Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E.

An inescapable issue for electric vehicles is battery cost. Not only can it have a considerable impact on the initial purchase price, but there’s also the financially unpleasant prospect of eventual replacement.



Government-backed schemes such as the UK’s Plug-in Car Grant can help with the former problem, but what if a manufacturer is trying to market an electric van, which currently isn’t eligible for such a helping hand?



Renault’s solution for its electric Kangoo Van Z.E. - as with its entire EV line-up - is that owners can buy or lease the vehicle itself, but the batteries will have to be rented.



In the UK, that means a monthly battery fee of at least £59 (plus VAT), based on 9,000 miles per annum and a 48 month commitment. Adding on maintenance plus the electricity needed to recharge the batteries, Renault reckons that overall running costs will be similar to those of a petrol or diesel equivalent if less than 9,375 miles (about 15,000 kilometres) are driven each year. Travel more than that, and it’s advantage electric.



When sales of the Kangoo Van Z.E. begin at the end of 2011, both standard and extended wheelbase Maxi versions will be available. What’s more, with an overall length of 4.60 metres, the Maxi is going to be offered in two guises.

First is a traditional two-seat van, which has 4.6 cubic metres of cargo space and a maximum load length of 2.90 metres. Alternatively, users could choose a five-seat version that comes with a 60/40 folding rear bench seat.



The Kangoo has a 59 bhp (44 kW / 60 PS) motor that’s powered by an under-floor 22 kWh battery. However, with an expected range of 105 miles (around 170 kilometres) and a recharging time of six to eight hours, operations are clearly going to be restricted to short, local journeys.



UK pricing for the Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E. has been set at £17,990 (plus VAT) for the two-seat version, or £18,690 (plus VAT) for the crew van version.



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Think launches City van

Norwegian electric vehicle maker Think has added a new model to its range.



The City N van, which is based on the existing City car, has European type approval, a 237 kg load capacity and 700 litres of cargo space. It will be joined by the larger 900 litre capacity Compact van later this year, with the possibility of more variants to follow.

Short, urban journeys are likely to be all that the City N van is suited to, thanks to a 100 mile (160 km) range and an eight hour recharge time for its lithium-ion battery system. Its load lugging ability won’t be able to compete with establish petrol- or diesel-powered small vans, either. The Ford Fiesta Van, for example, can transport a payload of 507 kg.



However, for niche operations where there’s no need to travel great distances, the Think’s low running costs could prove advantageous.



One underlying issue that Think needs to sort out is its distribution network, as currently its vehicles are only available in the United States, Austria, the Netherlands and Norway. Progress on this is promised during 2011.

2011 Ford Ranger revealed

Pick-up trucks have never had the same sort of appeal in Europe as they do in other territories. Families seem to prefer the extra practicality of an SUV, while business users invariably choose vans to keep their stuff dry and secure.



There’s also the problem of image, which isn’t great. Maybe it’s the sort of people that drive pick-ups, or perhaps it’s the vehicles themselves - certainly the current Ford Ranger has virtually zero street cred. However, that’s something that could change with the 2011 model, which has just been unveiled at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

As part of the ‘One Ford’ initiative, the new Ranger will become Ford’s global compact pick-up, to be sold in 180 markets. Somewhat bizarrely though, that doesn’t include North America. Ford is saying that’s because the Ranger will be too close in size to its full-size F-150, although there must be plenty of people in the United States and Canada who don’t necessarily need or want such a large vehicle.



Developed in Melbourne, Australia, the 2011 Ranger is all-new from the ground up. Its chassis frame and suspension have been engineered for better off-road performance, offering up to 232 mm of ground clearance, while vulnerable drivetrain components have been mounted above the frame rails for better protection.



The styling is termed by Ford as ‘21st Century Tough’, and is meant to convey ‘taut, toned muscularity and a bold, confident stance [to] instantly signal the strength and capability of an ultra-modern pick-up’. Press release blurb aside, it certainly looks a lot better than any previous Ranger.

Engine choice for Europe will be a pair of Duratorq TDCi diesels. One is a four-cylinder 2.2 litre unit with 147 bhp (110 kW / 150 PS) and peak torque of 375 Nm, while the other has five cylinders and produces 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS) and 470 Nm from its 3.2 litres. Both come with an MT82 six-speed manual gearbox, although the Ford 6R80 six-speed automatic will also be available.



Other markets will additionally get the option of a 163 bhp (122 kW / 166 PS) 2.5 litre Duratec four-cylinder petrol engine, combined with an MT75 five-speed manual transmission.



An Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system will feature as standard, which includes yaw control, four-wheel traction control and roll-over mitigation. Optionally available will be Trailer Sway Mitigation, which selectively applies the brakes to help regain control, together with Adaptive Load Control which maintains a level ride height.

And ALC could be useful, as carrying capacity is improved over the previous generation Ranger. That’s partly thanks to a widened cargo box, which on the Double Cab model measures 1,549 mm long by 1,560 mm wide. With a height of 511 mm, that gives a total volume of 1.21 cubic metres. Width between the wheel arches is 1,139 mm, while the rear tailgate opening is 1.330 mm. Maximum payload will be up to 1,500 kg, depending on the model.



Anyone wanting a 2011 Ford Ranger will have to wait, though. Series production is not due to start at Ford’s Thailand facility until next summer, with additional capacity being provided later on by plants in South Africa and Argentina.



The plan is to commence deliveries to European customers ‘by 2012’ and, when it arrives, there’ll be three different cab styles, 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains, two ride heights and four trim levels.

Doblò is Van of the Year

The original Fiat Doblò was notable for its ‘challenging’ looks, but that didn’t stop it winning the International Van of the Year award back in 2006. Now the same feat has been repeated by its successor, the recently launched all-new Doblò, which certainly seems to have had a bit more attention paid to its visual appeal.

The decision to give the 2011 International Van of the Year title to the Doblò was made by a jury of 24 journalists, all from commercial vehicle publications in different countries. It achieved 128 points out of a possible 168, with the judges citing the wide range of body types and engine choices as particularly praiseworthy.



Available in either Cargo panel van or Combi five-seater versions, both can be specified in either standard or Maxi long wheelbase configuration. There’s also a chassis cab in the Doblò range for third-party bodybuilders to adapt.



Engine choice comprises a 93 bhp (70 kW / 95 PS) 1.4 litre petrol, together with three MultiJet diesels. These have capacities of 1.3 litres (88 bhp / 66 kW / 90 PS), 1.6 litres (103 bhp / 77 kW / 105 PS) or 2.0 litres (133 bhp / 99 kW / 135 PS), and all better 50 mpg (5.6 l/100km) on the combined cycle.



Pricing in the UK starts at £11,305 (excluding VAT) for the Doblò Cargo 1.4 16v Petrol, and rises to £17,115 for the Doblò Combi Maxi Active 2.0 MultiJet 16v.

OFT probes price fixing

The UK’s Office of Fair Trading has launched an investigation into suspected price fixing by truck manufacturers.



As part of its enquiries, which are taking place under the Enterprise Act 2002 and the Competition Act 1998, the OFT earlier this week invited itself to the offices of Mercedes-Benz UK in Tongwell, Milton Keynes. Following the raid, one person was arrested but later bailed.

The Enterprise Act is a serious piece of legislation - breaches can result in criminal charges, with the possibility that individuals can be jailed for up to five years, and the company fined up to 10% of its global turnover.



A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz has said that the company "… is fully co-operating with the investigation which may take many months or more to complete."



Meanwhile, rival firms Scania, MAN and Volvo Trucks / Renault Trucks have confirmed that they have already received letters from the OFT notifying them of the investigation and requesting information. Iveco and DAF, The other two major commercial vehicle makers operating in the UK, have indicated that they are prepared to fully cooperate with the OFT probe.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor offers an alluring blend of performance and off-road ability. Updates for 2011 have just been announced, with the changes centring on the engine and cab style choice.

The 310 bhp (231 kW / 314 PS) 5.4 litre V8 has been ditched in favour of the previously optional 6.2 litre version. Producing a much more impressive 411 bhp (306 kW / 416 PS) and 434 lb/ft (588 Nm) of torque, this larger capacity engine is a peculiar mixture of old and new. It may feature a modern aluminium cylinder head, but the block is still cast iron and there’s only a single overhead camshaft. Nevertheless, the result is the most powerful pick-up in its class.



It’s a similar story with the chassis. Although the Raptor is seven inches wider than a base F-150 to accommodate Fox Racing Shox internal triple-bypass dampers, there’s still a prehistoric leaf-spring suspended live axle at the back. Better news is the 11.2 inches (284 mm) of suspension travel at the front and 12.1 inches (307 mm) at the rear, crucial for decent off-road performance.



Whereas the 2010 Raptor was only available with the SuperCab, the 2011 model gets the option of the SuperCrew cab style. This combines a 145 inch (3,683 mm) wheelbase (which is 12 inches / 304 mm longer than standard) with a 67 inch (1,701 mm) cargo box.

Ford reckons the extra distance between the wheels gives a better ride quality, although the trade-off is a slightly reduced ramp breakover angle. That might be important if the Raptor is being used to tackle really rough terrain.



Rear seat passengers will be those most appreciative if SuperCrew is specified, though. Not only do they get proper rear doors, but leg room also increases by just over 10 inches (254 mm) to 43.5 inches (1,104 mm).



Also new for 2011 is the standard fitment of a 4.2 inch LCD screen, which sits between the instruments. This shows the status of things like the Hill Descent Control, electronic locking differential settings and the AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control system. AdvanceTrac applies the brakes or reduces engine power during cornering if a gyroscope senses an imminent loss of control. In off-road mode, the screen displays the steering wheel and vehicle angles.

There are a few extra bits of kit, too. These include a head restraint for the middle back seat, 110V power inverter in the centre console, perimeter alarm, one-touch electric front windows, telescoping steering wheel and integrated spotter mirror.



The Raptor Luxury Package now features folding power exterior mirrors and a remote start system, in addition to power seats, an in-dash six CD player with eleven speakers, powered and heated front seats, powered pedals and side mirrors and dual zone climate control. 2011 sees the arrival of the Plus Package, which comprises a rear view camera and trailer brake controller.



The 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is available to order in North America now, with deliveries due to start late this year. Prices have yet to be confirmed, but are expected to show an increase on the 2010 Raptor which cost $42,235 (about £27,400 or €33,300) with the 6.2 litre engine. The chances of it coming to Europe are, sadly, approximately nil.