The 66th IAA Commercial Vehicle Show is taking place in Hanover, Germany from 22-29 September 2016, and plays host to a whole range of new van launches and other commercial vehicle debuts.
Star attractions include the all-new VW Crafter large van (and its MAN TGE cousin), with Volkswagen really pulling out all the stops to indluce an all-electric e-Crafter that’s set to go on sale in 2017, plus the new Nissan NV300 van and Renault Alaskan pickup truck. Plus details of enhancements for the Ford Transit and Transit Custom.
Exciting concepts include the Mercedes Vision Van, complete with roof-mounted drones, and the Nissan Navara EnGuard all-terrain rescue truck.
This year’s show is also dominated by the new Euro 6 emissions legislation, with almost every manufacturer displaying a full selection of updated engines, often with increased performance as well as improved fuel economy.
Everything you need to know about the vans at the 2016 IAA show is outlined below in manufacturer order. We’ll be updating this page throughout our time at the show and in the days to follow.
To the visit the official IAA Commercial Vehicle show website click here
Click here for the Parkers’ guide to Euro 6 emissions for vans and pickups
CITROEN
Citroen is making a song and dance about its all-Euro 6 van range, with a particular focus on the new Dispatch medium van (known as the Jumpy on the Continent – it’s particularly popular with caffeine addicts we imagine; can’t think why Citroen doesn’t use that name over here), including the SpaceTourer passenger carrying variants.
Read the Parkers review of the new Citroen Dispatch
FIAT
With the Fiorino, Fullback pickup and Talento all new to the Fiat Professional range in 2016, plus updated Euro 6 engines for the Ducato, the Italians have plenty to be pleased about. They’ve even brought along a 5.7-litre Ram pickup from the USA…
Big pickups and eco vans dominate Fiat stand at IAA 2016
FORD
Star of the show for Ford is a new automatic transmission for the Transit large van (above) and Transit Custom medium van. Available to order in September 2016 and borrowed from Ford’s US product line-up – where it’s been in service for a decade already – the auto gearbox is a six-speed transaxle design, programmed to maximise the fuel efficiency of the also-new 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine.
The other big news from Ford is the introduction of a rear air suspension system for the Transit, which should improve load stability and comfort.
Smoothly does it: new six-speed auto and rear air suspension from Ford at IAA 2016
New automatic transmission for Ford Transit and Transit Custom
GAZ
Russian LCV maker GAZ is attending the 2016 IAA in Hanover, and this is the first time its latest product lines have been seen in Europe. The range includes LCVs in the form of both vans and pickups (though only the former is on display); we don’t expect to see them in the UK any time soon…
HYUNDAI
Hyundai is displaying its full Euro 6 engine line-up, plus a concept based on the H350 large van (not currently available in right-hand drive) complete with futuristic hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain.
IVECO
The main news so far on the Iveco van front is a new Daily Business Up smartphone app, designed to improve both driver skills and logistics efficiency. The show-stopper, however, is a futuristic truck concept, with a particular emphasis on long-haul innovation.
Iveco’s new Daily Business Up smartphone app
MAN
MAN is best-known as a bus and truck manufacturer, but it has launched its first ever panel van at the 2016 IAA show. Called the TGE, the new MAN van will be based on the all-new Volkswagen Crafter and built in the same factory.
Dimensions and cargo capacity are extremely similar to the Crafter, so MAN will be hoping its service experience with the truck industry – which does not like to be kept waiting for repairs – will help give its TGE van a vital USP.
New MAN TGE van unveiled at 2016 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show
MERCEDES-BENZ
Following on from the incredible Vision Van concept, which was unwrapped two weeks’ before the 2016 IAA show (see it here in all it’s drone-delivery-hub glory), Mercedes has confirmed that it will be putting an electric van into production for 2018.
In other Mercedes news there’s also self-driving Future Bus concept (you can read all about it by clicking here) and an all-electric truck concept called the Urban eTruck – though this is unlikely for production earlier than 2025
Mercedes confirms plans to build electric van in 2018
Van to the Future – full details of the Mercedes Vision Van concept
First details of Mercedes’ autonomous Future Bus
NISSAN
Nissan is showing the the NV300 van – its version of the Renault Trafic / Vauxhall Vivaro / Fiat Talento – at the 2016 IAA Show. But the new van’s limelight is being very effectively stolen by a the Nissan Navara EnGuard concept, which is a fresh take on all-terrain emergency response…
Nissan NV300 medium van launched at IAA 2016
Nissan Navara EnGuard Concept – all-terrain pickup that packs an electric punch
PEUGEOT
Leading the Peugeot presence is the new Expert medium van (sister vehicle to the Citroen Dispatch and Toyota Proace), but there is also a Euro 6 engine update for the Boxer large van as well – for details of that click here.
Read the Parkers review of the new Peugeot Expert
New Euro 6 engines for Peugeot Boxer large van
RENAULT
Renault will also be showing its full Euro 6 engine line-up, but the bigger star here is the Alaskan pickup truck which makes its European debut at the 2016 show.
Alongside this the firm is showing a number of off-road driving enhancements, and automatic Kangoo and a range of limited edition vans that pay homage to the RenaultSport Formula One team.
Alaskan pickup leads the way for Renault at IAA 2016
First details of Renault Alaskan pickup for 2017
SSANGYONG
SsangYong isn’t at the 2016 IAA show, but console yourself with the new Musso pickup – the new name for the Korando Sports – with revised looks and a larger, more powerful diesel engine. We’re driving it in October.
Musso is the new name for the SsangYong Korando Sports pickup
TOYOTA
Toyota is not attending the show in an official capacity – although Toyota Germany does have a stand. We have recently driven the new Proace medium van anyway…
Toyota Proace van (2016 onwards) review
VAUXHALL/OPEL
It’s just Euro 6 updates as far as the news from Vauxhall (and its sister European brand Opel) goes.
VOLKSWAGEN
Saving the best for last? VW has publically introduced its all-new Crafter large van (above) at the 2016 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show. The second-generation Crafter is an entirely Volkswagen affair, rather than a variant of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and will be built at a brand new factory in Poland, where VW will even be able to offer in-house body conversions.
There’s a new 2.0-litre diesel engine and stacks of safety equipment, too – while the striking looks, heavy on the horizontal lines, add elegance to a large van that will swallow more Euro pallets than any other vehicle in its class.
Just to keep us on our toes, alongside the regular Crafter, VW has also unveiled the e-Crafter – a “concept” for an all-electric version of the new van. It’s not really a concept at all, as Volkswagen has already confirmed it for sale in 2017.
Elsewhere on the VW stand there will also be the chance to see the new 3.0-litre V6 TDI Amarok in lower output 204hp form. Plus highly equipped Aventura and Canyon variants.
Full details of the VW e-Crafter electric van
All-new 2016 VW Crafter revealed in full
VW Amarok at the 2016 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show
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