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-Small Van
Small Van of the Year 2011
Ford Fiesta
Take a three-door hatchback car as a starting point, then remove the rear seats and replace the rear side glass with steel panels. Build-in a flat load floor and hey presto it becomes a small, but perfectly formed light commercial.Ford’s current Fiesta passenger car has picked up just about every award going since its launch and it can now add our Small Van of the Year 2011 trophy to the collection.
There are just three other contenders in this category — Fiat Grande Punto (its successor, the Punto Evo Van, is being launched at the CV Show 2011), Peugeot 207 and the Vauxhall Corsavan — but the Fiesta rules the roost.
It’s combination of efficient and frugal 1.4- and 1.6-litre diesels, pin-sharp handling — especially the SportVan — responsive steering and a super-slick gearchange make it a real winner.Around town delivery work causes no problems for the 68hp 1.4TDCi, but if venturing onto the motorway is a regular occurrence we would recommend upgrading to the 90hp 1.6TDCi. Those who really enjoy their driving should seriously consider the SportVan. The lowered suspension, wide profile tyres and sports seats really hit the spot.
Eco-conscience buyers should opt for the ECOnetic model which boasts the lowest CO2 emissions of any van at 98g/km.
Highly Commended
Close on the Fiesta’s heels comes the Vauxhall Corsavan, recently updated to Euro 5 EcoFlex and with a front-end re-design waiting in the wings. It’s just not quite able to match the Fiesta’s on-road dynamics.
