Opel boasts that its new Vivaro van range combines the functionality of a light commercial vehicle with the comfort and design of a passenger car.
Coming to Ireland in autumn, Opel claims the second generation of its bestseller delivers an impressive ‘wow’ factor by bringing Opel’s award-winning ‘sculptural artistry meets German precision’ design philosophy to the light commercial vehicle segment for the first time.
A spokesman told us that implementing its new, eye-catching looks are state-of-the-art technologies and many practical, innovative features, under the hood – diesel engines ensure strong pulling power with advanced Bi-turbo propulsion – and in the cabin, making the Vivaro an extremely attractive competitor in this key vehicle class.
“The second generation Opel Vivaro distinguishes itself with its superb practicality and quality. After 13 successful years on the market, we wanted to make the all-new Vivaro even more attractive while raising the standard of its core capabilities,” says Mark Adams, Opel design vice president, describing the design team’s task.
“The new Vivaro showcases sculptural artistry and German precision with sweeping sculptural design accents, bold proportions and premium accents. This gives it a sharpened and more refined character, making it the ideal mobile business card.”
As the picture shows, the new Opel Vivaro’s exterior is now more elegant and modern. With a large, prominent grille, distinctive headlamps and the flowing blade side feature from Opel’s multi-award-winning design language, it includes the characteristic forms of the brand’s passenger car models.
The headlamps are housed in high-gloss black moldings with embedded chrome accents that enhance their jewel-like effect. The daytime running lights come with signature Opel wing graphic design and are available with modern, crisp LED technology, giving the Vivaro an unmistakable look.
Depending on how the new Vivaro is to be used - as a robust van, a representative business vehicle or a comfortable large-capacity car – customers can choose between three body design trim levels. Additionally, Opel says the new Vivaro colour range comprises 11 standard colours, with five solid and six two-coat metallic finishes. From market launch, further specific colours will be available for special-use vehicles, so customers can order their new Vivaro in the perfect outfit for every business and commercial need.
The versatile Vivaro is the right vehicle for almost every customer need. The new edition continues the successful concept of diverse variants and is available in various configurations in two overall lengths and two heights as a panel van, Combi, crew van and bus.
Opel points out that the new Vivaro is now even more suitable for transport needs than its predecessor, because in both lengths – the first version is around five meters long, the second adds 40 centimetres to that – it is nearly 22 centimetres longer, providing extra space that is also noticeable in the interior and that enables new transportation functionalities not possible before.
The new Vivaro is an all-round, heavy-duty workhorse also, thanks to its modern powertrain technology. It comes with all-new turbo diesel engines: a 1.6 CDTi as well as an advanced 1.6 Bi-turbo CDTi with sequential turbocharging and a twin-cooler system. Powered by two turbochargers working together, this engine combines excellent performance with high fuel economy.
Combined cycle fuel consumption with the new turbo diesel units is reduced by over one litres, and with the Bi-turbo to even below 6.0 litres per 100 km (preliminary data ). Opel claims this gives the new edition of Opel’s successful all-rounder top values in its vehicle class.
The primary source for the new Opel Vivaro’s diverse range is the Luton plant in England. Different versions of Opel/Vauxhall’s LCV bestseller, developed together with Renault, have been rolling off the assembly line there since 2001. To date, nearly 600,000 units have been produced.
And in 2009, a vehicle conversion centre for specialist variants such as crew vans and dropside vehicles was also opened at the plant, which will further expand its manufacturing activities with the new generation Vivaro. This will enable ex-works delivery of the new Vivaro in many conversions, enlarging the field of Vivaro capabilities for very specific professional uses, and Opel points out that all vehicle modifications meet stringent Opel quality standards.
More on the new Vivaro van closer to the Irish launch in the autumn.
