• Prestigious title of ITM Van of the Year 2010 goes to Nissan’s innovative new NV200
• The Institute of Transport Management (ITM) praises the NV200’s versatility, fuel efficiency and value
• Ground-breaking van offers 54mpg and CO2 emissions of only 137g/km

A winning combination of value and versatility has made Nissan’s NV200 unbeatable in the eyes of the Institute of Transport Management (ITM). Crowning the new model as the Van of the Year 2010, the ITM has confirmed that there is simply no other LCV to beat the NV200.

And it’s easy to see why judges were so taken with the recently launched model. Many small family cars will struggle to match the Nissan’s thrifty fuel economy and CO2 emissions, and it’s clear the NV200 has broken the mould in the small van sector, combining the attributes of a conventional commercial vehicle and a traditional people carrier.

Offering space, comfort and a high level of functionality, the NV200 seats up to seven people while retaining significant storage capacity and comfort for passengers. With innovative folding seat systems, the Nissan offers huge versatility and rivals the practicality offered by both commercial vehicle and MPV rivals.

But don’t think for a second that this is a Nissan that doesn’t look after the driver too. Comfort and convenience will meet the expectations of van and car owners alike, while the option of a rear view parking camera adds convenience and safety to the NV200 package.

Thanks to its ultra-frugal 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine the thrifty van manages 54mpg while emitting only 137g/km of CO2, helping to reduce its impact on both the environment and fuel bills.

Commenting on the Award, ITM Media and PR Director Mr. Patrick Sheedy said: “With the NV200, Nissan is really opening up a new niche in the market, a crossover between commercial and passenger vehicles which will challenge the grip of the MPV on the vehicle market for working families. It’s perfectly pitched – spacious inside yet compact enough to retain a good level of agility in an urban environment; sleekly styled with a comfortable interior; and – most importantly for those on a tight household budget –cost-effective. Looking at the specifications of this vehicle and the offerings currently on the market, we at the Institute are confident that the NV200 is set to make a big impact.