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VAUXHALL ASTRAVAN

19th August 1993, Page 24
19th August 1993
Page 24
Page 25
Page 24, 19th August 1993 — VAUXHALL ASTRAVAN
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Price as tested: £8,310 (ex-VAT). Engine: 1.6 litres, 55kW (74hp). GVW: 1,585kg. Payload: 460kg. Fuel consumption (laden): 8,41it/100km (33.6mpg).

Suddenly the Vauxhall Astravan has a lot riding on its shoulders. A few months ago when we tested the diesel version (CM 18-24 Feb) it fitted neatly between the hatchback Novavan and the high-cube Astramax. Now its position is not so clear. Novavan production ceased at the end of 1992 and the remaining stocks will dry up by the end of August. Astramax production came to an end in June, but with 2,500 still in dealers' hands supplies should last until the end of the year.

Vauxhall will hope for quicker stock clearance as the Combo, which replaces Astramax, goes on sale in October. It is based on the Corsa, which replaces the Nova rather than the larger Astra. The small hatchback Novavan replacement and the high-cube Combo will share the same base vehicle.

But wasn't the Astramax an Escort van competitor? How will Vauxhall dealers convince Astramax buyers that a van based on a smaller vehicle will do the same job? Maybe Vauxhall van dealers are in training pushing water uphill.

But there's still the choice of three Astravans: 1.7-litre diesel, 14-litre petrol, and 1.6-litre petrol. We've tested the diesel and 1.4-line petrol models; this week it's the turn of the more powerful petrol model. The diesel accounted for 82% of sales in the first half of the year, while the 1.6-litre petrol model took a 7.2% share, compared with the 1.4's 10.8%.

Productivity Behind the front seats one Astravan is pretty much like another. You get 1.65m3 of load volume-0.35m3 more than the only other estate-based van on the market, the Skoda Freeway Plus. High-cube competitors typ ically offer around 1.0m3 more and in the case of the Renault Extra and some Ford Escort and Courier models, at less cost.

Otherwise, the load area comes in for the same praise and criticism as other Astravans. Tall people can't stand upright under the open tailgate and there aren't any tie-down eyes to restrain the load. The spare wheel lives under the load-bed floor.

On the plus side, it has a halfheight steel bulkhead as standard, a load area lining and minimal intrusion from the wheelarches. The load floor is commendably low (0.56m unladen) and it's flat with no sill.

There's extra capacity on top—roof rails are standard on all Astravans. Payload is 460kg including a 75kg driver. As with its other car-derived commercials, Vauxhall also publishes a suggested uniformly distributed payload figure. This stands at 425kg for all Astravan models. If only other van manufacturers were as honest about the problems of axle loading.

We weren't expecting outstanding economy from the catalyst-equipped 1.6-litre engine but the results were encouraging The 1.6 returned 8.41it/100km (33.6mpg) around our Kent test route, compared with 8.31it/ 1001an (34.1mpg) for the 1.4 (CM 23-29 Jan 1992). The test was also carried out in appalling wet and windy weather. Even so the result from the diesel puts both in perspective with 5.31it/100km (53.3mpg) around the same route and at roughly the same speed.

On the road All 1.6-litre Astravans come with the higher spec LS trim rather

than the more basic Merit. This means you get cloth seat trim instead of vinyl, a security-coded radio-cassette player with separate display to deter thieves, a seat height adjuster, lockable glovebox and side protection mouldings. Standard kit includes automatic seatbelt tensioners, door impact beams, cabin pollen filter and electric headlamp levelling.

The seat height adjuster means it should be possible for most drivers to get comfortable behind the wheel. Power steering is an option but the steering is light and positive even when laden, rendering it Lumeccessary for most buyers.

With 55kW (74hp) on tap at 5,200rprn and 125Nm (921bft) of torque at 2,800rpm from the fuel injected engine this Astravan is a lively performer. It shares its gear ratios with its lesser powered petrol and diesel stablemates.

The difference is in final drive ratios: the 1.6 gets taller gearing than the 1.4 with 3.94:1 compared with 4.18:1. This explains the similar fuel consumption with the 1.6 geared for 37.9km/h (23.6mph)/1,000rpm in top compared with 35.7km/h (22.2mph) /1,000rpm for the 1.4.

The strong torque delivery means that careful use of the right foot is needed to avoid spinning the front wheels in the wet and when leaving junctions. This problem is most acute unladen but we quickly adapted to it.

Visibility is generally good with two-speed plus intermittent wipers and a standard rear wash/wipe and heated window. But we've got the same old gripe about the door mirrors.

They are the same as those fitted to the passenger models which means they are too small to compensate for the reduced visibility in a van. They need to be twice the size and turned through 900.

Ventilation in the Astravan is a vast improvement over its predecessors, which helps to prevent fogging up in wet weather. The rotary controls are clearly marked and illuminated at night. There's a good flow of filtered air through the fascia vents and a recirculation facility.

Summary The Astravan 1.6 is fun to drive and is the most stylish carderived van on the market. That doesn't stop it being a practical proposition however—it's a competent carrier of small loads. You can still have the looks, but with 20mpg better fuel consumption by buying the diesel.

At £8,310 (ex-VAT) it doesn't come cheap and there are others which appear to offer better value for money. The Skoda Freeway Plus is nearly half the price at £4,399 (ex-VAT), the catalysed Renault Extra 575 is £7,070 (exVAT) and the Ford Courier Standard with catalyst is £7,820 (ex-VAT). The Fiat Fiorino and Citroen C15 Champ are other cheaper possibilities.

If image is a priority the Astravan should be near the top of your shopping list. If it's practicality you need, other car-derived vans are a better bet and that includes Vauxhall's run-out Novavan and Astramax.

With dwindling supplies there could be a few bargains in Vauxhall showrooms.

by John Kendall

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