Renault and Vauxhall have been swapping badges on their respective
Page 44
Page 45
Page 46
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Master and Movano medium vans for more than a decade now. but how does one differentiate between the two come purchase time?
Badge engineering is a term that describes the rebadging (that is, the replacement of the branding trademark) of one product (especially cars) as another. Due to the high cost of designing and engineering a totally new model, or establishing a new brand (which may take many years to gain acceptance), it is often more cost-effective to rebadge a single product multiple times.
Citron, Fiat and Peugeot have been doing it successfully for years now, under the Sevel partnership, with a variety of small and large vans, and it's no different with the Vauxhall/ Renault tie-up with the new Movano and Master and the Vivarof Frafic. For starters. Vauxhall has some ambitious plans for its big van with the Luton-based manufacturer saying it wants to double Movano sales by 2012. In addition, Vauxhall says that it will distance the new Movano from the Master. not only from the badges and the different grille, but by providing customers with a "high level of back-up service along with a comprehensive dealer network".
Let's move on to the vehicle itself, which is a 3500 FWD L2H2 100. It is just one of 29 different body configurations available on the Movano. plus customers can also choose between frontand rear-wheel-drive versions. Gross vehicle weights start at 2.5 tonnes and rise to 4.5 tonnes at the top of the line-up. Depending on the body configuration, load volumes vai-y between 8m3 and 17m', while payloads range from 994kg to 3.000kg on the RWD with twin rear wheels.
Then we come to the powerplant, which is a 2.3-litre ClYli and replaces the old 2.5-litre used in the previous generation. This is the only powerplant available, however, it comes in three states of tune, namely 99hp. 124hp and 144hp. A six-speed manual transmission is standard across the range. but a Teeshift automatic 'box is optional on the
124hp and 144hp derivatives.
Prices start at £20.250 for the base L2H2 Expr model, rising to £29,135 for the L4H2 RWD Euro-5 4.5-tonner.
Productivity
The 3.5-tonne segment is notoriously competitive and each manufacturer tries hard to please customers by offering larger payloads and load areas.
Our test Movano came with the medium wheelbase and mediumroof height. or L2H2 to give it its industry designation. When compared with an equivalent Citroen Relay, the French manufacturer offers customers more in terms of load volume; quite a lot more actually (I I.5m3 in total versus the Vauxhall's 10.8e), but if it's payload you need. then the Movano triumphs with 1.610kg against tl roen's I,575kg.
Having just 99hp on tap at 3,500kg GVW. w( expecting a marked difference in fuel consumption
1 VAUXHALL MOVANO 2.3 CDTi FWD
laden and unladen nins.When it came to fuel consumption, we expected the Movano to return mid-30s for the unladen run, especially given the engine's low output and the absence of extra weight, When we returned to the start, the Vauxhall had achieved 35.16mpg: good. yes, but not exactly ground-breaking in this class.
For the laden run, the fuel consumption worsened by a considerable margin with the van finishing on 31.27mpg, but although that figure is cornmenda hie. it really struggled to shift the full payload up the steep hills.
On the road
Specified in a medium wheelbase (or L2 as Vauxhall calls it), the Movano feels planted and composed on both town streets and busy motorways. Naturally, with the extended wheelbase the vehicle does have to he driven a hit more carefully than the short versions. but even so. it never feels too large and unwieldy.The Movano's ability to feel smaller than it actually is on road is helped by a glass partition on the bulkhead and glazed rear doors.This makes parking far easier than it would he in a normal panel van.When tackling congested urban roads, the Movano's steering feels direct: bordering on the light side, However, it's ideally suited to those operators who will be using the vehicle on multi-drop work.
For all the new Vauxhall's dynamic strengths it's the gearbox that lets the overall package down. The six-speed manual (a Renault transmission) feels weak and imprecise in its action and would be far better suited to a compact van like the Corsa or Combo, not the big Movano.
Then there's the suspension. which does a fine job of soaking up the humps and dips in the road. while the new chassis ensures you can push the van through the corners without any fuss. well, to a degree.
Let me explain. You see, traction control is not standard on front-wheel drive Movanos, only the rear wheel drive derivatives. So provided you pay 1:400 for the traction control (which really should be standard fit in the first place) you can hussle the van through the corners with the assurance that it'll right any wrongs.
Cab comfort
The Vauxhall's interior is akin to the corner office and the manufacturer has really moved the game up a few notches here in terms of practicality and versatility. Climbing into the cab through the large door you immediately notice the two-tier storage bin next to the gearlever. The top shelf is good for two water bottles, while the bottom level is ideal to conceal wallets or mobile phones. There's also a lockable glovebox, another shelf above that and the bins above the dashboard for more paraphernalia that you might have.
Above the radio is an easy-to-reach pull-out clipboard. however, when in use it blocks the radio/CD completely: thankfully there's steering-mounted controls to bypass the problem. For even more versatility, operators can specify the £465 Office Pack, which includes sunglasses storage, bulkhead soundproofing and stereo upgrade plus a multi-function office worktop. Simply fold down the middle seat and behind it is a swivelling work surface, ideal flora laptop.
But for all its practicality, the Movano is let down to a certain degree by the build quality and finishing touches, The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and VW Crafter are the class leaders by some margin in this respect. and the black plastics and cheap feel of the switchgear detract from what is otherwise a well-planned cabin.
The seats are comfortable and supportive and there are enough places for two passengers as well as the driver. •