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2.5.2002
Vauxhall celebrates its Year of the Van at NEC

Right on cue, Vauxhall's all-new Combo van has been named by CAP Monitor as the van with the lowest running costs for any light commercial vehicle on Britain's roads.

New Combo 1.7 Di costs just 8.23 pence per mile over a three year, 90,000 mile period. That gives Combo a 10 per cent advantage over the average 9.19 pence per mile running cost for its sector.

CAP Monitor, the independent benchmark guide to future commercial vehicle values, also places Vauxhall in third position, with the 1.7 DTi Combo. The Astravan is in the sector's top ten, a record only matched by Peugeot.

In the last year Vauxhall has introduced:

All-new Vivaro has taken many British and international awards within months of its launch. The latest accolade is as best performer under the toughest of Arctic Circle winter conditions in the tenth Arctic Van Test held in Lapland in January by the Finnish magazine Auto, Tekniikka ja Kuljetus (Auto, Technics and Transport).

In the Arctic tests, the Vivaro, and its sister model the Renault Trafic, outscored the Ford Transit, Toyota Hiace and VW Transporter.

Vivaro, a joint venture between Vauxhall parent company General Motors and Renault, is displayed in 2700 short wheelbase and 2900 long wheelbase versions, powered by two common rail 1.9 turbo diesel engines turning in 82PS or 100PS.

Opening Vivaro's rear doors reveals a 5.0 cu m cargo area with a choice of two payloads offering a carrying capacity of up to 1210kg. Drivers will appreciate the low 538mm loading height.

The LWB's additional 385mm produces a load length of 2815mm and increases overall load volume to 5.9 cu m.

The CV Show will host the first formal appearance of the handsome, versatile, well-equipped Vivaro nine-seater minibus. There is exceptional passenger comfort with front and rear interior lights, extra rear ventilation outlets and sliding windows.

The van's efficient space utilization comes into its own with standard minibus equipment comprising bench seats for three in the second and third rows. The rearmost bench seat can be folded down to provide more load area, or folded forward or removed completely.

The insurance grouping is class leading thanks to good low speed crash results, value for money parts pricing and approved original equipment security features. Servicing is every 18,000 miles/two years; there is a three year/100,000 mile warranty.

Movano, Vivaro's big brother in the 2.8t to 3.5t segment, demonstrates the flexibility of the range with a real workhorse medium wheelbase dropside, and a LWB high roof panel van with the latest 2.5 liter DTi turbo diesel engine. In addition there is a 15-seater minibus.

The more flexible 2.5 liter common rail turbo diesel engine replaces the previous 2.8 DTi and there is also a fresh new Movano interior which drivers will quickly appreciate.

Movano's bright new fascia has a distinctly car-like feel with well-positioned controls and instruments.

Continuing the car-like approach by the designers, a new stereo radio/cassette player features two 60-watt speakers mounted in the cabin headlining for much improved sound quality. The driver's seat is fully adjustable for height, back rest angle, cushion angle and reach. You don't have to put up with second best just because you are driving a van!

Total carrying capacity ranges from 1055kg to 1724kg, maximum load space is 8.0-13.9 cu m and maximum load floor length range is 2714mm to 3714mm.

All in all, something for every potential user as the demonstration LWB high roof panel van shows with its 270 degree opening doors, its glazed bulkhead and wooden floor. Look out, too, for a Movano box van on the Anglia Developments stand. Anglia is a Vauxhall preferred conversion partner.

Movano's other engine choice is a 2.2 DTi turbo diesel. Movano has a three-year 100,000 mile warranty and, like Vivaro, an 18,000 mile/two year service schedule.

New Combo – with sales up by 30 per cent so far this year – brings with it a class-leading combination of capacity, access and payload, together with a choice of four engines - one petrol engine, two direct-injection turbodiesels and a Dualfuel 1.6 version.

All combine agility with a modest thirst for fuel, bringing lively acceleration, modest fuel consumption and low maintenance costs, the classic requirements in the light commercial vehicle market.

The 1.7 DTi turbocharged diesel engines have power outputs of 65PS and 75PS, the larger output obtained by varying the boost pressure. Commercial Motor tests returned 44.0 mpg which gives a 500-mile plus range with its 52-litre (11.5 gallon) fuel tank.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine turns in a top speed well in excess of the legal limit, important in helping say, the delivery of urgent dispatches punctually even over longer distances.

Vauxhall's compact transporter consolidates the company's important position in the inner-city delivery van market, combining the storage capacity and robustness of a commercial vehicle with the comfort and driving safety of a passenger car.

The van sets several new standards: outstanding load capacity (up to 3.2 cu m), load area length (up to 103 in/2.70 meters with passenger seat folded), payload (up to 785 kg) and maximum trailer load (up to 1,000 kg).

Car-like features to enhance comfort such as air conditioning, electric windows, central locking and a full selection of infotainment systems allow buyers to customize their Combo.

Two wide-opening optional sliding doors provide a large opening that makes light work of loading furniture with a standard unit size of 60 cm. The rear doors reach the roof, allowing the loading of Euro pallets, and the front passenger's seat back folds for best load length.

Astravan sales remain solid as ever more companies and one-man businesses realize the value of its solid dependability, and the fact that it is versatile enough to handle just about any job with up to 1.6 cu meters of loadspace volume and 610 kg.

Astravan is also the perfect vehicle to go more eco-friendly in Dualfuel form with the 1.6 8v gas/petrol engine that easily exceeds Euro 4 emission levels due to come into force in 2005.

The van's contribution to improving the atmosphere is dramatically illustrated with figures that show CO emissions down by 39 per cent, hydrocarbons by 26.5 per cent and dangerous NOx gases by 38 per cent against petrol. CO2 emissions are 150.9 g/km (petrol: 170.8 g/km).

LPG power is particularly suitable in urban areas because it produces far fewer poisonous gases than either petrol or diesel. In a city where vehicles ran solely on LPG it is estimated that there would be 35 per cent less smog in summer and 30 per cent less in winter.

An additional £1,660 for the Dualfuel model is tempered by the availability of substantial grants from TransportAction's PowerShift program towards the conversion premium.

Alongside the workhorse Astravan Dualfuel and the 1.7 DTi LS version with full BOTT in-vehicle equipment integrated storage kit, Vauxhall is moving the van forward with the latest air-conditioned Sportive model, building on the van's cult following as a driver's van with its car-like performance, handling and comfort.

Astravan Sportive goes that little bit further in terms of being a 'driver's van' to appeal to those who want a van for work and private use but who will not compromise on style, specification or functionality. It is fitted with the perky and economic 1.7 DTi engine. The sporty element goes beyond the exterior features of star silver metallic paint and alloy wheels with low profile tires. Performance feel is enhanced by sports seats and rev counter.

Compact dimensions and a comfortable, spacious driver's cab make the agile new Corsavan ideal for courier services and small businesses.

Also invaluable for the small operator is a 58.2mpg (Commercial Motor test figures) 1.7 DTi diesel engine choice and 20,000 mile/annual servicing alongside a three year warranty and lowest possible E1 insurance rating.

There is one high quality trim level and as well as the two 1.7 liter direct injection turbodiesel engines developing either 65PS or 75PS, also in the engine line up is a 1.2 liter 75PS petrol engine.
Standard features include electronic speed-sensitive power steering that makes town driving a breeze, a driver's airbag and active head restraints. An effective charcoal pollen filter joins a tachometer, clock and radio/cassette as standard features.

Most of the optional equipment available on the Corsa car on which Corsavan is based, may be ordered for the Corsavan, too – like air conditioning and an upgraded audio and navigation system.

Corsavan has a nicely compact overall length of 3.82 meters and maximum floor length of 1245mm. Loadspace capacity is 1.06 cu m (37 cu ft) and payload is 455-495 kgs depending on engine size. With a tailgate over a meter wide, loading is particularly easy.

Vauxhall Managing Director Kevin Wale said: "We have the best and most modern van range in our history and we intend to capitalize on this."