THE Nissan Townstar compact van is getting bigger with the arrival of a stretched version increasing its carrying capacity by one cubic metre to 4.3m³.

The Townstar L2 has an increased length of 4,910mm - close to that of a mid-sized van - which allows for a wider side door of 831mm, ensuring users can load one Euro pallet.

Payload of the new model is up to 800kg, thanks to revised rear suspension, while the maximum towing capacity of 1,500kg remains the same.

It remains available as an all-electric and a petrol-engined model both with a cargo capacity capable of taking two Euro pallets.

With its urban cycle range of up to 242 miles, the electric Townstar Van L2 has a total combined range of up to 171 miles.

The Townstar Van L2 is also equipped with an array of active and passive safety features common in most Nissan models, including blind spot warning, the Nissan ProPILOT system and an intelligent around view monitor.

It has an industry-leading five-year/100,000-mile warranty and eight-year battery warranty.

Both EV and combustion engined versions of the Townstar Van L2 are available to pre-order now, with basic list prices starting from £21,625 for the ICE model and £33,945 for the EV, excluding VAT.