Bevan Group has unveiled the first of a new breed of Luton van bodies with a market-leading payload of more than 1,200kg.

The Bevan Icon claims to represent a major breakthrough in terms of both productivity and fuel efficiency.

Taking pride of place on the Bevan Group stand at this week’s CV Show, it aims to impress those in the home delivery sector and keen to reduce their carbon footprints.

Bevan has developed the Icon in partnership with independent aerodynamics experts from Cranfield University and Hatcher Components. It incorporates cutting-edge technology designed both to increase productivity and to reduce the vehicle’s operating costs and environmental impact.

The new body is competitively priced and comes with a package of six-monthly inspections and services, carried out on-site by Bevan Aftercare, for the first three years.

Body panels – moulded cab deflector and collar, side walls and roof – are manufactured in a lightweight and recyclable composite GRP material and will be assembled at Bevan’s production facility in Halesowen, West Midlands.

“The Icon’s impressive carrying capacity of more than 1,200kg puts it comfortably ahead of other recently launched products,” said Bevan Group managing director Anthony Bevan. “This will certainly be a big attraction to operators keen to squeeze as many deliveries from their vehicles as possible.

“Add the fact that our new body can help them to cut their fuel bills and carbon footprints, and also has a fantastic on-road presence, and the case for the Icon becomes compelling.”