Ultimate drivers vans to make CV show debut

Van drivers wanting to make an express delivery could do worse than hot-foot it over to the Vauxhall stand at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

The Luton-based company will use the show, which opens on April 24, to pull the covers off two new exciting concept vehicles that build on Vauxhall’s reputation for building vans that love the roads as much as their loads.

Finished in striking Star Silver metallic, the Corsavan Sportive and Astravan Sportive SE Concepts are sure to prove a huge draw, emphasising Vauxhall’s position as the manufacturer of the most exciting car-derived vans on the market, in addition to GM’s position as the UK’s leading manufacturer of light commercial vehicles.

The Sportive variant of New Corsavan features a lively 90PS common-rail diesel engine – an increase of 15PS over the standard 1.3 CDTi – coupled to a smooth-shifting six-speed manual gearbox for added driver appeal.

Benefiting from the already much lauded handling capabilities of New Corsavan, the Sportive Concept is even more desirable thanks to its smart body styling pack, which includes body-coloured side mouldings, front fog lights and smart 15-inch alloy wheels. Other features over and above the standard Corsavan specification include heated, body-coloured door mirrors, air conditioning, electric windows and sports seats.

Sharing stand space with the Corsavan, Vauxhall’s Astravan Sportive SE Concept builds on the recipe that has made New Astravan such a popular choice. The original driver’s van gets further enhancements, including an exterior styling pack that echoes Vauxhall’s reputation for building sporty and dynamic vehicles.

A low-slung front bumper with in-built fog lights, deep side skirts and a rear roof spoiler give the Sportive SE Concept a strong presence, while silver roof rails and smart 10-spoke alloy wheels add even more desirability.

Keen drivers will also welcome the addition of a 150PS version of New Astravan’s 1.9-litre CDTi engine. The common-rail unit uses the most powerful diesel option from the Astra car to deliver impressive performance and fuel economy.

While there are no firm plans to put either concept into full-scale production, Vauxhall is showing the vans at the NEC to gauge opinion from van drivers and buyers alike. If they’re well-received, the show stars could well point the way towards flagship driver’s vans of the future.