All change for Brava pickups
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• Vauxhall has given the Brava pickup a series of minor improvements, including increased payloads, revised seats, and the use of power steering on its 4x4 variants.
The updated Brava, which is still made by Isuzu in Japan, goes on sale this month; this follows a spring dealer promotion which has generated interest in the existing model. Mechanically the revised pickup is fundamentally unchanged, and retains the 2.3litre petrol engine along with the promising 2.5-litre DI diesel introduced during 1990.
Payloads go up to 200kg on the 4x4s and by 100kg on the 4x2s. Gross capacities now range from 1,070kg for the 4x4 diesel up to 1,245kg for the 4x2 petrol. Much-needed power steering is now standard on both 4x4 versions, although not on the two-wheel-drive pickups; Vauxhall is looking into the possibility of offering power assistance on the 4x2s as an option.
Inside the cab the unpleasant vinyl bench seat has been replaced by individual cloth bucket seats, with a cloth covered bench as an option. The cloth seats are a noteworthy improvement, although they seem to be unduly luxurious for a working vehicle.
Unfortunately, the quirky switchgear on the dashboard has survived the changes.
Prices for the revised Bravas range from £7,205 for the 4x2 petrol to £10,620 for the 4x4 diesel.
Brief driving impressions confirmed the worth of the new power steering in the four-wheel drive Brava. We feel that the rather heavy and low-geared system in the 4x2 would also benefit from this option.