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WHO WILL WIN?
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Page 49
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In two weeks' time the winner of the International Van of the Year for 2004 will be announced. We've review the contenders and predict who will be sipping champagne come the end of October...
CM teditor Andy Salter is the UK juror; he sits alongside colleagues from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Each contender is assessed by each juror independently and in addition the jury stages a group test of the qualifying vehicles in the weeks ahead of voting.
This year the test will be carried out next week, with the winner announced on press day of the international commercial vehicle show in Amsterdarn.
The international Van of the Year award is the premier trophy in the light commercial vehicle sector. Decided each year by a pan-European jury of conunercial vehicle specialists, the award is given to the van launched in the preceding 12 months, and subsequently in production, which is deemed to have made the greatest contribution to the efficient carriage of goods by road.
The two vans which qualify for consideration this year are the new VWTransporter and the Renault Master/Vauxhall Movano/Nissan lnterstar shared product.The rules of the IVoY organisation are such that badge-engineered products are treated as one.While the list of contenders for this year's trophy might not be quite as extensive as in previous years, the competition is just as hot, with both vehicles having sound claims to the title.
But there can only be one winner, so let's look at their chances.
VW Transporter
Main changes to VW's popular machine are a new interior,increased wheelbase and roofheight options with uprated and improved engines.
The exterior gets a restyle and the interior improvements will no doubt appeal to many drivers, but the IVoY judges are more likely to be impressed by the improvements VW has made to the operational flexibilit! of its new yam namely longer wheelbase and a high-roof option.
The standard short-wheelbase version now gives 5.8m3 of loadspace.compared with its predecessor's 5.4m3. in addition, the all-new front suspension and uprated 1.9 and 2.5-litre engines -giving a maximum power option of a whopping 174hp -combine to give the Transporter a go-anywhere feel.
It's not over till the fat lady sings and all that. but the VW Transporter has to be the favourite to follow up its success in the inaugural IVoY award with victory for 2004.
Renault Master! Vauxhall Movano/ Nissan Interstar
Available in the UK from November the new range is a heavy facelift on the original shared product that was launched in 19%.
The front end gets a restyle, borrowing much from the looks of its TraficiVivaro stablemate. while under the skin there's a new range of common-rail diesels.The new van also gains a six-speed transmission option.
All versions have a revised interior with dash-mounted gearstick and new dashboard and interior trim, improving driver comfort. However, the loadspace remains virtually unaltered.
The Master/Movano/ Interstar is a mid-life revamp so it lacks the product enhance ments seen on the VW Transporter. However. the Master scooped this award in 1997 and can boast a decent pedigree.
Guaranteed silver in this two-h contest, but unlikely to take the m prize. •