1. NG IIALRY
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It's official—twins are no longer a rarity. In the US alone, 120 pairs of identical siblings are born every day as a result of an increase in fertility drug use, a higher proportion of 30plus mothers, and better pre-natal care.
But this phenomenon is not unique to humans. Van manufacturers are coming up with more and more models with different names but almost identical appearances and specifications. Reluctant to bear the entire burden of development and manufacturing costs two or more competitors will link to produce the basis of a single design which might appear under various badges.
The most notable examples are the Sevel vans produced by the CitroenTiat/Peugeot alliance and more recently the tie-up between Renault and Vauxhall which begat the Vauxhall Arena.
The all-new LT is Volkswagen's version of the van Mercedes-Benz badges as the Sprinter. The two look just about the same but there are some significant differences. VW uses its own engines (apart from the 2.3-litre petrol from the Mercedes) and the LT's front end has different headlights, two of the largest indicators on the road, a bumper incorporating steps and unique door panels inside and out. The VW also features an all-stainless steel exhaust. The current LT became available last September, replacing the previous model which saw more than 20 years' service. The new vehicle has a fairly conventional integral body/chassis structure with a front-mounted longitudinal engine and rear-wheel drive. It spans the weight range from 2.84.6 tonnes with wheelbases from 3.00-4.03m.
Our test model is the medium-wheelbase, high-roof van with the 2.5-litre TDI engine which develops 101hp from its five cylinders and originally stole a march over Mercedes, which lacked a power rating between the sluggish 80hp model and the super-fast 122hp turbo-diesel. Mercedes finally rectified this situation back in October 1996 with a derated version of the five-cylinder 122hp direct-injection diesel.
Unlike its predecessor, the new LT's engine is sited conventionally at the front rather than beneath the seats. Other engine options are a 74hp naturally aspirated five-cylinder diesel and a 123hp four-cylinder 2.8-litre turbo-diesel.
The usual selection of vans, chassis-cabs and personnel-carriers is on offer and there's also a crew-cab option, although the rear door is fitted to the right-hand side, which will be inconvenient for UK operators.