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1st January 2009
1st January 2009
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Page 1, 1st January 2009
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Page 6

Just like the car market did some time ago, the

Light van market is fragmenting into a series of niche products. John Lewis reports M ode Is such as Peugeot's Bipper. Fiat's...

AIXAM MEGA

It looks odd, rather like a dodoem car with attitude, and its lightweight feel does nothing to inspire confidence, nor does the...

CITROEN C2 ENTERPRISE

A fuel-frugal little package that has just received the mildest of makeovers, the distinctively styled three-door baby of the...

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Engine: 1.4-Ll petrol, 75hp1159Nm;1 .3-lit dieseL 75hp/19UNrn; 1.4-lit diesel, 70h

p/160N m Transmission: FWD, 5-spd man, 5-spd semi-auto GVW:1,680-1,700kg Load volume: 2.5m 3 Creating a viable new niche in the...

CITROEN BERLINGO FIRST PEUGEOT PARTNER ORIGIN They're dead, but they

just won't lie downnot just yet at any rate. Despite the fact that new versions of Berlingo and Partner have been launched,...

Virtually identical apart from their badges, the new Citroen Berlingo

and Peugeot Partner are bigger than their predecessors. and a whole lot more versatile. Buyers get to choose from two load...

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F aTGRANDEPUNTO

Fiat's smartly-styled Grande Punto s likely to be ignored by many businesses in the market for a hatchback car-derived van. And...

FIAT DOBLo CARGO

Restyled just over two years ago in a move that led to the loss of its egg-box-style front grille, Dobld Cargo remains quirky...

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FORD FIESTA VAN

A new year dawns, and a new Ford Fiesta Van will be arriving at dealerships soon. Making a surprise appearance at 2008's...

FORD TRANSIT CONNECT

While nobody is going to pretend that Ford's Transit Connect is the most stylish van on the highway unless you see it in...

PEUGEOT 207 VAN

When it comes to producing van versions of its small hatchback cars. Peugeot has a quietly impressive pedigree, and the 207 Van...

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Now the only true microvan on sale in the UK,

Piaggio's forward-control petrol-powered Porter is, in many way, lust what you need if you do a lot of city centre delivery...

RENAULT KANGOO/KANGOO COMPACT

On sale in the UK at long last, Renault's new Kangoo covers a far wider slice of the market than its predecessor. It is on...

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VAUXHALL ASTRAVAN

Insofar as it is possible to say that a light commercial can be said to enjoy a cult statusand assuming you exclude Ford's...

VAUXHALL COMBO

The Combo is showing its age now. and loses out against its newer competitors in a number of areas. It is still worth...

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VAUXHALL CORSAVAN

If you don't have anything too bulky or too heavy to shift, and you want something fun to drive-despite its electric power...

VOLKSWAGEN CADDY/CADDY MAXI

The big change to the Caddy line-up in recent times has been the addition of the Maxi. With a wheelbase extended by 319mm and...

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7/A\

Heavy vans have come a long way since the 1970s. Nowadays, a prime example will boast a number of creature comforts, including...

CITROEN FIAT SCUDO PEUGEOT DISPATCH EXPERT Yet another package brought

to you courtesy of the PSA (Citroen/Peugeot) and Fiat tie-up, the latest Dispatch/Scudo/ Expert line-up covers a much wider...

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Modeltested/published The latest Citroen Relay, Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato

represent another result of a long-running joint venture between PSA Citroen and Peugeot's parent company and the Italian...

FORD TRANSIT

Despite the fact that Turkey is fast becoming the dominant source of production, Transit remains for the moment, at least a...

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Last year (2008) saw lsuzu Truck UK introduce a revamped

range of chassis cabs and venture into new weight categories. One of the key changes was the introduction of a new cab scaled...

IVECO DAILY

Just over two years ago, lveco's Daily was heavily revised, with new exterior styling, a new cab interior, a redesigned...

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After a series of financial upheavals, LDV is now in

the hands of Russian manufacturer Gaz. It has publicly voiced its commitment to the Birmingham-based manufacturer and to...

M-B SPRINTER

Looking as if it has been sculpted out of a solid block of steel, Mercedes-Benz's Sprinter turns in an impressive on-the-road...

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MERCEDES-BENZ VITO

Solidly-constructed and definitely at the premium end of its sector of the market, Vito offers a well-controlled ride, neutral...

MITSUBISHI FUSO CANTER

Mitsubishi's Fuso Canter has turned into quite a success story for Daimler it is distributed through Mercedes-Benz dealerships...

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NISSAN CABSTAR/ RENAULT MAXITY

Two years ago Nissan launched the revised Cabstar, which is also sold as the Maxity through Renault Truck dealerships under an...

NISSAN INTERSTAR RENAULT MASTER VAUXHALL MOVANO A new range is

about to be unveiled and is destined to go on sale in the UK in 2010... and that's not a moment too soon. The existing line-up...

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NISSAN PRIMASTAR RENAULT TRAFIC VAUXHALL VIVARO

Still a good-looking van, PrimastarfTraficiVivaro offers safe, predictable handling, ample feedback through the steering wheel,...

TOYOTA DYNA

A tough little workhorse with a cargo capacity of well over a tonne, it is powered by one of the best common-rail diesels in...

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TOYOTA HIACE

It remains a real disappointment that to this point in time Toyota has not seen fit to develop a van that can slug it out with...

VW CRAFTER

If Crafter looks similar to Mercedes-Benz's all-conquering Sprinter then that shouldn't come as a shock. The vehicles share a...

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VW TRANSPORTER

Blessed with excellent engines that pull strongly right the way up the rev range check out the 2.5litre in particular and...

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For a niche sector of the business, the four-wheel-drive van

market has been fairly innundated with new examples. John Lewis takes a look... T here has a been a frenzied amount of...

CITROEN C-CROSSER ENTERPRISE

In a bid to cover many market niches, Citroen has launched a van version of its 4x4 C-Crosser car. Power comes from a 156hp...

RANGER

FORD MAZDA B-SERIES The Ranger and B-Series are bracketed together because they both share the same basic design. Unlike so...

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SUZU RODEO

Solidly built and comes with plenty of bling if you want to spend the extra, the latest Rodeo is quieter than its predecessor...

IVECO MASSIF

If Iveco's Massif looks vaguely like a Land Rover Defender, then that probably should not come as too much of a shock. It is...

KIASCIRENTO XE-C

A rival to both Citroen's C-Crosser and Mitsubishi's Outlander commercial, Kia's Sorento may not be the first model that...

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NDAOVER DrFENDER

Still bearing a strong resemblance to the original Land Rover, which was launched some 60 years ago, Defender underwent some...

LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2 COMMERCIAL / DISCOVERY 3 COMMERCIAL

While permanent four-wheel-drive may do its fuel economy no favours. Freelander is a real pleasure to drive. It sticks to the...

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NISSAN NAVARA

A stunning vehicle, Navara offers the ideal combination of performance, ride and handling. Its brawny engine is a joy to sit...

MlitUBISHI OUTLANDER COMMERCIAL SHOGUN COMMERCIAL

Mitsubishi's van version of the latest five-door Outlander is a soft-roader rather than an out-and-out off-roader. It copes...

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NISSAN NP313

An unabashed no-frills workhorse. NP300 is the pickup to pick up if you are not too bothered about your image. Off-road, it is...

SSANG YO NO KYRON C-S /REXTON C-S

Attractively-priced and well-put-together. Kyron is certainly not lacking in equipment. ABS and EBD are included in the...

The favoured mode of transport of every warlord in subSaharan

Africa, Toyota's Hilux has received a hefty power boost since its last significant revision in 2005. These days, you can order...

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Despite new legislation that covers speed limiters and driving licences,

the ubiquitous 7.5-tonner continues to survive against the odds. Colin Barnett assesses the market sector that stubbornly...

AVIA D75

While the Avia D75 has a great deal of positives going for it on paper (proven Cummins-ZF driveline, a simple chassis design,...

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Daf continues to dominate the 7.5-tonne market. but it's rivals

have not given up yet. The LF manages to satisfy the two most important groups of people in one fell swoop namely the driver...

HINO 300 SERIES

Any resemblance of the Hino 300 to Toyota's Dyna is no coincidence Nino builds Dyne for its giant parent company. The 300 is...

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ISUZU FORWARD

Isuzu's light middleweight line-up had a major shake-up last April, when the Japanese truck-maker also unveiled its longawaited...

IVECO DAILY 65

If you can put up with tachographs, speed limiters, motorway third-lane driving restrictions and a Cl driving licence, the...

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IVECO EUROCARGO

iveco's tried-ana-trusted 7.5-tonne Eurocargo got a fa!r y hefty makeover last May although not so radical as to scare away new...

MAN TGL

MAN's TGL is one of the few completely new trucks to grace the light truck arena for a number of years, and it continues to...

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MERCED —BrisIZNARIO

We thought this old-timer might have been retired with the Euro-4 emissions deadline last year, but it keeps soldiering on, and...

MERCEDES—BENZ ATEGO

A smart restyle and some subtle modifications a few years ago, including a new engine, raised the Atego's status considerably....

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Biggest news from the Mitsubishi Fuso branch of the Daimler

family is the addition of a 180hp Canter rating, giving it the extra bit of grunt that makes the difference when the going gets...

RENAULT MASCOTT

Half-van. half-truck, the Mascott has some heavy-duty underpinnings, thanks to a ladder frame chassis and reinforcing around...

RENAULT MIDLUM

Fast becoming a recognised contender in the 7.5-tonne market, its versatility further up the weight chain is quickly catching...

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Innovation has been a bit thin on the ground in

this particular area of the market. Manufacturers nave, instead, been turning their hands to improving their core products....

BMC PROFESSIONAL

Not shy about mentioning its UK heritage, BMC aims its modest Turkish-built UK rigid chassis product range primarily at...

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At the lighter, payload-conscious end of this sector, the LF55

links the LF45 and CF65 ranges, although there's some overlap with the latter at 18E and 26t, and also an urban artic suited to...

DAF CF65/75

The market leader, a well-established, competent product. but not without competition from MAN and the new Iveco Eurocargo....

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DENNIS ELITE 2

One of the oldest names in British truck manufacture. Dennis or, more correctly, Dennis-Eagle, has had a number of owners and...

HINO 500/700

Following Its success in the tipper market. Hino is extending its range to include two rigid distribution chassis. These new...

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Since last year's guide. tne Eurocargo has peen relaul icried

wth a taceiitt arid sulostantial specification changes. The crest important is tne decision to supply all models won actor...

IVECO STRALIS

For those who want more than a Eurocargo, especially operators Keen to gain the operational benef it of athree-axlechassisto...

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ISUZU FORWARD

Long-promised (and also featuring smaller models down to five tonnes), the Japanese-designed Isuzu Forward range offers a lot...

MAN TGM

TheTGM rigid range spans 15-261, and are all powered by MAN's Euro-5 EGR common-rail D08 diesel. Tipmatic (aka ZF) automated...

MERCEDES-BENZ AXOR

Stable-mate to the smaller Atego, the Axor takes over the rigid range from 18 tonnes upwards, and extends to three-axle...

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M-BENZ ATEGO

Primarily a 4x2 rigid a,thougn also to be had as a lightweight urban tractor unit there are four cab options and, at lighter...

M-BENZ ECONIC

The Econic is the main source of municipal competition to DennisEagle, and has recently celebrated some large fleet orders from...

RENAULT MIDLUM

The addition of the new Optitronic automated shift (Renault's version of the Volvo I-Sync) puts the Midlum on a par with its...

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RENAULT PREMIUM

Particularly impresslve at 26 tonnes, the Premlum deserves greater recog nItion. If you can get drivers through the door...

SCANIA G-SERIES

The G series aims to bridge the gap between the lowmounted P series and highmounted R series cabs, and provide Scania with a...

SCAN IA P-SERIES

A decent cab, which now has a P-Highline option, a powerful little Euro-5 five-pot and an automated shift as the default option...

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At the lighter end of the weight range, the R&D partnership between Volvo and Renault is most apparent.

Volvo's FL series cab is largely the same as the Renault Midlum's, as is the fascia-mounted gea'snift and Deutz...

If the FL makes you think 'Midlum', then the FE

will scream 'Premium'. This is a dedicated Volvo model range for two-and three-axle rigids, with both leaf and air suspension,...

Very much a Swedish design throughout, the FM9 is available

as an 18-or 26-tonne rigid (or as a lightweight tractor unit) with a choice of five cabs, including two high-roof options and a...

Page 50

No-one would have predicted that 12 months ago, the usually

buoyant tipper market would be the first to buckle under the weight of a global economic crunch. Dave Young loo(s at the market...

OAF CF75/85

Lighter LF55/65s are also available as tipper chassis. At the heavier end, choose from a 75 Series on three or four axles. or...

Page 51

Having initially taker its competitors by surprise and fil ing

the slot left vacant by Foden, Hino has now consolidated its position. Although Hino has introduced a four-wheeled tipper into...

ISUZU FORWARD

Finally launched at the 2008 UK CV Show, Isuzu's oftpostponed Forward range comes with Euro—sized cab, disc, ABS and ASR brakes...

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VECO TRAKKER

lveco's Trakker is available as either a 4x4, 6x4, 6x6 or 8x4 rigid or 6x4 heavy-duty tractor, all with either day or high-roof...

MAN TOM

A niche product, introduced two years ago, the lighter of MAN's two UK tipper chassis overlaps with the heavier TGS at 26...

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MAN liGS

In its lightweight single-reduction axle guise, the TGS is markedly different from the tippers MAN produces for the European...

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MERCEDES-BENZ ACTROS

Designed upon European lines, where tipper operations are different and weights are higher, the Actros is fettered by its...

RENAULT KERAMAN DER T

Very much a case of horses for courses. The Kerax is powerful and robust and popular with muckaway operators. Kerbweight is a...

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SCAN IA P/G/Ft SERIES

Although R, and now G series cabs are available, the UK tends to be a P cab market. Kerbweights are a tad high at the top end....

VOLVO FE

A combination of a Swedish chassis, German engine and French cab, the FE tipper is available only at 26 tonnes GVW on three...

VOLVO FM

This is liked among drivers, and has a choice of engine sizes (both SGR & EGR) and cabs. Operators need have no qualms about...

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There haven't been any seismic changes in the tractor market,

but with the recession biting, operators are looking more at leasinc. Dave Young reports. Id T he first in... and the first...

OAF CF75

Available only as a 4x2 chassis, the CF75 is aimed at the 'supermarket trolley' retail distribution sector, where load volume...

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Now with the latest 13-litre 'Paccar MX' Eurc-5 SCR engine,

this award-winning medium-distance chassis is a mainstay of many UK fleets. Extremely versatile and a top seller in its class,...

HINO 700

After earlier !rials with a modified rigid chassis, Hino has now introduced a mid-range tractor unit. This comes from Japan as...

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As with the rest of the 'Yew truck range, the

Eurotronic automated (clutchless, constant mesh) transmission is the standard option. A 16-speed manual ZF can be specified,...

MAN TGS

Successor to (and far better-looking than) the TGA, this is a stylish addition to a large number of UK fleets more likely...

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MERCEDES-BENZ A GO AXOR

Unlike its German competitors. Mercedes has opted for the SCR/AdBlue route to emissions compliance. At the lowest weight is the...

RENAULT PREMIUM

With memories of early incarnations now expunged, the Premium LD cab is a pretty good package, well represented on haulage...

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SCAN IA PIGIR SERIES

Cab choices can get a little confusing, ranging from the lowest F, through the intermediate G, to the tallest R! You can also...

VOLVO FM

The FM series offers a broad midto heavyweight model range, with a choice of four cab types, including a low-height car...

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It's been around for over a generation, but drivers love

the interior space of Paccar's biggest offering, the standard by which its peers tend to be judged. Wisely not throwing the...

IVECO STRALIS AS

Still promoted by the All Black's rugby team marketing strategy, the AS or "Active Space" Stralis seems to be gaining in both...

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MAN's high-roof, full-width cab flagship is giving Oaf's much older

105XF design a run for its money, easily trumping it on exterior styling, and it has plenty of internal space to appeal to...

MERCEDES-BENZ ACTROS

The Mercedes Benz flagship is now in its third incarnation, having revealed the latest facelift at the 2008 NEC show. Buyers...

Page 65

With more facelifts than a soap actress, and the Mack/

Renault driveline replaced by one from Volvo, courtesy of the two manufacturers marriage, the unaerodynamic yet charismatic...

SCAN IA R SERIES

Buyers have the choice of both EGR and SCR engine options with a top of the range R Series, although, what was once nearly...

1 1 07711=1111111 LIKES AND DISLIKES

Find a reason to buy the EI-116 and you've got the most powerful (at least in terms of torque) engine in the European truck...

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It's a buyers' market out there. With operators reluctant to

part with cash, used truck dealerships need to shape up if they are turn a healthy profit in 2009. Kevin Swallow looks at the...