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78 newsVANIRELANDVito E-Cell Eligible for Plug-In Electric GrantThe world’s first ‘off-the-shelf’ electric van, the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL, is noweligible for the Government’s new Plug-In Van Grant, reducing costs by 20%.Each van qualifying for theGrant must emit less than 75g/km CO2, be capable of at least60 miles between charges, morethan 50mph and to ensuresafety, be approved by ‘EuropeanVehicle Type Approval’.Run using 16 Lithium-ion batterymodules that have a combinedcapacity of 36 kWh, the Vito E-CELLhas a maximum range of 130km (80miles) on a single six-hour chargefrom a 380/400 volt input. Theelectric motor has an output of 60kW (82hp), with 280 Nm of torqueand, taking into consideration theE-CELL’s usual area of operationand to facilitate the highest batteryrange possible, the top speed islimited to 80 km/h (50 mph).In terms of safety the Vito E-CELLis at the same level as other Vitomodels, with Electronic StabilityProgramme (ESP) and dual airbagsas standard. The vehicle has aninternal combustion engine, soif a collision occurs, the batteriesare protected by a shock element.The active safety measures alsoensure that the high-technologyvoltage network turns off whenthe airbag control unit activates.Steve Bridge, Van Sales andMarketing Director for Mercedes-Benz UK, said: “With an enviablerange, advanced safety systems andpayload equal to a regular van, thezero-local emissions electric VitoE-CELL easily meets the criteria forthe new Plug-In Van Grant, andwe welcome its introduction.“Schemes like this help businessesto do their bit - and to join usin working hard to lower vehicleemissions. It is our ultimate goal atMercedes-Benz to achieve emissionfreedriving and our first-ever seriesproduced electric van is testamentto our commitment to deliver this.”The Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL isthe first battery-electric van availableex-factory from an automotivemanufacturer and is now availableunder a full contract hire packagefrom Mercedes-Benz, with termscovering one to four years.Citroen’s Telematics Package Is UpgradedCitroen’s unique Trafficmaster Smartnav and Trackstar stolen vehicletracking package, which is fitted as standard to all Berlingo, Dispatchand Relay panel vans, has just been enhanced for 2012 with a numberof significant operational and safety improving features. The newtelematics package also incorporates a new, larger colour screen.One key enhancement isthe ability to call for emergencyassistance via the SOS icon on thecolour touchscreen. Touching thissymbol gives the driver access toB-Call (breakdown call) and theE-Call (emergency call) facilities.All B-Calls go directly to the AA toensure the fastest possible response.Other emergencies, such asaccidents or driver medical problems,are handed directly by Trafficmastervia the E-Call facility. Trafficmasterthen liaise with the emergencyservices. When the driver uses theE-Call function, the driver’s detailsand GPS location are transmittedsimultaneously to Trafficmaster. Thisfeature is soon to be replicated forthe B-Call function to the AA.European legislation will requirethat all vehicles have similarbreakdown and emergency callfeatures from 2015. Citroën is thefirst manufacturer in the UK LCVmarket to offer this service – threeyears before it is legally required.Comfort-Matic robotised gearbox expanded on New DucatoFiat Professional is increasing the number of New Fiat Ducato versions that can be equipped with theinnovative Comfort-Matic 6-speed robotised gearbox. It is now available in combination with the lively andreliable 130 and 150 MultiJet II engines, which join the top-of-the-range 180 MultiJet Power engine.The Comfort-Matic gearbox is aninnovative robotised transmissionthat combines the advantages ofa manual gearbox (simplicity, fuelefficiency and performance) withthe practicality and comfort ofan automatic transmission. It istherefore an extremely interestingoption both for professionals inthis sector and for those who loveleisure, such as motorhome owners.The Comfort-Matic gearbox providesan ideal solution for a variety ofuses: from recreational vehicles(motorhomes and camper vans) tourban delivery vans, and from urbanpeople carriers (Combi, minibuses) topublic service fleets (postal services,local authorities, urban couriers).Great attention has been paidto adapting and customising thegearbox for recreational vehiclesduring the development stage. Proofof that is the use of motorhomeprototypes for the tuning andtesting stage, with faithfulreproduction of the configurationsof front surfaces, gross vehicleweight and the typical usageconditions of this vehicle class. Inaddition, to respond to the mobilityneeds of caravans and motorhomes,which, by their nature, are used inmaximum load conditions, there is aspecial UP button on the Comfort-Matic gearbox panel. It automaticallyoptimises the gear shift points toensure the most appropriate enginerpm in any condition and improveperformance in particularly harshconditions or on steep slopes.Technically, the gearbox isdescribed as an MTA (ManualTransmission Automated) andconsists of a conventional manualgearbox in which the manuallinkage is replaced by an actuator,controlled electronically by a TCU(Transmission Control Unit).In detail, the gearbox offers sixspeeds (plus reverse) that work inboth fully automatic mode and ina sequential manual mode withactuation. In manual mode, thedriver can choose which ratio toengage by means of the ‘joystick’gear lever on the dashboard,and there is no clutch pedal.The Comfort-Matic gearbox, usedin automatic mode, offers severaladvantages over a manual device.For example, it offers maximumdriving comfort, especially inheavy town traffic conditions,and great driving satisfactiondue to the smooth gear shifts.Pressing the UP button on thetransmission tunnel makes itpossible to use a special profilefor driving in mountainous areasor under heavy load conditions.And there’s more: the Comfort-Matic gearbox ensures efficientengine braking on steep gradients,while the lever and gearboxcontrol systems ensure maximumreduction in transmission noise.VI Van News 2pgs.indd 78 20/03/2012 09:37