|
Vauxhall is making 2005 its "year of the
conversion" and an exciting display at the Commercial Vehicle
Show at the NEC from 5 April will emphasise the company’s
commitment to provide a wide choice of specialist vehicles alongside
its regular light, medium and heavy van range.
But whether the van is a conversion or a regular model, a major
plank in the continuing Vauxhall assault on traditional markets is
the low cost of ownership across the range.
This is demonstrated in wide service intervals, intelligent design
that cuts the cost of accident repairs, in turn lowering insurance
rates, and low fuel consumption.
In addition special offers, perhaps in terms of equipment, price or
competitive finance, also combine to make the Vauxhall marque one to
examine closely.
The Vauxhall stand will showcase:
Vivaro – perfect as a general workhorse, mobile workshop and
more
Movano – the heavyweight with superb load capacity and
access
Astravan – spot-on for the local electrician and plumber
Combo – more powerful and economical than before
Corsavan – the unbeatable small runabout
The Luton-built, award-winning Vivaro will be displayed in a
number of variants both on the Vauxhall stand and elsewhere in the
show.
For example, there is seating for nine in the increasingly popular
Vivaro minibus conversion, to be seen on the show stand.
Look out for an all-new hi-deck dropside on the Vivaro chassis,
developed in response to several operator requests. And a refined
Sportive model that raises the stakes – and the eyebrows – in
the market place with its two-coat metallic paint, electric windows
and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, air
conditioning and CD player.
While the panel van range covers a wide spectrum of needs,
individual solutions are offered with specialist conversions based
on the Movano chassis cab and its seven-seater crew cab.
With reinforced suspension and a wide choice of engines and
wheelbase formats, the chassis and crew cabs are the ideal platform
for specialist bodybuilder conversions.
All chassis and crew cabs feature low chassis heights and generous
payload allowances.
A long wheelbase crew cab tipper leads the Movano pack at the NEC.
It has an Ingimex tipper body with a 2880mm load length – and
seating for seven people.
The LWB crew cab is also available with a dropside Ingimex F2 body.
And like Vivaro, there is a large people carrying model on show
under the Movano banner in the shape of a 2.5 litre CDTi common rail
diesel powered 17-seater minibus.
Movano panel vans are available in three load lengths, GVWs and roof
heights, complementing the specialist body conversions.
|
A hi-roof MWB 2.5 CDTi model in the livery of
major customer Scottish Power and another conversion, a chassis cab
Movano dropside, will also be on show away from the Vauxhall stand.
The NEC will be the debut for the new 6-speed clutchless Tecshift
transmission system now available across vans in the Movano range
fitted with the 2.5 litre CDTi common rail diesel engine. Tecshift
promises to save around 8% on fuel and to cut wear and tear on
several components. Tecshift will be displayed in another Movano
newcomer, the doublecab.
The crew cab concept has also been embraced by the Combo light van.
Whether for moving additional staff to site, or transporting the
family at weekends, as well as the tools of the trade in the working
week, the five-seater crew cab is gaining a big following. It is
likely to have an even bigger fan club after it is seen close-up at
the NEC.
Rear seats are factory fitted, and access is easy via the standard
nearside and offside sliding side-access doors. With the rear seats
folded flat, there is a shade under 2m of load length and with the
seat upright, load length is still 980mm. Between the wheel arches
the load area is wide enough for a standard Euro pallet.
In its regular two seater form Combo has a maximum payload of 810kg
and a loadspace of up to 3.2 cu metres. You won’t miss this Combo,
displayed in the strikingly beautiful livery of the RSPB, the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds.
Astravan is a youthful 21 years old. It made its debut on the
nation’s roads in 1983 and is going as strongly as ever, currently
being produced at General Motors’ state-of-the-art plant in
Gliwice, Poland. Today’s model is the fourth generation to bear
the name.
The indomitable Astravan has the potential to handle virtually any
job where 1.6 cu metres of usable space and up to 610 kg of carrying
capacity are what is needed.
Astravan is still held out as a classic example of what a car
derived van should offer – simply car-like comfort, style and
driveability. Its style is personified by the air-conditioned
Sportive model with its 15 inch alloys with low profile tyres,
practical roof rails, front fog lights, body colour door mirrors,
and optional front lower spoiler and side sills. For the CV Show
Vauxhall has added a range of individual Irmscher styling features.
Vauxhall is planning an Astravan surprise which won’t be unveiled
until opening day of the show.
Holding an important place on the stand will be an example of
the Corsavan.
The smallest van in the range is suited to the professional
tradesman who doesn’t have a lot to carry, but who will still find
a high lift tailgate opening to reveal a practical 106 cu metres
loadspace and payload of up to 468 kg. A sturdy half-height steel
bulkhead, sidewall half-height panelling and load restraint lashing
eyes help to protect against shifting loads. Oh, and of course it
drives like a car!
"Our presence at the CV Show will demonstrate the perfect
combination between Vauxhall chassis and crew cabs and specialist
converters as we listen to what our customers want – and then
deliver the goods," says Vauxhall commercial vehicles brand
manager Steve Bryant.
|