• All new Corsavan Concept to debut at Paris
• Sporty looks, quality interior and large load capacity
• Showcases further development of Corsa style
  

It’s a van – but you’d be hard pushed to notice!

Making its debut at next week’s Paris Motorshow, the Corsavan Concept takes the dynamic styling of New Corsa to an even sportier level, while also showing how the three-door car’s looks would transfer to a city van.

Finished in the same glossy Glamour Red as the Opel GT Concept shown at Geneva, Corsavan Concept features black-coloured side panels to replace the three-door Corsa’s windows without detracting from the car’s coupe-like lines.

Distinctive sporty features include red front brake callipers, smart 17-inch alloy wheels and a VXR styling pack, comprising a new front bumper, side sills and a rear spoiler.

Black leather sports seats and piano-lacquer surfaces familiar from the Corsa hatchback complete the two-seater Corsavan Concept’s interior, while a fully-lined load bay with a half-height bulkhead show how New Corsa’s design translates into a very competent panel van, with a versatile load area.

The concept car is powered by New Corsa’s 90PS 1.3-litre CDTi engine with a six-speed gearbox, making it the perfect choice for both urban and out of town use.

The new Ford Transit has been awarded the prestigious title of 'International Van of the Year 2007'.

The 'Van of the Year' jury, which comprises an independent panel of leading commercial vehicle journalists representing 19 European countries, awarded the new Ford Transit the 2007 trophy in what was described as "one of the closest fought 'Van of the Year' battles ever."

"2006 has been a bumper year for new light and medium commercial vehicles which has made this competition tougher than ever, and this award even more significant for Ford Transit," said John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe. "We're delighted to follow up the success of the 2001 Transit and the 2003 Transit Connect in winning 'Van of the Year' trophies, and it is appropriate reward and recognition for the dedication of so many Ford of Europe employees who contribute to the Transit story."

In its official statement, the 'Van of the Year' jury said: "In announcing the decision, the jury was particularly impressed by the fact that Ford’s engineers have taken one of Europe’s best vans and made it even better. Whether in city traffic or on motorways, the driveability of Transit is excellent.

"The jury also appreciates the fact that the Ford designers and engineers maintain more than most other van manufacturers, permanent contacts with potential and existing purchasers in order to monitor constantly their wishes and needs.

"This resulted in the fact that in the new Transit the cab interior has been brought up to a level approaching that of a car. The philosophy is that van-drivers often spend more hours in their vehicles than car drivers. The high ergonomic standards do not only concern the driver’s seat and the position of steering wheel and gear lever but also include the excellent visibility via the large windows and the well positioned rear view mirrors."

Particular praise was forthcoming for the new features introduced on the latest Transit model. "Constant monitoring of the wishes of van users also resulted in some other interesting improvements," noted the 'Van of the Year' jury statement. "The dash mounted gear lever is an example of that, as is the self charging waterproof ignition key. Other examples are the addition of a new low-roof medium wheelbase variant and a new heavy duty front axle model."

The jury also appreciated the development of the new All-Wheel-Drive Transit derivative, plus the confirmation that Ford's load-adaptive Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) will be standardised on all diesel Transit van and bus models from January, 2007, with chassis cab and rear-wheeled models following later in 2007.

"The International Van of the Year jury is worried about the high and, in some European countries, still increasing number of accidents with vans. By offering ESP as standard, Ford makes an important contribution to traffic safety in the European Union," the jury statement said.

Inherent Transit strengths were also highlighted by the jury. These included the accessibility and flexibility of the large load box, Transit's security systems, the cost-of-ownership equation including low repair and maintenance costs, and Ford of Europe's extensive Commercial Vehicle Specialist dealer network.

"We are very proud of the Transit and its achievements over the last forty years," said Fleming. "Receiving the 'Van of the Year 2007' award makes us even more determined to keep Transit ahead of the competition, whatever it takes."

Visit the new Ford Transit website for more information

• Renault foresees UK van sales surge ahead of Euro 4 deadline
• New entry-level diesel Kangoo Van aims for added success – costs £755 less than current entry-level Euro 3 model. ABS and 30W CD/radio standard
• Renault calls for halt to van ABS rip-off in UK

Renault foresees rising demand for Euro 3 vans in months ahead

The deadline for light commercial vehicle Euro 4 compliance* is fast approaching, with Renault expecting a marked increase in demand for its Euro 3 vans in the UK in the next few months.

Although there are undoubted benefits associated with cleaner, more fuel efficient Euro 4 engines, many van owners are realising that Euro 3 vehicles still represent sound purchases, not least because of their immediate availability and lower list prices. As a result, many customers are expected to bring their fleet orders forward before the year end.

Renault is one of the few manufacturers to have anticipated this need in terms of both product and resource, so is now ideally placed to meet this demand from its UK customers.

Although the new Trafic and Master ranges have recently been launched with Euro 4 engines, Renault has stockpiled enough Euro 3 products to meet forecast demand and will also continue producing a Euro 3 version of its new Trafic van until mid-October. As outlined below, a new entry-level diesel Kangoo van using a Euro 3 engine is also now available.

Confirming the buying pattern which is expected to emerge in the months ahead, Renault UK’s LCV Brand Manager, Louise O’Sullivan, commented, “While some of the larger fleet operators have obviously assessed the situation and realised the cost savings associated with running Euro 3 vehicles, some sectors of the market are only just seeing the light. Therefore we’re trying to do as much as we can for our UK customers by urging any of them considering a purchase within the next few months to take advantage of this last opportunity to secure Kangoo, Trafic and Master Euro 3 models before product availability is exhausted.”

New Renault Kangoo Van SL19 D 70 Euro 3

Ideally positioned to take advantage of the expected wave of Euro 3 orders is a new version of Kangoo Van – the best-selling compact van in Europe since 2001 – the SL19 D 70 Euro 3.

The Renault Kangoo Van range is already competitively priced, so with a basic price of £9,195 - £755 less than the next model up in the SL Euro 3 range - the newcomer is set to give its rivals even more cause for concern when they see that ABS and CD/radio are both fitted as standard.

The potential for the latest addition to the Kangoo Van range to entice buyers away from other compact vans is immediately apparent when you compare it to three of its rivals.

The Ford Transit Connect looks particularly expensive by comparison, the 1.8 TDdi swb version costing £10,025 once ABS is added - £830 more than the Kangoo. A CD-radio is not even available as an option. The Kangoo Van’s two direct French rivals fare only marginally better. The Citroën Berlingo 600D X 1.9D for example, costs £50 more at £9,245, yet neither ABS or CD/radio are available as options. Its sister vehicle, the Peugeot Partner 600 L 1.9d, costs £450 more than the Kangoo Van at £9,645 once these two items of equipment have been factored into the equation.

The new Kangoo Van model offers a 1.9-litre diesel engine, with maximum power output of 65hp at 4500rpm and 120Nm torque at 2250rpm. As with the other Euro 3 models in the Kangoo Van line-up, service intervals are every 9,000 miles or two years.

The Kangoo Van SL19 D 70 Euro 3 is available to order now, priced at £9,195 excluding VAT and on the road charges. It also qualifies for four years zero per cent finance.