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VA LA WU:10!

23rd September 2004
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Its not the newest vehicle on the road, but

can the double-cab Vivaro really help you to work, rest and play? Julian Nines finds out.

When it comes to vehicles, vans are a practical breed.You get two seats (three in some cases), plenty of loadspace, an economical diesel engine— unless you're mad and go for the petrol option— and the ability to carry around heavy things. Genius. But with job roles and requirements constantly changing in the commercial field this tried and tested formula is not enough for some.

Enter the double-cab van.Though not exactly a new invention, it's becoming more mainstream than ever due to its ability to transfer between load hauler and employee transporter — or even both at the same time. You may need to have a specific set of requirements if the idea of a double-cab van really does it for you, but with an extra three seats thrown in you can even justify it (at a push) as a recreational vehicle, though the wife might disagree.

This point has not been lost on Vauxhall which now offers the option on its acclaimed Vivaro. And when a company of that size gets involved there has to be a strong degree of justification. Or,put plainly, demand. Furthermore, Vauxhall is marketing the Vivaro as a work/play vehicle, aimed at those who -combine business with pleasure and who might use their work vehicle for the family at the weekend."

Originally introduced in 2001 the Vivaro (and its counterparts from Renault and Nissan) knocked the spots off pretty much everything in the class at the time.And time has been good to it.Not one to start fading as the years go on, the Vivaro has met newer rivals from Mercedes and Volkswagen head on and performed admirably. It's what tends to happen when manufacturers get it right first time, something that happens less than you might think. Available in two wheelbases (short and long) the Vivaro double-cab comes with two engine options.a 1.9-litre producing 81hp or 99hp and a 2.5-litre with 133hp. Prices range from £15,209 for the base 1.9 to £17,949 for the 2.5-litre.

Our particular test vehicle is a longwheelbase (LWB) 1.9-litre turbo-diesel 99hp retailing at £17,314. Standard equipment includes ABS with EBD (electronic brake force distribution), remote central deadlocking,inunobiliser, near and offside sliding doors, and driver's airbag.

Options include a CD player — when will they make them standard? — air-conditioning, alarm and metallic paint, if the loss of load area is of major concern due to the extra set of seats you can also specify the full-length roof rack and ladder (fitted to our test vehicle). Keeping the Vivaro on the road is a three-year/ 100,000-mile wai-ranty.

Productivity

Fuel consumption has never been an issue for the Vivaro and the laden figure of 33.8mpg for the Kent fuel route is about average for the class. This is no bad thing considering the class includes several newer entries incorporating cutting edge engine technology For the record the Volkswagen Transporter (single cab) achieved a best-in-class 37.1mpg laden.The unladen run saw things improve slightly for the Vivaro with 36mpg. On the load front the double-cab can carry a useful 1,091kg, though this does include three passengers. GVW is 2,900kg.

With the addition of a second row of seats loadspace has naturally been reduced. But in LWB guise you still get 4.2m3 (3.3m3 in the SWB). Put in perspective the SWB single-cab Vivaro has 5m3 of loadspace. To make the most of the space available the bulkhead is designed to allow storage under the rear seats, this increases load length to 2,320mm from 1,920nun if measured from the rear seats. Furthering the cause is the practical layout of the load area, complete with hardwearing floor cover that should absorb all the knocks and bumps. With the vertical sidewall design cargo can be easily stacked to utilise all the space available. And loading up is helped with rear doors that open out with the pull of a lever to 1800, combined with a low loading lip of 542nun.

When it comes to accommodating your extra passengers, the rear set of seats provide as much room as they're going to need.Access is good with twin side doors as standard which slide fully back and there's plenty of legroom to move across the cab.The seating position itself feels elevated and the actual seats are comfortable enough for long journeys;that is, if you care about your passengers.

On the road

It may have been around for a few years now but the Vivaro still impresses with its driving dynamics. More car than van-like in its behaviour, all the important areas have been attended to.The engine spins freely throughout the rev range, offering a good spread of torque where you need it.Though, admittedly, when fully laden it could have done with a touch more power.

Further positives include the chassis, which feels reassuringly together —even at high speeds. It absorbs undulations in its stride and through the corners, even when pushed (it's part of the job, honest); the Vivaro feels flat to the ground and easy to handle. Steering was solid enough during all conditions but it was more the turn-and-go variety than the reliable communicator.

And as penance for the particular test team member involved in the incident, the extra length requires that bit more attention when turning in tight surroundings. Good job it was the only model in the country —sorry Vauxhall!

In keeping with the easy nature of the Vivaro, the cabin is a pleasant place to be as well. Ok, it's looking slightly dated now but there's little to fault in the actual instrument layout. All major controls are well placed and the standard of quality is high. Adding to this positive environment is the colour scheme, which is light in shade as opposed to the drab black/grey that other manufacturers insist on — longjourneys can be a major chore if you feel you're sat in someone's basement. And, helping to reduce the element of fatigue, outside noise is kept at bay. Engine intrusion is restricted to the background while motorway and A-road work produces no noticeable road and wind roar, u

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