Vauxhall Combo

This Vauxhall Combo 1.3CDTi is fitted with an Easytronic gearbox – for seamless shifts. This minivan comes equipped with common rail diesel technology and these power plants are more frugal now than ever before. Today a 1.3-litre can offer as much power and torque as a 2.0-litre or even a 2.5-litre of the mid 1980s. With more owner operators than ever before, a van not only has to do the job, but also has to make the driving environment a decent one. Therefore, when it comes to selecting a light van, Vauxhalls Combo would figure on many operators’ shortlists. Attractive upfront pricing and reliable mechanicals make it a trusty little workhorse.

The Combo comes with plenty of power for a small van - 70bhp on tap at 4,000rpm - more than enough to get you around the urban jungle does. Under the bonnet, you have a 1,248cc Ecotec-4 four-cylinder 16-valve double overhead cam engine generating 125 lb/ft of torque. The engine is mated to the Easytronic gearbox, which sets this van apart from rivals. The ‘box is an optional extra on the Combo range – but it will make your driving experience so much easier. It’s a five-speed manual gearbox with a fully auto mode. In manual, you simply push the lever forward or back to shift gear up or down. The facia display shows you what gear you’re in – 1-5 N for Neutral or A for Auto. Switch to fully automatic mode and it has many of the features of a regular automatic including a kick-down function. The ride and handling of the Combo performs well in both the urban environment and outer urban as the Combo is fitted with an independent front suspension, this includes Macpherson struts with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. 

The Combo is ideal for those who appreciate a roomy van with a dynamic and economical performance. The seats are comfortable enough and the driver’s is set fairly high so that those doing multiple drops can slide in and out easily without risking back pains. The cab and the cargo area are smoothly integrated into one aerodynamic shape, the higher windscreen giving an airier feel to the cabin. For those of us used to the Corsa car, the cab interior is no surprise, except for the higher roofline, which has allowed the provision of a full-length shelf overhead, to hold folders, clipboards or other books. Combo’s payloads vary from 743kgs to 803kgs depending on the model chosen and the load floor is low and flat, meaning that items can be slid in and out with ease. The critical measurements are a 1.79-metre long load length in an area 1.38 metre wide. Maximum load height is 1.19 metres, while the distance between the wheel arches is 1.13 metres, which will allow a Euro Pallet. There’s a neat gizmo available as an option in the partition grid, which allows the passenger side section to be hinged over the folded passenger seatback, giving a load length for part of the vehicle to 2.7 metres. They call this FlexCargo, and the hinged section acts as a protection from side load to the driver. Even without this system, the hard backed passenger seat when folded makes a very useful tabletop for an operator to do paperwork or even use a laptop.

Inside and out the Combo has been well built, service intervals are in principle set at 30,000 miles/two years, but you’ll be pleased to know you won’t have to write this down as there is a built-in monitoring device to warn you if your van needs to visit the service department. Vauxhall provides a three-year/60,000 mile warranty with no mileage limit in the first year.The deep plastic front skirt and rear wraparound bumpers should absorb a lot of the knocks and nudges, which are part and parcel of the workday.

Renault Kangoo

The new Renault Kangoo is very much a vehicle for the 21st century and boasts modern, expressive styling, this being highlighted by a short ‘cobby’ front end. It comes in two versions, both sharing the same overall styling, with the ‘Compact’ version being considerably smaller. That said however, inside both this and the larger ‘Express’ have a capacious bright cockpit that is more in line with a car or MPV than a working vehicle. Modern, expressive styling seem to have been the design key words as there is space to securely fit an A4 clip board on the dash, store two lap-top computers in the glove box, as well as an overhead shelf to swallow up whatever else you want to carry close to hand and out of sight.

Multimedia connectivity with Bluetooth capabilities helps make the driving and passenger area as good as any modern Health and Safety conscious office. Add in things like fully adjustable seats, adjustable steering wheel, cruise control, air con, parking sensors, automatic headlamp and wiper activation and driving is not going to get too stressful. Safety is high on the list with pretensioner belts and airbags all round if required. The cockpit forms a rigid non-deformable survival cell to protect its occupants in the event of a crash and you have a choice of bulkheads or safety bars behind you. ABS, brake assist ASR traction control and ESC under-steer control, along with a load limiter make the specifications sound more like a top of the range family motor, rather than a working vehicle. For those times you need to increase the load capacity, providing you have no passenger, the front seat will collapse level with the rear floor to give extra length, if you do not opt for the fixed bulkhead.

The rear of the Express can now take loads between 3 and 3.60 cubic metres. The width between the rear wheel arches is 1.21 metres, which means that euro pallet will just slide in. The smaller ‘Compact’ shares the width, but length is just 3.83 m long as opposed to 4.21m for the larger Express. The load capability is just 2.3 to 2.9 cubic metres, but the turning circle and ease of manoeuvrability is well worth opting for it if you do not have large loads to carry. Both have asymmetrical rear doors that have been beefed up and designed for constant use. A sliding side door (depending on specification) adds to usability and access. Powering these new versions are three diesel engines, 70, 80 and 85bhp versions of the 1.5dCi unit. There are also two petrol engines, a 1.6 8V and 1.6V 105hp available. The list of options and extras also reads like those on a car brochure!

Built on the ‘Scenic’ chassis, it gives a level of handling not normally associated with a van of the genre. With a track 12cm wider at the front and back and a 10cm longer wheelbase compared to the existing version, the vehicle is very stable with little roll and pitch being noticeable even when loaded. Even some steep climbs out in the Scottish countryside were accomplished without the need to use the lowest gears and on the tight backstreets that formed part of my test route the turning circle was superb. The new Kangoo is better in every way and Renault has managed to achieve a replacement that is still as recognisable as its predecessor. Quiet an achievement!

The ultimate drivers’ van

Astravan Sportive SE, brings new levels of stylish design and driver appeal to the commercial vehicle market. With high-performance, fuel-efficient diesel engines and sports-themed styling features, the Astravan Sportive SE joined the line-up by popular demand, after first being exhibited at the Commercial Vehicle Show, NEC Birmingham. The newcomer is the latest in a long-line of load-loving, road-loving vans – a niche which Vauxhall successfully carved out for itself in 2001 with the introduction of the original Astravan Sportive. The flagship Astravan Sportive SE comes with 17-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels, a full body styling pack, front fog lamps and a rear roof spoiler, making it the ideal choice for small business users who want a van that projects a powerful image of their company, as well as those who love driving. Powered by a 1.9-litre 120PS common-rail diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the Sportive SE enjoys performance to match that of Vauxhall’s more sporting car models, while the cabin is designed to offer the best in long-distance driver comfort, with sculpted, ergonomically designed sports seats. To complete the performance theme, the Sportive SE rides on lowered sports suspension, designed to deliver optimum stability in all conditions as well as enhance the van’s appearance.

Astravan uses the same basic design as the Astra Estate, but the rear axle has been redesigned to allow the fuel tank to be moved. This allows for extra load space and a completely flat floor without harming the driving dynamics, while the rear torsion beam has been adapted to cater for carrying heavier loads up to a maximum of 650kg. The load area is 1.82m long by 0.9m high. It’s worth remembering this is a van for people that don't really want to drive a van, so you can't really expect more space.

With security in mind, Astravan's hatch-type door can be specified with an optional opaque thick fibreglass panel rather than glazing. Another neat idea is the two concealed under floor compartments designed to accommodate valuable loads. These are at the cab end of the load area and covered by hatches. Vauxhall has also decided to make available a versatile bulkhead with a flap in it just behind the passenger seat. Fold the seat flat and you can push an 8ft long load through the flap. What ever your load, Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles are designed to help you deliver a top quality job you can also rely on Vauxhalls’ Premier Service Centres which are open 70 hours a week.

A fresh new look at Vauxhalls Vivaro

Vauxhalls Vivaro van has carved a very useful niche for itself in the medium-sized UK van sector. A combination of smart styling, tight pricing, low running costs and a wide variance of bodystyles have all added to its favour. The already striking looks of the Vivaro, with its distinctive ‘bubble’ roof, have recently had a nip and tuck to make it appear even more modern and dynamic. The redesigned teardrop-shaped front headlamps give the nose a smoother appearance, while the indicator lamps have been moved from the bumper to be housed inside the light units. The fresh nose is set off by a wider, more prominent V-grille to bring it in line with the rest of the Vauxhall model range. At the rear, the tail lights extend high up towards the roof from the rear bumper for better traffic visibility. These new features highlight the Vivaro’s appeal to customers who focus not only on practicality, but also on style.

Vivaro is modern-looking inside, comfortable and very practical. This is without doubt one of the most comfortable driving environments in light commercial vehicles. There's room enough in the cab for three without feeling cramped. The dash-mounted gearstick is easy to use and frees up floor space, allowing the driver to leave the van via the passenger door if needed. The dashboard is hooded, so that any items placed in the fascia cubbies do not cause irritating reflections in the windscreen. The driving position is adaptable, with a height-adjustable driver's and a height and reach-adjustable steering wheel. Fresh upholstery and fabrics give the interior a smart, clean appearance, while top models get alloy-effect detailing on the gear lever and door trims, as well as smart chrome rims around the dials. Big door bins take care of odds and ends and are large enough for large bottles. There are a number of shelves for paperwork and odds and ends. Vivaro buyers will also benefit from GM’s latest technology, with standard ABS, optional ESP and alloy wheels.

The revised engine range includes two all-new 2.0-litre CDTi units, which are fully Euro IV compliant. The engines develop either 90PS or 115PS compared to the 82PS and 100PS of the old 1.9-litre units. A revised 2.5-litre CDTi powerplant completes the line up, with 145PS. All Vivaros get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while 2. 5-litre models are offered with optional Tecshift semi-automatic transmission. You can also now get this innovative gearbox on 2.0-litre 115PS versions for the first time. They offer higher performance with practically the same fuel consumption, but have up to 26 per cent more pulling power than their predecessors.
The latest Vivaro has one of the most versatile line-ups in its class, available in several versions up to 2. 9 tonnes in gross vehicle weight and offered with two wheelbase options (3098mm and 3498mm) and two roof heights giving a maximum load volume of over 8m3. The short-wheelbase low roof panel van has a length of 4.78m, a width of 1.90m and a height of 1. 96m inside, the load area is 2.41m long and 1.32m high. To save you doing the sums, that means a loading capacity of around five cubic metres. Opt for the long version and that rises to nearly six cubic metres, thanks to a length of 5.18m and a load area length of 2.81m, in other words, enough for three Euro-pallets. To help access all this space, a one metre-wide sliding door is fitted as standard on the passenger side. A second sliding door is available as an optional extra, as is a hinged rear door opening to an angle of 270 degrees for the long wheelbase version.

On the road, Vivaro is an excellent performer. It's easy to drive, with good steering and sharp brakes. Handling is excellent and it copes as well with twisty roads as it does with the outside lane of motorways.

The New Corsavan

With great about-town driveability, minimal running costs and a body shape that oozes style, the all-new Corsavan is a vehicle which Vauxhall is rightly proud of. The new Corsavan is a purpose-built commercial vehicle. While it shares many of its components with the award-winning new Corsa car, a panel van was part of the model’s development programme from the very beginning, designed to cater for the needs of fleet users requiring city-bound service vans and small business users who want a van that has great driveability. The original Corsavan’s replacement may have a lot to live up to, but it’s a vehicle that’s up to the challenge. It has a uniquely-designed, purpose-built load bay with a ‘proper’ flat floor, a best-in-class payload of 550kg, a choice of lively yet frugal powerplants and the all-important benefit of good looks.

The new Corsavan was designed from day one to give operators more than the current model, and in so many different areas. Bigger, more practical and even more fun to drive, new Corsavan is the perfect vehicle to complement new Astravan, which set the bar for new levels of comfort and driving dynamics at its launch last year. From the outside, smart body-coloured bumpers, full-width wheel trims, and a choice of vibrant colours add to its appeal, while inside the funky cabin of the award-winning Corsa car is unchanged.That means high-quality fabrics and plastics, a superb driving position and a curvy yet durable dashboard, with all of the key controls sensibly located within easy reach. Translucent backlit dials for the stereo and ventilation controls add further to the van’s youthful appeal. The cabin is practical, too, with storage pockets in both doors and under the passenger seat, a spacious glovebox and a useful cubby hole/cup holder ahead of the gear lever.

New Corsavan comes with either a 75PS 1.3-litre CDTi diesel or an 80PS 1.2-litre TWINPORT petrol engine, The 1.3 CDTi is expected to account for the lion’s share of sales, while the 1.2, which will appeal to the lower mileage customer or small business buyer. Both units have already been highly successful in the Corsa car, and are both responsive and economical. Whichever engine you choose, a five-speed manual gearbox comes as standard.Both units are economical, which will make them appeal to both fleet and small business customers.

Access to the business end is easier than ever before, too, with a taller loading aperture and a low sill height, thanks to a large tailgate that lifts well out of the way to give you greater headroom, yet extends down into the bumper moulding to make the van easier to fill up with heavy or cumbersome objects.A sturdy half-height steel bulkhead and durable plastic panelling around the edge of the load bay add further protection, while load lashing eyes are provided to help prevent shifting loads. Further security features include remote central door locking with deadlocks on both models, anti-theft protection for audio equipment, an electronic engine deadlock immobiliser and a dash mounted button which allows the doors to be locked or unlocked from the comfort of the driver’s seat.

New Corsavan will also fit easily into a standard-sized garage, meaning you can lock your van – and its load – snugly away for the evening or weekend.One of the advantages of sharing its underpinnings with the Corsa hatchback is that new Corsavan is both rewarding and agile to drive. The electric power steering system features enhanced, speed-sensitive assistance, delivering more weight at speed and proving both light and responsive around town. The new Corsavan provides a safe environment for travelling, combined with a high level of comfort and a well thought-out interior space, while at the same time it is exceptionally enjoyable to drive.

The new Vauxhall Corsavan

With great about-town driveability, minimal running costs and a body shape that oozes style, the all-new Corsavan is a vehicle which Vauxhall is rightly proud of. The new Corsavan is a purpose-built commercial vehicle. While it shares many of its components with the award-winning new Corsa car, a panel van was part of the model’s development programme from the very beginning, designed to cater for the needs of fleet users requiring city-bound service vans and small business users who want a van that has great driveability. The original Corsavan’s replacement may have a lot to live up to, but it’s a vehicle that’s up to the challenge. It has a uniquely-designed, purpose-built load bay with a ‘proper’ flat floor, a best-in-class payload of 550kg, a choice of lively yet frugal powerplants and the all-important benefit of good looks.

The new Corsavan was designed from day one to give operators more than the current model, and in so many different areas. Bigger, more practical and even more fun to drive, new Corsavan is the perfect vehicle to complement new Astravan, which set the bar for new levels of comfort and driving dynamics at its launch last year. From the outside, smart body-coloured bumpers, full-width wheel trims, and a choice of vibrant colours add to its appeal, while inside the funky cabin of the award-winning Corsa car is unchanged.That means high-quality fabrics and plastics, a superb driving position and a curvy yet durable dashboard, with all of the key controls sensibly located within easy reach. Translucent backlit dials for the stereo and ventilation controls add further to the van’s youthful appeal. The cabin is practical, too, with storage pockets in both doors and under the passenger seat, a spacious glovebox and a useful cubby hole/cup holder ahead of the gear lever.

New Corsavan comes with either a 75PS 1.3-litre CDTi diesel or an 80PS 1.2-litre TWINPORT petrol engine, The 1.3 CDTi is expected to account for the lion’s share of sales, while the 1.2, which will appeal to the lower mileage customer or small business buyer. Both units have already been highly successful in the Corsa car, and are both responsive and economical. Whichever engine you choose, a five-speed manual gearbox comes as standard.Both units are economical, which will make them appeal to both fleet and small business customers.Access to the business end is easier than ever before, too, with a taller loading aperture and a low sill height, thanks to a large tailgate that lifts well out of the way to give you greater headroom, yet extends down into the bumper moulding to make the van easier to fill up with heavy or cumbersome objects. A sturdy half-height steel bulkhead and durable plastic panelling around the edge of the load bay add further protection, while load lashing eyes are provided to help prevent shifting loads.

Further security features include remote central door locking with deadlocks on both models, anti-theft protection for audio equipment, an electronic engine deadlock immobiliser and a dash mounted button which allows the doors to be locked or unlocked from the comfort of the driver’s seat. New Corsavan will also fit easily into a standard-sized garage, meaning you can lock your van – and its load – snugly away for the evening or weekend.One of the advantages of sharing its underpinnings with the Corsa hatchback is that new Corsavan is both rewarding and agile to drive. The electric power steering system features enhanced, speed-sensitive assistance, delivering more weight at speed and proving both light and responsive around town. The new Corsavan provides a safe environment for travelling, combined with a high level of comfort and a well thought-out interior space, while at the same time it is exceptionally enjoyable to drive.

The fresh face of the Vauxhall Vivaro

The fresh face of Vauxhall’s stylish panel van went on sale this autumn. Already regarded as one of the most distinctive models in its class, the British-built Vivaro brings with it a few tweaks to make the successful formula of its original, unique styling stay fresh for the next few years. Vivaros primary virtues are its distinctive ‘bubble-roof’ and exciting, aerodynamic, profile. A smart new V-grille and revised front light clusters, with indicators integrated into the lenses, gives the Vivaro a bolder front, while clear rear lamp lenses and revised clusters freshen up the back end.

Inside, the cabin also gets a few changes. Fresh upholstery and fabrics give the interior a smart, clean appearance, while top models get alloy-effect detailing on the gear lever and door trims, as well as smart chrome rims around the dials. A revised range of infotainment systems are on offer, including colour sat nav. Vivaro buyers also benefit from GMs latest technology, with standard ABS, optional ESP and alloy wheels. The changes add to the Vivaro’s driver-oriented feel, with its car-like driving position, slick six-speed gearbox and surprising dynamic ability.

New powerplants include two all-new 2.0-litre CDTi units, which are fully Euro IV compliant. The engines develop either 90PS or 115PS – compared to the 82PS and 100PS of the existing 1.9-litre units. They offer higher performance with practically the same fuel consumption, but have up to 26 per cent more pulling power than their predecessors.
A revised 2.5-litre CDTi powerplant completes the line up, with 145PS up 10PS over the existing 2.5 CDTi. All Vivaros get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while a six-speed TecShift automated-manual transmission is available on 2.0 115PS models for the first time, and also on 2.5-litre models. A further boost to high mileage users is that the new powerplants use a service-free cam chain, rather than a rubber belt, reducing the cost of maintenance and minimising the amount of time the van must spend off the road.

Vivaro offers a choice of load space volumes up to 2.9 tonnes in gross vehicle weight and offered with two wheelbase options (3098mm and 3498mm) and two roof heights giving a maximum load volume of over 8m3. The short-wheelbase low roof panel van has a length of 4.78m, a width of 1.90m and a height of 1.96m. Inside the load area is 2.41m long and 1.32m high with a loading capacity of around 5 cubic metres. Opt for the long version and that rises to nearly six cubic metres, thanks to a length of 5.18m and a load area length of 2.81m. In other words enough for three Euro-pallets. Go for the long wheelbase, high roof model and there is a load volume of 8.4m3. To help access all this space, a one metre-wide sliding door is fitted as standard on the passenger side. A second sliding door is available as an optional extra, as is a hinged rear door opening to an angle of 270 degrees for the long wheelbase version.

Vauxhall’s 18,000-mile service intervals and 100,000-mile, 3-yr warranty add further to the low running costs and added peace of mind. Vivaro customers can also take advantage of Vauxhall’s new Premier Service Centres. Aimed at minimising downtime while maximising mobility, the Premier Service Centre promise includes CV-trained technicians at each PSC retailer, meaning they will guarantee a same day repair providing parts are in stock, while for diagnosis or repair taking no more than 90 minutes, no prior appointment is needed. Should the vehicle need to be taken off the road, suitable alternative transport and onward mobility options are available. Every centre also has a dedicated service phone line for customers wanting to book in advance. Covering a huge area of the country from Glasgow to Plymouth, there is a centre within one hour’s driving time of almost 90 percent of UK households.
The new models represent the latest chapter in Vauxhall’s amazing commercial vehicle success story – one that has seen sales more than double since Vivaro’s introduction in 2002, to a record high of over 52,000 commercial vehicles sold in the UK last year.

Vroom Vroom with the Vivaro Sportive

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.

The compact Combo Van

With more owner operators than ever before, a van not only has to do the job, but also has to make the driving environment a decent one. So when it comes to selecting a light van, Vauxhalls Combo would figure on many operators’ shortlists. Attractive upfront pricing and reliable mechanicals make it a trusty little workhorse. The Combo 1.7 CDTi is ideal for those who appreciate a roomy van with a dynamic and economical performance. The engine reaches 60mph in 12.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 106 mph. The cab and the cargo area are smoothly integrated into one aerodynamic shape, the higher windscreen giving an airier feel to the cabin. For those of us used to the Corsa car, the cab interior is no surprise, except for the higher roofline, which has allowed the provision of a full-length shelf overhead, to hold folders, clipboards or other books.
The critical measurements are a 1.79-metre long load length in an area 1.38 metre wide. Maximum load height is 1.19 metres, while the distance between the wheel arches is 1.13 metres, which will allow a Euro Pallet.There’s a neat gizmo available as an option in the partition grid, which allows the passenger side section to be hinged over the folded passenger seatback, giving a load length for part of the vehicle to 2.7 metres. They call this FlexCargo, and the hinged section acts as a protection from side load to the driver. And even without this system, the hard backed passenger seat when folded makes a very useful tabletop for an operator to do paperwork or even use a laptop.
Service intervals have been extended compared to the previous Combo, to 20,000 miles or 12 months, and a combined fuel consumption of almost 54 mpg is bound to be attractive to operators. The deep plastic front skirt and rear wraparound bumpers should absorb a lot of the knocks and nudges, which are part and parcel of the workday.

Take the load and hit the road

It’s the van that can handle the road as well as the load! Vauxhall recently pulled the wraps of its new Astavan at this years British Commercial Vehicle Show, the new Astravan is to be built at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port, Cheshire plant, which also makes the five-door Astra car .With 3,200 employees; Ellesmere Port built 188,000 vehicles last year on three shifts. It originally opened in 1964 and has turned out 4m vehicles over the past 42 years, including 338,000 vans. The new Astravan has been designed from the ground up to be every inch the ‘Drivers Van’. It retains the dynamic abilities, style and comfort of the car but with even greater practicality. Every component has been reassessed or redesigned so it's purpose-built for commercial duties, yet from behind the wheel it still feels little different to the car. The new Astravan uses the same basic design as the Astra Estate, but the rear axle has been redesigned to allow the fuel tank to be moved. This allows for extra load space and a completely flat floor without harming the driving dynamics, while the rear torsion beam has been adapted to cater for carrying heavier loads.
Initially, the new Astravan will be available with a choice of three diesel engines and one petrol. All the diesels get six-speed manual gearboxes as standard, with an auto box up for grabs as an option on the 1.9-litre. The flagship model will use the 120PS 1.9-litre CDTi powerplant from the Astra car range, offering class-leading performance, refinement and running costs. A revised version of the current Astravan's 1.7-litre CDTi unit developing 100PS will also be on offer, along with a 90PS version of Vauxhall's award-winning 1.3CDTi engine. All three-diesel units will be Euro 4 compliant from launch, as will the one petrol addition to the range. Powered by a 90PS 1.4-litre engine, the petrol Astravan makes use of GM's advanced Twinport technology.
The newcomer offers a cargo bed that is 80mm longer than is boasted by the present offering. At 1,380mm, it is fractionally wider too, but has marginally less clearance between the wheel boxes. Maximum load height is up from 886mm to 910mm but at 1.6m3, load cube is virtually the same. Payload capacity has increased noticeably, from 605kg to 650kg. With security in mind, new Astravan's hatch-type door can be specified with an optional opaque thick fibreglass panel rather than glazing. Another neat idea is the two concealed under floor compartments designed to accommodate valuable loads. These are at the cab end of the load area and covered by hatches. Three load tie-down points that line up with each other are provided on each side of the cargo bed .Vauxhall has also decided to make available a versatile bulkhead with a flap in it just behind the passenger seat. Fold the seat flat and you can push an 8ft long load through the flap. Electro-hydraulic power steering comes as standard as do ABS — brake heavily and the hazard warning lights come on. There are intelligent driver and passenger airbags fitted which means that they only trigger when they are really needed.