The first ever Bevan Icon-bodied Mercedes-Benz Sprinters are being supplied by Intercounty Truck & Van, of Wellingborough to the kitchens and joinery brand of Travis Perkins.
The Bevan ICON, first seen at this year’s CV Show is a Luton van body that is both aerodynamic and has a market-leading payload capability.
The Bevan ICONs, all of which are being mounted on Euro 5 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 313CDI chassis will be run for three months, during which their fuel consumption will be monitored closely and compared with that achieved by other Travis Perkins Sprinters with ‘standard’ Luton bodies, also by Bevan Group.
The first of the new vehicles has entered service at the Benchmarx depot in Walsall, West Midlands. Despite having a DEL ‘Slim Jim’ 500kg column tail-lift complete with safety gates for operatives, the unladen vehicle tips the scales at just 2,500kg, leaving a 1,000kg carrying capacity.
The ICON was developed in partnership with independent aerodynamics experts from Cranfield University and Hatcher Components, the new body has a futuristic appearance and incorporates modern technology designed both to increase productivity and reduce the vehicle’s operating costs and environmental impact.
“We have high hopes for the Bevan ICON,” confirms Adam Baillie, Group Fleet Manager for Travis Perkins’ Benchmarx and City Plumbing brands. “It certainly looks radical, particularly from the front end, and if the trial proves successful then we’re sure to invest in more.”
Intercounty Truck & Van has already delivered more than 100 other Sprinters for operation by various divisions of Northampton-based Travis Perkins this year.
Intercounty is now the preferred supplier of 3.5-tonne chassis Travis Perkins, which has been won over by the Sprinter.
Tags: aero luton, aerodynamic luton, Mercedes Sprinter, srinter luton