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| Traditionally, safety features on light commercial
vehicles have lagged some way behind those of cars, but now
they are catching up. Over the next few pages, we take a look
at the safety features being fitted to Britain’s newest
vans |
Ford
The new Ford Fiesta Van appeared on Britain’s roads last month
(November), equipped with ABS and driver and passenger airbags as
standard.
Designed and engineered in Britain, advanced levels of passenger
safety were central to the development of the Fiesta car and the
Fiesta Van inherits those features. The Intelligent Protection System,
first seen on the Mondeo, has two dual-stage front airbags and three-point
safety belts. In addition front side airbags are available as an
option.
Isuzu
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“Parking is a major issue on crowded streets, so to
help the Interstar fit into any suitable space, a reversing
sensor is offered as standard on the SE version” |
The all-new Isuzu Rodeo Pick-up is designed for both business and
pleasure and comes with a choice of single or double cab and 4x2
or 4x4 drivetrains.
On sale from last month, standard safety features include ABS brakes
with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), especially important
on a pick-up, which has to cope with a wide variation between laden
and unladen weight. The Rodeo’s EBD compensates for the front
and rear load differences during braking – before the ABS
intervenes – preventing rear axle lock-up, which can afflict
some pickups. The front brakes also have twin piston callipers,
which enhance braking effort and even out pad wear.
All Rodeos also have twin front airbags with side protection door
beams for all doors. The front and rear of the body have special
crush zones designed to provide maximum absorption during impacts
while the centre section and chassis are specially reinforced.
The front seatbelts have impact load-limiting pretensioners and
are height-adjustable as are the two outer rear seatbelts on the
Double Cab. Every Rodeo occupant also benefits from a three-point
seatbelt including the centre passenger on the Double Cab. In addition,
an ISOFIX child seat mounting is fitted on the front passenger seat
of every model and also on the two outer rear seats of the Double
Cab.
Nissan
Nissan has extended its commercial vehicle line-up this autumn with
the compact Kubistar joining the line-up, and the marque’s
largest van, the Interstar, receiving a makeover. Braking and safety
have been improved on the revised Interstar – sister vehicle
to Renault’s Master – which has a gross vehicle weight
from 2.8 to 3.5 tonnes, and represents a complete range in itself,
with three body lengths, three heights, four common rail direct
injection turbo-diesel engines and a wide selection of options to
modify the van to either individual or company requirements.
The new Interstar is distinguished by its “Flying Wing”
front grille with trademark Nissan logo, set between new front headlamps
and smoked indicators. The new front bumper below this line is set
for fog-lamp installation and has also been made more robust to
help protect not just the headlamps above it, but to also limit
damage from everyday knocks and bumps. At the rear, new Nissan badging
accompanies the modern new light clusters, high mounted either side
of the wide-opening double doors.
The large and ergonomic seats are now fitted with new trim and colour,
with the driver’s seat equipped with an armrest, with an optional
armrest for the passenger. Parking is a major issue on crowded streets,
so to help the Interstar fit into any suitable space, a reversing
sensor is offered as standard on the SE version. This emits a tone
when the rear bumper starts to get close to an object. As well as
improving safety, this also helps keep the number of minor knocks
to a minimum.
The Interstar has an active safety package that brings security
and safety to the driver, vehicle and payload. Two front airbags
are available on every model – standard on the driver’s
side, optional for the passenger side.
The Interstar’s braking system has been upgraded. Four disc
brakes, ventilated on the front, form the secure basis for the braking,
to which can be added a variety of back-up systems. The ABS system
has been comprehensively reworked and now delivers one of the shortest
braking distances in the Interstar’s class. The addition of
Electronic Brake Assist means even more control, even shorter stopping
distances. Where ABS is not opted for, Nissan offers the new X-circuit
braking system which improves normal braking performance by linking
opposite corners of the vehicle – front left/rear right and
vice versa – for flat, stable braking even with a full load.
Meanwhile, Nissan’s newest and smallest van, the Kubistar
– sister vehicle to the Renault Kangoo – entered showrooms
in October with ABS brakes as standard across more than half the
range. Safety features on the Kubistar E include a bulkhead and
an airbag, while the SE boasts ABS, which Nissan claims is a £400
option on some rivals.
A variety of option packs for Kubistar have been launched, including
the £350 Safety Pack that gives the added protection of a
passenger and side airbags. Rear-loading height is a back-friendly
52cm and access to the load area is via twin rear doors and optional
sliding side load doors.
Renault
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“Renault’s expertise in safety is applied to the
entire range – which encompasses chassis and crewcabs,
as well as panel vans” |
The introduction of the new Renault Master completes the French
marque’s refreshing of its light commercial vehicle range,
a process which began with the launch of the 2002 Van of the Year,
the Trafic, followed by the latest versions of the Clio Van and
the new Kangoo Van in March of this year. The company says class-leading
safety equipment is featured on the new 2.6 to 3.5 tonne Master,
which has been totally designed, engineered and built by Renault
and is also being sold by Vauxhall (the Movano) and Nissan (the
Interstar) as rebadged products.
Renault's expertise in safety is applied to the entire range –
which encompasses chassis and crewcabs, as well as panel vans. Where
active safety is concerned, the new Renault Master is equipped as
standard with ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution. This system,
together with the four disc brakes, ensures distribution of braking
effort and ultra-short braking distances. The Master also has Emergency
Brake Assist, coupled to the ABS, an exclusive feature in this market
segment. Teamed with standard 16-in tyres, the new Master is claimed
to achieve best-in-class braking.
Finally, the door mirrors with their double field of vision reduce
any blind-spot effect, for added safety. The passive safety system
comprises one or two airbags. The 45-litre driver's airbag is now
standard, while the 100-litre passenger airbag remains an option.
The vehicle is equipped with head restraints for all seat positions,
while the front seats benefit from height-adjustable three-point
safety belts. The passenger safety belts are equipped with pretensioners
if the airbag is specified. The specification is completed by a
seatbelt reminder warning light, and a collapsible steering column
that limits rearward movement of the steering wheel in case of a
frontal impact.
Meanwhile, goods security has been enhanced with the adoption of
the exclusive Renault Anti-Intruder Device (RAID) if the vehicle
is equipped with central door locking. All the doors are locked
as soon as the vehicle exceeds 5mph, for optimum protection from
theft or physical aggression towards the occupants. The Master now
offers an alarm as standard, which protects both the cabin (volumetric
protection using ultrasonic sensors) and the load space (perimetric
protection via door-opening microswitches). The load space features
tie-down rings allowing the load being carried to be strapped securely
into place.
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