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 takes Kangoo ZE for economy run
VansA2Z editor Neil McIntee is behind the wheel of a five-seater Renault Kangoo Z.E. Maxi Combi in the RAC Future Car Challenge 2011 (FCC) taking place on 5 November. Now in its second year the FCC has firmly established itself as the ultimate economy run for latest generation low-emission, hybrid and battery-powered vans and cars.Energy consumption — whether it be diesel, petrol or electricity — is methodically measured and calculated over the 60-mile route from Brighton to London. It’s the reverse of the classic London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, taking place on the following day. The two events come together in London on the Saturday afternoon for the Regent Street Motor Show; old meets new in an unique display for motoring junkies of all ages.
Kicking of at 07.30 from Madeira Drive on the Brighton seafront, there’s a halfway break for the 60+ vehicles of all shapes and sizes at Central Sussex College in Crawley. From there it’s a short run to the suburbs of South London and on to the finish in Pall Mall before parking up in Regent Street.With its 22kWh lithium-ion battery pack (leased from £62/month) and 44kW electric motor the Kangoo, which can be ordered now as a Van, Maxi Van or Maxi Combi with prices starting at £17,990 (excl VAT), will have no problems covering the distance. But this is a seriously competitive event and minimum energy consumption is the name of the game which means a delicate right foot, a keen eye on the consumption meter and maximum usage of the regenerative braking system.
Click here for full details of the RAC Future Car Challenge 2011.
