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
VansA2Z tackles MPG Marathon in Corsavan
VansA2Z editor Neil McIntee will be behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsavan ecoFlex in the 2011 MPG Marathon economy run, taking place on 5/6 October. Starting and finishing just to the south of Cirencester it entails driving 370 miles over the two days within set time limits; so no driving at 20mph causing chaos. It’s a real-world test to see just how kind modern LCVs and cars can be to the environment.
Now in its ninth year the MPG Marathon is an excellent showcase for manufacturers wishing to prove the eco-credentials of their products and the VansA2Z steed is a case in point.
A latest generation ecoFlex Corsavan, it’s the Sportive model with the 95hp 1.3-litre diesel under the bonnet. From our editor’s point of view this is a good thing. Not only can he be gentle on the throttle thanks to 210Nm of peak torque (1,750 – 2,250rpm), but the six-speed gearbox will be a real boon. Block-shifting from second to fourth to sixth gear will be the name of the game. Automatic Start/Stop will also help to optimise fuel efficiency.There is a slight problem, however, when it comes to getting a sniff of a category laurel. As well as an impressively low CO2 figure of 95g/km the Sportive’s official Combined Cycle fuel consumption figure is a staggering 78.3mpg. The category award goes to the van which can show the most improvement to its Combined Cycle figure. To put it bluntly, not a hope in hell. The category best net consumption figure, however, might be in McIntee’s sights. We wish him the best of luck.
Click here for full details of the event; runners & riders, timings and routes etc.
Follow VansA2Z’s progress in the MPG Marathon by clicking the Twitter link at the top left of the page.
