4.5-TONNERS
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SHORTLIST Iveco Ford Daily Mercedes-Benz 407D Renault 546
TESTERS' CHOICE IVECO FORD DAILY
• While volume sales continue to polarise towards the natural break points at 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, for legislative reasons, several manufacturers are active midway between the two, with high capacity vans at about 4.5 tonnes offering payloads of some two tonnes and above.
The small advantage in payload over 3.5-tonne panel vans is out-weighed for many by the 0-licence requirement and the limitations of the tachograph but, for those who have a need for the extra volume and weight, they can at least be driven by non-HGV drivers.
With the Iveco Ford merger the lighter Daily models gave way to the Transit range, but they remained available at 4.5 tonnes to compete with others such as the Mercedes-Benz 407D and the Renault S46, both at 4.6 tonnes.
Priced at £16,610, the Daily is clearly the most expensive of the three models, with the 407D listed at 214,320 and the S46 at £14,740.
Claiming the largest volume the Daily also proved to be the most productive, although beaten on payload by the Mercedes-Benz by more than 340kg. The higher power of the 2. 5-litre Sofim directinjection OHC diesel engine, however, gave the Daily faster journey times and a better fuel consumption of 12.9 litres/ 100km (21.84mpg), but overall only just better than the slower S46.
On the A-roads the Renault S46's naturally-aspirated 3.99-litre Perkins Phaser engine produced a maximum torque of 270Nm at 1,000rpm far in excess of either the higher revving Mercedes-Benz' 2.4-litre indirect-injection engine, and the 2.5-litre turbocharged Daily unit. It proved to be very flexible, reducing the need for constant gear changing, and also economical.
The Renault S46, with a shorter wheelbase, gave the smallest turning circle. With the load area enclosed by a full bulkhead, the driving compartment was quieter than the Mercedes-Benz' with a similar arrangement, and the Iveco Ford Daily with a walk-through facility.
All three have full-height rear doors, but the Mercedes-Benz appears the more compact with better overall styling.
In most other respects, however, we found a preference for the high-volume Daily which, by a very close margin over the Renault S46, is our testers' choice.