Utilimaster, a Spartan Motors brand, recently unveiled the new Class 3 Velocity M3 walk-in cargo van at The Work Truck Show 2020.
The Velocity M3, built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cab and chassis, blends the fuel efficiency, driver ergonomics and safety provisions of a cargo van cab and chassis with the cargo space of a traditional walk-in van, Spartan said.
“As innovators in fleet vehicle design and engineering, Utilimaster translates customer feedback alongside emerging transportation, infrastructure and technological trends into innovative designs,” said Daryl Adams, president and chief executive officer at Spartan. “Our commitment to bringing these industry-leading products to market faster and more efficiently means we’re best-positioned to meet the needs of our customers in the first-to-last-mile delivery segment, and beyond.”
The Velocity M3 builds upon advancements from the Utilimaster Reach, with a lighter body design, improved payload, better fuel efficiency and maximized cargo space, punctuated with “a game-changing” automatic access system that opens, closes and locks interior and exterior doors—without keys or manual effort—for unequaled ease and stop-by-stop efficiency gains, the company maintained.
The Velocity M3’s driver comfort and safety features include OEM comfort seating, collision mitigation, blind spot detection and a 360-degree camera system with a high-definition 9-inch display, and rear radar sensors. Additional security measures include three-door keyless access systems with wristband RFID activation, an automatic side door and bulkhead door closure feature, and an interior camera system.
Spartan also highlighted its fully electrified Reach EV complete vehicle, a follow-up to the presentation of the bare chassis at last year’s Work Truck Show. The electrified Reach EV showcases Spartan’s commitment to emerging technologies and extending alternative propulsion to customers. The Reach has served a pivotal role with key parcel delivery customers since 2011, Spartan said, offering a purpose-built delivery vehicle with a highly customizable cargo area.
“As the first-to-last-mile delivery segment expands alongside the growing direct-to-consumer market, our vehicles must continue to evolve to meet the needs of our customers and their evolving routes,” said Chad Heminover, president of Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services. “Utilimaster continues to deliver meaningful innovations to the industry.
“We’re excited to launch the Velocity M3 and to concurrently showcase our electrified Reach delivery vehicle, both of which bring industry-leading proprietary engineering and design to our customers, and sets us apart from our competitors.”
