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
Vans of the Year Awards 2011-Innovation
Innovation of the Year
Fiat Doblò
Innovation is the very cornerstone of the automotive industry, but occasionally something comes to market that takes a fresh approach to existing technologies and moves them forwards. It's what makes engineers get out of bed in the morning.The winner of this year’s award is the centrally-pivoted Bi-link independent rear suspension system fitted to the Fiat Doblò.
Suspension systems may not be particularly sexy and a bit geeky, but they are fundamental. The configuration and set-up determine ride and handling, and in the case of light commercials, the gross payload.
While it was developing the current second generation Doblò, Fiat was very aware that the end product would be sold as a passenger car MPV as well the Cargo van. Fitting a more traditional LCV-type rear suspension would compromise the car’s ride, but on the other hand if it used a conventional car rear suspension set-up, the Cargo’s load-carrying ability would be compromised.The solution is a very clever and innovative compromise which works in the real world and full respect goes to the engineers who worked on this project.
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Latest Features
Show Preview: CV Show 2012
This year's Commercial Vehicle Show is returning to the NEC Birmingham on 24 – 26 April following a very successful 2011 event… Read More
Vans of the Year Awards 2012
Each year we sit down and decide which, in our opinion, are best light commercials around in each market segment… Read More
Manheim: Used Van Market 2011
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Iveco: State of the Nation 2012
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Bridgestone Eco-Rally 2011
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Euro 5 Switchover
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ESP on Vans Explained
ESP, or Electronic Stability Programme to give it its full title, is either standard or available as an option on all light commercials. But what is it exactly? Read More