It’s practical vs. pretty for big debuts
Profitability of commercial vans shown in number of new models
The commercial
CHICAGO – van market is anything but sexy, yet it’s very profitable, which clearly was the reason why, among the flashy debuts at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, I found an all-new compact cargo van — Nissan’s NV200. But, then, I’m a truck guy.
Call it the little brother to the full-sized NV that started selling in North America last year, this smaller NV200 will battle the popular Ford Transit Connect van. In fact — and highlighting just one of its uses — it’s already won on the taxi front by being named the new official New York City taxi last fall.
What was shown in Chicago was a hard-shell van just 4,729 millimetres in length, on a 2,926-mm wheelbase. This size should make it manoeuvrable in city traffic, yet it will still carry 680 kilograms and fit a standard- sized pallet between the wheelhouses. The back has standard mounting points for rack and shelf installation and six floormounted cargo hooks. Power will come from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine matched to a CVT transmission.
The NV200 has dual sliding side doors, tall 40/60-split rear doors, a low floor and tall interior cargo height. Driver conveniences include a sixway driver seat, a “mobile office” with a centre console space for laptops and hanging files, pen/pencil tray, CD holder and dual cup holders. Also, the passenger seat folds down to serve as a flat worktable. The vans will be available at select Nissan dealers in early 2013.
Moving from the practical to the pretty, Ford chose to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Special Vehicle Team by dropping the top on a Shelby GT500.
Across the hall, Kia offered a concept that caught the crowd’s atten- tion: the Track’ster. Revealed with a heavymetal band thrashing behind it on the stage, the Track’ster concept is a direct spin-off of the Soul; just a louder version.
The tough-looking Track’ster is cut low with a dropping roofline and bulldog-like nose. At the rear, it is squat and stubby, with the wheels pulled to the corners. It looks fast, too, and it should be with a 2.0L turbocharged fourcylinder that makes 250 hp
hat power is pushed to all four wheels and the transmission features a short-throw six-speed manual. The Track’ster rides on a lowered sport suspension with 19-inch wheels and large Brembo brakes for stopping.
Over at GMC, the successful Acadia crossover got its first major overhaul since its 2007 launch. This 2013 model gets some subtle exterior updates, including wraparound rear glass, a new rear spoiler and new 18-, 19and 20-inch wheel sizes and rims to complement its stance. Inside, the Acadia gets new soft-touch materials with French stitching and red ambient lighting. In the upmarket SLT and Denali versions, there are aluminum accents on the centre console, doors and dash.
Hyundai announced its all-new 2013 Elantra GT, another in a series of models in its successful Elantra lineup. Similar to the i30 hatchback sold in Europe, the new GT brings with it a sporty European-tuned suspension, a Selectable Steering Mode system and, says the company, more passenger space than the Focus, Mazda3, Golf or Matrix.
Also quietly sitting on the floor at Chicago was a freshened version of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Sold in most parts of the world, the Land Cruiser showed some changes to the grille and the addition of HID low-beam headlights. For 2013, it also gets LED daytime running lights, chrome side moulding and new side mirrors and tail lamps. Inside changes include perforated leather seats with ventilation, glossy wood accents, chrome air registers and a new gauge lighting system.