Ford Transit Connect

Making its first appearance at the show was Ford’s Transit Connect upgrade. Not available until later next year, the Connect range drops Ford’s venerable 1.8-litre diesel in favour of a new 1.6-litre Duratorq engine. This delivers 76PS, 96PS and 116PS. There will also be a 101PS version of Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and a 1.6-litre EcoBoost with automatic transmission for the US market.

The Transit Connect will be available in short and long wheelbases, but with a single roof height this time around. Auto Start/Stop will feature on both petrol and diesel engined models and the vans have a completely upgraded interior, featuring greater use of electronic driver aids and communication systems from the firm’s car lines.

Volvo FH

Volvo’s flagship FH long distance truck has moved forwards once more, with a larger cab, Euro6 engines and increased use of electronic control systems to increase operating efficiency. With sales of the Euro6 models due to start in Spring 2013, Volvo makes big claims for its I-Torque driveline and I-Shift transmission technology.

“I-Torque delivers high torque from low revs and contains an I-Shift transmission with dual clutch technology, resulting in excellent driveability, quiet operation and great fuel efficiency,” said senior vice president Ricard Fritz. FH trucks will be powered by Volvo’s 13-litre and 16-litre engines, with ratings up to 760PS.

Mercedes-Benz Antos

Mercedes-Benz is replacing its mid-range Axor truck with the Antos. Designed to operate at 18-26 tonnes as a rigid, or as a mid-weight tractor, the Antos range takes on the latest family appearance first seen on Actros and uses 7.7-litre, 10.7-litre and 12.8-litre Euro6 engines delivering 241PS to 517PS.

Three cab variants are offered with short and medium lengths. The medium length cab can be supplied with a low roof for use with a refrigeration unit above the cab.

Ford Transit

Hot on the heels of the Transit Custom launch last month, Ford has shown its full size Transit for the first time in Europe. Though not available in Europe or the US until later in 2013, Transit will be available with a choice of three engine ratings from Ford’s popular 2.2-litre Duratorq diesel of 101PS, 127PS and 157PS. In addition the van will use a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine in the US market, where it will eventually replace the current E Series van line.

The larger Transit will be available in front, rear and all-wheel drive variants, in van, double-cab-in-van, Kombi and minibus models. Both single and double cab chassis cabs and cowls will also be on offer.

Nissan

e-NV200Nissan’s electric van took a step closer to production, with the firm showing the e-NV200 for the first time. Prototypes of the electric van, which uses the LEAF’s running gear, are in the final stages of testing with companies including FedEx, and should be on sale by the end of next year.

The e-NV200 uses an 80kW motor with up to 280Nm of torque, and Nissan has managed to package the batteries beneath the van floor, retaining the full 4.2m3 load volume of the diesel van.  Nissan also unveiled a larger electric van concept in the shape of the e-NV400 truck, based on the Cabstar model.

Citroën Partner Electric and Electric Berlingo

PSA companies Peugeot and Citroen have joined the electric van market with the introduction of the Partner Electric and Electric Berlingo models respectively. Powered by a 49kW motor, with 200Nm of torque, the vans are said to provide a range of up to 170km with a six-nine hour charge. However, they also have a fast charge facility delivering 80% capacity in just 30 minutes, using a 125A electricity supply.

The batteries have been packaged beneath the standard van’s floor, to offer load volumes up to 4.1m3. Payloads of up to 675kg are also possible, with both short and long body models available. The two light commercials should be available by the end of the first half of 2013.

Fiat Doblo Cargo

Fiat has added a larger model to its Doblo Cargo range of light vans. The high-roof version of the firm’s long wheelbase Doblo Maxi is called the Doblo Cargo XL and it features a full 5m3 load capacity, or 5.4m3 with the passenger seat folded forwards.

Available with the 91PS and 106PS versions of Fiat’s 1.6-litre diesel engine, or the range-topping 137PS 2.0-litre motor, the XL has a 1 tonne carrying capacity. Customers who want to carry people as well as loads can specify a Combi version, which is available with a 122PS 2.0-litre petrol engine if preferred.

Iveco concept

Looking even further into the future, Iveco focussed its attention on the Dual Energy study, a concept light to medium weight commercial that can be run on a combination of electric, hybrid and thermal engine powertrains. Developed in co-operation with a host of component manufacturers, including Brembo, Bosch, Denso and FPT, the Dual Energy study puts forward the concept of a vehicle that can be adapted to suit a range of operating criteria. There are as yet no dates for production, but no doubt much of the technology will find its way into various Iveco commercials over the coming years.

Mercedes Sprinter E-Cell

Mercedes is extending its electric van range with the prototype Sprinter E-Cell. Using technology proven on the smaller Vito E-Cell, the larger van packs a 70kW motor with a short-term peak output of 100kW. The full 220Nm of torque is available from standstill and the Sprinter E-Cell will offer a top speed of 80km/h and a range of up to 135km.

Mercedes claims payloads of as high as 1,200kg can be achieved on a 3.5 tonne van, though the driveline can be used in a host of body types. 

Of more interest to customers now, Mercedes has also changed the automatic transmission on offer in Sprinter, from its aging five-speed box to the proven seven-speed 7G-Tronic transmission. The company claims the additional ratios offer similar economy as a manual gearbox.