OTHER CONTENDERS Nissan Cabstar VW LT35TD VW Transporter 1200D High-roof
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No completely new panel vans came on to the market last year. The state of the art was advanced a little by warmed-over versions of existing models, but it was largely a year for reviewing the main contenders. Ford remained unassailed as market leader while VW strengthened its attack on the Transit by revising the LT and introducing new versions of the Transporter.
The LT van was long overdue for at least a facelift, so VW treated it to a better interior and a couple of new engine options. The boxy body still offers good load volume, road manners are praiseworthy, and the latest "Hitorq" six-cylinder turbodiesel is admirably smooth—but noise is intrusive, the engine is inaccessible and gearchange quality is inexcusable. Productivity was mediocre, though VW surprised us with the LT's price: for once, it undercut most competitors even with a three-year engine warranty.
VW also came up with a 4x4 version of the LT, though that was a hairy-chested offroad beast, unlike their other 4x4 van—the Syncro. This was another successful addition to the attractive Transporter range, as was the 1200 High-Roof. The best highroofed van yet, it looks sleek, solid and attractive. Loading is easy (the rear doors were designed from the outset for a high roof) and road handling is as excellent as we expect from the Transporter.
VW recognises that the price of the Transporter might put some people off so it has come up with a cheaper 800 model to combat not just the Transit but also models such as the Sevels, Renault's Trafic Prima and Leyland Daf Vans' 200 Club.
The Sevel companies have been treading water until the new model appears next Summer, but we have seen sales promotions from Fiat and a better warranty from Citroen.
Nissan's Cabstar has had things its own way in the lightweight tipper/pickup market for some time, thanks to keen pricing and a good warranty. The latest version refines these features to keep it at the top of its admittedly lonely class. We were less impressed by our test vehicle's Tipmaster tipper conversion, which lacked any sort of safety interlock and allowed the part-laden tipper body to thump down on the chassis.
Ford's restructuring (and repricing) of the Transit range was timely, though the vehicle itself displayed little difference, apart from the niche-filling four-tonne Transit 230 and County 4x4 versions. The accent was on safety and the environment, with the admirable introduction of a catalyst-equipped turbo-diesel.
Our test of the 190 turbo-diesel demonstrated that evolution has its place: the van was a pleasure to drive, economical and fast, though it gave a little away in load volume and ease of loading to its FWD rivals. Our only real complaint was that Ford has yet to cure the irritating "drive-by-wire" throttle lag, which suits the turbo more to motorway trunking than urban work.
Overall, however, the Transit was good enough in the important areas of productivity, fleet acceptability and driver appeal to hold its place in our Testers' Choice.