Van size guides – Small Diesel Vans
It can sometimes be very difficult to categorize van,s as each manufacturer often has a different view of what constitutes a particular sector and also how do you categorize a van by cubic capacity, gross vehicle weight or even payload?
For our guide we have decided to go for the cubic capacity, or load volume as many people call it and we’ve divided it into three simple sections ; Small, Medium, Large and Box/Luton Van body.
In this feature we take a look at the small van sector:
Small Vans
Citroen Berlingo
There are two wheelbases available on the Citroen Berlingo, the ‘M’ which is 4.4m long and the ‘XL’ is slightly longer at 4.75m and this equates to a internal load volume of between 3.30 m3 and 4.40 m3 respectively, if the space under the passengers seat is counted. The maximum payload ranges from 800 kg to 1000 kg.
Fiat Fiorino
The Fiat Fiorino is one of the smallest vans in light vehicle vehicle sector in the UK and is the smallest in the Fiat Professional van range. It can accommodate a internal load length of 1.5m and the internal load volume is 2.8 m3, with a maximum payload of 600kgs.
Ford Transit Courier
Whilst there is the Ford Fiesta Van, the Ford Transit Courier is the smallest dedicated van in their light commercial vehicle range and the model is relatively new compared to the big hitters such as the Ford Transit Custom and Ford Transit. The Courier has a wheelbase of 2489mm and this allows an internal load length of 1620mm at the floor although this reduces to 1358mm taking the bulkhead load intrusion towards the top of the van. Having said this if the folding mesh bulkhead is used, passenger seat folded this is increased to 2593mm and this equates to a load space volume of 2.3m3. As far payload is concerned this can vary between 566kgs and 582kgs, dependent on the specification.
Peugeot Partner
The Peugeot Partner has two wheelbases with the shortest measuring 2785mm and the longer at 2975mm, Peugeot describe these as the standard and long respectively. The standard van has a load space capacity of 3.3m3 and 3.9m3 with the optional ‘Multi-Flex’ seat which takes advantage of the storage under the passenger seat. The long version takes this up to 3.8m3 and 4.4m3 with the Multi-Flex seat. As far as internal load length is concerned the standard caters for load lengths between 1817mm and 3090mm as the Multi-Flex seat allows the use of the space up to the engine bulkhead. The long version expends this from 2167mm to 3440mm. The payload can be slightly bigger on the short wheelbase at 1000kgs with the long wheelbase coming in at 974kgs.
Vauxhall Combo
The Vauxhall Combo has two wheelbases the shortest measuring 2785mm and the longer at 2975mm this allows a load volume of 3.3m3 and if the load through facility has been specified this increases to 3.8m3. The longer wheelbase has load volumes between 3.9m3 and 4.4m3 again if using the load through facility. The internal load lengths on the short wheelbase vary depending on if the bulkhead intrusion is measured from 1527mm to 1817mm but this can be increased to 3090mm with the load through. The longer wheelbase has an internal load length between 1877mm and 2167mm and if the load through is included this goes up to 3440mm. Payloads for the Combo vary from 1002kgs to 665kgs.
Volkswagen Caddy
The Volkswagen Caddy is the smallest van in the Volkswagen light commercial vehicle range and has two load volumes with the standard Caddy Cargo wheelbase measuring 2755mm and the Caddy Maxi extends the wheelbase to 2970mm. Consequently there are two loadspace volumes of 3.1m3 and 3.7m3 respectively and the internal load lengths are 1,797mm and 2,150mm respectively with payload varying between 647kgs and 700kgs.
