BRITAIN'S premier light commercial vehicle specialist LDV has launched its long awaited new Maxus range - the first all-new vehicle from the company in more than 30 years.

And already it's winning orders after receiving the Van of the Year Award from Professional Van and Light Truck magazine.

Maxus has two wheel-bases (3100mm and 3850mm), three gross vehicle weights (2.8t, 3.2t and 3.5t) and three aerodynamically crafted roof heights in the panel van range (standard, high and extra high) with the rear doors matching the roof heights to maximise access to the cargo area.

A minibus version (LDV is Britain's leading minibus supplier accounting for 60 per cent of its sales) will join the range later in the year.

It has been designed to offer the largest door openings and interior capacity while the lower driveline weight releases more payload (up tom 1616kg) and the absence of a driven rear axle allows a lower cargo floor for class leading load height.

The body construction provides a rigid passenger safety cell, which has been, developed to better the injury criteria defined in North American safety standards.

Initially just one front wheel drive engine is available, a VM 2.5 litre common rail 16-valve turbo diesel available in two power outputs.

Priced from £12,995 for the 2.8 tonne vehicle and up to £18,495 for the 3.5, Maxus has insurance group ratings of 10 for the 2.8 tonne model and 12 for the 3.2 and 3.5 tonne models.