Face lift Kangoo really hits the contract hire and leasing van spot
Renault have launched the face lift Kangoo, is it better than the outgoing model
Mercedes-Benz, Renault and Fiat decided that this van sector is sexy. So they got together and came up with the Citan/Doblo and now the new Kangoo. Thanks to the new Transit Connect and existing products, the choice in this market is wider than most. Most vans in the sector are good lookers, but to be honest, they are all beginning to look the same
That said, it is really popular and this size of van is ideal for a small business. In most cases, any van in this range can easily carry a pallet and in some cases two. But if you line all the rivals up side by side and give a company choice of their new contract hire vans, I dare say that you would be getting really close up before most customers can tell one from the other
Standard of build, economy and considerations of service intervals and economy are becoming the strongest factors for choosing a new company van. Renault van ergonomics are as usual superb, button quality and dash design has carried over much from the latest Clio, which is cute and well thought out. Mercedes-Benz can do little to distinguish the Citan from the Doblo and Kangoo, but the dash and switch gear is pure Merc and any fan of the brand will be immediately at home
The Kangoo has a load bed of 2.72 metres and in this market that is superb. It is of course the same as its siblings, the collaboration has brought about a well thought out design.
Noticeable after driving the Renault is that the Mercedes-Benz Citan is targeted at a German audience with harder seats. The Merc would be my choice for covering 200 miles, but more local trips would always see me in the Kangoo for the softer seats.
Of the three, the Renault is slightly more economical, the Fiat is slightly cheaper and the Mercedes Benz offers 24 hour servicing across the UK. You pay your money and take your choice.
FORD Transit Connect Wins International Van of the Year 2014
Having won the award in 2013 for the Transit Custom, Ford have won it again in 2014 with the Connect. No manufacturer has ever won it two years running but Ford have worked hard to achieve levels of safety, economy and quality that have simply not been seen before in the van market.
The ECOnetic model is sure to be the best seller, with economy of 70.6 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 105g/km. In anticipation of expected new benefit in kind rules for commercials as well as cars, Ford has shot the first salvo with this van. Vanlease UK are taking orders now for delivery late in the year.
Renault have manufactured their 10.000th Kangoo ZE
In France, the Kangoo ZE is easily the best selling electric vehicle and the best-selling electric commercial in Europe. Subsidies in France are more significant than the UK and charging points are more plentiful. The sister electric vehicle to it is the NV200 van and the City of London Corporation is set to order some to add to its fleet of vehicles. They have been using a Nissan Leaf on trial and are apparently impressed. Other large cities in the UK are also looking at electric vehicles, including Liverpool and Manchester
VW have grown their Bluemotion range to now include the Caddy Bluemotion
The Caddy Bluemotion has been launched we impressive economy figures of 62.8 mpg and a CO2
emissions of 117g/km. It will be launched in short wheel base form with van and kombi options
