Autoblog

We've heard through the grapevine that another element of the collaboration between Chrysler LLC and Nissan, in addition to the latter giving the former a small car and the former giving the latter a pickup, is that Chrysler will be ditching its Daimler-sourced Sprinter commercial van in favor of a rebranded Nissan van by 2011. As we already know, Nissan is planning on producing three new light commercial vehicles for the U.S. at its plant in Canton, Mississippi, and it will be sourcing some engines for its new LCVs from Cummins. Thus, we would also expect to see the familiar sight of a Cummins diesel under the hood of Dodge's version, as well. Will we discover even more sharing between Chrysler and Nissan as time goes on? Our sources say these companies aren't finished raiding each other's parts bins by a long shot.

[Source: Wouldn't you like to know]

Click the image above to view a 15-image high-resolution gallery

The bulk of the Mercedes-Benz range gets alphanumeric designations. One of the few exceptions is the utility van which, versatile though it is, is not the first vehicle that would otherwise spring to mind in association with the name Sprinter. Duesseldorf-based tuning house Hartmann is doing its part to rectify that, however, with its new SP5 package.

The kit features an aero body kit with sportier front bumper, grille, side sills and rear apron, a new exhaust system with twin tailpipes, and though they don't look it in relation to the towering height of the vehicle itself, the wheels have been upgraded to 19" alloys with 255/55 R19 tires. Hartmann also does its magic in the cabin as well, with dash kits in wood or carbon fiber and chrome trim. Hartmann says its van conversion would make a good platform for a mobile office, promotional vehicle or delivery van for "exclusive products", and offers an array of engine mods depending on the stock powertrain chosen to make it more, you know... sprinty. Don't expect to see a brown one delivering your UPS packages anytime soon, though.

[Source: Carscoop]

click above for more high-res images of the Ford Transit Connect

We reported last January that the European Ford Transit Connect would be coming to the U.S., and now we've learned that the Euro van is expected to join the assemblage of debuts at this year's Chicago Auto Show. Speculation is that the front-wheel-drive mini-ish vans will hit showrooms as a 2009 model and come with a 4-cylinder engine. It is also said to have seating for five, but meant to compete with another, larger European transplant, the Dodge Sprinter. Since Ford hasn't even acknowledged that the vehicle will be at Chicago, it hasn't issued a price, but MSRP for the Sprinter Van is $32,150 and the Sprinter Wagon goes for $34,350. If nothing else, we're happy to see Ford's European migration this way continuing, and there's even a Transit Connect SportVan! Now if we could work on some of those passenger car offerings...

[Source: The Car Connection]

click on above image to view addition high-res images of the 2007 Dodge Sprinter

So the embargo on material for the new 2007 Dodge Sprinter lifted at midnight last night. Yeah, we forgot about it, too. Nevertheless, the Sprinter's in a class by itself when it comes to commercial vans offered by the Big 3 (2.5, whatever). The 2007 model is all new and gets crazy with the dimensions adding a Super Size model for those who always want fries with that. Compared to last year's largest model, the new Sprinter has increases in width (two inches), interior height (11 inches), exterior height (13 inches), cargo area length (19 inches), vehicle length (30 inches), cargo volume (127 cu. ft.), and towing capacity (2,500 lbs.). For the discriminating business owner, there are no less than three vehicles lengths, two wheelbases, three interior roof heights, and two engines. The two new motors are a 3.0L V6 diesel that produces 154 horsepower and 280 ft-lbs. of torque at 1,200 to 2,400 rpm, and a 3.5L gas V6 making 254 horsepower and 250 ft-lbs. of torque at 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. Both engines are routed through a five-speed automatic. In its largest form, the new Sprinter can swallow 600 cubic feet of stuff in one bite. No doubt the courier industry is excited to see the new 2007 Sprinter, even if we aren't.

Check out the full press release from Dodge after the jump, as well as our gallery that shows both commercial and passenger versions of the new 2007 Dodge Sprinter.

[Source: Dodge]

Allpar.com has posted some great spy shots of the revised Dodge Sprinter. The Mercedes-built van has been a quiet success for DaimlerChrysler in the U.S., and DCX may be looking to expand its place in the market. The passenger version shown in these photos may indicate a new focus for the Sprinter van product, as well. With a little investment, the Sprinter could become an even better people moving tool for organizations like churches, schools, and maybe even some families, supplanting the age-old Ford E-Series Econoline and similar offerings from General Motors.

The current generation van can be configured as a people mover, but the revisions to the rear window glass and some packaging changes could indicate that Dodge is ready to go after some of the full-size van market. The Sprinter offers better fuel economy, more space, and an overall better packaging proposition than most full-size vans. It has been an expensive vehicle in the past, and previously the inventory mix heavily favored commercial customers, so it will be interesting to see if Dodge goes in this direction and reaches for the non-commercial consumer.

Thanks to David for the tip!

[Source: Allpar.com]

On our drive back home yesterday, we saw one of those apocalypse-ready Ford Econoline vans tooling along on the freeway and thought to ourselves, "Autoblog needs a mobile command unit." After running it by our budget office and being swiftly laughed out of the building we were forced to come back out of the clouds. Then this shows up and we start salivating again.

The translation from Caradisiac is about as undecipherable as poorly-lighted Aramaic, but from what we gather, Volkswagen plans on showing off a new work truck at some point in the near future to go up against the Ford Transit, Mercedes/Dodge Sprinter and Fiat Truckster. From the Google-translated text, all we can gather is that the Crafta Atacama will be powered by five-cylinder TDI, producing approximately 260 ft./lbs. of torque and offer optional four-wheel-drive.

As anyone who has ever examined some of the offerings from the producers of European work-vans, features are what make the market. How many door combinations do you want? What interior accoutrements are on your short list? You name it, they'll normally shove it in somewhere. The Crafta Atacama probably won't be any different, offering a panoramic/sliding glass roof, customizable colors, shields, bumpers, sidesteps, suspension and wheel upgrades.

When, where and how much is all up in the air, but maybe if it floats on over to this continent we can make another appeal to our bean counters.

Click on through for a few more shots.

We're by no means experts on European commercial vehicles, but it would seem that White Van Men on the continent are about to be inundated with new product choices, while their Stateside counterparts continue to make due largely by choosing between a Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter, Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana, or Ford's jurassic Econoline. In just the past month or so, we've seen a fresh-faced Volkswagen Crafter and Fiat's new Ducato (along with its Citroen Jumper and Peugeot Boxer twins), and now Vauxhall is set to market a revamped Vivaro.

The Vauxhauler receives an exterior once-over, keeping its distinctive bubble roofline, but adding new light fixtures front and rear and a new V-shaped grille.

Inside, upholstery and trim materials have been upgraded, with faux metal trim and chrome-ringed gauges, and a new range of infotainment options available.

Later in 2006, buyers will have their choice of a revamped engine range as well, including a pair of new 2.0-liter common rail turbodiesels or a tidied-up 2.5-liter CDTi, all yoked to six-speed manual gearboxes.

[Source: Transport News Network]

We first showed you a sneak peak of Fiat's new Ducato commercial truck when a small photo first surfaced on the Internet back in mid-March. But with the official unveiling of the lineup, a brace of new, larger snapshots have become available, along with the range's full story. As we reported earlier, van buyers will have the choice of three wheelbases and heights, along with four lengths. Those just purchasing the chassis (for fitment of aftermarket configurations like a flatbed or Ambulance) will have five lengths tied to four wheelbase options.

The Ducato's fortunes are pivotal to Fiat, with 1.7 million units shifted over the last 25 years. Check out more photos inside and out, along with the press materials at the link.

[Source: DueMotori.com]