March 2008

Opel Vivaro: For All Transport Needs

• Characteristic design with practical functionality
• Wide range of variants from spacious panel van to practical dropside
• State-of-the-art engine range with performance and power reserves

Rüsselsheim. With the Vivaro, Opel offers a wide choice of vans, Combis, buses and leisure vans. The Vivaro’s characteristic cab lines combine stylish looks with practical functionality and economic efficiency in the 2.8-ton class. The Vivaro carries a maximum payload of up to 1160 kg, has a load area volume of up to 8.4 cubic meters in the panel van variant, and can comfortably transport up to nine people. It is available with two different wheelbases, two roof heights, in six basic variants (panel van, Combi, Tour, dropside, platform chassis and Life), as well as with five powerful and economical engines with outputs between 90 and 146 hp.

New in model year 2008.5

The current Vivaro range is at an extremely high level – both qualitatively and quantitatively – which is reflected in its excellent sales figures. Experts have anticipated customer needs, and the Combi variant with long wheelbase is now available with complete passenger compartment trim – an enhancement that airport and hotel shuttle services, not to mention taxi operators, will particularly appreciate. The panel van and Combi variants are also now available with the new “Punch” upholstery.

Design and packaging

The Opel Vivaro’s most distinctive feature is its domed driver’s cab “Jumbo roof”, which creates a sense of generous space and makes getting into and out of the vehicle easier. The second generation Vivaro’s other visual elements include almond-shaped headlamps with integrated turn indicators, as well as radiator grille with dominant chrome beam and Opel logo. Accented side swage lines and pronounced wheelarches underline the Vivaro’s dynamic appearance. The load area has a box body for optimal loading. Wide protective moldings on the bottom of the doors prevent minor scratches that result in expensive repairs. The robust back bumper also serves as a step into the cargo area.

Model range

The Vivaro model range is based on the panel van – with double rear wing doors that open up to a 180 degree angle and a sliding door on the right-hand side. A second sliding door on the left and a tailgate are optional. The panel van is available with a short or long wheelbase, a normal or high roof, and a 2.7 or 2.9-ton gross vehicle weight. Every Vivaro variant offers ample space. Even the van with the short wheelbase has a total load area capacity of nearly five cubic meters. The ideal partner for commercial customers who need a lot of transport space is the Vivaro panel van with high roof: a 1.91-meter standing height and 8.4 cubic meters of load volume speak for themselves. The Vivaro panel van with standard or long wheelbase can also be ordered with a double cab. In this configuration, it has five full-size seats and up to 3.7 cubic meters of transport volume behind a closed dividing wall with window.

The Vivaro dropside with standard load deck (load-area height: 910 mm) can be easily loaded on three sides thanks to the foldaway sideboards and offers additional storage in the underfloor storage compartments. In addition, the platform chassis offers the basis for various conversion solutions, such as a refrigeration unit.

Another Vivaro variant is the Combi, which comes standard with three rows of seats (optionally one or two) for nine passengers, a sliding door on the passenger side (also optional on the driver’s side) and a large double wing rear door.

The Vivaro Tour pampers up to eight passengers with high-quality seat covers, carpeting, ceiling-high sidewall coverings, heated power exterior mirrors, power windows, stereo
CD-Radio CD 30 MP3, radio remote control central locking, air conditioning and efficient heating for rear passenger compartment. Up to eight airbags, three-point safety belts and height-adjustable head restraints on all seats ensure high passenger protection.

The Vivaro Life, developed in cooperation with Westfalia, is a multi-functional leisure vehicle. In the seven-seater, the second row has individual seats that swivel, a third row which can slide backwards and forwards as well as easily fold down to form a flat surface, foldable table and numerous storage compartments. Thanks to extensive equipment, a timeless, practical interior and comfortably tuned chassis suspension, the Vivaro Life serves equally well as a representative company van and as a spacious leisure vehicle.

Passive safety

The Vivaro’s stable body structure complements an extensive passenger protection package. All models come standard with an airbag and safety belt tensioner for the driver, as well as three-point safety belts and head restraints for all seats. Optionally, the Vivaro can be equipped with a front passenger airbag, which can be deactivated, as well as side airbags in front and head curtain airbags for rear passengers. The Vivaro panel van’s fixed partition wall complies with the latest regulations on securing cargo in commercial vehicles. Thanks to stable anchorage points and lashing eyes for securing straps, cargo can be fastened even more securely.

Chassis and active safety

A high level of active safety and suspension comfort is provided by the front-wheel drive Vivaro’s chassis with McPherson independent front-wheel suspension and rear torsion crank axle. The brake assembly has top marks in this vehicle category, with disk brakes all around (internally ventilated in front), brake assist and a four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). A high degree of safety is ensured in critical situations by the Electronic Stability Program ESP^Plus, which is optional with all engine variants (standard in Life).

Engines and transmissions

There are five four-cylinder engines available for all of the Vivaro variants: four common-rail turbo-diesels with 2.0 and 2.5-liter displacements, as well as one 2.0-liter
16V gasoline unit with 86 kW/117 hp. The entry-level 2.0 CDTI unit produces 66 kW/90 hp and delivers 240 Nm torque. Maximum speed is now 145 km/h. Providing more power for the same fuel consumption, the 2.0-liter CDTI engine produces 84 kW/114 hp and 290 Nm. The top speed for this Vivaro is 160 km/h. The top-of-the-line Vivaro engine is the 2.5-liter CDTI with 107 kW/146 hp or 84 kW/114 hp. Both come with maintenance-free diesel particulate filter as standard. The 146 hp unit with 320 Nm is the right choice for long-distance express use. Its top speed is 170 km/h. All engines now come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, while the 2.0 CDTI with 114 hp and the 2.5 CDTI with 146 hp are optionally available with the automated Easytronic six-speed manual gearbox, which can save up to six percent fuel. The diesel variants with the 90-liter fuel tank offer an operating range of up to 1200 km without refueling.

Economic efficiency and service

The Vivaro boasts low maintenance costs. For example, when it comes to insurance ratings, the 2.0 CDTI (66 kW/90 hp) is one of the leaders in its segment in Germany. Vivaro owners also benefit from long service intervals (up to 30,000 km/one year). Air and diesel filters must only be changed at 90,000 kilometers and the brake fluid after 120,000 kilometers. Opel offers its customers a two-year new-vehicle manufacturer’s warranty that goes far beyond the mandatory guarantee and clearly reflects the Vivaro’s value-retaining concept. Opel also offers its customers the Europe-wide “Opel Road Plus” service package: should they require technical assistance, Opel commercial vehicle dealers offer help without requiring an appointment. Minor work is carried out on-the-spot. In the first three years after registration, a replacement vehicle is provided free of charge if repairs take more than a few hours. In addition, the two-year “Opel Mobile Service” is available 24 hours a day in over 30 European countries.

Opel Vivaro: Facts and Figures

Timeline

• May 2001: Market launch in Germany
• September 2002: Premiere of Vivaro Life concept vehicle at the IAA in Hanover
• January 2003: Market launch of Vivaro Life
• Spring 2003: Introduction of panel van with high roof
• August 2003: Market launch of Vivaro Tour
• February 2004: Electronic Stability Program (ESP^Plus) available
• January 2006: Automated manual transmission available
• September 2006: Market launch of second Vivaro generation with new engines, additional dropside versions, improved equipment and enhanced design
• Spring 2007: Complete passenger compartment trim available for Combi with long wheelbase

Highlights

• 2001: “Best New Van” award at the “Fleet World Honors 2001” and gold medal for “Best Small Van” in England
• November 2001: Motor journalists in Ireland and Denmark choose the Vivaro (jointly with its Renault counterpart Trafic) as national Van of the Year
• January 2002: Jury of journalists chooses the Vivaro (jointly with its Renault counterpart Trafic) as European Van of the Year 2002
• January 2002: In Finland, the Vivaro wins the “Arctic Van Test” in the class up to 2.8 tons
• 2002: The British Institute of Vehicle Engineers awards the Vivaro the LCV (Light Commercial Van) Design Award
• June 2006: Voted “Van of the Year” in the United Kingdom
• December 2006: With a segment share of 10 percent, Vivaro is most successful Opel commercial vehicle; together with the Renault sister model Trafic, it is the best-selling van in the 2.8-ton class in Europe
• Most popular body variant in Germany in 2007: Panel van
• Most popular engine in Germany in 2007: 2.0 CDTI (84 kW/114hp)