This month we look at the smallest vans on the market - small cars converted as load luggers.

CITROËN C2 ENTERPRISE

THE Citroën C2 Enterprise is a little smaller than most of the other offerings here and thus loses out in terms of payload and load volume.

But if space and weight are not a problem, the price is certainly attractive, undercutting all the other models in the sector.

Fuel economy is more than attractive.

Citroën reckons this van will return up to 80mpg, although drivers may struggle to achieve this figure in real life conditions.

Under the bonnet goes Citroën’s 1.4 HDi diesel powerplant and it’s a lusty little unit, especially in a vehicle so small, offering 75bhp and 118lb-ft of torque. 

Airbags and ABS brakes come as standard, along with EBD and EBA, remote central locking, a full bulkhead, trip computer, ‘guide me home’ headlights and height/reach adjustable steering wheel.

Air conditioning has just been added as an option.

Fact file

GVW (kg): 1,374
Payload (kg): 331
Load vol (cu m): 0.8
Bhp: 70
Torque (lb ft): 118
Prices (ex-VAT): £7,745

FORD FIESTAVAN

IN a sector which features mainly brand new vans, the Ford Fiestavan is the grand-daddy, having been originally launched back in 2003.

But as it was way ahead of the opposition at the time, it is by no means eclipsed by the newer contenders.

Power is provided by either a 1.3-litre petrol or 1.4-litre diesel engine offering 70bhp and 68bhp respectively and load volume is a tad over one cubic metre.

Duel stage driver and passenger airbags come as standard, along with ABS brakes and side airbags are available as a paid-for option.

Despite this van being four years old, its ride and handling characteristics are faultless, while there is plenty of legroom for driver and passenger.

Ford doesn’t offer an LPG option, but the petrol engine availability means a conversion can be carried out separately.

Basic prices range from £8,200 to £8,550.

Fact file

GVW (kg): 1,585
Payload (kg): 541
Load vol (cu m): 1.01
Bhp: 68-70
Torque (lb-ft): 77-118
Prices (ex-VAT): £8,200/8,550

FIAT GRANDE PUNTO

 

NOT many commercial vehicles can claim to be designed by such a one as Giorgetto Giugiaro – but the Fiat Grande Punto has this distinction and it looks a stunner.

Powered by a single offering – Fiat’s 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engine – it pumps out 75bhp and will reach 103mph, while returning 60.1mpg on the combined cycle.

The Grande Punto van offers as standard ABS brakes, electronic brake distribution and multi-stage front airbags, while options include alloy wheels, rear spoiler and sideskirts. ESP traction control is not available.

In the rear, load volume is up to par with the rest at one cubic metre, while payload is 520kg.

The Grande Punto’s low CO2 emissions figure of 119g/km means it just winkles in under the proposed London congestion charge limit.

Fact file

GVW (kg): 1,650
Payload (kg): 520
Load vol (cu m): 1.0
Bhp: 75
Torque (lb-ft): 140
Price (ex-VAT): £8,600

PEUGEOT 207 VAN

PEUGEOT can claim to have the newest entrant in this sector, the 207 van having been launched in late summer 2007.

 

As such, it features more engines than its competitors and the highest standard spec of them all, despite the fact that prices are largely in line with the rest.

There’s a 1.4-litre petrol engine offering 75bhp and 89lb-ft of torque, a 1.4HDi diesel engine with 68bhp and 120lb-ft of torque and a 1.6HDi with 90bhp and 161lb-ft of torque.

Standard spec includes driver, passenger and side airbags, ABS brakes and emergency brake assist (EBA), electric front windows, adjustable steering column and a good quality radio/CD player.

Options include ESP traction control, air conditioning, full-height bulkhead and a full length load cover.

Fact file

GVW (kg): 1,570-1,610
Payload (kg): 450
Load vol (cu m): 1.1
Bhp: 68-90
Torque (lb ft): 89-161
Prices (ex-VAT): £7,995-£9,295