s award (with thanks to Marshall Volkswagen [St Albans] for the photo location)

Small Car of the Year: Renault Clio Renault is on the rise and no car highlights this better than the latest Clio, which very much surprised us, but in a good way. It’s loads of fun to drive and comes with the tastiest interior of any car in the sector. Easily the best new small car launched in 2020 and the best Clio ever.

Mark Dickens, Fleet Director, Renault UK with the Clio award

Medium EV: MG ZS EV

MG deservedly retains this award. Despite increased competition, the ZS EV still manages to offer a cracking level of specification, coupled to an 163-mile electric range, with plenty of room on board for a family of five, all at an incredible price. Amazing!

Geraint Isaac, National Fleet Sales Manager, MG Motor UK 08 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

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COMPANY CAR & VAN AWARDS 2021

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Stephen Norman, Managing Director, Vauxhall Motors, proudly holds both awards

Small Van of the Year: Vauxhall Combo Cargo

Medium Van of the Year: Vauxhall Vivaro The latest generation Vauxhall Vivaro keeps on giving, with a better payload, towing capacity and fuel economy than its predecessor. It also comes with some clever design touches and features the latest tech to keep your business on the road.

The Transit Custom should be worried.

If you’re thinking about a small van, then the Vauxhall Combo Cargo should be on your list. It’s very well built, cleverly designed, features a modern, connected cab and offers good fuel economy from its range of Euro6 engines.

Small Van of the Year: Citroen Berlingo Van

Eurig Druce, Managing Director, Citroen UK, holding Citroen’s two awards

The Berlingo Van does what it says on the tin. It offers a good payload, comes well designed and it’s good to drive. Add in the tech-friendly cabin, excellent build quality and impressive full economy and you have one of the leading vans in the sector.

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Medium Van of the Year: Citroen Dispatch

When we drove the Dispatch this year it still felt as fresh as it did when it was launched in 2016.

Classy cabin, excellent payload, good to drive and practical too, with 49 litres of storage in the cab. Citroen’s user-friendly connected apps are the icing on the cake. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

COMPANY CAR & VAN AWARDS 2021

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Andrea Patti, National Corporate Fleet Manager, Nissan GB with our Pick-Up of the Year award for the Navara

Pick-Up of the Year: Nissan Navara Despite the global pandemic, Nissan has managed to make changes to the Navara which have improved it and made it a very hard package to beat. New Euro 6D engines, Nissan Connect, multi-link rear suspension on all models and an improved six-speed manual gearbox, all combine to make the Navara a deserved winner.

Small EV Van of the Year: Maxus e-Deliver 3 With a choice of two battery sizes, the latest electric Maxus offers up to a 213-mile range, which is class leading. It’s also very well equipped, decently built and comes competitively priced. Parent company SAIC knows a thing or two about EVs and it’s clearly on show in the eDeliver 3.

Johnny McEvoy, Chief Operating Officer, Harris Maxus, with Mark Barrett, General Manager, Harris Automotive Distributors and Denise Harris, Chief Executive Officer, Harris Maxus 12 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

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COMPANY CAR & VAN AWARDS 2021

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Medium Van of the Year: Peugeot Expert It only took us a few minutes to really, really like the Expert. Not only does it feel car-like to drive and features a car-inspired cabin, it’s also spot on for load space and cabin practicality. The engines offer decent fuel economy and for a van, the Expert even looks good as well

David Peel, Managing Director, Peugeot UK, clutches the company’s three awards, including one for the Expert (pictured)

Small Van of the Year: Peugeot Partner The Partner retains its award from last year.

With a combination of urban usability, low emissions, good fuel economy and driverfriendly tech, the real bonus is the small Peugeot steering wheel, carried over from its cars, which makes driving more fun than on its siblings.

Small EV Car of the Year: Peugeot e-208 Fights off the opposition to hold on to its crown. Why? It offers a competitive 200-mile electric range, features a cleverly designed interior, 0 per cent BIK and it’s still the best looking small electric car out there, with a nod to the iconic Peugeot 205. Enough said.

14 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

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COMPANY CAR & VAN AWARDS 2021

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Large EV Car of the Year: Jaguar I-Pace Even though the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 have arrived this past year, the I-PACE retains this award. Not only is it far better to drive than any other large electric car, it’s also offers the most fun you’ll have in any EV, with amazing sports car handling.

Add in a 200-mile electric range and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Anthony Bradbury, UK Marketing Director, Jaguar Land Rover

Gareth Matthews, Head of LCV Toyota GB, with the company’s two van awards

Medium Van of the Year: Toyota Proace

Small Van of the Year: Toyota Proace City

Like the smaller Proace City, the Proace differentiates itself from its PSA siblings by being ever so slightly different. So you get more goodies, a longer warranty, with a slightly higher price point. It also features a cleverly designed cabin, the latest tech and a raft of safety features – and the peace of mind that comes with owning a Toyota. A deserved winner.

The Proace City may cost a little more than its PSA siblings, but for that extra money you get a lot more. It comes better specced, with standard twin sliding side doors, and offers a longer fiveyear/100,000 mile warranty. Proven reliability and an excellent dealer network only adds to its appeal.

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ON TEST: VOLVO XC40

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The Volvo XC40 Recharge has a bite, says Andrew Walker Volvo announced in 2018 that its range would all be electrified within five years, and with the introduction of the Recharged range of plug-in hybrids it has taken its first step towards full electric motoring. The Recharge range are PHEVs, offering a tax-saving alternative to a diesel Volvo – especially to business customers – and also, if sensibly recharged, significant fuel savings, too.

We spent a day driving a number of the Volvo Recharge models, beginning with our current favourite, the pocket-rocket XC40.

There are two plug-in hybrid powertrains in the XC40 Recharge range, T4 or T5. Both use a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine in conjunction with an electric motor and battery.

The T4 offers a 127bhp engine, while the T5 comes with 180bhp. Both offer an additional 81bhp from their electric motors.

The XC40 Recharge comes in four trim levels: R-Design, R-Design Pro, Inscription and Inscription Pro. The cheaper Momentum is not available as a plug-in hybrid.

They all come very well equipped: expect a 9” centre console touch screen, Volvo On Call with app, Sensus Navigation, a voice-activated control system, Sensus Connect, City Safety, which includes pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, front collision warning with fully automatic emergency braking, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, Run-off Road Protection, LED headlights with active high beam, two-zone climate control with CleanZone air-quality system, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, cruise control with speed limiter and a 12.3” active TFT crystal driver’s information display.

The infotainment screen and Volvo Sensus system are, despite their quality, starting to feel a little dated, especially when up against the latest tech from Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The dashboard has cute Volvo air vents, which are narrower and sharper-looking than those on the XC60 and XC90. Indeed, there are a plethora of clever touches that make this a truly practical family car and make the cabin a lovely place to spend some time in.

Cavernous door pockets offer extra storage space, thanks to Volvo placing the speakers on the dash rather than on the doors. There’s a folding hook integrated into the glove box to hang your take away on, a removable compartment between the front seats that doubles as a large bin, as well as the option of a wireless phone charger at the base of the centre console. It goes to show that Volvo has been thinking about what customers want in their small Crossover. Front seat passengers have great all round space. Rear headroom is a little tight, but legroom in the rear is good, too.

For those who require a practical boot, the 460-litres available in the XC40 Recharge, even with the batteries on board, offers the same space as the petrol or diesel XC40. With the rear seats folded down this increases to 1,336 18 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

Volvo’s cash-saving alternative SUV litres. It also comes with a useful flat floor and the bonus of having no lip at the front edge, making loading and unloading easier.

We got to drive the T5 Recharge and the first thing you notice is that it’s quick. There are four driving modes to choose from. Power mode combines both the petrol engine and the battery, encouraging the fun factor with straight-line speed and plenty of motorway overtaking capability; 0-62mph takes just 7.3 seconds. Hybrid mode shuffles automatically between petrol and electric power as it sees fit and is the most likely daily choice. Pure mode engages pure-electric drive, and you can tailor your own in Individual.

“A truly practical family car that is a joy to drive and delivers great BIK savings, too” Thanks to its batteries and extra tech, the XC40 hybrid weighs a full 150kg more than the petrol version. This extra weight means ride quality is a little bit lumpy and it sways more in and out of corners than its petrol brethren.

As stated, the normal driving mode will probably be Hybrid. The plug-in hybrid system automatically selects the right power source at the right time. We drove the T5 along the A3 and it’s quiet and refined at motorway speeds.

On country lanes and in town it is a comfortable place to be, only getting louder when you put your foot down and the three-cylinder engine growls into life at the top of its rev range. The Recharge also features regenerative braking, useful in slow moving or urban traffic stopstarts and a way of saving your battery charge.

The XC40 is also offered with a D3 150 diesel engine and a B4 197hp or a B5 250hp

petrol version, with a full electric version due in 2022. For company car drivers, the T4 and T5 Recharge engines offer significant tax savings over these, with the T4 starting at just 12% for tax year 2020/21. CO2 emissions are 47-55g/ km depending on specification, and both return a claimed 118-135mpg fuel economy.

The only way you’ll get anywhere near that kind of economy, however, is if you plug-in daily, as these official figures rely heavily on customers driving with a fully charged battery.

On the plus side, if you only drive 20 miles a day, you may well only ever need the electric range, saving at the pumps. In reality, undertake any motorway journey and you’ll see your average economy drop to around 32mpg, so please plug-in when you can.

To plug in, both the T4 and T5 Recharge come with a seven-metre, three-pin cable as standard with Volvo claiming a three-hour charge time for the battery when using the optional £50 Type 2 cable, an absolute must!

The XC40 range starts at £25,420 for a T2 Momentum Core, with the T5 Recharge PHEV R-Design Pro we drove setting you back £42,430; it’s not cheap. Better to seek out the best leasing deals and remember that BIK saving if you choose a Recharge version. You’ll pay from just £78 a month at 12% BIK for a T5 R-Design Pro, with the T2 Momentum costing from £141 a month, with 34% BIK.

CC&V VERDICT More of a stepping stone to the full electric XC40, due in 2022, but it does offer excellent tax savings now, and if you plug in regularly you’ll save on fuel, too. Great to drive and full of clever Scandi design touches.

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

ELECTRIC CHARGING

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Electrification: the year of the fleet Last year was a promising, encouraging year for electric vehicles as registrations rose like never before; this year we’re expecting fleets to continue their road to electrification, says Rolec EV SMMT (the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders) announced that in 2020, a total of 175,082 BEVs and PHEVs were registered; BEVs experienced a 185.9 per cent rise compared to the previous year, while PHEV sales were up by 91.2 per cent.

It is fair to say that while 2020 presented several challenges for the car industry, EVs experienced a year of success.

We remember the days of EV sceptics: “It’ll never happen;” “there’s not enough range in the vehicles;” “what about charging infrastructure;” – the list goes on! But despite their negativity, the EV industry has come a long way, and as the choice and quality of EV models has increased, so has consumer

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confidence. Typical gas-guzzling enthusiasts, city car lovers, families and, of course, fleets are opting for electric vehicles; and we simply cannot blame them.

We’ve seen it all. Supermarkets, hotels, caravan parks, multi-storey car parks, national attractions and many more have been installing charging infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles, and of course with that comes the demand for accessible chargepoints. But there’s always something special about fleets: fleet managers, operators and directors are making a conscious decision to electrify their fleets – for the good of their business and the greater environment.

Environmental benefits aside, fleet electrification provides businesses with significant reductions in running costs – and that’s music to many businesses’ ears during these uncertain times. For London-based fleets, Electrifying your fleet could save up to £17M per year in the London Congestion Charge Zone.

the switch to electric is an absolute ‘no-brainer,’ as recent research conducted by Citroen suggests that fleets could save up to £17M per year in the London Congestion Charge Zone.

Some businesses have already begun their electrification plans by transitioning a fraction of their fleet to electric vehicles. Such small incremental steps are not to be frowned upon, we all need to start somewhere. Electrifying your entire fleet can take time. There are many factors to be taken into consideration; for example, does your power capacity meet the demands of your chargepoints; are the vehicles the right choice for the nature of your business; is it possible to operate your business using an electric fleet?

We understand the concerns raised by fleet managers, but with hundreds of fleets opting for our load management capabilities, OCPP integration, real time analytics and much more, we are here to ensure that businesses are never alone when it comes to making that all-important switch.

Could this be the year your business makes the transition?

For more details on our fleet charging solutions, please contact our Fleet Business Development Manager, Jake, on jakeh@rolecserv.co.uk

Company Car & Van | February 2021 | 19

ON TEST: BMW 330e

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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

330e gives drivers an electric edge

F

leets love BMW 3s... they are always top sellers, and fleet managers and company car buyers make up a large percentage of 3 Series customers. But with the switch to electric motoring, the question was always whether BMW could retain that driver appeal while pulling the extra 200kg you get from a plug-in hybrid engine.

Still good to drive? Read on to find out.

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 range-topping 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 with the 320d’s 30-32%. Who doesn’t want money in their pocket? But despite the financial logic, existing 3 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 the car during real world use, BMW has added

20 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

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 to keep the battery charged at a selected level so that power can be saved for later. Have a full charge but about to embark on a motorway trip? Then save the power and use it next time you’re driving around town.

We only had a short time in the 330e but on a series of winding 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 under the rear

“330e offers a ride that is both poised and purposeful... marvellous” 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 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 than in either the C Class or the A4.

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.

Higher quality materials have really improved the finish., and both the look and feel is more aesthetically pleasing and top notch.

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. 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 test one you’ll draw the same conclusions 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.

CC&V VERDICT The 330e is the best plug-in hybrid BMW has produced and is arguably the best executive plug-in, full stop.

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

ON TEST: TESLA MODEL 3

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With the company car sector changing at pace, we finally got our hands on the Tesla Model 3, the brand’s third model and the one tasked with appealing most to both fleet and retail customers....

T

he Tesla Model 3 has recently been updated, with the entry level Standard Range Plus available from £40,490, making it the cheapest Tesla. It comes in three specs. Standard Range Plus, the only RWD model, with a WLTP range of 267 miles; Long Range, with a 360 WLTP mile range; and Performance offering a WLTP range of 352 miles. Standard Range Plus starts at £40,490, Long Range costs from £46,990 and Performance from £56,490, with the two more expensive versions using a dual-motor system, one driving each axle.

Climb in and you’ll find decent storage, good head and leg room and electrically adjustable seats; it’s easy to get comfortable. The boot is a decent size and comes with a split floor, underneath which you can hide your charging cables. It’s narrow to access though. There’s also a front boot, large enough for those charging cables or a couple of small bags; all told there is 425 litres of storage.

The minimalist cabin has appeal, but as far as build quality, touch and feel go, it’s not up there with the best from Germany or Sweden.

Certainly the wood strip across the dash looks great and the screen-operated glove box is a neat touch, but some of the plastics lower down are a little cheap. The push-in, pull-out door handles, another design detail, don’t feel that substantial. And the doors and boot don’t close with the loudest thud either. But these gripes aside, the baby Tesla is hard to fault.

All three Model 3s come with rapid acceleration, which for some will be part of the attraction. Acceleration is in either Chill or Sport modes and steering can be adjusted with a choice of Comfort, Standard or Sport. We were testing the Model 3 Performance, which will hit 60mph in just 3.1 seconds. Suffice to say we tried this out and it does.

As well as all that power on tap you get adroit handling, impressive road holding and a firm but comfortable ride. The brakes are fabulous and because you can utilise the built in regeneration, pick from Low or Standard, you

22 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

There’s nothing Standard about Tesla Model 3 barely need to use them in town or in traffic.

For charging we are fortunate to have a Rolec 7kW home charger, and this, combined with occasional dips into our local Tesco to use the Podpoints, kept the Tesla nicely charged.

Most of our week was spent driving shortish distances so when fully charged, our battery range displayed 275 miles, which was more than enough for our requirements. We did undertake a 190-mile round trip. Leaving with a

“As well as all that power on tap you get adroit handling and a firm but comfortable ride” range of 270 miles, this had fallen to 139 when we arrived. At our destination we plugged into a 7kW charger for nearly three hours and the range was back up to 243 miles. When we arrived home, the range showed 115. The conclusion is that motorway driving plainly runs the battery down faster than you’d like. A glance at the economy figures on the tablet screen showed that I averaged 364 Wh per mile, on all journeys over 30 miles.

After a week and 350 miles in the Model 3 we would surmise that the full battery range shown actually equates to about 75% of what you’re likely to achieve. If, like us, you drive in Chill mode, utilising Standard braking, on our test car that would be 210 miles. Drive short

distances at low speeds for a better return.

Although there are other new exec electrics coming to market almost weekly, think the Polestar 2, Audi e-Tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC, the Model 3 is arguably still the most cost effective way into the high-class premium electric car sector. Opt for our choice, the Standard Range Plus Model 3 at £40,490, or even the Long Range at £46,990 and you’re entitled to the £3,000 EV government grant as both cost under £50,000. And, of course, BIK savings can be had, too. Full electric cars are all zero BIK for the current tax year, rising to 1% and then 2% over the next two tax years.

What would you save? Compared to a BMW 320d, Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Audi A4 diesel, a Model 3 could save as much as £15,000 over the three years via leasing, and that doesn’t include fuel cost saving, VED and company NI benefits. We’re struggling to see any negatives, unless you are a high mileage motorway driver and even then, the Tesla Supercharger network is there if you need it.

Ticks the money saving box, ticks the premium saloon box, ticks thr ange box... and it’s green to boot.

CC&V VERDICT A David Bowie-as-Nikola Teslainspired classic, one that changes the landscape

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

CAR NEWS

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Mazda MX-30 takes things to next level All-electric model engineered to deliver same driving pleasure

The MX-30 is Mazda’s first all-electric production vehicle and part of an electrification strategy that has already seen the Mazda M Hybrid powertrain fitted as standard to the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30.

With its unique freestyle doors, ecological materials and right-sized battery giving a range of approximately 125miles, exceeding the 30-mile average daily drive of the European customer, the Mazda MX-30 marks another positive step in Mazda’s multi-solution approach to reducing emissions following the recent arrival of the innovative Skyactiv-X engine.

A stylish and versatile crossover, the Mazda MX-30 features an AC synchronous electric motor and a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a range of approximately 124miles and comes with AC charging up to 6.6Kw and DC rapid charging designed to meet 125A Combo Charging standards.

Reflecting a unique expression of Kodo design, the MX-30’s styling emphasises the cars beauty as a solid mass, while the freestyle doors and framed glasshouse hint at the open spaciousness of the cabin. The front doors open forward to an angle of 82 degrees, while the rear doors open backwards to an angle of 80 degrees to reveal a stylish and driver focused interior. Inside, the sense of space is enhanced with a floating centre console that sits independently from the dashboard, while the use of environmentallyfriendly materials has been carefully matched to meticulous quality and finish.

The cabin has a sense of www.companycarandvan.co.uk

oneness, flowing from the top of A pillar to the rear end. The colour of the framed top roof makes this feeling even clearer. The freestyle doors give the Mazda MX-30 a distinctive and elegant cabin silhouette, as well as providing customers with easier access to both the front and rear seats. In the interior, the use of eco-friendly materials is prominent, and Mazda has even gone as far as replacing much of the real leather with a vegan alternative.

The lower console incorporates a 7-inch colour touch-screen air conditioning control panel, and in a nod to Mazda’s founding as the Toyo Kogyo Cork Company in 1920, the Mazda MX-30 features cork-lined centre console trays and inner side door handles. Harvested from the bark of trees without felling, the use of cork and door trim materials that incorporate fibres from recycled plastic bottles, are perfectly suited to Mazda’s first pure electric production car.

Standard interior equipment also includes a windscreen projecting head-up display, 8-way electric adjustable drivers’ seat, a colour 7-inch TFT dial display, a leather wrapped steering wheel and chrome trim accents.

As you’d expect the MX-30 comes with Mazda Connect, navigation, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the technology tally also includes Mazda Radar Cruise control and a driver’s knee airbag.

Mazda MX-30 buyers will receive a free wall box home charger, while the car is equipped with both a Type 2 mode 2 charge

cable for 3-pin plug charging and a Type 2 mode 3 charge cable for AC charging via home or public charge points. Additionally, the DC socket allows for rapid charging up to 50Kw. In this charge mode a charging time of 30 to 40 minutes can deliver up to 80 per cent battery charge.

Like every other Mazda, the Mazda MX-30 provides a very natural and responsive driving feel

by accelerating, turning and braking exactly as you intend in everyday driving situations. This is achieved through the innovative engineering approaches in the e-Skyactiv package. This includes also the battery being rigidly integrated into the vehicle body structure which enhances the overall body stiffness and provides excellent response to the driver’s input.

Company Car & Van | February 2021 | 23

CITROEN C4

Vive la difference!

Citroen has often taken a different path to its rivals and siblings. and in its new C-Sector contender, the C4, that desire to be different is still strong, says Andrew Walker

W

ith the Government recently announcing an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, it’s no surprise that a number of car manufacturers are taking the opportunity to launch new models across all platforms.

The PSA Group began this evolution in 2019 with the Peugeot 208/e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa / Corsa-e, and the cycle now includes the new kid on the block, the Citroen C4 and e-C4. This comes in 100 per cent electric, petrol or diesel models and is a larger, more practical car than the smaller 208 and Corsa.

With the rise of SUVs, C-Sector cars are not as dominant as they once were. None the less, Citroen sees its new C4 as a very important model and it comes to market with new engines and a completely new design.

There are four Euro 6d petrol engines in the UK: PureTech 100 S&S 6-speed manual, PureTech 130 S&S 6-speed manual, PureTech 130 S&S EAT8 Auto, PureTech 155 S&S EAT8 Auto – and two Euro 6d Diesel engines: Blue HDi 110 S&S 6-speed manual and Blue HDi

24 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

130 S&S EAT8 Auto. All will be familiar to existing Citroen and Peugeot customers.

There’s a new body shape which combines the shape of a hatchback while subtly adopting certain SUV design forms, notably at the rear quarter which appears more raised thanks to 156mm of ground clearance. The design features new LED V-shaped front and rear lighting signatures, and these are coupled with nods to Citroens of yesteryear such as the CX and GS on the rear, side and boot panels.

There’s also SUV-like side cladding and wheel arch extensions mirroring the Citroen SUV range. The rear end features a high-level rear spoiler, a split rear screen and a chunky rear bumper.

The new C4 has short front and rear overhangs which creates a long wheelbase of 2,670 mm. The car itself measures 4,360 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,525 mm high.

Thanks to its elevated stature, it offers a higher ‘eye-point’ than the competition, at 1.22 m, increasing visibility, while driving and giving front seat passengers an SUV-like feel.

The boot matches the space of a Golf with 380 litres available and a useful split floor and low loading lip. There’s also a ski-hatch on higher spec models.

Inside, the latest C4 owes a lot to the current designs found on board the DS range, so factor in high-tech interiors, with large, comfortable seats and plenty of options. For example, customers are able to configure their car to suit their preferences, with 31 exterior colour combinations and six ambiences inside the cabin.

The interior quality is a step-up for Citroen.

Softly shaped door panels and multiple storage

compartments add a dash of opulence while a new chevron grain pattern on the dashboard and the interior colour schemes co-ordinate the seats with the door panels for an executive feel.

Comfort standards are greatly enhanced by the addition of the Advanced Comfort® programme first seen in the C5 Aircross.

The wide dashboard features some clever storage areas. For example, above the decent sized glove box is a pull out dashboard tray, which is a Smart Pad Support (CitroënTM) with mobile phone storage. In effect, it’s an iPad holder so that front seat passengers can watch a film or TV programme while on the move. A clever as well as useful addition.

In the centre, at the top of the dashboard,

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you’ll find a slim, gloss black 10” touchscreen, with a physical chrome dial and chevron motif.

Traditional dual-zone automatic climate control buttons are located underneath this, so there’s no fiddling with the touchscreen to turn the temperature up or down. There’s also a digital instrument panel and large colour head-up display, which give the driver essential driving information right in front of their eyes.

Buyers have their choice of four trim-levels: Sense, Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus. The entry-level Sense model comes as standard with LED headlights,18” alloys, rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, an active safety brake,10” touchscreen, dual-zone climate control and an electric parking brake. The cheapest petrol Sense is priced from £20,990 Sense Plus models start from £23,840.

Choose this version and it adds a heads-up display, a rear parking camera, an interior LED lighting system, two USB sockets and a tablet mount, plus a host of connected services such as live traffic and weather information.

Prices for the Shine range begin at £26,390.

This model includes rear privacy glass, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and active blind spot detection.

Range topping Shine Plus adds on a wireless smartphone charging pad, leather and textile upholstery, heated front seats, a premium stereo system with a sub-woofer and Citroen’s highway driver assist system, which can automatically adjust the speed and direction of the vehicle under motorway driving conditions.

Prices start from £27,590.

We got an opportunity to drive a C4 left-hooker, a range-topping Shine Plus. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

The first thing you notice when you climb aboard is the very DS-like interior, which is no bad thing. The seats especially reminded me of those on board the DS3 Crossback, with their quilted, almost Bo-Concept like Scandi finish.

All of the fixtures and fittings are very well made and feature a little bit of Citroen’s quirkiness which I really appreciate, as it enables the C4 to stand out. It’s no Ford Focus or VW Golf and it’s all the better for it.

For those sat up front, passenger space is decent, but a combination of the car’s sloping roof and the dark anthracite roof lining fitted to

“Fixtures and fittings are well made and feature a little bit of Citroen’s quirkiness, which I like” our test car made the rear feel a little claustrophobic. Anyone over six foot tall will feel a little cramped in the back.

We were driving the PureTech 130 SandS EAT8 Auto and it’s a unit we know well from both the Peugeot 508 and C5 Aircross. The auto box offers a relaxing drive, which coupled with Citroen’s Advanced Comfort system help the C4 glide over pot-holed terrain. When tested in traffic in and around Coventry the C4 was refreshingly quiet, while on the motorway there’s plenty of acceleration where required and the adaptive cruise control meant worry-free driving.

All the car controls are within easy physical reach and the menu options and functions accessed via the touchscreen are simple to

understand. The separate heating controls are an added bonus, allowing you to keep your eyes on the road ahead.

The infotainment system had been configured for the UK, so we sampled the DAB radio and connected our iPhone to Apple Car Play. The connection was seamless and a couple of hands-free calls were made en route.

It’s certainly a nice cabin to be in and with the added tablet holder fitted to our test car, passengers can be entertained as well.

Do I have any reservations? None about the car itself, I really liked it. But I can’t help but feel that the C-Sector is in decline as customers opt for SUVs, and I’m not sure that the petrol or diesel C4 will do anything to change this. The electric version should be a winner, however.

The latest C4 may be completely new, but it’s unmistakably a Citroen. Not only does it look like a Citroen, it drives like one too, so factor in some quirky French touches, soft suspension and a comfortable cabin. Add in the latest tech and safety features and the new C4 ticks an awful lot of boxes.

For me, it’s refreshingly different from the usual five-door hatchback fare. Buy or lease one and you are making a statement, that ordinarys not for you. And with an electric version too, there’s a C4 for everyone.

CC&V VERDICT Quirky and refreshingly different as only a Citroen can be. Can’t wait to get our hands on it again for a longer test drive

CC&V RATING: N N N N

Company Car & Van | February 2021 | 25

ON TEST: VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Self-confessed VW fan Andrew Walker finds everything he’d ever want from the new Golf – and more besides

Our Medium Car of the Year is a runaway success

L

ockdown 1 meant that CC&V didn’t get a chance to drive Volkswagen’s eighth generation Golf until September. As a once proud owner of a Golf Mk2 GTI in Mars Red, and with my wife’s current VW T-Roc and the children’s VW Polo on our drive, it’s safe to say that we are generally a pro-Volkswagen family, and so, when it turned up in the autumn I was really looking forward to driving it.

While VW is still offering fleet customers a diesel version of the Golf, we decided to test one of the petrol models.

Our test car was a Golf Life 1.5 TSI 130 PS 6-speed manual, which comes with a BIK of 27 per cent. Climb aboard and the first thing you’ll notice is the up-market cabin. Having driven the latest SKODA Octavia just two weeks before, it was clear to see that the VW is finished to a higher quality than its company cousin. The dashboard feels solid in a mixture of soft touch black and silver plastic, with even the glove box and door pockets, two places where it’s traditional to cut corners, feeling top notch.

The seats are comfortable and supportive and up front, passengers get decent head and legroom. There are two USBs in the front and two in the rear, but you’ll need adaptors as they are C-connection versions.

Much has been talked about the new controls and the infotainment within the car, but I found it relatively straightforward to use.

Perhaps a week spent in the Octavia had helped, because the lack of any buttons could

26 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

be a little daunting.

To be fair to VW, there are some buttons. On the right of the steering wheel you’ll find the lights and in the centre dash, located between two air-vents, are short-cut buttons labelled ASSIST, CLIMA and MENU. This allows you to select CLIMA and access the climate control functions on the touchscreen while you are on the move, and they are easily adjusted.

Furthermore, there are slim temperature controls neatly located under the touchscreen, so you can bypass the screen altogether, a sensible inclusion.

The landscape screen is where you’ll learn to access most of the vehicle’s functions. Here you can get into the SatNav, DAB radio, Bluetooth and connected Apps. It doesn’t take long to get the hang of these either. Apple CarPlay connection was seamless and handsfree phone calls straightforward. On the steering wheel there are switches and buttons including the adaptive cruise control and those for accessing the 10.25” Active Info Display, where you can check on your mileage, speed, fuel economy and car functions.

Our week in the Golf included a 200-mile round trip to Coventry, where it performed admirably on the motorway, with the car returning an average of 61.1mpg at motorway speeds. It’s a quiet, comfortable cabin to be in, well insulated against road and wind noise.

Utilising the cruise control takes the hassle out of long journeys and the cabin features some good storage for drinks, keys, iPhone,

sunglasses and the like. The 1.5 litre engine provides decent overtaking power, with 62mph reached in 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 133 mph.

For the remainder of the week we drove the Golf locally on urban roads and that happy feeling it gave off on the motorway continued.

The six-speed gearbox is smooth and the shortish change means that you can happily drive in fifth gear at 30mph. The engine StopStart was also very good.

Slower, town driving did affect our fuel economy, as we saw it drop to 50.7mpg.

Volkswagen claims a high MPG of 61.5 and a combined figure of 52.6, so it would seem that our figures pretty much matched the claimed, which is always good.

With CO2 emissions of 122g/km further adding to the appeal, I think I may, just as EVs take over, have finally been won over by a petrol Golf! Better late than never.

CC&V VERDICT New Golf adds premium touches in the cabin, has a class-leading info package and delivers mpg in the 50-60 bracket: tell me honestly, what’s not to love? As close as you’ll get in this sector to perfection. If it was a golf course, it’d be toss up between Augusta and St Andrews

CC&V RATING: N N N N N

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ON TEST: LEVC VN5

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Greely-backed LEVC has come up trumps with the VN5 van There’s a new name to consider when you’re looking for your next van – and it’s going to make some serious waves, says Andrew Walker

T

he London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) has been around in one form or other since 1908, famous for its London taxis. Bought by Chinese firm Geely in 2013, it changed its name to LEVC in 2017, with the clue to their future in the name. In 2018 the innovative electric taxi, the TX, was launched, followed in 2020 by a van, the VN5.

What makes the VN5 different is its eCity technology. Powered by a lithium-ion battery it features a petrol range-extender to maintain the battery charge state. The range-extender acts as a back-up generator and is only used to trickle-charge the battery to maintain its current state of charge. When the 31kWh battery is depleted (after about 58 miles), the 1.3-litre range extender kicks in and charges it back up again, providing a total range of over 300 miles.

As a limited range is the number one problem for electric vans, for example the eVito does only 81 miles on a single charge, LEVC believes that this clever technology is a game changer.

How does it work? The traction (high voltage) battery, which weighs in at 330kg, is located under the seats, while the generator is integrated with the range extender and is located under the bonnet. The 12V battery is over the right side wheel arch, with the drive motor located on the rear axle. This only drives the wheels and never the range-extender.

The VN5 may be electric, but it has to offer van customers what they want and tries hard to deliver on this. With up to 5.5m3 capacity, VN5 cargo capacity will take two Euro-sized pallets with a gross payload of 830kg. It has been built with a large side-loading door, large enough for enabling a pallet to be side-loaded, with a 60/40 split door at the rear, making loading and unloading easier. The cabin features a fully adjustable driver’s seat, an open glove box,

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drinks holders, two door pockets and a couple of cubby holes located in the dash and central binnacle. The automatic gear stick, hand brake and starter button are between the front seats, which means there’s no three seat option.

Customers can choose from three models.

Entry level Business costs from £46,500 and features an 11kW OBC, DAB, a single sliding side door, bulkhead, floor trim and cargo cladding. Upgrade to the City trim costing from £48,000 and add a heated windscreen, front and rear parking sensors, under seat storage, curtain airbags and Lane Departure Warning.

There are a number of accessory packs but the VN5 comes well equipped. For example, the Business range includes two USB ports, dualzone climate control, a 9” touchscreen, keyless start, Bluetooth, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED cabin and cargo lights.

We tested the VN5 over a two-hour course

“eCity technology makes the VN5 different... the range extender can push it to over 300 miles” near its manufacturing base in Ansty. There are three driving modes: Pure EV, Smart and Save.

Save is best on motorway or dual carriageways, Pure EV in slower town traffic and Smart for normal driving. Two stage regenerative braking, very useful in town, allows drivers to bank battery power when slowing down.

On the motorway we used the cruise control to set our speed at 70 mph and headed off towards Rugby. Unladen, the van was quite noisy but not so loud you couldn’t make a Bluetooth hands-free phone call. Connecting my iPhone to the USB was simple and for a change, the USB inputs are located further back in the centre binnacle between the front seats, so there’s no dangling wires when you’ve plugged in. The driver’s seat is comfortable and the seat adjustment excellent, though the head rest was too hard for my liking.

Handling is good and as with the TX, there’s a

class-leading 10.1m turning circle, which allows for easier urban deliveries. The fuel tank isn’t that large at 36 litres and neither is the 1.5 litre engine, but since these are designed to charge the generator and not power the engine, they’re more than up to the task. Official combined fuel economy is 313mpg (WLTP), with CO2 emission of just 21g/km.

I came away impressed. Price-wise it stacks up well against the larger Renault Master and Fiat Professional Ducato, which are pure EVs, although its cargo capacity is more in line with the smaller and similarly priced Mercedes-Benz eVito and Volkswagen ABT eTransporter and PSA triumvirate of Citroen e-Dispatch, Peugeot e-Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro-e.

Any negatives? We were disappointed that there isn’t a 3-seat version and it’s not cheap.

The rear and sliding side doors feel a bit flimsy.

While its low height of 1.99m makes it compatible with most car parks, the load space at 5.5m3 isn’t generous, especially when the smallest Transit Custom can carry 6m3. And with a maximum payload of 830kg, it’s way off the 1,500kg some diesel vans offer.

But the VN5 is a range-extender van, making it a unique proposition for city-based drivers.

Furthermore, where few EV cars currently come with more than a standard 3-pin and 7kW charging lead, the VN5 offers 50kW DC rapid charging and minimum 11kW AC fast charging capability from the off.

While it may not offer the payload or cubic capacity of diesel options, it is a perfect ‘delivery to door’ solution. It has a real-world range of 300 miles, thanks to the petrol range-extender, and that makes it more than just a ‘last mile’ van, as many pure EVs are. And remember, the hefty price tag isn’t as bad if you’re leasing.

CC&V VERDICT Offers something different from its operators and that real-world range is a bonus. British built, too for an extra bonus

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

CV REVIEW: NISSAN NV 250

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NV250 has urban delivery sector sorted Nissan’s NV250 offers a versatile, compact van that’s ideal for a host of SME business uses.

Featuring enhanced safety and reliability thanks to on-board Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies and an industry-leading five year / 100,000-mile warranty, the NV250 ensures today’s business owners are ready for anything.

Multiple engine and interior configurations, two body lengths and a comprehensive range of conversions means there is an NV250 that precisely matches your business needs – with Panel and Crew van finishes for optimum practicality and functionality.

While the NV250 fits neatly into a host of applications, it is really targeted at the growing urban delivery market, where its 800kg payload and two body lengths enhance cargo-carrying capabilities for seamless deliveries.

And with an eye on coming legislation for a host of towns and cities, the van is Euro6DTemp compliant for reduced CO2 emissions and optimised fuel efficiency translating into lower overall running costs.

In addition, the Nissan commercial offers improved versatility thanks to a wide range of conversions; on-board Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies, including Hill Start Assist and Extended Grip; and Nissan’s industryleading five-year warranty / 100,000-mile

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warranty comes as standard Paolo D’Ettore, Light Commercial Vehicles Director for Nissan Europe, said the NV250 “is the perfect compact van for small businesses with big aspirations.

“By enabling customers to choose the version that is just right for them, the NV250 encourages more agile business deliveries and greater leisure freedom.”

The panel version is offered in two body lengths (L1 / L2) and in 2 or 3-seat configurations while the single-length crew version (L2) comes with a maximum of 4 seats and multi-positional bulkhead for a versatile cargo space.

Together, these features mean the NV250 can handle everything from quick urban deliveries to transporting larger materials for construction sites.

Developed through the shared expertise of the Alliance, the NV250 incorporates a proven and efficient 1.5-litre diesel engine, with three different powertrain options available.

The NV250 also comes in an electric guise, as the e-NV200, Nissan’s pioneering and class-leading zero emissions compact van. This has rapidly emerged as a best seller across Europe since launch, with an upgraded 40 kWh battery and range of up to 124 miles (WLTP Combined Cycle).

Company Car & Van | February 2021 | 29

CV NEWS: MERCEDES BENZ eSPRINTER

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Electric spark added to the best-selling Sprinter line up New model offers range of up to 96 miles – and recharge time down to just 30 minutes The UK’s market-leading large van, the Sprinter, has now joined Mercedes-Benz’ electric line up, to keep businesses moving intelligently, cost-effectively and sustainably.

Priced from £51,950* based on an eSprinter Van Progressive L2 H2 front-wheel drive, excluding VAT and OLEV grant, the eSprinter is offered exclusively in the Progressive trim.

The eSprinter comes in two variants, one offering standard DC 20kW fast charging meaning vehicle can be charged in 120 mins 10-80%, the other Dc 80kW charging meaning it can be charged in 30 mins 10-80% In addition, the eSprinter uses a process called recuperation that recovers energy when the vehicle is decelerating. Drivers can adjust the recuperation mode with the gearshift paddles and the greater the recuperation, the faster the vehicle decelerate.

As standard, the eSprinter includes a heated seat for the driver with armrest, dual passenger seat, comfort overhead control panel, a full-width partition, height and rake adjustable steering wheel, TEMPMATIC air conditioning, wooden floor, a mode 3 type 2 eight-meter charging cable, linear speed limiter 120km/h, headlight assistant, heat-insulating glass, and 270-degree double-wing rear-end doors. In addition to DAB radio, the Mercedes-Benz audio system comes with a Bluetooth® interface with hands-free function and a USB port.

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With enhanced safety, the eSprinter’s class-leading package of driver support as standard includes Active Brake ASSIST, Attention ASSIST, Crosswind ASSIST and Emergency eCall, and offers double locks and Thatcham Category 1 approved alarm as standard, along with remote locking, theft warning alerts and geo-fencing, thanks to Mercedes PRO connect.

Mercedes PRO connect, which is free for the first two years, ensures real-time vehicle

“eSprinter is ideal for applications including last mile delivery and urban operations” management that enables intelligently organised schedules, efficient route mapping, and assesses the battery charge levels and range of an entire fleet at a glance. The remote eCharging function enables drivers to programme cooling or heating while their van is still charging, to ensure optimal comfort from the moment they step in the vehicle while conserving battery and maximising driving range.

The Always Connected Package from Mercedes PRO connect, which is standard on the eSprinter, includes Simplified Fleet

Communication, Optimised Assistance, Digital Records, Efficiency Fleet Management, Driving Style Analysis, Mobile Vehicle Assess and Digital eVan Management.

Eligible for a Fovernment OLEV grant of up to £8,000, the eSprinter is also eligible for TfL’s scrappage scheme and exempt from ULEZ. Offering a range of up to 96 miles, Mercedes-Benz research shows that the average daily van mileage across Europe is 60 miles - 1.6 million journeys have been analysed anonymously on the EQ Ready app to date and 96% of all journeys recorded were shorter than 100km – the eSprinter is ideal for applications including last mile delivery and urban operations.

Load space remains uncompromised, thanks to the configuration of the batteries under the floor; four parallel high-voltage battery blocks are installed securely in the eSprinter’s underbody as standard, which can be replaced individually in the event of damage. The eSprinter’s battery benefits from an eight year, 160,000km warranty, with an expected battery capacity of at least 70% after eight years.

The eSprinter is offered in a choice of five solid paints as standard, with metallic options for £565. Maturin black fabric upholstery is standard, with Caluma black fabric (£60) or black ARTICO man-made leather (£60) as options. While 16” steel wheels are standard, full wheel covers and alloys are available.

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VOLKSWAGEN CADDY

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Free option upgrades and a deposit contribution of up to £2,400, 2.9% APR representative, are available on order placed before March 31.

Canny Caddy redesign pushes it back into the limelight Order books are now open for the all-new Caddy Cargo panel van, with retail customers receiving free option upgrades on orders placed before March 31 and a deposit contribution of up to £2,400, 2.9% APR Representative.

The new Caddy, which has been redesigned from the ground up, offers increased space, efficient engine options, additional driver assistance systems to improve safety and a new connected Digital Cockpit and infotainment system to turn the vehicle into a smartphone on wheels.

The fifth-generation Caddy is available as the Caddy Cargo panel van and the passenger-carrying Caddy. The Caddy Cargo is available in three new trim levels: the entry-level Commerce, Commerce Plus, and the range-topping Commerce Pro. Orders placed of the Commerce before March 31 comes with a free Business pack upgrade, which includes rear parking sensors, climatic air-conditioning, a Thatcham categoryone anti-theft alarm in the cab and tow away protection. Commerce Plus and Commerce Pro models receive a free Tech Pack upgrade, which includes adaptive cruise control, rear view camera, and a direct tyre pressure monitoring system.

Customers financing the Caddy Cargo on Personal Contract Plan, Hire Purchase and Lease Purchase can benefit from a deposit contribution of £2,400 (including VAT) and a low finance rate of 2.9% APR Representative*.

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for two services for just £99.

Business customers can finance the Caddy Cargo on Contract Hire for just £209 per month in 102 PS Commerce specification.

The new Caddy Cargo is now capable of carrying a Euro pallet sideways in the back of the load bay, and is available with a range of petrol and diesel engines.

Drivers receive a boost with the addition of a series of assist systems. 19 are added, with five completely new in the Caddy. They include Travel Assist, which, for the first time in a Volkswagen commercial vehicle, facilitates assisted driving across the full speed range. In

“New drive systems have a noticeably positive impact, both ecologically and economically” connection with Travel Assist the Caddy’s redesigned multifunction steering wheel is equipped with capacitive sensors.

The background to this is that for legal and safety reasons the driver must permanently monitor the system. The wheel’s capacitive sensors ensure precise detection of even a lightly touching hand, thus avoiding any false alarms. In other words, for as long as one hand is touching the steering wheel, the system gives no prompts to steer.

Also new: the oncoming vehicle braking when turning function fitted as standard in every Caddy, which as part of the Front Assist

system can help to avoid accidents when turning off across possible oncoming traffic.

Likewise new in the Caddy and thus for the first time in the ‘A’ segment of city delivery vans: the trailer manoeuvring assistant familiar from the Crafter, Trailer Assist (which makes reversing with a trailer easier).

Like the assist systems, the Caddy’s new four-cylinder engines are also innovative. For example, the turbo diesel (TDI) engines feature a new ‘Twin dosing’ system which significantly reduces the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission levels compared to those of the previous model. The TDI engines of the Caddy are thus among the cleanest turbo diesel engines in the world.

The new drive system technologies have a noticeably positive impact both ecologically and economically. For example, the TDI: the combined NEDC fuel consumption of the new generation Caddy 2.0 TDI with 6-speed manual transmission and power output of 75 kW (102 PS) is 4.7 l/100 km, 1.4 l/100 km less than the comparable engine in the now discontinued fourth generation Caddy. This is aided by significantly improved aerodynamics which drop the cw value from 0.33 on the previous model to 0.30 on the new Caddy – a new benchmark in this segment.

In comparison with its competitors too, the new Caddy is on average ten per cent more fuel efficient on the road, i.e. it also emits ten per cent less CO2.

• Prices (RRP excluding VAT) scale from £17,800 for the entry-level 1.5 TSI 114 PS model to £26,850 for the 2.0 TDI 122 PS. Company Car & Van | February 2021 | 31

ON TEST: FIAT PROFESSIONAL DUCATO

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Hard to fault, Ducato retains our Large Van of the Year title The basic design is now nine years old but Fiat Professional has kept its Ducato at the top of the CV best-sellers list, says Andrew Walker Fiat Professional’s Ducato could have been designed with the growth in internet shopping deliveries in mind. Its improved Euro6D engines, including a new 9-Speed automatic transmission, offer the power and efficiency fleets need while keeping at bay civic mandarins with an eye on nabbing cash through emissions taxes.

As a bonus for the driver, the MultiJet 2 engines come with a variable geometry compressor which delivers a smoother drive, increased flexibility at low speeds and improved fuel consumption, no matter which power output.

The entry level Ducato produces 120hp from the 2.3-litre MultiJet 2 engine at 2,750rpm with a maximum torque of 320Nm at 1,400rpm. It is teamed with the manual gearbox, which improves power and torque delivery by 10 per cent compared to the previous 2.0-litre engine.

The 140hp version offers 350Nm torque at just 1,400rpm and comes with a choice of 6-speed manual gearbox or new 9-speed auto transmission. The 160hp variant reaches peak power output at 3,500rpm and distributes up to 400Nm torque at 1,500rpm in the auto version.

The range-topping 180hp hits peak power at 3,500rpm and 400Nm torque from 1,500 to 3,000rpm, with manual gearbox.

The latest revisions didn’t just focus on the power units. There is now, as standard, Start and Stop as well as new safety measures, including blind spot assist, rear cross path detection and lane departure warning.

A new infotainment system is now available in Ducato. This features a 7” touchscreen by Mopar®, USB port, DAB and SatNav. The new system includes integration for Apple CarPlay and Android AutoTM. I had the opportunity to spend some time driving a couple of the new models and came away impressed. First up we tackled a 140hp manual LWB version. On a route that took in city and country roads plus the motorway, it proved very capable. With two passengers and a one-tonne load on board, it’s proving the most popular engine choice in the UK. The addition of Lane Departure Warning gives the driver a quiet nudge when the road narrows, or you are forced off line, but unlike in 34 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

many vehicles we’ve driven, it’s not intrusive.

There’s also a reversing camera built into the 7” screen which provides further assistance when performing a three-point turn.

The interior has also been redesigned and our test model featured a clever notepad-cumiPad rest which can house your tablet. Two decent-sized closing glove boxes, two deep door pockets, storage on top of the dash, twin drinks holders in front of the centre passenger seat and two more storage areas in front of the third passenger seat offer plenty of places to hide away office paraphenalia.

A large LED light has been added to the

“Updated and improved, the latest Ducato is still aiming to be Europe’s number one panel van” loading area, for which the twin rear doors fold almost flat to the side of the van for better access.

The ratios in the six-speed manual gear box make changing up or down simple and the Ducato also benefits from a light clutch. All three pedals are easy to reach, with room to rest your foot on the motorway as well. The steering wheel will only adjust up or down though.

Next up was the more powerful 160hp unit, matched to the new 9-speed auto gear box.

Stop/start driving on the motorway makes the automatic option a blessing though there is a manual option if you prefer. The extra 20hp on tap gives the Ducato a bit more pull, especially at the top end. Where the 140hp version tends to fade after 2,000 revs, doing all of it’s work lower down, the 160hp version keeps pulling all

the way up to 3,500rpm.

The driving position in the Ducato is excellent, with a clear view of the road ahead and to left and to right, thanks to the large windows and windscreen. The driver’s seat adjusts fore and aft and up and down, so getting comfortable was easy.

Any negatives? In reality, the basic design of the Ducato is now nine years old and while the upgrades are excellent, it’s a relatively old vehicle. This means, for example, that the handbrake is still located to the right of the driver rather than in the centre, which has always been a little annoying. And, although the new tech is much improved, I can’t help but feel that a larger screen than the 7” one offered would make life easier still.

Quality wise, the interior feels better than before, but it does still feature some cheap looking plastics in places. On the plus side, the seat fabric looks and feels hard wearing and there’s a pretty good choice of new colours for your Ducato, including a Farrell and Ball-like Expedition Grey, the colour we got to drive with.

By updating and improving the latest Ducato, especially with the addition of the new cleaner diesel engines, Fiat Professional has given themselves the opportunity to remain number one in Europe in the large panel van sector for some time to come.

CC&V VERDICT Upgrades to engines and interior have kept Ducato relevant, no matter how old the original design is

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

NEWS: S & B COMMERCIALS / ORWELL TRUCK & VAN

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Motus Dealers land coveted Mercedes-Benz Vans prize for their customer service ‘game-changer’ Dealers Orwell Truck & Van and S & B Commercials have won a prestigious award from Mercedes-Benz Vans after launching a customer care initiative that has delivered outstanding results despite the pandemic.

Both part of the multi-franchise Motus Group (UK), the ‘sister’ companies took the Team of the Year 2020 honours at the manufacturer’s Van Stars Heroes event, which recognised the hard-working people from across its UK network who pulled out all the stops to keep business moving during the most challenging of years.

Orwell Truck & Van and S & B Commercials launched their new customer contact centre a year ago, with the aim of making it easier for operators of Mercedes-Benz vans to book vehicles in for routine maintenance and urgently needed repairs, and to submit sales enquiries.

Orwell Truck & Van sells and supports Sprinter, Vito and Citan van models bearing the three-pointed star from five locations in Norfolk, Suffolk and north Essex, while S & B Commercials operates from three sites in Essex and Hertfordshire. The two dealers have kept all of their workshops open throughout the pandemic.

Members of the new contact centre team have also relieved branch-based colleagues of some of the burdens of basic administrative work, freeing them to focus on service quality and the provision of regular, timely progress updates to customers.

While the usual glamorous celebration was clearly a non-starter, Mercedes-Benz Vans was determined that lockdown restrictions would not prevent it from highlighting the achievements of those who went ‘the extra mile’

36 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

Winners all: Contact Centre Manager Astra Sinclair, right, and Service Contracts Executive Kerry Chatten, are pictured with Head of Marketing Tom Sunderland, who played a key role in the establishment of the new team; and outside the Ipswich Van Centre

for their customers and communities last year.

Broadcast live from a studio in Salford, the event was brilliantly hosted for the fourth year running by sport and music radio and TV presenter Colin Murray. Sharing the stage with him – but appropriately distanced – was Mercedes-Benz Vans Managing Director Steve Bridge.

Motus Mercedes-Benz Division Head of Marketing Tom Sunderland said while the contact centre went ‘live’ shortly before the first lockdown – causing “quite a few challenges” – it had been fully up and running since the beginning of June.

Since then contact centre operatives had

made more than 7,000 workshop bookings and allocated over 3,000 sales enquiries to sales colleagues. The two dealers’ Mercedes-Benz Vans ‘mystery shop’ scores had also shot up, and both were well ahead of target in terms of the numbers of customers electing to fix their maintenance costs by signing up to Mercedes-Benz ServiceCare plans.

“We have seen a real transformation in performance across the various areas of influence the team has on our business,” revealed Tom. “Not only do the numbers look great, but the team are also building some great relationships with our customers, working directly with larger fleets to schedule their vehicles in advance for services, MOTs and recalls.

“Their hard work means we are now retaining more of our customers, and they are receiving a first class booking service.

Accepting the Team of the Year award by video link, Contact Centre Manager Astra Sinclair, a former Senior Service Advisor, was quick to praise the contributions of her colleagues Kerry Chatten, Amy Claxton, Emma Clennell, Will Higgins, Marcus Killett and Joel Windsor. “It was a really challenging year for us, as for so many others, but they’ve all done an incredible job. We’re now really looking forward to a return to some kind of normality in 2021.”

The Motus Group (UK) acquired Orwell Truck & Van in 2013 and S & B Commercials the following year, and continues to invest heavily in their branch infrastructure, with more exciting developments due to be completed over the coming year. www.companycarandvan.co.uk

CV NEWS: TOYOTA HILUX

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Hilux gets a stylish upgrade to go with its muscular performance Striking new design with stronger road presence New 2.8-litre powertrain with improved performance on and off-road Improved instrumentation and multimedia technology Top-of-the-range Hilux Invincible X aimed at customers who need a vehicle for business and personal use, or one with great potential for leisure pursuits Toyota has given its mighty Hilux pick-up a new lease of life with an upgraded design, a powerful 2.8-litre powertrain, improvements in on and off-road driving performance and equipment upgrades.

These changes strengthen its appeal to the growing market for customers who need a vehicle that’s right for both business and leisure.

At the top of the range, the new Invincible X model gains bespoke styling features and premium equipment features, but sacrifices none of the strengths that have made Hilux a global success.

Where practicality is concerned, Hilux’s one-tonne payload and 3.5-tonne towing capacity are delivered across all three body types: Single Cab, Extra Cab and Double Cab. Since its launch in 1968, the unstoppable Hilux has proved its toughness time and again, conquering the North Pole, Antarctica and Icelandic volcanoes. In 2019, it also claimed victory in the Dakar Rally, one of the world’s most gruelling races.

Exterior and interior design Hilux’s frontal design has a completely new look, with a more powerful, three-dimensional treatment of the grille and bumper, increasing the vehicle’s road presence and reinforcing its robust, go-anywhere credentials.

According to model grade, new front and rear LED light clusters are available, plus 18-inch alloy wheels with a contrast machined/ black finish. There is also a striking new colour option – Titan Bronze metallic.

The upgraded cabin features a new-design instrument combimeter and an eight-inch multimedia screen mounted on the centre console. This uses buttons and dial controls for easier use in all driving conditions. The multimedia system has faster software and screen response, and enables easy smartphone integration using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Top quality features include smart entry and push-button start, satellite navigation, automatic air conditioning, front and rear parking sensors and a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system with an 800W eight-channel amplifier and 38 | February 2021 | Company Car & Van

CLARI-Fi technology for improving the reproduction quality of digital music files.

Customers can choose from a wide range of accessories to personalise their Hilux and equip it to suit their specific work or leisure requirements. Items include a range of hard tops and roll covers, a locking tailgate and a 12V power supply mounted on the deck.

Powertrains Hilux’s powertrain range has been bolstered by the addition of a more powerful, 201bhp 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine, a unit that ensures the pick-up stays on the performance pace in its segment.

The new engine generates 500Nm of torque and can accelerate Hilux from nought to 62mph in 10 seconds – up to 3.2 seconds faster than the current 2.4-litre unit. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 36.3mpg and CO2 emissions are 204g/km.

The new powertrain is aimed at customers who require a vehicle that’s appropriate for both business and personal use, and those wanting an extremely capable leisure vehicle. It will be available with six-speed manual or automatic transmission. All UK versions have all-wheel drive.

“Off-road performance has been enhanced with the lowering of engine speed at idle from 850 to 680rpm...”

Driving dynamics Toyota’s engineers focused on improving Hilux’s on-road comfort, while preserving its legendary off-road capabilities. Hilux remains one of the few vehicles to still use a body-onframe construction, a design that is hardwearing and better able to withstand the twisting forces encountered in extreme off-road driving conditions.

Comfort and driveability have been enhanced through improvements to the suspension and power steering. The front and rear shock absorbers have been retuned, there is an improved leaf spring design and new bushing is used.

These contribute to a smoother ride with less shock when driving over joints and holes in the road surface.

Off-road performance has been enhanced with the lowering of engine speed at idle from 850 to 680rpm; and accelerator response tuned for greater driver control, The vehicle stability control has been updated and a new tyre angle monitor has been adopted.

Hilux Invincible X The range-topping Hilux Invincible X Double Cab is distinguished by exclusive exterior styling details, including bespoke grille and front bumper, skid plate, over-fender, door handle and tailgate designs.

Invincible also comes with its own instrument combimeter design, interior black metallic and dark chrome trim accents and even a modelspecific key.

There is also “clear blue” illumination on the door trims and two-tone perforated leather seat upholstery. www.companycarandvan.co.uk