Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Extreme concept

Sprinter Extreme concept could crush opposition — and it’s real

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It’s a tough sell convincing Americans that European vehicles can make the grade when it comes to the rough stuff. If anyone can manage it, however, it’s likely to be Mercedes-Benz.

The firm recently unleashed the Sprinter Extreme concept on an unsuspecting Chicago Auto Show crowd.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Extreme concept

While the paint job adds to the wow factor, the most amazing thing about this 20′, 4-tonne beast is that the vast majority of it can already be ordered at any Mercedes dealer.

The Sprinter Sprinter Extreme wheel4×4 is a well-established production model and by ordering a chassis cab variant with a number of additional options the Sprinter Extreme can pretty much become a reality. There’s also an existing 6×6 Sprinter conversion for hardcore off-road use.

US customers may not by as familiar with Merc’s off-road heritage as we are in Europe, of course. I suspect that’s the reason for this flamboyant display at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. If you’re interested in the nitty gritty technical detail, here are some of the highlights (bearing in mind that this is intended for the US market):

  • Payload: 6,400 lbs (approx. 2,900kg)
  • Towing capacity: 4 tons
  • Powertrain: 2.0-litre BlueTEC diesel combined with 7-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission
  • Scattolini ScattoMaax tipper bed
  • Beadlock wheels and off-road tyres with long-travel suspension

US customers can buy the Sprinter from Freightliner dealers and are able to specify many of the options seen on the Sprinter Extreme through Freightliner’s MasterUpfitter program.

SMMT: CV output rolling year Feb 2008-Feb 2016

CV export growth offsets flagging UK demand in February

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UK commercial vehicle production rose by a modest 1.5% in February, according to the latest figures from the SMMT.

This bland total hides a big divide in the figures, however. Production to meet export orders rose by 19.9% to 4,452 units, while home demand fell by 13.2% to 4,019 units.

This means that export demand accounted for 52.6% — a majority — of production. A year ago the split was in favour of home demand, with just 44.5% of CVs produced in the UK going for export:

SMMT CV manufacturing Feb 16

Data courtesy of SMMT (www.smmt.co.uk)

The growth in export demand is good news for the UK’s economy and suggests to me that the economies of major eurozone countries are continuing to recover.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:

“February’s positive CV output, while more subdued than in January, continued to reflect buoyant demand for British-built vans, trucks, buses and coaches. Once again, the ongoing recovery in European markets was the driving factor, with output for export growing for the seventh consecutive month, and up by more than a third for the year to date.”

With total production up by 10.5% so far this year, the outlook for the UK’s CV industry appears fairly strong. As the graph below shows, manufacturers have made steady progress since the low point of last February:

SMMT: CV output rolling year Feb 2008-Feb 2016

Money

Van hire discount codes 24/03/2016: last chance before Easter!

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With Easter almost upon us, there are only a few hours left to book and collect a hire van for the Easter Weekend!

Here are the latest van hire discount codes on vanrental.co.uk as of 24 March 2016.

PLUS we’ve got a 5% discount code for Questor Van Hire Excess Insurance. If you’ve already hired a van but not yet collected it, this could be a good way of reducing your insurance costs.

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Hertz logo largeSave up to 15% On Hertz Van Rental in March

If you need to hire a van or a minibus in March, then you could SAVE up to 15% with Hertz Van Rental.

This great new discount code will only be valid until 31 March 2016.

Here are the details:

  • Booking period: 1 March 2016 – 31 March 2016
  • Pick-up period: 1 March 2016 – 31 March 2016
  • DISCOUNT CODE: 780855

Visit Hertz website and save up to 15%

 

 

 

Some terms and conditions do apply to this offer. For full terms and conditions, please see the Hertz website.

** THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED **

Save up to 10% on Europcar logoEuropcar van hire!

Save up to 10% on Europcar van hire in March:

  • Valid until 23 March 2016 for pick-up dates until 27 April 2016
  • Europcar has a Price Match Guarantee!

Some limitations do apply to this offer, see the Europcar website for full terms and conditions:

 

 

Save 5% on Questor Van Hire Excess insurance

** THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED **

Save 5% on Questor Van Hire Excess insurance with this discount code:

Use Discount Code: 
Valid: Until further notice

Click here to visit the Questor Insurance website

(If you need to know more about van hire insurance, check out our guide here)

 

Sixt logoSave 10% on Sixt Van Rental (EXCLUSIVE)

Our exclusive 10% discount for Sixt UK van hire is still available.

All you have to do to benefit from this discount is click through to the Sixt website using the pink button below:

Save 10% on Sixt van rental

 

 

 

 

Remember: You can also see details of all of these offers in the “Our Companies” section on the home page.

Europcar van hire

Lincoln Wickes offers hourly van hire this Easter thanks to Europcar

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Europcar van hire

Europcar vans will be available for £17 per hour at Wickes in Lincoln this Easter weekend.

Europcar is one of a handful of big hire companies which offer hourly van hire in the UK (another is Hertz).

This service is very popular with customers, but is harder for hire companies to operate profitably — hence its limited availability.

Hourly hire comes into its own for short distance moves in towns and cities.

Picking up large furniture or DIY purchases is a good example. To try and capture some of this market and presumably trial a new service, Europcar is making two VW Crafter vans available at the Lincoln branch of Wickes this Easter weekend.

Europcar’s research shows that nearly 20% of 35-44 year olds have admitted to driving an overloaded car. This is surprisingly easy to do when purchasing DIY supplies, given the weight of quite small items. A standard bags of gravel, sand or cement weighs 25kg. Tiles and paving are also very heavy for their size.

The vans will be available for just £17 per hour, according to Europcar UK boss Ken McCall. Commenting on the Wickes initiative, Mr McCall said:

“An overloaded car presents visibility issues and could compromise vehicle handling, not to mention being uncomfortable and probably requiring multiple journeys.“

If you are planning a big DIY job or house move this weekend and will be hiring a van, Europcar has also provided the following tips to help make sure that you and your load arrive safely at their destination.

  • Remember to distribute cargo evenly to ensure the van handles correctly
  • Load the largest, heaviest items first such as appliances or furniture and keep them upright
  • Use padding to protect corners or wooden surfaces – this will help you slide heavier items into the van
  • Use spare mattress protectors to cover sofas and mattresses and place them on their sides against the walls of the van to save space
  • Dis-assemble bed frames, tables and desks but making sure you tape the pieces together
  • Roll-up rugs and carpets and tape these at each end and in the middle and place these on the bottom on the van
  • Put heavy boxes at the bottom then stack the lighter boxes on top
  • Slide long items such as floor lamps in along the sides of the van
  • Place odd-shaped items on the top of your load if they are light enough or place them last in the van ensuring that they don’t move around when being transported
  • Pack all items as tightly as you can to prevent anything breaking whilst on the move

If you’re still worried, check out our guides on driving a van for the first time and how to do a DIY removal job.

Volkswagen-Startup Direct City office van

Volkswagen converts Transporters into startup office space

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According to research commissioned by Volkswagen from the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR), van dependent businesses contributed £120bn to the UK economy and travelled almost 102bn kilometres in 2014 alone.

Apparently, the number of registered commercial vehicles in the UK has risen by 400% since 2009, suggesting that the economic recovery has triggered a big surge in demand for goods and services delivered by van.

There’s also been a big shift to self employment. According to the CEBR, there’s been a 17.5% rise in self employment since 2009. One million new businesses have registered over that period. By 2017, the CEBR expects there to be 11.7m start-up businesses in the UK — including 3.4m “pop-up experiences”.

In an interesting new partnership, Volkswagen has joined forces with start-up loan specialists Startup Direct to offer its network of businesses hot-desking space in two uniquely designed sixth-generation Transporter vans.

Startup Direct Volkswagen office van

Startup Direct’s ‘City Office’ van — a converted VW Transporter T6

One is designed as a ‘Creative Hub’ complete with grass carpet and woodland to give the perfect ambience for brain-storming and idea generation. A whiteboard, beanbags and funky accessories complete the experience.

Volkswagen-Startup Direct Creative Hub

The second, installed in a high-roof Transporter, is the ‘Power Office’: views of the City, leather chairs and a wooden desk allow any aspiring CEO to live the executive life – in the back of a van.

Volkswagen-Startup Direct City office van

Commenting on the research and event, Carl zu Dohna, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said:

“Commercial vehicles play a huge role in start-up and small businesses and we’re proud to supply the future drivers of British business with vehicles that help to deliver their goods and services.

“We admire the entrepreneurial minds of those in the UK who have continued to take risks and challenged traditional business industries in establishing exciting and forward-thinking new start-ups that use our vehicles. We know office space can often be at a premium; by working with Startup Direct we intend to offer individuals and businesses unique working spaces to inspire them.”

I’m not sure how many board meetings I’d want to attend in a van, but I suspect these promotional vehicles will help to reinforce the Volkswagen Transporter’s enviable image as the coolest and most adaptable medium van on the market.

Money

Budget 2016: How will van tax change?

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MoneyThis year’s budget contained few real changes for van owners, but there will be modest inflation-linked increases in road tax (vehicle excise duty) for vans from April:

VED for 2016/17 for vans registered before 1 March 2001:

  • Engine size 1,549cc and below: £145 (no change)
  • Engine size above 1,549cc: £235 (up £5)

VED for 2016/17 for vans registered on or after 1 March 2001:

  • Euro 4 and Euro 5 compliant vans: £140 (no change)
  • All other vans: £230 (up £5)

What about other taxes?

VAT: Businesses that are VAT registered can reclaim the VAT paid when purchasing a van.

For vans that are also used privately, only part of the VAT can be reclaimed, in proportion to the amount of business use. So if 75% of your van usage is for business, you can reclaim 75% of VAT.

BiK (Benefit in Kind): Drivers that are provided with company vans which they can also use privately have to pay Benefit-in-Kind tax.

This is calculated using your income tax rate on a fixed value of £3,000. So a 20% tax payer would have to pay 0.2 x 3000 = £600 per year in BiK tax. That’s £50 per month.

Vans used for business are generally expected to be kept on work premises overnight and at weekends, although they can be used for commuting between home and a place of work. However, they cannot be used for any other personal use.

The same rules apply to double-cab pick ups, which have become popular company vehicles as they are treated as commercial vehicles for BiK tax, and attract a lower rate of BiK tax than many upmarket cars.

Future Display Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport

Eye candy Vito Sport is rolling advert for shopfitting specialist

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Appearances count, says Simon Heaps, Managing Director of Future Display & Shopfitting:

“All the client sees when we are on site is our staff and our vehicle, so we can’t turn up in a battered old van. It is essential that we present ourselves in a professional manner, because this reassures customers about the quality of our service and workmanship.”

Unsurprisingly, Mr Heaps is a big fan of Mercedes-Benz vans and recently added a new model Vito Sport to his fleet, alongside two larger Sprinter vans. The Vito Sport is a real piece of eye candy and definitely ticks all the boxes in the image stakes.

Future Display Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport

Future’s new van is a long-bodied 116 BlueTEC Vito Sport, equipped with 17″ alloy wheels, colour-coded bumpers and chrome trim and sidebars. Under the bonnet is Merc’s 2.1-litre, 163bhp twin-turbo diesel, which boasts combined cycle fuel consumption of 47.1mpg.

The van clearly serves as a rolling advert for Future’s business and the firm’s choice of a smaller van means that it is used for site surveys and smaller jobs where access may be difficult for larger vans.

Jeep Comanche concept

Jeep unveils butch Comanche concept pick-up: a potential winner?

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Here in the UK, Jeep is best-known for its upmarket American-style SUVs. But in the USA, the company has a devout following of off-road enthsuiasts.

Many of these loyal fans come together in Moab, Utah each spring for the Jeep Safari event. This year is the 50th annual Jeep Safari and will coincide with the company’s 75% anniversary. So it’s a big deal.

To market the occasion, Jeep has come up with an extra-special range of rugged concept vehicles, all of which will be in action at the Easter Jeep Safari. Top of the list for a vehicle which might actually be a viable production model is the muscular Comanche pick-up, which is based on the current Jeep Renegade:

Jeep Comanche concept

The Jeep Comanche concept is based on a Jeep Renegade but with some modifications…

The Comanche’s “Beige Against the Machine” concept exterior paint is accented with a Satin Black hood, a concept lower front fascia, winch, steel rear bumper, soft top, and spare tire in the bed. The wheelbase has been stretched an additional six inches versus a production Renegade to accommodate Comanche’s 5-foot bed.

Inside, the Comanche features custom seat covers, pedal covers, door sill guards, and Mopar all-weather mats. Jeep Performance Parts like off-road rock rails, a 2-inch lift kit and a winch bolster the Comanche’s off-road capability. The Comanche rolls on 16-inch painted wheels and 32-inch BF-Goodrich All Terrain T/A tyres.

However, what’s most interesting (remembering that this is the USA, home of big engines and cheap petrol) is that the Jeep Comanche is powered by a 2.0-liter diesel I-4 engine, mated Jeep’s smooth 9-speed automatic transmission.

Is Jeep using this year’s event to try and persuade their most loyal customers that small, modern diesels are man enough to power these big off roaders?

Maybe not…

One of the other models due to be in action at the Jeep Safari is the Jeep Trailcat. Based on the Jeep Wrangler, the Trailcat is being billed as the ultimate off-road machine. Shoe-horned under the bonnet is a 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V-8 engine, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

This result is a 707-horsepower beast that rides on 39.5-inch BF-Goodrich Krawler tyres, front and rear Dana 60 axles and Fox shocks. Subtle isn’t the word, but Jeep reckons that the interior is “simple yet functional”.

Jeep Trailcat 2016

The Jeep Trailcat is a one-off concept for the 2016 Jeep Safari. Based on a Jeep Wranger, it features a 6.2-liter HEMI V8 and 39.5″ tyres.

Innovate Signs Mercedes-Benz vans

The signs are right as Innovate renews Mercedes fleet

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Reliability, fuel efficiency and safety were three of the factors behind Innovate Signs’ continued loyalty to Mercedes-Benz vans.

The Whiteley, Hampshire based manufacturer and installer of retail signage has just replaced its van fleet with its third consecutive set of Mercedes vans.

Innovate Signs Mercedes-Benz vans

The new line-up comprises four 20th Anniversary Special Edition Sprinter 316 CDIs, a Vito 114 BlueTEC crew van and a Citan 109 CDI. All are Long-bodied variants and the subject of flexible, low-cost Agility hire purchase agreements from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.

Founded by Managing Director Lee Devitt in 2001, Innovate Signs offers design, manufacturing and installation services, and works throughout the UK and most of Europe. Its impressive customer base includes the likes of JD Sports, One Stop, Schuh, Bensons for Beds and Harveys.

The firm acquired its first Mercedes-Benz Vans in 2009 and replaced them three years later with a second set, which have just been bought back by Pentagon. The new vans have lined up alongside a 63-registered Vito which is ‘out of sync’ with the rest.

It is the first time that Innovate Signs has operated a vehicle from the small Citan range introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 2013. Mr Devitt explained:

“Because of its size we’re using the Citan for local jobs, and those where access and parking are issues. It’s proving to be a valuable addition to the fleet.

The Special Edition Sprinter was introduced to mark the two decades that have passed since the all-conquering model’s launch. Just 1,200 vans benefited from ‘Sprinter 20’ badging on the front wing and a unique option bundle including air conditioning, sat nav, a driver’s Comfort seat with arm rest, wheel trims and a chrome grille – this package was worth over £2,000, but put just £750 on the retail cost of the vehicle.

Mr Devitt said:

“We were getting horrendous fuel economy from the vans we were running prior to 2009, but since making the switch to Mercedes-Benz we’ve never looked back.

“Its vehicles are built to an exceptionally high standard, reliable, fuel-efficient and comfortable, as well as leading the field in terms of safety. Features such as Brake Assist and Crosswind Assist are very reassuring to operators like me, who are conscious of their Duty of Care responsibilities both to employees and to other road users.

Innovate Signs’ Sprinters will each clock-up some 200,000 miles over the next three years.

Van hire discount offers 11 March 2016

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In this week’s van hire discount update, we have offers from Hertz, Europcar, Sixt and Questor van hire excess insurance.

If you’re moving house or planning a big DIY project over Easter, you’re spoilt for choice!

—

Hertz logo largeSave up to 15% On Hertz Van Rental in March

If you need to hire a van or a minibus in March, then you could SAVE up to 15% with Hertz Van Rental.

This great new discount code will only be valid until 31 March 2016.

Here are the details:

  • Booking period: 1 March 2016 – 31 March 2016
  • Pick-up period: 1 March 2016 – 31 March 2016
  • DISCOUNT CODE: 780855

Visit Hertz website and save up to 15%

 

 

 

Some terms and conditions do apply to this offer. For full terms and conditions, please see the Hertz website.

Save up to 10% on Europcar logoEuropcar van hire!

Save up to 10% on Europcar van hire in March:

  • Valid until 23 March 2016 for pick-up dates until 27 April 2016
  • Europcar has a Price Match Guarantee!

Some limitations do apply to this offer, see the Europcar website for full terms and conditions:

Up to 10% off Europcar van hire

 

 

 

Save 5% on Questor Van Hire Excess insurance

** THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED **

Save 5% on Questor Van Hire Excess insurance with this discount code:

Use Discount Code: 
Valid: Until further notice

Click here to visit the Questor Insurance website

(If you need to know more about van hire insurance, check out our guide here)

 

Sixt logoSave 10% on Sixt Van Rental (EXCLUSIVE)

Our exclusive 10% discount for Sixt UK van hire is still available.

All you have to do to benefit from this discount is click through to the Sixt website using the pink button below:

Save 10% on Sixt van rental

 

 

 

 

Remember: You can also see details of all of these offers in the “Our Companies” section on the home page.