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Latest Van News
Ford light commercials are Speedy fleet choice
Equipment rental specialist Speedy has placed an order for 400 Ford LCVs, worth in excess of £8.6m…
2013 used van auction values drop in May
Manheim Remarketing’s latest figures show that average used van values dropped by £78 in May compared to April…
Truckman hardtops bring versatility to fleet
Balfour Beatty has fitted Truckman hardtops to 150 of its fleet of Hilux 4x4 pick-ups…
Transporter features in national VW campaign
Volkswagen is rolling out out a nationwide Transporter billboard ad campaign depicting real owners…
Furmanite renews Citroën van fleet
Plant and pipeline maintenance firm Furmanite is sticking with Citroën to replace its 100-strong van fleet…
New Van Launches
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2013 - First Drive
New 2013 Sprinter is the first van to comply with Euro 6 and safety features are a high priority…
Ford Fiesta Van 2013 - First Drive
Launched at the beginning of 2013, the new Fiesta Van has been restyled inside and out and gets the new 1.5TDCi engine…
Ford Transit Custom - First Drive
Ford’s all-new one-tonne Transit, the Custom, is a very different proposition to its predecessor…
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…
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We have just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal…
Renault Kangoo Compact (Pre-2012) Review & Buyers' Guide
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| Our Verdict Not a bad little package, but check out Fiat’s Fiorino, Peugeot’s Bipper or Citroën’s Nemo — all three share the same basic design — before you buy.  The past few years have seen a whole new class of light commercials emerge; vans that slip neatly into the narrow gap between hatchback car-derived vans such as Ford’s Fiesta and full-size high cube vans such as Vauxhall’s Combo.Fiat’s Fiorino is a prime example of what we’re talking about while Renault’s take on the idea is the Kangoo Compact. It’s a truncated version of the standard Kangoo, now also available in lengthened guise as the Kangoo Maxi. Compact comes with a 2.3m3 cargo bay accessed by means of twin asymmetric rear doors. Sliding side doors aren’t fitted and are not available as options, but that’s not too big a drawback given the short load bed length. Gross payload is healthy 500kg. Power comes from a 70hp/160Nm 1.5-litre diesel and you get a five-speed manual gearbox.  Good to see that Compact gets a roomy and comfortable cab although we’re not entirely convinced by the odd-looking handbrake lever. There’s currently just the one trim level, Freeway, which comes with remote central locking and a tubular bulkhead behind the driver’s seat. The windows and door mirrors are manual.On the road you get to enjoy good handling and a high degree of manoeuvrability plus ample around-town performance. On the downside the ride is nervous and noise levels are on the high side. Service intervals are set at 12,500 miles and a three-year/100,000-mile warranty is provided.  |
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Manufacturer Quick Link
D-Max towing capacity raised to 3.5 tonne
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Vans of the Year Awards 2013
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