The All-New Opel Vivaro
The All-New Opel Vivaro
- Passenger-car handling, safety and equipment
- Distinctive design and functional efficiency
- More than 20 Vivaro variants in the popular 2.8-ton GVW category
- Comfortable cab with high-tech infotainment systems
- Low running costs and extended maintenance intervals
Rüsselsheim - With distinctive yet practical styling, low running costs plus car-like standards of handling, safety and ergonomics, the Opel Vivaro challenges conventional wisdom in the market for vans and transporters in the 2.8-tonne gross vehicle weight (GVW) category. Offered in over 20 different versions as a panel van, nine-seater "Combi" people carrier or floor cab, Opel's new commercial vehicle is available with a short or long wheelbase, a maximum payload of around 1200 kg and up to six cubic meters of cargo volume. Power for the front-wheel drive Vivaro is supplied by two state-of-the-art, 1.9-liter, common rail diesels and a 2.0 16-valve gasoline engine, ranging in output from 80 to 120 hp. Setting new standards in this market, the Vivaro features the same infotainment systems already used in Opel passenger cars, with radio-integrated GPS-navigation, carphone and CD-changer. Insurance ratings are best-in-class, thanks to the easy-to-repair design.
The Vivaro is available with a maximum gross vehicle weight of either 2.7 or 2.9 tons. Customers can choose between two wheelbases (3098 and 3498 millimeters), three body styles (panel van, people carrier or "Combi" and floor cab). Two of three avail-able engines are economical 1.9-liter turbocharged diesels with common-rail fuel in-jection, rated at 60 kW (82 hp) and 74 kW (100 hp), the third is a lively 2.0-liter gaso-line engine with four valves per cylinder and a power output of 88 kW (120 hp). Later there will also be a 98 kW (133 hp) 2.5-liter turbocharged diesel, also with four valves per cylinder and common-rail fuel injection. For even greater versatility, a high-roof version will be introduced in 2003, and a year before an eight-seater minibus will reach the market.
The Vivaro can handle payloads of up to 1.2 metric tons. This puts it in the popular medium van category where, in recent years, about half a million units have been sold all over Europe, predominantly to trade users. The Vivaro is a completely new model, the third product of Opel's cooperation with Renault that began in 1996. It is being built in Luton, England (north of London) by IBC Vehicles Ltd., a General Motors sub-sidiary and will be sold both as the Opel Vivaro and as the Renault Trafic.
Every version of the new range offers ample space inside. The short-wheelbase van (length x width x height 4.78 x 1.90 x 1.97 meters) has a load volume of almost five cubic meters, a load area 2.41 meters long and an interior height of 1.38 meters. For even greater capacity, the 5.18 m long panel van has a load area 2.81 meters long and is capable of carrying three standard European pallets. All Vivaro vans have a sliding door one meter wide on the passenger's side; a second door can be ordered for the other side as well. The long-wheelbase Vivaro can be ordered with rear doors opening to an angle of 250 degrees.
Six strong lashing lugs (eight in long-wheelbase vans) help to secure the load. Freight of just about every shape and size can be secured safely with the ingenious "Flex Fix" system, which is will be available as an option in 2002. The horizontal rails in the side walls are equipped with sliding anchor points and retaining straps.
Seen from the side, the Vivaro's profile is characterized by a striking dome over the driver's cab. This "jumbo roof" provides the front-seat occupants with an exceptional amount of headroom and makes boarding and leaving the vehicle easier. The Vivaro looks strong and robust with the occupant and load areas blending optically into a single unit. Side protection moldings will withstand minor bumps when parking without suffering any damage. The high-mounted tail lights are integrated into vertical bumper strips and easy to see from a long distance.
Since many drivers of delivery vans spend a high proportion of their working day in-side the vehicle, it was only logical for the Vivaro's interior designers to devote particu-lar attention to comfort, convenience and ergonomics. No bare metal at all is visible inside the cab, which is fully trimmed with a hard-wearing, easy-to-clean material. A carefully planned storage system is incorporated: there are eleven compartments in all, capable of holding large road maps, A4-format documents, drinks bottles, CDs or cassettes. The audio system is located in an oversize (double-DIN) slot in the dash-board, with large-area displays and practical steering-wheel remote controls (except on the base radio); the instruments are easy to read and the controls and switches are grouped into functional clusters.
The Vivaro features excellent protection against accidents and their consequences. The rigid body structure is backed by a comprehensive occupant protection system. The safety package includes a full-size (60-liter) driver's airbag and lap-and-shoulder seat belts with belt tensioners (except for the middle seats on the second and third rows of the "Combi") and head restraints at all seats. A passenger's airbag (120 liters) and side airbags for the front seats can be ordered as optional extras.
A high level of active safety and a very comfortable, car-like ride are provided by the McPherson strut front suspension and a weight-saving torsion-crank layout with Pan-hard rod at the rear. A new feature in the delivery-van segment is the combination of progressive-rate springs and shock absorbers with adaptive damping dependent on load and distance. This gives the Vivaro consistently good road behavior over its en-tire load capacity range. The brakes, too, set high standards in this vehicle category: there are discs at all wheels, an electronic four-channel anti-blocking system with brake force distributor - all features that enhance the overall safety level. Even when fully laden the Vivaro achieves stopping distances equal to those of many passenger cars.
All the available engines comply with the current Euro 3 limits. The 1.9-liter base diesel with two valves per cylinder, rated at 60 kW (82 hp), develops 190 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm. The more powerful 1.9 DTI version, with an output of 74 kW (100 hp) has even greater pulling power, thanks to its peak torque of 240 Nm at 2000 rpm. Yet as the standard MVEG fuel consumption test figures confirm, these are remarkably economical units, calling for an average of only 7.4 and 7.7 liters per 100 kilometers respectively. The 90-liter fuel tank gives the Vivaro a range of up to 1200 kilometers before refueling is needed. As an alternative to these diesel engines there is an 88 kW (120 hp) 2.0 16V, four-cylinder gasoline engine that runs extremely smoothly and develops a maximum torque of 190 Nm at 3750 rpm. Apart from the 82 hp diesel version (with a five-speed gearbox), all Vivaros have a six-speed gearbox as standard. Integrated into the center console, the gear shift saves space and is easy to reach and use.
Yet another invaluable asset is the new Opel panel van's exceptional ease of mainte-nance. Inspections are due only every 30,000 kilometers or every two years, and there are many practical features to reduce the burden on the customer's bank bal-ance still further, such as the need for brake fluid renewal only every 120,000 kilome-ters. And if an unscheduled visit should be needed to one of the Opel commercial vehicle centers throughout Europe (almost 850 in all, including 195 centers and 230 other service points in Germany), Opel's special mobility service offers help to get the Vivaro moving again within the shortest possible time. This package, tailored to suit the practical needs of trade users, includes a free-of-charge replacement vehicle if the repair takes longer than three hours. A three-year mobility warranty is a standard fea-ture, and the anti-perforation warranty is even longer - twelve years. Thanks also to an extensively galvanized body, the Vivaro's resale value is likely to be high.
As far as running costs are concerned, the Vivaro is among the most economical vehicles in its class. Apart from its modest fuel consumption, low insurance premiums also help to make this light commercial vehicle a sound business proposition that pays for itself within a short time. Not least thanks to its service-friendly design and simple repair procedures in the event of damage - such as the sturdy, unpainted bumpers, the 'crashboxes' to absorb impact and the many elements that are bolted instead of welded on - the Vivaro already has a provisional fully-comprehensive rating of 14 in Germany, the lowest of any vehicle in its market segment.
