Harsh road conditions and frosty temperatures far below the freezing point in Finland were not a problem for Nissan NV200, which was named best Small Van at the Arctic Van Test 2010. Overall, Nissan scored second in the competition, right after Volskwagen Transporter 2.0 TDI.
Only vans with CO2 emissions under 210 g/km were invited to the event. The small van segment was also represented by Dacia Logan Van 1.5 dCi and Fiat Dobl'o Cargo Maxi 1.6 Multijet 16v, while Volskswagen Transporter 2.0 TDI and Ford Transit Econetic belonged to the large van category.
The award is organised by ATK Autotekniikka ja Kuljetus, whose editor in chief is the IVoY Jury member Heikki Laurell. A number of magazines from the Nordic region of Europe are invited since more than 20 years to join the test and cross-check the promises of the manufacturers with the reality of temperatures that go well below zero. The object of the competition this year, was to carry a load of 500 kilogrammes for a distance of a 500 kilometres, emitting the lowest CO2 values.
The overall smart performance of the NV200 gained good feedback from the jurors who reported their findings in their respective media. ATK magazine states that the NV200 is the "best in the city drive":"It is perfect for distribution in cities and offers an exceptionally easy access to the cockpit". The tight turning circle and the easy-to-use controls were also appreciated.
About the Arctic Test
Arctic Test is one of the biggest and toughest international winter tests in Europe, if not in the whole world. Every year the Arctic Test compares and evaluates the suitability of different vehicles to arctic conditions. The test-route starts in Helsinki and finishes in an area that is one of the coldest in Europe. The lowest temperature measured during a test is -51.7 . Extreme condition of the roads reveal the truth about the vehicles and their characteristics, quality and ability to perform in cold conditions.
Test reports are published yearly in issues 2 and 3 of Auto tekniikka ja kuljetus. The test is done in collaboration with the Swedish iTrafik-magazine and the Norwegian Anlegg & Transport-magazine. Arctic test is a world international winter-test.
Arctic Test results are published in over 20 professional magazines internationally with a circulation of 1.7 million copies.
