Think you know vans? Think again. Vivaro redefines traditional panel van thinking in so many ways. Courier Direct took delivery for one week of Vauxhalls Vivaro Sportive, which combines added driver comfort with sporty exterior style. Created as a styling exercise, the Vivaro Sportive concept looks and feels like no other van. It’s been specified to a very high standard and features the very best of everything. But it’s not just about good looks. Sportive is equally impressive inside, with air-conditioning, a leather-covered steering wheel and stereo radio/CD player. The windows are electrically operated and the door mirrors are electrically adjustable and heated.There is a choice of two common rail turbo diesel engines a 1.9 CDTI (100ps/204Nm) and a 2.5CDTI 16v (135PS/310Nm) each recognised for their about town flexibility and effortless motorway performance. Vivaro's gearlever is mounted on the dashboard and making full use of all six gears helps to keep diesel usage down, of course, and the crisp change ensures that drivers will want to exploit the box's potential. The common rail diesel runs quietly, offers plenty of performance across the power band and is frugal. We returned roughly 35mpg, a valuable benefit given the extortionate cost of diesel in Britain courtesy of excessive tax. There's ample room for all the bits and pieces that drivers have to carry around with them. Big bins in each of the doors include a moulding designed to accommodate a large flask, while an indent for a cup or can at either extremity of the facia will also hold the removable ashtray.
