Take Out Your Crystal Ball: the Vans Five Years From Now - What Will They Be Like?

[unicutie]

We'll all be up on blocks because gas will be $10/gal ;

 

[Chuck1]

No matter what powers it self driving is the future, hopefully it gets here by the time im to old to drive if that day comes.

According to the 1985 Back to the future movies ( they went forward to 2015) we should have flying cars by now

 

[Schwoebs]

An NV with an extra foot and a half would be awesome. I hope a good hybrid van is available in 7-10 years (when my current in progress build will get replaced). I will miss the rumble growl of a good V8.

 

[tripper]

Toyota has a very nice van that they don't sell in America, called the HiAce. I owned one for 5 years. It was super nice with a 3 liter turbo diesel, 4 spd automatic and AWD.  Extremely reliable, the 5 years I owned my 10 year old HiAce nothing broke! I don't know what the mpg was but it was very good. Mine was almost identical to this picture. The engine fit between the seats, like the older American vans but much less intrusive. It even had a factory cooler that ran off the ac. 1993 model I think , very advanced for its time.
The two rows of bench seats in back were on tracks so you could turn them either with the back against the side wall, facing forward or face backwards, in about 15 seconds. I had 2 sets of power curtains, a daylight set and a blackout set, one push of a button and they covered all the windows in the back area.

 

[cortttt]

An NV with an extra foot and a half would be awesome.  I hope a good hybrid van is available in 7-10 years (when my current in progress build will get replaced). I will miss the rumble growl of a good V8.

I think it will be. Things are moving too rapidly in the truck and car world. I think we may be surprised at what we see.

 

[cortttt]

Toyota has a very nice van that they don't sell in America, called the HiAce. I owned one for 5 years. It was super nice with a 3 liter turbo diesel, 4 spd automatic and AWD.  Extremely reliable, the 5 years I owned my 10 year old HiAce nothing broke! I don't know what the mpg was but it was very good. Mine was almost identical to this picture. The engine fit between the seats, like the older American vans but much less intrusive. It even had a factory cooler that ran off the ac. 1993 model I think , very advanced for its time.
The two rows of bench seats in back were on tracks so you could turn them either with the back against the side wall, facing forward or face backwards, in about 15 seconds. I had 2 sets of power curtains, a daylight set and a blackout set, one push of a button and they covered all the windows in the back area.

I love my GMC but go Toyota .. The problems with the Savana and Express have been mostly ironed out over the years. I kind of shudder to think what the reliability of a brand new van would be like from GM.

 

[breeze]

Imagine it's a High Roof Drifting!

Nissan brings back to 2012 to 2016 model, with High Roof and Sumo rear Springs stock oem.

 

[MrNoodly]

Here's an article about future GM vans:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/futu...t-vehicles-products/future-chevrolet-express/

Basically, the next generation Express/Savana will still be based on a pickup platform, therefore, RWD and AWD (or 4WD). There will probably be more body options in order to remain competitive. Engines will probably be turbo 4-cylinder gas, V6 non- turbo gas, and a turbo 4-cylinder diesel.

The US versions of the Transit and ProMaster are still young, so there probably won't be any major changes within five years. The Sprinter is about due for another generation. If the NV is still around in five years, I think it will be radically different, based on one of their vans from another part of the world rather than on the Titan pickup.

Since the infrastructure for electrical vehicles is still very limited, I think we'll see hybrid vans for a decade of more before we see 100% electric vans.

 

[MrNoodly]

The Sprinter is about due for another generation.

Oops, I'm a little behind on my automotive reading. The IS a new Sprinter. Now with a gasoline engine option, and an electric version on the way.
Here's an article: https://jalopnik.com/stop-whatever-youre-doing-and-check-out-the-sweet-new-m-1822768143

 

[cortttt]

Here's an article about future GM vans:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/futu...t-vehicles-products/future-chevrolet-express/

Basically, the next generation Express/Savana will still be based on a pickup platform, therefore, RWD and AWD (or 4WD). There will probably be more body options in order to remain competitive. Engines will probably be turbo 4-cylinder gas, V6 non- turbo gas, and a turbo 4-cylinder diesel.

The US versions of the Transit and ProMaster are still young, so there probably won't be any major changes within five years. The Sprinter is about due for another generation. If the NV is still around in five years, I think it will be radically different, based on one of their vans from another part of the world rather than on the Titan pickup.

Since the infrastructure for electrical vehicles is still very limited, I think we'll see hybrid vans for a decade of more before we see 100% electric vans.

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]"Basically, the next generation Express/Savana will still be based on a pickup platform, therefore, RWD and AWD (or 4WD). There will probably be more body options in order to remain competitive. Engines will probably be turbo 4-cylinder gas, V6 non- turbo gas, and a turbo 4-cylinder diesel."[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I like it![/font]

 

[SoulRaven]

passenger vans, probably hybrid

commercial van, will be like Ford Transit vans. it's not economically viable, so i don't see any kind of hybrid, the torque for fully loaded commerical van 1 1/2ton 2ton stop/go in the city would quickly draw down the batteries.

 

[MrNoodly]

passenger vans, probably hybrid

commercial van, will be like Ford Transit vans.  it's not economically viable, so i don't see any kind of hybrid, the torque for fully loaded commerical van 1 1/2ton 2ton stop/go in the city would quickly draw down the batteries.

There are vehicles with 10- and 12-speed automatic transmissions, which mean gear ratios can be made to deal with that problem.

 

[frater secessus]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I like it![/font]

Indeed.  A stock high roof AWD/4WD van would be great.  And might put some downward pressure on eurovan prices.

 

[MrNoodly]

And might put some downward pressure on eurovan prices.

More likely, GM would just price their versions the same as eurovans.

 

[steamjam1]

If Chrysler started making their Fiat Ducato based Promaster vans with turbo diesel and optional 4wd, I'd buy one today.

 

[frater secessus]

There's a turbodiesel but no 4wd option.

 

[cortttt]

Electric Cargo Vans are coming. My guess is that they'll be a huge hit for delivery companies which tool around town - better mpg, less pollution, more reliable overall 

The range is too limited for us still. 


https://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/w...rucks&ust_id=f3f723900c0c86e055c5ff0586eb6518


Designed from the ground up by U.S. OEM Workhorse, the cargo vans were built to be the safest, most efficient last-mile delivery and work truck system available.  A low floor and high roof are design are intended to improve worker efficiency and reduce physical stress on the knees and back, while maximizing cargo space in a small footprint.


As an integrated component of Workhorse’s offering, Ryder will support the electric vehicles with a combination of warranty and maintenance services as part of the Ryder SelectCare fleet maintenance portfolio. Ryder offers a network of 800 maintenance facilities across North America to support the Workhorse electric vehicle fleet, maximizing uptime, lowering costs and keeping businesses moving.

The N-GEN vans feature fast charging capabilities and achieve 100 miles all electric range. Standard is all-wheel drive and superior turning radius for a light class vehicle. The built-in Workhorse Metron telematics system tracks all parameters in real time to optimize performance and efficiency. Design options will include collision avoidance system, automatic braking, lane centering warning and optional patented HorseFly unmanned package delivery drone.

 

[eDJ_]

I suspect the Vans will be getting 25 mpg gas or diesel.   And the hybrid will come to Vans/Trucks.   Whether this be a V6 or Turbo Diesel. 

In some parts of the country it's still difficult to get a Diesel to start on cold mornings if it isn't garage kept. (it is getting better though)

Then the Vans which would be used in the inner City/Metro areas may benefit from the hybrid platform. 

Vans which will carry heavy loads may not go uni-body any too soon.  They will still have to be built heavy enough to last 5 years so that they can be written off as "Capital Equipment" by the industrial bean counters.

I waiting to see Diesel Electric where electric motors in the wheels become the drive (Diesel Electromotive) A large Alternator would replace the transmission and the electric it produces would power two wheels and the other two could be "optional" motors for all wheel or 4 wheel drive.   Such vehicles may have to have shunts to dissipate the heat the wheel motors create when used for braking.  Otherwise much of that energy on decelerating or braking could be diverted to the battery(s).  (if the Van would have a battery bank or be designed as a hybrid)

But I think Diesel Electromotive is out there on the Horizon somewhere.

 

[cortttt]

I suspect the Vans will be getting 25 mpg gas or diesel.   And the hybrid will come to Vans/Trucks.   Whether this be a V6 or Turbo Diesel. 

In some parts of the country it's still difficult to get a Diesel to start on cold mornings if it isn't garage kept. (it is getting better though)

Then the Vans which would be used in the inner City/Metro areas may benefit from the hybrid platform. 

Vans which will carry heavy loads may not go uni-body any too soon.  They will still have to be built heavy enough to last 5 years so that they can be written off as "Capital Equipment" by the industrial bean counters.

I waiting to see Diesel Electric where electric motors in the wheels become the drive (Diesel Electromotive) A large Alternator would replace the transmission and the electric it produces would power two wheels and the other two could be "optional" motors for all wheel or 4 wheel drive.   Such vehicles may have to have shunts to dissipate the heat the wheel motors create when used for braking.  Otherwise much of that energy on decelerating or braking could be diverted to the battery(s).  (if the Van would have a battery bank or be designed as a hybrid)

But I think Diesel Electromotive is out there on the Horizon somewhere.

At least one company is delivering hybrid van to fleet owners but not to individual drivers. Hopefully that will change. It's such a no brainer for me - adding 6 or 7 mpg to a big van would be about $700 a year. Hopefully a newer van could make up the cost of the installation ($3500???) in 5 or so years giving you a good return over the next 5. 

This company is doing good.

https://ngtnews.com/xl-hybrids-anno...-surge-meet-vehicle-electrification-megatrend

[font=Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]With an increasing number of companies and local/federal agencies taking aggressive steps toward a low-carbon economy, XL says its business has continued to grow.[/font]

And what if you had a hybrid diesel? Do they make them? Getting in the high 20's mpg?...Whoa...

 

[John61CT]

Tesla X making pulling a 95k# semi easy, in the snow