Revised light Vauxhalls
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by Toby Clark • Vauxhall's light commercial range has been substantially revised for 1995: it includes three new engines, a new automatic gearbox and airbags as standard on some models— but prices rise across the board.
The Astravan has most changes, with new petrol and diesel engines: the 1.6litre "E-Drive" petrol engine, taken from the saloon, promises excellent fuel economy. Power is down to 69hp from the 74hp of the previous model, but torque characteristics are said to be better. The catalyst-equipped engine has single-point fuel injection and, unusually for a petrol engine, exhaust gas recirculation.
The new Vauxhalldesigned diesel is gently turbocharged (maximum boost is 0.7 bar) for more power and torque with little turbo lag. With the same 1.7-litre capacity as the old model, it puts out 67hp (50kW) rather than 59hp (44kW), with a massive increase in torque—from 771bft (105Nm) at 2,400rpm to 971bft (132Nm) at the same speed. EGR and a two-way catalyst let the engine meet 1996 exhaust requirements.
The petrol Astravan is now available with an automatic gearbox: the fourspeed box, with lock-up on third and top gears, has electronically controlled "Winter", "Sport" and "Economy" modes, and is an option at £671 (exVAT).
The front end has been slightly restyled—incorporating the "V" grille already seen on the Omega saloon— and interior trim has been uprated. Power steering is now standard on both Merit and LS Astravans, as is a full-size driver's-side air bag; a passenger's-side airbag is optional (at £261). Gas-filled shock absorbers are now fitted, and there are a number of minor suspension modifications.
These improvements have their price: the Astravan LS 1.7 Diesel now costs £9,425 (ex-VAT)—an increase of £350—though the Merit Diesel goes down by £365 to £8,195.
The other engine change is the replacement of both petrol and diesel versions of the Midi panel van by a turbo-diesel option. Nine models are available, all powered by the Isuzusourced engine which puts out 73hp (54kW); torque is 1231bft (167Nm), 32% higher than for the previous diesel.
Van prices range from £9,760 to £11,380— pitched roughly between the earlier models. Also the quoted payload of the shortwheelbase Midi Merit has been increased from 841kg to 1,104kg.
The engines of the Corsavan and Combo remain unchanged, but tinted glass and a driver's-side airbag will be standard on LS models (optional on others).
Merit models get a radio, the Corsavan also being fitted with a heated rear window and wash/wipe. Merit prices go up by around £200, LS models by more than £300; the Combo LS 1.7D now costs £8,750 (exVAT).