New Model Variant Of The "Van Of The Year 2002" - Spacious Transporter: Opel Vivaro High-Roof Van

Rüsselsheim - October 22, 2002; Adam Opel AG announced at the opening of the new production site in Barcelona, Spain yesterday that the latest Vivaro variant - the high-roof van - will be going on sale early next year. The Vivaro's sister models Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar will also be built at the Barcelona facility. The Opel Vivaro high-roof van celebrated its world premiere a few weeks ago at the International Automobile Show for Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. This new high-roof transporter, with a gross vehicle weight of 2.9 tons and both short (3098 mm) and long (3498) wheelbases, can be ordered from February 2003 and will be available at Opel dealers from May 2003.

In a cooperation between Opel/GM and Renault, the jointly developed new generation of transporters has been built at IBC Vehicles Ltd., a General Motors subsidiary, in Luton, England, since the spring of 2001. With the start-up of the new production site in Barcelona, which has the capacity to build up to 64,000 units of the new van range, total volume will increase to 150,000 vehicles annually.

The new high-roof Vivaro, with a load area length of 2.80 meters (2.40 meters with short wheelbase), a height of 1.92 meters and an 8.4 cubic meter (7.1 m³) load capacity, is the perfect choice for commercial customers - like courier express package services - who need a large amount of transport space and for those who require a mobile and versatile workshop solution with integrated shelf systems. The ample width of 1.27 meters between the wheelarches, and a payload of more than 1100 kilograms, are two more features which are important for transport professionals. Working in close cooperation with a various customizing companies, Opel is also developing individual transport solutions for the Vivaro high roof model.

Like all versions of the Vivaro, the high-roof van also has practical functionality, is economical, provides outstanding driving comfort and has a modern design. Other advantages include its comprehensive, passenger car-level safety package, with full-size front airbag and belt tensioner for the driver, lap-and-shoulder seat belts, head restraints for all seats and ABS. The range of engines includes all power units available for the Vivaro. In addition to two very economical and powerful 1.9-liter turbodiesel engines with modern common rail technology and 60 kW (82 hp) and 74 kW (100 hp), respectively, this new Vivaro can also be ordered with the new 88 kW (120 hp) 2.0-liter 16V gasoline engine. From the spring of 2003 - in time for the launch of the high roof variant - Opel will also be offering a top-of-the-line, 2.5-liter turbo-diesel engine with common rail injection, four valves per cylinder and 98 kW (133 hp).

Covering all needs: the Opel light commercial vehicle range

Opel began updating its commercial vehicle range in 1999 with the introduction of the Movano. The Vivaro followed in the summer of 2001 and the Combo in November of the same year. With these models, Opel now offers a complete and unique line-up of light commercial vehicles of up to 3.5 tons. This innovative Opel fleet covers all the transport needs of both commercial and private customers - from simple materials transport, to a combination of passenger and materials, to professional passenger bus transport. In addition, this diverse model range also offers cost effectiveness, exemplary functionality and passenger car driving comfort