AWARDS I

from Fleet Transport Oct 2022

CONTEMPlATIONS

Finalists announced for International Truck of the Year and Trailer Innovation Award 2023

Three prominent brands – DAF, Mercedes-Benz and Scania have their latest models on the shortlist for the 46th International Truck of the Year Award 2023 (ITOY).

The line-up is once again a seriously competitive affair as the new DAF XD series, the new Mercedes-Benz Actros (with third generation OM 471 powertrain), and the Scania Super range, are all likely to achieve high scores on the election papers submitted by the 24 members of the pan-European expert jury.

The ‘New Generation’ DAF XD is based on the same platform as the ‘International Truck of the Year 2022’; the multiple award-winning XF, XG and XG⁺ range. Their premium features include industry-leading aerodynamics, efficient powertrains, superior seating position and quality fit and finish to be introduced in the distribution and construction segments. In addition, new XD, which replaces the CF series, is fully prepared for ‘zero emission’ drivelines. “The third generation of the OM 471 installed in the Mercedes-Benz Actros features a host of technical innovations. All these developments are consistently aim at reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in terms of fuel-saving driving, lower operating costs and higher yields, without sacrificing performance, driving dynamics or driving comfort,” explained Christoph Mertens, Project Manager for the new engine at Daimler Truck. With the new Super platform, Scania is offering power ratings from 410 to 560 hp and fuel savings of 8%. The all-new DOHC DC13 engine promises significant savings of 5% for operators engaged in long-haul work. However, the new updates are not solely related to the engine, as Scania has achieved a 3% saving with innovations to chassis, axles, and transmissions which in total realise savings of 8% over the previous model.

Collectively , these three manufacturer have chalked up twenty ITOY awards over the years, since the prestigious title was established in 1977. Germany’s Mercedes-Benz leads the way in winning nine trophies, with Dutch brand DAF Trucks on six and Sweden’s Scania collecting five.

As regards the announcement of the winner – the winner was revealed at the IAA Transportation exhibition at the Hannover Messe, Germany on the 19th September (as the magazine went to press).

There are four finalists for the Truck Innovation Award 2023, also judged annually by the ITOY jury. These include established and start-ups in the field of future trucks and trailers. The contenders are: Mercedes-Benz eActros Long Haul, ZF eTrailer, Volta Zero & Faun Enginius.

New Fiat Doblò

International Van of the Year Award 2023 takes Electric Avenue route

The speedy transition of van manufacturers from combustion engines to electric drivetrains, together with other ongoing innovations, will be recognised by the International Van of the Year (IVOTY) jury at the IAA Transportation 2022 in Hannover, Germany on 19 September.

All of the six brands nominated for the 31st running of the prestigious pan-European annual award have battery

Fiat E-Scudo

electric options. Among the contenders are new light commercial vehicle offerings from Fiat Professional, Ford Pro, Renault, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The announcement and presentation of the IVOTY 2023 trophy will take place at a special ceremony at the H’UP Hybrid Event hub, on the eve of the opening day of the IAA Transportation exhibition at the Hannover Messe.

Fiat Professional has both powertrain options from two new models within its revised range with the new Doblò & E-Doblò and the new Scudo & E-Scudo. They both slot smoothly into the Stellantis family, sharing body shells, drivetrains and other components from sister brands such as Peugeot, Citroen, Opel & Vauxhall.

Ford Pro is in contention for the main prize with the E-Transit, the next phase of electromobility developments that follow on from the IVOTY 2020 award winning EcoBlue Hybrid Transits.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance, which produces the new Kangoo E-Tech, new

Nissan Townstar zero-emission has another collaboration and manufacturing partner with Mercedes-Benz in the shape of the new eCitan. These three new vans will be voted as one in this competition. At the Solutrans 2021 exhibition in Lyon, France, the combustion engine variants of the Kangoo and Citan jointly won the IVOTY Award 2022.

Finally, a totally new concept has been created by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with the ID.Buzz Cargo. Positioned parallel with the Transporter 6.1, ID.Buzz is targeted at the inter-urban marketplace.

Commenting on the variety and close competition or the 24-strong member IVOTY jury in deciding the overall winner, Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman IVOTY said: “We admire and applaud manufacturers in the LCV sector in which they collectively invest heavily in developing new high-tech, innovative vans. Not only

do they meet market trends but also adhering to emission free targets. As the future is carbon free as we know, so too will the next award winning van from this jury, and this will be for the third occasion in the past decade that we honour zero-emission LCVs in this way,” he said.

New Renault Kangoo Van E-Tech Electric