Tipper Lite 2009: Part 1 - Summary & Conclusion

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The points tally tells us the best in show was the M-B Sprinter crewcab. It edged out the all-singing, all-dancing Iveco Daily by a single point, with the VW Crafter and Isuzu Grafter vying for third. Isuzu, with its 147hp engine, achieved the best combined score for engine performance and road handling.

That an Asian product should edge out Iveco and Merc is testament to its driveline and characteristics. The Sprinter and Crafter offer the best ride – no coincidence that both are built in the same M-B factory.

And full marks to the Scattolini body on the Renault Maxity, with its auto tailgate release. Based on the manufacturers’ chassis-cab weights (full fuel tanks and no driver), the Renault was also the lightest. Ford Transit delivered the most oomph, a whopping 197hp, while Citroën edged out VW for the least horses, and Iveco offered an impressive auto-box. But points make prizes, and the rightful winner is M-B. However if you want a day cab with three seats, then Iveco, Isuzu or Volkswagen will more than suffice.

Specifications

Manufacturer:

Citroën

Ford

Isuzu

Iveco

Mercedes

Mitsubishi

Nissan

Renault

VW

Model

Relay 35

Transit 200 T350

Grafter N35

Daily 35C15

Sprinter

Canter 3C15

Cabstar

Maxity

Crafter

Engine

Common rail 4-cylinder

Common rail 4-cylinder

Common rail 4-cylinder

Common rail 4-cylinder

Common rail 4-cylinder

Common rail 4-cylinder

Common rail 4-cylinder

Common rail 4-cylinder

Common rail 5-cylinder

Capacity

2.2 litres

3.2 litres

3.0 litres

3.0 litres

2.2 litres

3.0 litres

2.5 litres

2.5 litres

2.5 litres

Power

100hp (74kW) @ 3,500rpm

197hp (147kW) @ 3,500rpm

147hp (110kW) @  2,800rpm

146hp (109kW) @ 3,000 - 3,500rpm

129hp (96kW) @ 3,800rpm

145hp (107kW) @ 3,200rpm

129hp (96kW) @ 3,600rpm

129hp (96kW) @ 3,600rpm

107hp (80kW) @ 3,500rpm

Torque

250Nm @ 1,500 - 2,800rpm

470Nm @ 1,750 - 2,500rpm

375Nm @ 1,600 -  2,800rpm

350Nm @ 1,400 - 2,600rpm

305Nm @ 1,200 - 2,400rpm

362Nm @  1,700rpm

270Nm @ 1,800 - 3,000rpm

270Nm @ 1,800 - 3,000rpm

280Nm @

2,000rpm

Transmission

5-speed manual

6-speed manual

5-speed manual

6-speed auto

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

Cab specs/seats

Day/3

Day/3

Day/3

Day/3

Crew/6

Day/3

Day/3

Day/3

Day/3

Fuel tank (lit)

90

103

 68 70 75 80 90 90 75

List price *

£16,900

£25,285

 £16,810

£21,350

 £22,850 £16,800 £19,000 £17,390 £19,930

Body

Tipmaster

VFS

Lancashire Tippers

 Ingimex Ingimex Tipmaster Northern Truck Bodies Scattolini Ingimex

Cab kerb weight **

1,695kg

1,884kg

1,994kg

1,840kg

2,206kg

1,990kg

1,684kg

1,672kg

1,716kg

*chassis-cab only
** manufacturer’s kerb weight + full fuel tank of fuel (with a full tank of fuel and no driver)

Test Route

Manufacturer:

Citroën

Ford

Isuzu

Iveco

Mercedes

Mitsubishi

Nissan

Renault

VW

Model

Relay 35

Transit 200 T350

Grafter N35

Daily 35C15

Sprinter

Canter 3C15

Cabstar

Maxity

Crafter

Route Time (Mins) 34 32 38 36 35 37 38 39 38
Hill Climb (Secs) 33 35 40 Aborted 36 38 38 45 41

Driving Impressions

Manufacturer:

Citroën

Ford

Isuzu

Iveco

Mercedes

Mitsubishi

Nissan

Renault

VW

Model

Relay 35

Transit 200 T350

Grafter N35

Daily 35C15

Sprinter

Canter 3C15

Cabstar

Maxity

Crafter

Engine Performance 14 18 18 18 16 16 15 16 15
Cab Comfort 17 17 13 17 18 14 13 13 18
Road Handling 15 12 17 16 17 14 15 15 17
Tipping Procedure 18 18 17 16 17 15 14 19 15
Overall Impression 17 16 18 18 18 15 16 16 18
TOTAL 81 81 83 85 85 74 73 79 83

Commercial Motor would like to thank our own Sandra Greaves for providing refreshments.

And Renault Trucks for loaning us its hospitality trailer for the lunches to be served.

Thanks also to the team at Smiths of Bletchington and the Ardley Quarry who allowed us to be based on site, using their aggregates for ballast, and their facilities, plus providing a challenging 23-mile route to assess each vehicle.

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