RAC goes automatic with first UK spec new Vito

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RAC Mercedes VitoThe RAC has just taken delivery of the first right-hand drive Mercedes-Benz New Vito to roll off the German marque’s production line.

The van, which bears the private registration plate P1 RAC, will be used by RAC Patrol Ben Wilson, who has just been crowned as the RAC’s Patrol Ambassador of the Year.

Vitos have been a fixture in the RAC fleet since 2005, and the organisation remains a fan of the model. One reason for this is that it is available with rear-wheel drive, which is unusual in this size of van.

The RAC prefers rear-wheel drive as it provides superior traction for towing, using the fold-down towing trailer fitted as standard to RAC patrol vans. The Vito’s compact size makes it well suited to urban use, where the van can safely access multi-storey car parks when the light bar is folded down.

Interestingly, although AA vans use a similar fold-down towing frame, the AA doesn’t seem to have the same preference for rear-wheel drive: it has just taken delivery of 500 new front-wheel drive VW Transporter vans for its fleet.

RAC Vito towing car

Rear-wheel drive provides superior traction when towing, especially in the wet or when going uphill

Getting back to the RAC’s new Vito, a fairly high level of specification has been chosen.  The van is a 116 CDi long wheelbase, 3.2t model, powered by a 163 hp Euro 6 BlueTEC engine. Power is transmitted to the wheels via Mercedes’ optional 7G-Tronic Plus automatic gearbox. This is unique in the van sector for being a (traditional) torque converter automatic with seven gears and is an interesting choice, for the RAC.

The vehicle carries the RAC’s distinctive orange livery, and has been racked out by Bri-Stor systems to carry a full inventory of 500 tools and parts that each RAC patrol carries, as well as fuel and a special folding trailer for cars that require towing.

The RAC is currently in talks to acquire a further 42 New Vitos, all of which will be equipped with automatic transmissions.

Michelin CrossClimate all-season tyre wins landmark 13,000 van fleet deal

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British Gas van with Michelin CrossClimate all-season tyreI’m a huge fan of all-season tyres. For the majority of UK motorists, switching between summer and winter tyres twice a year just isn’t worthwhile.

Despite this, the traffic chaos that results from even the tiniest amount of snow proves that as a nation, we do have a traction problem when frozen water is involved.

I have all-season tyres fitted to both the vehicles in my household (one van and one car) and they’ve proved their worth more than once in winter conditions, providing grip while cars with summer tyres were visibly sliding around.

I’m certain they prevented at least one crash last winter. At the same time, they perform well in summer.

However, for reasons I cannot understand, all-season tyres are not widely available in the UK. Mainstream tyre retailers like Kwik-Fit only seem to offer summer and winter tyres. I think it’s a marketing thing — I was once told by a Goodyear PR person that they were not interested in selling their all-season tyres in the UK. (I buy mine through mytyres.co.uk, which is a German company shipping to fitting centres in the UK. All-season tyres are widely sold in Europe.)

Luckily, this short-sighted approach is starting to change. Earlier this year, Michelin launched the CrossClimate, a new type of all-season tyre that has received rave reviews and proved to be the equal of both winter and summer tyres in the highly-regarded German TUV and DEKRA tests.

The main difference between the CrossClimate and other all-season tyres is said to be that the CrossClimate is a summer tyre adapated to work in winter, whereas most all-season tyres are winter tyres adapted to work in summer. This means they often work less well in summer than in winter. My experience chimes with this, although the difference is slight, in my view.

However, perhaps the biggest difference is that Michelin has got its act together and is actively marketing the CrossClimate in the UK, to both fleet and retailer buyers.

Michelin’s latest big win is a deal to fit the CrossClimate to 13,000 British Gas vans. The tyres will be fitted as original equipment where possible and aftermarket needs will be taken care of by ATS Euromaster, which has previously described the CrossClimate as a “true game-changer” for the UK fleet sector.

The CrossClimate tyre is currently available in 23 dimensions, covering 76% of all car and car-derived van tyres in sizes from 15 to 17 inches, with Michelin to launch additional sizes next year.

I assume this means that the CrossClimate will be fitted to British Gas’s VW Caddy and similar vans, but not to larger models like the Transit and VW Transporter, as these would require larger, commercial-rated tyres.

Like all good all-season tyres and winter tyres, the CrossClimate carries the Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake (3PMSF) approval symbol, which means it is approved for use in countries where winter tyre use is a legal requirement at certain times of year.

Michelin appears to have raised the bar in the all-season tyre market and almost single-handedly introduced this type of tyre to the UK market. This is good news for motorists, and it will be interesting now to see how other manufacturers respond.

All-new Mitsubishi L200 hits UK in September

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Mitsubishi L200 Series 5 front viewThe current Mitsubishi L200 has proved one of the most popular pick-up models in the UK since its launch in 2006, outselling all of its competitors.

The market doesn’t stand still, however, and the standard of competition has changed considerably since then, not least because all other pick-up models seem to have got larger.

Mitsubishi’s all-new L200 Series 5 will go on sale in the UK in September, with prices starting from £19,749 for the entry level double cab 4Life model and rising to a starting price of £23,799 for the range-topping Barbarian version.

The chassis and body have been updated to cut weight, increase space and improve interior comfort, although Mitsubishi’s distinctive ‘J’ curve body design will remain, helping to distinguish the L200 from its competitors.

Combined load bed capacity and towing capability will rise to 4,100kg, a best-in-class figure, although assuming the payload is 1,000kg, that leaves 3,100kg for towing capacity. That’s typical, rather than outstanding — although I haven’t confirmed this assumed breakdown of the 4,100kg figure with Mitsubishi.

Mitsubishi L200 series 5 rear view

There will initially be a single engine option, offering 178bhp and 430Nm of torque at 2,500 rpm, via a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.  At 10.4 seconds, the new L200 will be two seconds quicker to 62 mph than its predecessor.

For the legions of owners who only use their pick-ups on road, this could be an attractive proposition. Combined cycle fuel consumption of 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 169g/km are also a positive. As most L200s will be used on road, a 2-second improvement in the 0-62mph time, which drops to a respectable 10.4 seconds, will be welcome, as will the availability of lane departure warning, trailer stability assist, hill start assist and ABS with electronic brake force distribution.

Mitsubishi L200 Series 5 cab interior

The L200 is almost certain to be a success, although drivers who spend most of their time on small country roads may lament the fact that like all its peers, the new L200 is a little wider than the outgoing model…

Mercedes-Benz Citan wins alarm deal as Merc’s small van gamble pays off

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Alsecure Mercedes-Benz Citan vanManchester-based security specialist Alsecure Group Ltd has joined a growing list of companies who are switching to the Mercedes-Benz Citan, justifying Merc’s decision to add a small van to its range.

Alsecure had previously avoided the German marque because of its lack of small van models, but the availability of the Citan has changed the picture and Alsecure recently replaced three older vehicles with new Citans.

The firm’s three new vans are all Citan 109 CDI crew vans. Supplied by local Dealer Roanza, they have replaced the people-carrier cars used previously by engineers who fit and maintain alarm and CCTV systems, and the like, for Alsecure’s electronics division.

“For a long time Mercedes-Benz vans were too big for our purposes,” recalled Managing Director Rob Barry. “But following the launch of the Citan small van a couple of years ago, the manufacturer now offers a vehicle which is much better suited to our application.”

Alsecure’s Citan crew vans are fitted with second rows of seats so each can carry a driver and up to four passengers, while their Extra-long body length means they also retain a useful load area.

The operator additionally specified its Citans with optional Driver’s Packs, which include electric folding door mirrors, centre armrests with stowage compartments, air-conditioning and Parktronic proximity sensors.

“We had a close look at the Citan, and Roanza let us try one out to see how it worked in our operation,” continued Mr Barry. “The crew van configuration is ideal for our operation, as we often have to carry teams of engineers as well as their tools and equipment.

“The fuel economy of the demonstrator was excellent too, while at every 24,000 miles the Citan’s service intervals are much longer than those of the vehicles we stood down. These factors, coupled with the reliability for which Mercedes-Benz is renowned, mean we’re looking forward to a significant reduction in overall running costs.”

The Citans will be serviced and maintained in Roanza’s Manchester workshop, which is open round-the-clock from 6am on Mondays to 7pm on Saturdays, as well as from 7am-7pm on Sundays.

“The fact that we can drop a vehicle off at the end of our working day and pick it up again next morning ready to go, is a huge benefit,” added Mr Barry.

Alsecure was established in 1968 and provides a wide range of guarding, key-holding and alarm response services, alongside electronic security measures, to customers across the UK.

Search and rescue Amarok uses eye in the sky to find missing persons

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Surrey Search & Rescue VW AmarokSurrey Search & Rescue (SurSAR) has updated its fleet with a new Volkswagen Amarok pick-up for use by the organisation’s Lowland Rescue Unit, which operates in England’s most densely wooded county.

Specialising in the rescue of missing people, SurSAR covers large areas of wilderness on a day-to-day basis, and required a vehicle that could perform on all terrains.

The Amarok was chosen thanks to its combination of innovative technology including ESP and off-road ABS, and an impressive load area of 2.5m2. This isn’t the first time the model has been chosen for its off-road rescue capability, either.

The Amarok has been converted to purpose for SurSAR’s search and rescue operations and is the first of its kind to be in active service in the UK. Working as SurSAR’s initial response vehicle, the Amarok carries essential medical equipment and is fitted with the latest GPS tracking technology.

The Amarok’s permanent 4MOTION four-wheel drive system delivers optimal off-road performance and gives the team the ability to tackle steep gradients of up to 45° and power through water depths of up to half a metre.

The Amarok has also been equipped to work with the unit’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), better known as a drone. The rear of the Amarok is fitted with a fold-out monitor on which rescue workers can view a video feed from the unit’s UAV. This is fitted with cameras to enable the team to search the surrounding area for any changes in terrain or colour that might indicate a missing person.

In terrain with limited visibility, being able to zoom in on the search area from above could save hours of searching — and potentially save lives.

Scottish island airport chooses Nissan Navara for extreme conditions

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Inverness Airport Nissan Navara

Inverness Airport’s new Nissan Navara fire command vehicle alongside the airport’s 32-tonne airport fire appliance

If you drove 2,000 miles a month, you’d probably expect to be covering some distance away from your home or work. But Stornoway Airport’s new Nissan Navara covers this distance every month without leaving the airport site.

The main reason for this is that the specially-equipped pick-up acts as a mobile bird scarer, fitted with high-powered external speakers, that’s used to clear huge colonies of birds away from the runway at Stornway Airport, which is on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Herbrides.

The truck is part of a diverse 100-strong fleet operated by Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd, which is responsbie for operating most of the airports scattered across the Scottish Highlands, Northern Isles and Western Isles.

Another recently-purchased Navara has been kitted out as a specialist fire command vehicle – complete with blue light pack and ground to tower radio system – and is now in operation with highly trained firefighters at Inverness Airport.

Paul Rodden, Chief Engineer and fleet manager at Highlands and Islands Airports, said:

“We went through a procurement procedure three years ago and Nissan came out on top. They were the only manufacturer that could supply vehicles that met our brief.

“Since then we’ve not been disappointed – the vehicles we’ve had have been up to any job and Nissan and Dicksons have been great at helping us maintain the fleet, much of which is scattered across remote areas where there are no dealerships.”

The Navara is available with a choice of 2.5dCi and 3.0 V6 dCi diesel engines. It has a payload of up to 1,250kg and a towing capacity of 3,000kg.

CV production trucks on with 54.5% rise in June

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This year’s surging commercial vehicle (CV) production isn’t news anymore. We’ve covered it every month this year. Yet June’s figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) were impressive, even by 2015 standards.

Both UK and export demand rose by more than 50%. Exports typically go to the EU and have been somewhat depressed this year, thanks to the combination of nationalistic vehicle buyers and depressed economies that make up the eurozone (I’ll leave you to decide which countries I’m referring to…).

Total manufacturing output rose by 54.5% to 9,805 units in June, a stunning increase on last year’s total of 6,348. Here’s how the figures break down:

CV manufacturing June-14 June-15 % Change YTD-14 YTD-15 % Change
Total 6,348 9,805 54.5% 37,460 48,677 29.9%
Home 3,054 4,769 56.2% 18,598 24,471 31.6%
Export 3,294 5,036 52.9% 18,862 24,206 28.3%
% export 51.9% 51.4% 51.2% 49.7%

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

This is great news for the UK economy. It may be no coincidence, too, that Britain’s automotive firms employ some of the most productive employees in Britain. According to a news story that’s been widely covered this week, productivity in the UK car industry is 35% higher than in 2010. Employees generate £100,000 per year in added value, more than twice the national average of £46,000.

I assume the same figures apply to employees at Britain’s commercial vehicle manufacturers — almost certainly in the case of Vauxhall, the UK’s largest volume CV manufacturer, as it also makes cars.

The reasons for this impressive performance seem to be modern, heavily automated factories, well-trained and loyal staff who are paid reasonably well, and a desirable product for which demand is currently very strong.

Unsurprisingly, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes is bullish about prospects going forward:

“Today’s figures are encouraging for the sector, with demand for British-built vans, trucks and buses all on the rise. The UK commercial vehicle industry has experienced some turbulence in the recent past, with restructuring of some operations and changes to type approval affecting output. It is good to see the recovery continuing, and we are optimistic about the future with demand continuing to grow both in the UK and in Europe.”

However, while the car industry is hitting new records for production, it’s worth remembering that only a few years ago, the CV sector was cranking out more than twice as many vans and trucks as it is today:

SMMT CV manufacturing June 2015

Rolling year CV output, June 2008 – June 2015 (graph courtesy of SMMT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A return to past levels of production seems unlikely, due as the big loss is due to the closure of volume plants such as Ford’s Southampton Transit plant, which are unlikely to return to the UK from cheaper climes abroad (Turkey, in Ford’s case).

Good news, although the evident success of UK-based automotive manufacturers has made me wonder. Was the move to offshore manufacturing driven by more attractive economic fundamentals, or simply the desire to avoid the costs of updating old UK factories?

After 250,000 miles in 3 years, it’s same again for minibus firm

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Arnald Cars Mercedes-Benz Vito TourerNo recommendation is more powerful than personal experience, and Dunstable-based private hire firm Arnald Cars didn’t hesitate when it came time to replace their 3-year old Mercedes-Benz Vito Traveliner, which had done 250,000 miles in just three years.

According to Arnald boss Colin Hall, the outgoing model was “impressively reliable and robust”, so Mr Hall and his wife Teresa had no doubts about replacing it with one of the first new model Vito Tourers to hit UK roads.

The Halls’ new Vito is a 9-seater, extra-long wheelbase 119 BlueTEC model, with optional rear-wheel drive and a Euro 6 2.1-litre, 190 hp diesel engine. Connecting wheels to engine is Mercedes’ 7G-Tronic Plus transmission, the world’s only automatic gearbox for vans with a torque converter and seven gears.

Despite the van’s size, however, a series of fuel-saving enhancements including alternator management, improved underbody aerodynamics and the ECO start/stop function, mean it should offer fuel economy of up to 47.1 mpg on the combined cycle.

Mr Hall says that Mercedes quality and brand image are an ideal complement to the ethos of his business:

“We pride ourselves on the quality of our friendly and reliable executive service, which explains why all of our drivers are CRB-checked, first aid-trained and fully licensed. The New Vito combines a stunning appearance with exemplary comfort levels, while the Mercedes-Benz brand image can only enhance customer perceptions of our business.”

The Halls’ new Vito is fully specced up for a high quality luxury taxi service. On the outside, the vehicle is smartly finished in metallic brilliant silver with colour-coded bumpers and 16-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, to which the customer added optional roof rails and fog lamps.

Inside, passengers don’t need to worry about summer heatwaves. The van’s range-topping SELECT specification includes comfort seating, TEMPMATIC air conditioning, and a carpeted passenger compartment, as well as a lighting package.

The driver will benefit from automatic Headlamp Assist function and a rain sensor which controls windscreen wiper frequency, along with an optional Parking Package and electric sliding doors.

 

 

Save 10% on Hertz Van Rental: EXCLUSIVE Discount Code [EXPIRED]

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Hertz van supersiteSaving money on van hire just got easier! For this week only, we have an exclusive 10% discount code for Hertz Van Rental.

The code is valid for pick-up periods from 20 July 2015 until 16 August 2015, so planning ahead now could deliver big savings.

Here are the details:

**THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED**

  • Offer: Save 10% on Hertz Van Rental (and get Nectar points)
  • Start: 20 July 2015
  • Expires: 26 July 2015
  • Pick-up period: Valid for pick up dates from 20 July 2015 until 16 August 2015
  • DISCOUNT CODE: 778648

 

Terms and conditions may apply, see Hertz website for details.

Volkswagen Transporter is newest choice for AA patrol fleet

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AA Patrol VW TransportersThe AA is adding 500 Volkswagen Transporter vans to its patrol fleet, including around 70 all-wheel drive 4MOTION models.

The Transporters will be painted in the AA’s distinctive yellow trademark colour at the Volkswagen factory in Hannover.

The vehicles will also be converted for purpose with specialist racking to accommodate the AA’s tow system, tools and additional equipment.

I’m not sure whether the AA fleet is switching wholesale to VW or whether the breakdown operator is adopting a mixed-marque policy. The Transporter has been used before, notably the T4 model. Recent years have also seen both the Ford Transit and Vauxhall Vivaro used as patrol vehicles by the AA, which seems to have less brand loyalty than it once did.

However, there’s no doubt that the Transporter is a high quality and capable choice that scores highly in the image department. VW’s network of more than 70 dedicated Van Centres around the UK also means that support should not be a problem, should problems arise.