The Commercial Vehicle Show gives fleets and owner-operators the chance to get up-to-date with the latest vans and accessories. Here’s our run-down of what the top LCV manufacturers will be showing off at the NEC.

Citroen

Dominating the Citroen stand will be the new Relay and the Dispatch, both making their British show debut.

Ford

Aware that there’s a demand for stylish light commercials, Ford will be exhibiting a very special version of its Transit. The Fiesta Sportvan and the 110PS Connect will also feature, but the Transit will dominate with a range of ready-for-work conversions as well as the four-wheel drive version.

The new Ranger pick-up will be there, too, including the recently announced Tipper conversion.

Iveco

Iveco’s line-up of new Dailys will include a 35S18 that’s built on the longest wheelbase (3950mm) and offers a load space area of 17.2 cubic metres. Power comes from a 3.0 litre HPT engine, developing up to 176PS. It’s joined by a 50C15 chassis cab, with a 3750mm wheelbase, powered by a 146PS example of the same 3.0.

LDV

LDV will be giving the long-awaited Maxus chassis cab its global debut with two of the show vehicles in tipper and dropside forms.

The company will also be displaying a 12-seater short-wheelbase and a 17-seater long-wheelbase minibus.

Mercedes-Benz

Merc is looking to raise the profile of the Vito and will be exhibiting the new Sport model. Based on the 150PS 115CDi it comes fully loaded and will be alongside a 111CDi long-wheelbase.

The Sprinter will be present, too, in various guises including chassis cab and Traveliner, as well as a compressed natural gas-powered prototype – which may go into production for the UK next year. However, the hub of the display will be the Safety Van, which demonstrates all the ways to make the van as safe as possible, both actively and passively.

Mitsubishi Fuso

Mitsubishi Fuso will be displaying its Canter vehicle. With a range consisting of 36 models, all Canters are now powered by Euro4 engines, including two new units rated at 110PS (for the just launched 3.5t entry model) and 180PS. The company will also be introducing a sleeper cab option across the range.

Modec

Electric vehicle producer Modec debuted at the show last year and is now in a position to take orders for its stylish and well thought-out vehicles. Capable of a 100 mile range they have a two-tonne payload potential.

Peugeot

After too long an absence (four years) Peugeot is returning to the CV Show – and with a new model.

The 207 Van will be making its worldwide debut at the show. It has a marginally bigger load cube than the old 206 Van, a slightly higher payload capacity and a longer cargo bed. It will be marketed with a choice of three engines: a 70PS 1.4-litre HDi diesel, a 90PS 1.6-litre HDi diesel and a 75PS 1.4-litre petrol. Also on the Peugeot stand will be the all-new Expert, a Partner with a 1.6-litre diesel and the latest Boxer, launched last year.

Renault

Renault will be showing its restyled Clio Campus Van – the first time it’s been displayed in Britain. With a 68PS 1.5-litre dCi diesel under its bonnet it boasts re-sculpted bumpers plus a new tailgate, and is another rival to the Peugeot 207 Van. Top payload capacity is 535kg and it comes with a 0.95 cubic metres cargo area. The Clio Campus will appear alongside versions of the Traffic and Master that can run on 30% biodiesel, as well as the facelifted Kangoo.

Renault Trucks

If Renault’s new Maxity looks vaguely familiar, then that’s because it’s a rebadged and slightly restyled version of Nissan’s Cabstar.

It will be joined by a new version of the Mascott. Grossing at from 3.5 to 6.5 tonnes it comes with a new generation diesel at either 130PS or 150PS, a new six-speed gearbox, a new rear-drive axle, front axle and braking system, plus assorted in-cab changes.

Toyota

Toyota will be showing its new chassis cab, a revised version of the Dyna powered by a 108PS 3.0-litre D-4D diesel. While visiting Toyota don’t forget to inspect the latest Hiace and the Hilux pick-up. In double-cab 4×4 guise the latter is now up for grabs with a 169PS 3.0-litre diesel. The Hilux also comes with a 118PS 2.5-litre diesel.

Vauxhall

Vauxhall will be taking its biggest stand ever at the event, where it will be singing the praises of its new Corsavan. On offer with just one trim level, it carries more weight than its predecessor – 550kg as opposed to a previous 465kg. Power comes courtesy of either a 75PS 1.3-litre CDTi diesel or an 80PS 1.2-litre petrol engine.

There will also be concept versions of the Astravan and Corsavan. Both are Sportive models, complete with bodykit and the higher-powered diesel engines not currently available in the range, the 150PS 1.9 in the Astravan and the 90PS 1.3 in the Corsavan. There’s a good chance both will make it on sale.

More prosaic exhibits will include a Luton-bodied Movano and a crew cab Movano with a tipper body.

Volkswagen

VW will be extolling the virtues of its new range of ready-to-go-to-work bodied Crafter chassis cabs, as well as giving its off-roading Atacama concept vehicle its first UK exhibition airing. It’s a remarkable-looking design study based on a 4×4 Crafter and a vehicle something like it could go into production.

Once you’ve checked that out, give the Transporter Sportline Kombi the once-over. Inspired by the Sportline Van, it’s a passenger-carrying model based on the Transporter window van with a 174PS 2.5-litre diesel.

Also on show is the Crafter CR35 long-wheelbase extra-high roof maxi 3.5-tonner with a Shiftmatic six-speed semi-auto gearbox.

Where and when

The CV Show is held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) just outside Birmingham on 24-26 April. Entrance is free. For further details visit www.cvshow.com and if you’re going along, don’t forget to pre-register as it really speeds up entry to the show on the day.