The New LDV Maxus Extended Frame LWB Dropside

GAZ, the Russian firm that bought LDV two years ago, will rebrand the company as Maxus ‘in the near future’, according to marketing director Guy Jones, who also states, “The UK dealer council is supporting the change to Maxus".

LDV currently has 72 sales dealers and 123 aftersales outlets in the UK, included in this network, Imperial Commercials the parent company of Best Van Deals is a major player.

The Maxus brand currently applies to LDV’s product range, so the rebranding would be “similar to MINI”, Jones added, where the brand and model range are one and the same. Clearer model-specific branding is likely to be added in the future, as LDV wants to add more models to its range, particularly a smaller van to plug the gap left by the Cub, a rebadged Nissan Vanette that was sold from 1996 to 2002.

A suitable vehicle could be produced as a partnership with an existing van maker, or could be acquired. “We have several options on the table,” Mr Jones said.

Ford have unveiled the New Fiesta van at the Hanover show, and based on the all new Fiesta hatchback passenger car, the Fiesta van will be available in the UK in Spring 2009.

The sturdy yet lightweight three-door body shell is a solid foundation for a safe and agile driving experience, high levels of durability, low fuel consumption and emissions, and good payload capacity. The rear side windows are replaced by body coloured solid panels, and the rear passenger seats are removed to provide space for a clean and step-less load box area.

The new Fiesta van is available with a choice of engines: 1.25-litre 82PS Duratec 16V petrol unit, a frugal 1.4-litre 68PS Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel, and a top-of the-range 1.6-litre 90PS Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel with standard closed-loop coated DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).

The fuel economy figures of the Fiesta van are targeted to match those of the Fiesta three-door passenger car. With a combined fuel consumption of just 4.2 l/100 km (67.3 mpg) and average CO2 emissions of just 110g/km on the diesel engines.

To register your interest in the new Fiesta van and be contacted in the New Year regarding purchase and finance deals, call the team at Best Van Deals on 0845 003 7917.

The MAXUS Chassis Cab range now has a wide choice of vehicles to meet your needs - two wheelbases and a choice of tough Tippers and Dropsides as well as cavernous Luton vans. All MAXUS Chassis Cab derivatives are factory built meaning that you get quality with no compromise and one single manufacturer warranty for both chassis and body.

The MAXUS Luton 3.5t van has best-in-class load space with 16.8m3 (1.3m3 larger than the equivalent 350L Ford Transit Box Van). And with the new Aero Luton you get reduced wind noise and improved fuel consumption.

The MAXUS Tipper can carry up to 1,320Kg, the MAXUS Dropside up to 1,540 Kg and the MAXUS Luton van up to 1,220 Kg.

MAXUS chassis cabs have highly efficient 2.5 CDi, common rail, direct injection, turbocharged, intercooled engines with a choice of 95PS, 120PS or 135PS all with high torque at low engine speeds. With 20,000 mile service intervals, excellent fuel economy, faster repair times and lower parts costs a MAXUS is cheaper to run than a Ford Transit, Iveco Daily or a Mercedes Sprinter.

MAXUS chassis cab derivatives are factory built unlike many other chassis cabs meaning that you get factory quality with no compromise and one single manufacturer warranty for both chassis and body. The warranty is the best commercial vehicle warranty package - 4 year, 120000 mile warranty plus a 2 year MAXUS Assist package with European cover.

For an industry leading quotation or more information on an Maxus Extended Frame vehicle call 0845 003 7917.

Fiat Fiorino Voted International Van of the Year 2009

The Fiat Fiorino has been named the International Van of the Year 2009 – with 112 points out of a possible 140 – by a jury consisting of journalists from 20 European countries, specialising in the commercial vehicles sector. The award recognises the many important novelties on the Fiat Fiorino, a unique vehicle in its genre, created to meet the needs of those who require a compact van which is cheap to run, nimble in traffic and handy in parking manoeuvres.

The new Fiorino is intended to play a leading role in the light commercial vehicles market. The jury of the International Van of the Year particularly liked the fact that the Fiorino is creating a new market segment.

Thanks to the Fiorino, customers in this segment have the opportunity to buy a vehicle "made-to-measure" for their work and activities. With a load-carrying capacity of 610 and 660 kg, volume of 2.5 cubic metres, internal length of 1.5 metres (which become 2.8 m3 and 2.5 metres with the passenger seat folded down), the Fiorino fully meets these requirements.

According to the jury, the new Fiat Fiorino is a truly innovative product in terms of its dimensions, style, safety content and environmental friendliness. This well designed van is very practical and excellent value for money; its economical features met the jury’s most important criterion of merit, i.e. the capacity of a vehicle to offer an efficient contribution to goods transport by road.

The Fiat Fiorino offers a complete range of versions and features: vans for goods transport; Combi for mixed transport of people and goods; Adventure versions with raised ground clearance, and shortly also with a special drive system for use in rural areas and on low-grip surfaces; robotised 6-speed gearbox; and innovative safety systems, such as ESP.

Best Van Deals has great deals available on the Fiat Fiorino just click here to find out more, or call us on 0845 003 7917.

Volkswagen has revealed at the IAA in Hanover this week, an all-new Pickup concept.

Aiming to set new standards in the one-tonne pickup class, the new model will go into production at the end of 2009 to be sold in Europe shortly after.

The concept measures 5.18 metres in length and is 1.9 metres wide, and with four doors and four seats it is ideal for recreational or business use. Under the bonnet, new common rail turbodiesel engines will be used in the Pickup to ensure it is powerful, yet clean and efficient and meets the necessary emissions requirements.

The New Kangoo Van range will arrive at Dealers in November, with prices ranging from £8,690 to £12,290 (excluding VAT).

Europe’s best-selling compact van launches for the first time with two bodystyles, Kangoo Compact and Kangoo Van. With two trim levels and five engines available across the short and standard wheelbase versions, the New Kangoo Van now offers an unprecedented 21-model range to cater for every type of professional customer.

The entry-level version of its larger sibling, Kangoo Van ML, adds rear disc brakes and six load anchorage points over the Kangoo Compact SL equipment level. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-range ML+, adds a nearside side-loading door to the equipment level of the Kangoo Compact SL+.

The cabin of New Kangoo Van is also designed to ensure the highest levels of safety for all occupants. Both Kangoo Compact and Kangoo Van have identical cabin size ensuring the best levels of comfort for the driver and passenger. 

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has released the first images of two exciting new models in its stylish Sportline range – the Caddy Sportline and Caddy Maxi Sportline vans, set to go on sale next month.

They join the existing Transporter Sportline panel van (short and long wheelbase) and Transporter Sportline kombi to make a range of five models in Volkswagen’s dynamic Sportline range. Each vehicle combines aggressive yet tasteful styling additions while retaining the versatility for which the vehicles are renowned to provide customers with a vehicle that's equally suited to commercial or leisure applications.

Full details of the specification and prices will be announced in October, but as the preview photographs indicate the distinctive styling of the Caddy Sportline and Caddy Maxi Sportline includes alloy wheels, a lower front spoiler with fog lights, chrome upper and lower grilles, chrome side rails, body coloured bumpers and door mirror housings, plus a rear roof spoiler.

"We're excited by the potential for the Caddy Sportline and Caddy Maxi Sportline in the small and medium-sized van market," said Gemma Cox, Product Manager, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

"Judging by the popularity of the Transporter Sportline with customers wanting to create a distinctive and dynamic image for them and their business, we're sure theCaddy Sportline and Caddy Maxi Sportline will be just as successful,' she continued.

If you wish to be kept informed of Finance Lease, Contract Hire, Hire Purchase or Outright Purchase prices for these exciting new models, contact Best Van Deals. For more details on the Caddy and Caddy Maxi in the meanwhile, visit the VW Commercials website: http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/

An impressive write up on Best Van Deals has been included in the industry leading Fleet News website.

"Bestvandeals.com lists 100 or more new and used vehicles.

A new website has been launched which claims to help fleets buy the most appropriate vans, pick-ups or minibuses more easily and more quickly and at the best possible price.

Bestvandeals.com is offering new and used LCVs from most major manufacturers.

It is part of Imperial Commercials, one of the country’s leading CV dealer groups.

Bestvandeals.com lists 100 or more new and used vehicles.

Special deals and offers are highlighted on the home page, and a search function has drop-down menus for small, medium and large vans, pick-ups, chassis-cabs and minibuses.

Offers include full and flexible finance arrangements, hire purchase, lease purchase, contract hire and longer term van rentals as well as cash deals."

Fleet News is the leading source of news and expertise for decision-makers of the £40 billion company car and van industry. More than 18,000 named fleet decision-makers receive a copy every week andwith its in-depth news coverage, unmatched vehicle launch reports, extensive features, supplements and supporting events, Fleet News offers a vast range of information to help decision-makers operating fleets of 10 vehicles and upwards do their job effectively.

For more information on Fleet News, go to www.fleetnews.co.uk. 

SsangYong’s new slogan - it works for me - takes on even greater significance with the arrival of two new light commercial versions of the SsangYong Kyron and Rexton.

The SsangYong Kyron C-S and Rexton C-S are based on the Kyron and Rexton S passenger SUV cars, and converted in the UK with the removal of the rear seats to provide a flat load area, and black tinted rear windows. Both have four-wheel drive.

The Kyron C-S has a payload of 530 kg and a mighty cargo volume of 2,384 litres. The Rexton C-S has a volume of 2,186 litres and an even bigger payload of 740 kg. A special guard to separate driver and passenger from any load being carried is available for £299 including VAT and fitting. A Mercedes T-Tronic auto transmission is an option on both models.

SsangYong is also making a tachograph fitting kit available for both models - something that isn’t available from some competitors.

SsangYong Kyron C-S
The LCV version of the Kyron uses SsangYong’s latest 2.0 litre, four cylinder turbo-charged common rail diesel engine delivering 141 PS and 310 Nm of torque.  Transmission is a five speed manual with part-time four-wheel drive. Under normal road use the Kyron is rear-wheel drive, with 4wd selectable at any time when the going gets tough.

The separate ladder-type chassis and rigid five link coil sprung rear suspension are built for hard work, but the Kyron’s equipment levels are anything but utilitarian. The Kyron C-S gets the same specification as the passenger car from which it is derived.

Commercial users are likely to welcome the Kyron’s electronic stability programme (ESP) with active rollover protection (ARP), and hill descent control (HDC) when working in slippery off-road sites. It also has ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution and electric windows and door mirrors. Two 12 volt DC power outlets and roof bars also make things easier.

Drivers and passengers will be just as impressed by auto climate control air conditioning and a six-speaker Kenwood audio system with CD and RDS radio and steering wheel controls. 

The Kyron is a compact vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 2,530 kg. It will tow anything up to 2.3 tonnes and has easy access to the cargo area via the rear doors and the rear tailgate. The extra urban fuel consumption in passenger car trim is 45.6mpg with class-leadingCO2 emissions at 191 g/km.

SsangYong Rexton C-S
The Rexton C-S provides a greater-punch with a five cylinder, turbo common rail diesel engine pushing out 165 PS at 4,000rpm and with torque of 340 Nm at 2,400rpm. A five-speed ‘torque on demand’ (TOD) manual transmission normally supplies most power to the rear wheels, but if things get slippery, the system automatically and smoothly distributes power to the axle with the most grip.

A full-size 4×4, the Rexton C-S will easily tow up to 3.2 tons with its TOD system providing the traction under the most difficult conditions. There’s easy access to the cargo area of course, through the rear doors and the rear tailgate. There are three 12 volt DC outlets.

With similar equipment to the Kyron C-S, operators will be comfortable and safe.  The Rexton comes with a host of acronyms. ESP, ARP and HDC are there, plus  of course, ABS brakes with EBD.

The electric door mirrors will fold in and are heated. The front screen is also heated while the crew can relax with the auto climate control. A six-speaker Kenwood CD player and RDS radio has steering wheel controls.

The Rexton C-S has a gross vehicle weight of 2,760 kg. Extra urban fuel consumption of the passenger version is 37.7mpg.

Like SsangYong’s passenger cars, the C-S models have a three year/60,000 mile warranty.

These models are coming soon to bestvandeals.com  Please call one of our fully trained sales advisors for more details of these exciting new vehicles.