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
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 European Launch
Volkswagen’s Crafter has undergone a midlife makeover and gets a new front-end along with new Euro 5 engines… Read More
Nissan unveils 2012 e-NV200 Concept
Nissan chose this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit for the world debut of its new 'near-future production' all-electric e-NV200 Concept. Already undergoing trials in London with FedEx Express, the van version of the e-NV200 is due to reach dealerships in 2013 and will compete head-on with Alliance partner Renault’s Kangoo Z.E which went on sale in the UK at the end of 2011.Based on the existing diesel NV200 and using the same 48-module lithium-ion battery pack and 84kW/280Nm electric driveline that powers the already established LEAF passenger car, the Concept vehicle takes many of its exterior design cues from the latter as well. There’s a large central-mounted flap on the nose, sporting a Nissan badge highlighted in blue, concealing the charging port as well as sweeping headlights with LED-illuminated accents.
Inside the cab it features electric vehicle instrumentation which shows remaining charge and potential distance, as well as a real-time ‘economy’ readout. It also has an advanced hi-tech integrated telematics package, controlled from a flat C-cluster display that resembles and responds to user input like an iPad.“With its ‘no gas, no tailpipe, no emissions' powertrain, the Nissan e-NV200 Concept combines a quiet, comfortable driving experience with a large, highly versatile, functional interior space within a compact overall body length,” said Hideto Murakami, corporate vice president, Nissan Motor Co. “A potential game-changing vehicle in its segment, the battery capacity will support a driving range similar to the Nissan LEAF, while payload and cargo space will offer the same level as the current NV200. The production version would be targeted mainly at businesses, but also at private users or families in major regions.
“A vehicle like the Nissan e-NV200 Concept would energise the current compact van market in more ways than one — helping improve the quality of urban life and providing a smart financial investment for large and small businesses alike,” Murakami added.
