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M-B SPRINTER 315 CU AUTO With all the contenders loss
Page 35
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than .,!-Tee years old there's little deadwood In our heavy van list. Nevertheless a definite hierarchy emerges when assessing who's king of the hill.
Well start with the cabforwards Nissan, Mitsubishi and Renault which all raised the Oar in terms of ability.
With help from its German parent, Mitsubishi's Canter has upped its reputation thanks to solid build quality and some serious tweaking of cab space, particularly in the wider Comfort guise.
It is far easier to drive than previous incarnations and refinement levels are vastly improved, while compact dimensions and keen pricing also add to the package.
The same advances have been made with Nissan's Cabstar and the rebadged Renault Maxity; they display far more surefootedness along with a best-in-class turning circle.
Inside also sees increased harmony but an upright driving position and dull driving experience blunt the appeal.
Battling it out in the more mainstream 3,5-tonne category is some serious machinery which has taken great steps in advancing the cause of driver comfort.
A sound example is lveco's Daily, a minor miracle compared with the previous mode!. Its truck-based credentials remain intact but it now drives more fluidly, thanks to an eager engine and composed chassis.
There's also a Giorgetto Giugario-designed cabin and exterior to add a touch of class.
Another vehicle that has come on in leaps and bounds is Citroen's Relay, which has evidently taken a trip to finishing school. It feels far more ref ined in its latest guise, and the interior is as accommodating as it is practical.
These attributes are complemented by a chassis that takes everything in its stride, whether laden or unladen, though it lacks that certain sparkle that would take it into the upper echelons.
Another contender worthy of praise is Volkswagen's Crafter, with its Germanic attention to detail, superspacious cabin and build quality that puts several rivals to shame. Though it may fundamentally be a Mercedes Sprinter. VW's use of its own slightly thirstier 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit keeps it from outright acclaim. The top runners have a distinctly familiar feel to them thanks to their success last year, Out having tried them in several more guises we can honestly say they are worthy of more praise. Ford's Transit has jumped from an also-ran to impressive contender thanks to a real advance in the way it goes; its continued performance wins it this year's Highly Commended title.
From a driver's perspective its driveline is soundly mated: the gearbox, engine and drive axle all work with precision, allowing for a smooth driving style and brisk progress. Build quality has improved and so has the cabin, which has plenty of neat touches.
Taking the Testers' Choice title for the second year running is the Mercedes Sprinter, tested this time with an automatic shift. Unlike several autos we've tested, this version complements the Merc, particularly in the 150hp rating where a generous amount of torque allows you to make rapid progress without fuss.
Furthermore it doesn't second-guess your next move and downchanges with notable alacrity, allowing to you concentrate on the road ahead.
Add to this an interior that's in a class of its own in terms of dimensions and layout, and a chassis that's forgiving in nature, and you have what is still CM'S favourite large van.