IVOTY - Honouring innovation in Light Commercial Vehicles for
From viewing exciting graphic designs, to seeing clay models for the first time, to inaugural drives in prototypes, the International Van of the Year Jury (IVOTY) is at the forefront of the Light Commercial Vehicle industry. IVOTY is a non-profit-network of independent editors & journalists from leading publications and web platforms, representing 25 countries across Europe & Russia. Each year they honour the best new Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) with the unique and prestigious title of ‘International Van of the Year’. What 25 years of IVOTY means: Two and half decades of testing, measuring and objective opinion. Also, collaborating with LCV manufacturers, offering expertise to improve the product and the sector in general. Always present, seeking new challenges, always looking for the best choice in Light Commercial Vehicles. International Van of the Year Award: There when it counts! More details on www.van-of-the-year.com Special thanks to all of the LCV brands featured in this special supplement for their ongoing support.
Here’s to the next 25 years! Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman, IVOTY
Read about all the winners on the following pages
VW Transporter 4 (T4) Intriguing and coincidental that straddling either side of the 25 years of IVOTY it’s the Volkswagen Transporter that won the award. The T4 was the first winner and proved to be a reliable, durable workhorse with a long lifespan. It was the first Volkswagen van to have its engine at the front.
Citroën Jumper (Relay)/ Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer Although there had been many collaborations between LCV manufacturers over the decades, the alliance between Fiat and PSA was most successful in the large (3.5 tonnes) segment, one that continues on to this day. Made in the Sevel factory in Italy, sales of the Fiat Ducato lead the way with its vast uptake of its campervan version, which commands up to 60 percent of its production. 2.5 and 2.8 litre diesel engines were available then, supplied by Fiat, since rebranded Fiat Professional.
Nissan Sunny van Car derived vans were common in those days with a number of manufacturers in the marketplace. The Nissan Sunny provided an attractive alternative to the mainly European designs sold at the time. While the Sunny went on to become a popular family car, the van version was discontinued.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter When launched the Sprinter series covered the 2.5 to 4.6-tonne weight classes. It was available as a crewbus, panel van or drop-side, and with a standard or high roof, with a crewcab and in three different wheelbases. It was fitted with the ABS braking system as standard in Germany and other European markets.
Mercedes-Benz Vito Mercedes-Benz with Vito was the first brand to win the trophy for a second time. The Vito made its world debut in the Autumn of 1995. Its modern interior and roomy cabin was appreciated. For Mercedes-Benz to present a front wheel driven van in this segment was also big news at the time. From the beginning, Vito was available with three engines, one petrol and two diesel variants.
Renault Master For the first time Renault tasted victory, and actually the French brand achieved the first one-two in the history of IVOTY, with its smaller Kangoo as the runner-up. This was the second generation Master, which was built on a completely new platform. In this generation, Renault improved the storage area inside the cabin. The power came from a 2.8 litre turbo-engine with intercooler.
Citroën Berlingo/ Peugeot Partner For the second time the PSA Group collected the trophy. As the first generation of the by now well-known French twins, they set a new standard in the class with the full-integrated cabin and body. At the time most competitors had a box placed behind the ‘cut-off’ driver’s cabin. The jury highlighted the driver comfort which gave a passenger car like feeling.
Opel (Vauxhall) Astravan As the last winner of the century, the Opel Astravan was the fourth generation of this vehicle. It was a conversion from the passenger car, with which it shares its name. The jury remarked on its great enhancements in driving comfort and sound levels, together with quality improvements. It won by a two point margin over the Nissan Cabstar E.
Iveco Daily Iveco created the city truck concept, with its open frame platform to support large vans and other body types from 2.8 tonnes to 6.5 tonnes GVW and from 7 to 17 cubic metres in volume. Carlike comfort and handling, plus new HPT diesel engines met all requirements making the Daily S2000 one of the long lasting models of its age.
Renault Trafic/Opel Vivaro One of the most successful programmes in the history of LCV alliances, the project X83 shared by Renault and General Motors led to the Renault Trafic and the Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro and later on to further models from other brands. Stylish and practical at the same time, the design with jumbo roof proved to be competitive in the people carrier segment too, while the load compartment of the vans has been extended in the current range.
Ford Transit A worldwide team managed one of the most ambitious LCV projects ever, with a wide range including front and rear wheel-drive variants, each with its own engine size. The two model families met on the crucial 3.5 tonnes GVW border and shared the sophisticated, yet easy to live in cab design that inaugurated some of the infotainment and connecting features we find in today’s models.
Ford Transit Connect A bridge between two segments, with a short wheelbase, normal roof body for the compact van business and a long wheelbase, raised roof variant for those who need more space without the size and the costs of a medium van. The Connect was the first of the Transit family to cross the Atlantic Ocean to compete in the North American market.
Volkswagen Transporter T5 Not only a van, but also a range of models for leisure, shuttle and executive purposes, the fifth generation of this German icon remains a true LCV, thanks to a wide choice of sizes up to 9.2 cubic metres, GVW up to 3.4 tonnes and a unique chassis cab variant. 4, 5 and even 6-cylinder TDI or petrol engines and a 4Motion all-wheel drive versions were offered.
Fiat Doblò Cargo Profoundly revised, the next step in Doblò Corgo’s history came with a more stylish front design and new interior trims. Most important was the line-up of new engines, especially innovative and efficient 1.3 & 1.6 litre MultiJet diesels with DPF. Also added was a LWB Maxi, with long and a popular luxurious ‘Panorama’ Kombi.
Mercedes-Benz Vito The new generation of the compact Vito series started with a completely different setup. Instead of front wheel drive it was now rear wheel drive and a fourwheel drive versions, was added. A much broader variety of variants were offered from an extra short to a high roof version and a ‘Mixto’ crew cab. Safety standards were high.
Ford Transit The 6th generation of the van legend came up with revised front and interior design as well as a new engine-line-up ranging from the 2.2 litre common-rail-diesel up to powerful 3.2 litre 5-cylinder range topper. In addition to front and rear-wheel-drive models, Ford added an all-wheeldrive version in 2007. Most of the production moved to Kocaeli plant in Turkey.
Citroën Jumpy (Dispatch)/ Fiat Scudo/Peugeot Expert Derived from a passenger van platform with single wheel suspension all around and an optional air suspension at the rear, the new midsized van trio set new standards in terms of comfort, noise and driveability. The HDI engines offered both a high level of smoothness and efficiency. Available with a choice of two lengths, a high roof type and also a platform-version, it would take almost ten years for this popular van selection to be totally replaced. It marked the end of the Fiat and PSA Group collaboration in this segment.
Nissan NV200 Nissan’s first global van was based on a car platform to combine relatively small exterior dimensions with large cargo space. The only vehicle of this size that can carry two euro pallets, the Nissan NV200 also introduced the first rear view camera in its class. Available in three types and with three engines, NV200 is also a popular choice as a new New York and London taxi.
Fiat Fiorino/Citroën Nemo/ Peugeot Bipper Creating a class of its own, the ultracompact city-van Fiorino/Nemo/ Bipper from Fiat & PSA convinced the jury with its first class economy of space. Despite outside measurements being shorter than a small passenger car at 3.9 metres, a 2.5 m3 load department that could easily be expanded by a folding seat, was unbeatable. Lightweight, fuel efficient and with a stiff chassis and agile handling, the Fiat developed mini-cargo-van is still a good choice for all urban business, especially with the option of automated gearbox or a CNG-engine.
Fiat Doblò Second award for Doblò. Fiat’s second generation van introduced revolutionary independent bi-link rear suspension with best in class driving abilities. Doblò was also the first small van with a one tonne load capacity, and more than 5 cubic metre cargo space. It was available in seven different versions including a first with chassis cab/platform type.
Renault Kangoo Z.E. The first purpose built delivery van with electric propulsion in the world, the Kangoo Z.E. was assembled on the same production lines as conventional models. With the same cargo space volume and load capacity as its internal combustion counterparts, it was available in two lengths with batteries installed in the floor facilitating a 170 km range.
Ford Transit Connect The Ford Transit Connect pulled off what only a few other LCV brands have achieved: winning the IVOTY award two years in a row. It proved the strength of the Transit philosophy. With the Transit Connect, Ford succeeded in building a light van with a strong accent on economics. An important contribution to the reduction of cost was made by new DuraTorq engines.
Ford Transit Custom The first model in a new generation of Ford vans, Transit Custom introduced a completely new platform with impressive driving abilities. Safety and comfort features were acquired from passenger vehicles. The largest cargo space in class with a revolutionary opening in the bulkhead which allowed 3m long loads to be carried in the short version. It was the first Ford with retractable roof rails.
Iveco Daily The Iveco Daily is a really heavy duty LCV, and its win in 2015, against a large and strong field of competitors, was a proof of its design and quality. The new Daily family included panel vans and chassis cabs with a broad choice of powertrains from diesel, natural gas, diesel/electric hybrid and electric. 4x4 versions were introduced in 2016.
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Volkswagen Transporter T6 In a very difficult period for Volkswagen AG, winning the IVOTY with the new Transporter T6 was an highly emotional experience for the company. Introducing Euro 6 and raising the standards of efficiency and the sustainability of transport with respect to the environment and safety of people, the T6 took a well-deserved win.
International Van of the Year Award The International Van of the Year (IVOTY) is the most prestigious award in the Light Commercial Vehicle industry. The criteria for this award, presented to the van ‘introduced into the market within the previous 12 months that has made the greatest contribution to road transport efficiency’, is based on several important criteria, including technological innovation, driver comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental footprint and total cost of ownership. Since 1992, the 25-strong IVOTY member panel is represented by editors and trade journalists from the top commercial vehicle magazines in each country across Europe plus Russia. From their combined titles, readership is estimated above 800,000. Each van jury member diligently assesses each product from attending manufacturers’ presentations and from conducting test-drives abroad and at home.