New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Citroën upgrades standard-fit LCV telematics
Trafficmaster’s Smartnav and Trackstar telematics package fitted as standard to Citroën’s Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay vans has been enhanced for 2012. A number of operational and safety-improving features have been added and it also sports a new, larger colour touchscreen.The new five-inch screen comes with selectable full-colour UK and European routing and mapping (European routing requires an additional subscription), a choice of 2D or 3D graphics, route details overlaid on the map and next direction and distance displays. It also has an auto-zoom function as well as an additional pan and zoom facility.
One key enhancement is the ability to call for emergency assistance via a dedicated SOS icon. Touching this gives access to B-Call (Breakdown Call) and E-Call (Emergency Call) facilities. The former connects directly to The AA to ensure the fastest possible response. Other emergencies, such as an accident or driver medical problems, are handed by Trafficmaster via the latter facility. It then liaises directly with the emergency services. When the E-Call function is used, the driver’s details and GPS location are transmitted automatically to Trafficmaster, a feature soon to be replicated for the B-Call function to The AA.European legislation will require that all new vehicles have similar breakdown and emergency call features from 2015. Citroën is the first manufacturer in the UK LCV market to offer this service.
“Citroën LCVs are designed to deliver both optimum environmental performance and low whole life operating costs,” commented Scott Michael, Citroën’s commercial vehicle operations manager. “In its latest form, Citroën’s unique Trafficmaster and Trackstar telematics package materially assists in this process by helping to improve productivity, reduce driver stress levels and raise safety standards.
