For today’s news visit: www.roadtransport.com32 COMMERCIAL MOTOR 09/09/10

THE BEST OF THE YEAR

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And the nominees are...

The state of the economy and a general lull between Euro-5 and Euro-6 have conspired to ensure that this won’t go down in history as

a classic year for CV launches. However, those new trucks and vans that have arrived can still fight to be the best, and this year they are joined

by an experimental category for pickups. UK jury members Andy Salter and Brian Weatherley report on the contenders.

For today’s news visit: www.roadtransport.com

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09/09/10 COMMERCIAL MOTOR 33

new truck launches haven’t exactly been thick on the

ground this year…however, the shortlist for the 2011

international Truck of the Year has thrown up an intriguing

choice for the judges.

It hasn’t been a vintage year for truck launches. Rather, for recession-hit manufacturers, it’s been a time to push those grandiose plans onto the back-burner. When customers aren’t buying, why launch trucks they can’t afford? Decades of consolidation in the industry have also left us with fewer manufacturers, which in turn reduces the number of launches each year. Moreover, as vehicles become ever-more reliable and

durable, renewal cycles have inevitably been stretched to reflect that fact. Indeed, the top-of-the-range model from the market leader in tractors in Europe – DAF – has a cab that’s been around in one form or another since 1987. So the contenders for the 2011 International Truck of the Year (IToY) is a ‘short list’ indeed, as there are just three. However, it’s a diverse trio. And here they are, with CM’s tips for any punter looking to lay-on a bet…

Volvo’s new tipper is 100% mission-matched. And there are elements in the overall FMX package that ‘regular’ FM multi-wheeler buyers will also want – like its off-road

I-Shift. Only we can’t help feeling the FMX is over-specced for the average British tipperman. But it is International Truck of the Year after all, so put the FMX down as a 12:1 possible that could sneak through on the rails.

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International Truck of the Yearshortlist:

While housebuilding and capital projects aren’t exactly thick on the ground, Volvo clearly sees a market for its beefy, ‘built for purpose’ FMX. But how relevant is it to the average operator? If you need a bullet-proof tipper for tough muckaway work, the FMX certainly looks the part, thanks to its revised front-end cab styling with a three-part steel bumper, rugged skid plate and protective bull bar. Throw in headlamp mesh protectors, a higher-mounted fuel tank, new anti-slip steps, more practical wing mirrors and a ladder that allows you to climb up and look into the body, and its off-road credentials look impressive. Changes to I-Shift ensure that Volvo’s popular two-pedal auto can handle the rigours of site work – thanks to a new Power+ mode delivering more revs when hill-climbing, a ‘hold-gear’ function to stop unwanted up-shifts, and a ‘rocking’ mode to get you out of the sticky stuff. Should you ever need pulling out of the clag, the 25-tonne-capacity tow hitch will be a welcome addition too. The latest D11 engine (available from 330hp-450hp) is an attractive lighter-weight alternative to Volvo’s 13-litre lump. Life has been made easier for bodybuilders too, with pre-installed wiring for lights, etc, and the option of 50mm increments on the rear overhang, negating the need to ‘trim’ the chassis back when fitting the rear tipping hinge and body.

M-b ATego (including hybrid)

VoLVo FMX

If Truck of the Year was decided on potential sales volumes, then the Atego’s odds would be considerably shortened – but it isn’t. Yet the latest Euro-5 versions of Merc’s six-to-16-tonne middleweight should still interest the judges. On the outside, its front-end has gained the same ‘family-look’ as the Axor and Actros. Inside, trim options and fittings have been tweaked with improved all-round storage too. The Atego’s steering wheel has also gained control buttons as standard, so you interrogate the on-board computer or adjust the radio without taking your eyes off the road. The Atego can be specced with Merc’s engine stop/start system to save fuel in urban distribution applications by up to 2.8%, which should appeal to any operator looking to hold their fuel-bill in check. Moreover, when it’s running as a drawbar, the latest Atego can be fitted with Merc’s newly developed permanent integral magnet retarder, which can reduce a driver’s reliance on his service brakes by up to 60%. The pneumatically activated unit weighs just 39kg, but provides a maximum braking power of up to 180kW. Throw in new support packages for repair and break-down services, recovery and accident assistance, right through to driver services, legal assistance and logistics services and an additional chassis guarantee, valid throughout Europe for three years/one-million km, and the Atego’s overall attractions shine through.

The Mercedes-Benz Atego is the dark horse for IToY 2011. It’s not as glamorous as the Scania, or as rugged as the Volvo, but for sheer fleet-friendliness, it has a lot going for it.

The last middleweight rigid to win IToY was in 2006 when the award went to the MAN TGL. So could the timing be right for the Mercedes Atego? Definitely worth a long-odds punt.

For today’s news visit: www.roadtransport.com34 COMMERCIAL MOTOR 09/09/10

THE BEST OF THE YEAR

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The international Van of the Year shortlist may be very short this year, but that shouldn’t detract

from the quality. UK jury member Andy Salter assesses the chances

of the three protagonists.

The nominations have closed for the 2011 International Van of the Year and the 23-strong

jury of leading commercial vehicle journalists must now decide which of the vehicles is deemed

to have made the greatest contribution to the efficient carriage of goods by road. The judges,

representing countries throughout Europe, will hand over the prestigious accolade to the winner

at the Hannover commercial vehicle exhibition on 21 September. This year’s prize fighters take

the form of the new Fiat Doblò Cargo, Mercedes-Benz Vito and the Renault/Vauxhall Master/Movano. While the Mercedes is a mild

refresh and has yet to make its UK market debut, the other two vehicles were launched to the

UK public at the CV Operator Show in Birmingham and enter the ring with strong

credentials for a good clean fight.

International Van of the Yearshortlist:

When you’ve just launched ‘The World’s Most Powerful Series Production Truck’, you can expect the world to sit up and take notice. With its latest 16.4-litre, 730hp ‘Big Banger’ topping off its revised V8 line-up, Scania will clearly attract the IToY jury’s attention.

But is that reason enough to make it Truck of the Year? The real users of the R 730 will be the handful of STGO operators regularly moving 200-tonnes-plus (and Scandinavian timber hauliers). Engineering-wise, the R 730’s all-new compacted graphite iron (CGI) block looks interesting, sharing many of the features of Scania’s smaller 13-litre in-line sixes, including its XPI common-rail fuelling system (developed jointly with Cummins), as well as pistons, cylinder heads and liners.

The 730hp V8 also gets its own special trim package befitting a fire-breathing flagship, including leather seats, special badging, xenon headlights, etc. Behind the 730hp vee sits a beefed-up 14-speed GRSO925 synchro box with the latest two-pedal Opticruise gear-changing system (launched last year) fitted as standard – doubtless to help prevent driveline abuse.

Meanwhile, if you don’t need 730hp and 3,500Nm of torque, the previous range of 15.6-litre V8s at 500hp, 560hp and 620hp is carried over for Euro-5. The real question with the new Scania V8 range is will the judges be swayed by the R730’s power-play?

scAnIA V8

IToY judges aren’t emotionless automatons. So expect ‘The World’s Most Powerful Series Production Truck’ to deliver the goods if the jury votes with its collective

‘trucking’ heart, rather than an accountant’s head. Yes, it’s a niche product. Yes, it’s irrelevant to fleet operators. Yes, we shouldn’t believe all the hype. But be prepared for the bookies to make it odds-on favourite. There’s no replacement for displacement.

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M-b VIToThe Vito gets a mild styling makeover this autumn to coincide with the launch of the new Euro-5 engine line-up. On the outside, the facelift features new headlights, grille, bumpers and tail-lights, while the interior benefits from an improved dashboard layout, with what the manufacturer calls ‘simpler controls’, and a new colour scheme throughout.

Under the bonnet sits Mercedes’ latest range of four- and six-cylinder diesel engines that are cleaner and more economical than the outgoing units, and the entire range meets the Euro-5 emissions standard. There’s now a broader spectrum of power outputs raging from 95hp up to a colossal 258hp –

making it the most powerful van when it goes on sale in the UK at the end of this year.

They say you should always back the outsider in a three-horse race, but maybe

not this time. We like the Vito as a product, but it doesn’t have the credentials for 2011 Van of the Year glory.

CM’S TIP

For today’s news visit: www.roadtransport.com 09/09/10 COMMERCIAL MOTOR 35

FIAT DobLò cArgo

We know it’s not the cleanest of fights when you have two products ganging up on the opposition, but hey, if it’s good enough for the government… There’s been plenty of debate among jury members about whether these two vehicles should be treated separately, but when the only difference between the two products is in the grille design, you can see the logic.

It will be interesting to see if the Nissan version makes it onto the shortlist for 2012.

You have to go all the way back to 1998 for the last time the Master/Movano picked up the top prize, and we’re pleased to report the new incarnation is a substantially improved machine. This is the culmination of a four-year development plan between Renault and Vauxhall, giving both companies an offering in the van sector up to 4.5 tonnes GVW.

For the first time, a rear-wheel-drive version is on offer at 3.5 tonnes with decent payload, and a significant rethink of the interior ensures the van has plenty of versatility for a variety of uses. Maintenance costs are reduced by 40% through an improvement in service intervals, as well as a number of durability measures, including the shift from a timing belt to a chain in the 2.3-litre engine and a 20% improvement in brake durability.

In-cab, there’s storage aplenty, with a number of nice touches. For instance, the fold-out clipboard from the dashboard will be welcome by multi-drop drivers who need somewhere handy to keep their notes, while the laptop housing in the centre seat will suit service engineers. Deep door pockets and umpteen other cubbyholes and bins ensure there’s space to put all your kit.

At the business end, the van is available with a maximum 17m3 loading space in high-roof, long-wheelbase format.

While the styling might not suit everyone’s tastes, the Doblò Cargo comes with a very strong list of credentials that should attract the judges’ interest. The outgoing model was crowned top van in 2006, and with 97% of the componentry changed in the new one, there’s only the name and a few other bits and bobs that carry on the original’s tradition. But things have only got better, as the new Doblò Cargo (as we’ve reported on previously) is a major step forward.

Maximum payload is an unrivalled 1,000kg in the long-wheelbase Maxi Van version, which is more than the high-volume versions of the Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy Maxi offer, while the 4.2m3 of loadspace also puts it towards the top of the league among its contemporaries – VW offers the same 4.2m3, while Ford claims 4.4m3, although the Connect needs its passenger seat folded flat to hit that figure.

The interior dimensions of the Doblò Cargo are also impressive, with a width between the

renAuLT MAsTer AnD VAuXhALL MoVAno

Whether the new Master/Movano substantially takes Renault and Vauxhall clear of the pack in the panel van sector, and thus really demonstrates its credentials for an

award such as this, is open to discussion. However, we suspect the judges will be wooed by the new Renault-Vauxhall tag team and, after a long hard slog, will give it the points decision – but it will be close.

The Fiat Doblò Cargo is bidding for a quick-fire follow-up to its 2006 success in this contest, but

when up against the 3.5-tonne panel van, lightweight vans don’t have a good hit rate in the Van of the Year contest. That said, pound-for-pound, it’s got the credentials to tackle its more muscular competitor, but may get floored by a sucker punch.

CM’S TIP

The space between the wheelarches ensures the ubiquitous Europallet can be accommodated with relative ease, while sliding doors both sides are available to suit all access requirements. Load-lashing points are built into the floor, and the sides of the van are pre-drilled for racking or other accessories.

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wheelarches of 1,230mm and a rear door aperture to match – you’d be surprised how often that’s not the case. The wheelarches give minimal loadspace intrusion and the sliding side door has an impressive 700mm-wide aperture to aid loading.

Under the bonnet, the van is powered by a choice of petrol or diesel motors, although the former is rarely seen in UK specs these days. The entry diesel model comes with the 90hp 1.25-litre diesel, packing 200Nm of torque.

Next comes the 105hp, 290Nm 1.6-litre diesel, while the range is topped off by the new 135hp 2.0-litre motor giving 320Nm of torque. The latter is only available in emissions-beating Euro-5 standard, while the other motors are also available at Euro-4. At Euro-5, all Doblò Cargos now get Start&Stop auto shut-off and restart technology as standard. This cuts the engine when the vehicle is stationary, restarting again automatically when the driver asks for power, and can cut fuel consumption by up to 15%, claims Fiat, as well as giving a 4% CO2 reduction.

For further information: www.roadtransport.com

For today’s news visit: www.roadtransport.com

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International Pickup Awardshortlist:The inaugural international

Pickup Award will be handed over at the iAA

Hannover Show later this month. Andy Salter casts his

eye over the contestants.

While the van and truck sector may have been bereft of new launches over the past 12 months, many pickup manufacturers have taken the opportunity to update their ranges. Recognising this, several members of the International Van of the Year jury organised a group test of the major players in the pickup sector to elect a winner of the first Pickup Award; this too will be handed over at the Hannover Show on 21 September.

Thanks to the team at Mondello Park in Kildare, Ireland, for the loan of their demanding off-road circuit for the day, the jury was able to put all the products through their paces. The criteria for selection was a combination of good off-road manners, durable design, as well as the

ForD rAnger/MAzDA bT50Revamped in 2009 with a freshen up of the interior and some performance enhancements, the Ford Ranger is manufactured in Malaysia and is also offered with a Mazda badge, where it takes the name BT50. Ranger has a great reputation as a hard-working, durable product, but it’s low on thrills and doesn’t offer the comfort of some of the others on trial.

That said, the engine performance is excellent and very responsive under the right boot when asked to get you out of trouble.

In a competitive field, power of the brand might push it into the top three.

CM’S TIP

Isuzu D-MAXA minor tart-up for the Isuzu D-Max keeps the product fresh. A very impressive machine, high on driver comfort without losing touch with the underfoot conditions.

It’s a lovely assured vehicle when taken into the deep mud and the engine performance allows you to make fast progress when the whips are up. However, it feels like a big heavy machine and not the most nimble vehicle of those on the shortlist. The slick auto shift did not handicap off-road performance, and the ability to switch between 4x2 and 4x4 at speeds up to 100kph is a plus.

One of our favourites to make the podium in this group, but might not be fashionable enough to gather votes for gold.

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usual operational efficiency attributes that contribute to the selection of the Van and Truck of the Year. Seven contenders lined up for the battle, with representatives from Ford, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen. All the products gave an excellent account of themselves and to say this contest is wide open would be an understatement, with all the judges we spoke to at the test giving a different view of their top three selection.

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09/09/10 COMMERCIAL MOTOR 37

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MITsubIshI L200

The Mitsubishi best off-road comfort of all these on trial, flattening out the ruts and potholes with ease on the fast off-road conditions. At 175hp and 400Nm, it is the most powerful of the vehicles on trial, which saw it come into its own for on-road performance. Not our favourite for off-road driving, but like the Isuzu, the L200 was not disadvantaged by having it on the spec sheet. Mitsubishi’s version of ESP is not as sensitive as the Navara, and off-road this paid dividends.

We’ll be surprised if the L200 isn’t fighting for honours in the final shake-up.

The seating comfort and seating position of the updated Nissan Navara means you immediately feel at ease behind the wheel, allowing you to take full advantage of a pickup that oozes assurance when put to work off-road. Of the vehicles on trial, the Navara was the only machine to bottom out in the deep off-road conditions, mainly because of the brackets holding running boards along the side of the vehicle, but a ‘best on test’ interior and layout allows the product to claw some points back.

Towards the top of this tester’s shortlist due to strong styling and good seating support. Will other judges share this view?

nIssAn nAVArA

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ToYoTA hILuXHad we held this test and election at any point in the past 10 years, the Hilux would have been odds-on to have scooped the top award, such has been the product’s position at the head of the market in our opinion. Things have moved on in the past couple of years and the Toyota pickup’s success is no longer assured. Indeed, while it remains a thoroughly competent machine, it was one of the only vehicles that struggled to do our ‘easy’ off-road track in two-wheel drive, proving a real handful. Off-road tyres may have helped the cause, although there were others wearing the same rubber without having the same problems.

It will be a shock if the Toyota’s past

glories see it across the line ahead of this competitive field.

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RBI Road Transport Group publisher Andy Salter and Biglorry-blog editor Brian Weatherley are the UK judges for International Van of the Year and International Truck of the Year respectively. For more information on IToY go to www.truck-of-the-year.com

CM’S TIP

VoLkswAgen AMArokAll the testers were eagerly awaiting their turn in the new Volkswagen Amarok, and going into the contest we’d have marked it up as favourite to scoop gold. That may still be the case, but the Amarok isn’t so far ahead of the competition as we’d been led to believe. Indeed, the gearshift is distinctly notchy and there was unexpected feedback through the steering over the ruts, which we never felt in the other front-runners. The interior layout is a delight, though, with a very spacious interior, good seats and bags of room for the second row of seats in the double-cab version.

Still the favourite to scoop the first International Pickup of the Year award, but by no means a shoe-in.