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The International Van of the Year shortlist may be very
Page 154
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short this year, but that shouldn't detract from the quality. UK jury member Andy Salter assesses the chances of the three protagonists.
The nominations have closed for the 2011 International Van of the Year and the 23-strong jury of leading commercial vehicle journalists must now decide which of the vehicles is deemed to have made the greatest contribution to the efficient carriage of goods by road. The judges, representing countries throughout Europe, will hand over the prestigious accolade to the winner at the Hannover commercial vehicle exhibition on 21 September. This year's prize fighters take the form of the new Fiat Doble Cargo, Mercedes-Benz Vito and the RenaultNauxhall Master/Movano. While the Mercedes is a mild refresh and has yet to make its UK market debut, the other two vehicles were launched to the UK public at the CV Operator Show in Birmingham and enter the ring with strong credentials for a good clean fight. The Vito gets a mild styling makeover this autumn to coincide with the launch of the new Euro-5 engine line-up. On the outside. the facelift features new headlights, grille, bumpers and tail-lights, while the interior benefits from an improved dashboard layout, with what the manufacturer calls 'simpler controls', and a new colour scheme throughout.
Under the bonnet sits Mercedes latest range of fourand six-cylinder diesel engines that are cleaner and more economical than the outgoing units, and the entire range meets the Euro-5 emissions standard. There's now a broader spectrum of power outputs raging from 95hp up to a colossal 258hp
making it the most powerful van when it goes on sale in the UK at the end of this year.
They say you should always back the outsider in a three-horse race, but maybe not this time. We like the Vito as a product, but it doesn't have the credentials for 2011 Van of the Year glory.