Van manufacturers drive off with top accolades14 December 2016

Fiat Professional and Citroen both won top prizes at yesterday’s (13 December) What Van? awards in London, with the former picking up top prize for light van (Doblo Cargo) and small van (Fiorino Cargo), while Citroen’s New Dispatch was named joint winner of the LCV of the year and medium van of the year.

It was the second year running that Fiat’s Doblo Cargo (pictured) won the light van category, with judges describing it as “the best light van around”, noting its versatility and practicality as well as the driving dynamics and comfort delivered by features such as the van’s bi-link suspension.

Citroen’s New Dispatch was described by judges as “an outstanding new van that has come to the market this year”, with What Van? editor James Dallas adding: “The Citroën Dispatch represents a big step up compared with its predecessor in terms of quality, refinement and practicality. It should propel the brand to the forefront of what is a very competitive market sector. The new Dispatch brings useful innovations to the market and it now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best medium vans on offer.”

Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, picked up the safety prize for the seventh consecutive time, with judges highlighting its Blind Spot Assist system. Blind Spot Assist uses two near-range radar sensors in the rear bumper, and covers the area to the left and right in adjacent lanes. If sensors detect a vehicle in the blind spot, a red warning triangle lights up in the relevant exterior mirror. If the system detects that the driver has activated the indicator and wants to change lanes anyway, an audible warning is issued and the red warning symbol starts to flash.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles was also celebrating, winning best website (www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk) and highly commended for its Caddy and Amarok models.

Author
Laura Cork

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