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GROUP VAN TEST

1st July 2010, Page 44
1st July 2010
Page 44
Page 44, 1st July 2010 — GROUP VAN TEST
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Before we reveal which 3.5-tonne van the testers decided was the best, its worth pointing out that it's the taking part that counts... no, really.

Our test incorporated brand new vans such as the Vauxhall Movano and the refreshed Iveco Daily, which you might expect would have the edge over slightly older rivals from Citroen and Fiat (launched back in 2006), but a quick took at the scores shows that Ws a credit to these offerings that they're still there-orthereabouts when compared with the latest kit.

Each van in this particular group test covers all the basics, and we can confidently say there is no such thing as a 'bad van' anymore; each will carry the load from A to B. However, this was a group test and thus there must be a winner.

So, fl sixth place was the Citroen Relay. Time has caught up with the French van and while it does the basics well, its rivals do them that bit better. The scores show that our testers favoured the Citroen's engine refinement and driveability, as well as ride comfort. However, it was marked down on cabin noise, seating position and cabin comfort.

In a tie for fifth were the Volkswagen Crafter and lveco Daily. which proved adequate companions on the two-day test route. but with each one there were a couple of aspects that prevented them challenging for top honours.

Let's start with the Volkswagen. Every member of the test team praised the its high-level of fit-andfinish, driver comfort and roadholding. However, the Crafter was let down by a notchy gearbox that the majority of the drivers couldn't get on with. The 2.5-litre 108hp engine was noteworthy, with an exemplary level of refinement and driveability that helped the WV up the charts.

As for the [yew, well it managed to beat the WV in certain areas, but was criticised for its interior. Drivers grumbled about the Daily's seat, reporting that it was uncomfortable over longer journeys and that the rubber headrests looked cheap and were far too hard to be of any use. Like the WV, the Daily also has issues with cabin noise. Three testers noticed a whistling sound coming from the passenger-side window, which, on the motorway, became tiresome.

It wasn't all bad news though, because the Daily's aGile gearbox was a firm favourite with testers and, ultimately, this was the Italian's redeeming feature.

In third place was another Italian, the Fiat Ducato. Granted, it is virtually identical to the Citroen, but it benefits from its own Multijet turbo-diesel engine and that counted for a lot.

If coped well with the roads and the engine was always willing to pull no matter what gear we were in, but when we needed to swap cogs. the gearshift was satisfying. The Fiat would have been higher up the table if it weren't for its old interior which, like the Citroen's, felt outdated and a tad unconventional.

Narrowly missing out on first place was the Mercedes Sprinter. It impressed the adjudicators with its quality interior, high equipment levels and "premium car-like experience", but lost points on gearshift refinement, and other minor interior foibles, such as a lack of armrest space on both sides and a singular 12V socket (located next to the retractable drinks holder).

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