Vauxhall at the CV Show

Following on from a record sales year in 2007, Vauxhall is looking to further spread the message that it is serious about commercial vehicles with one of the largest stands at this year’s CV Show, which runs from April 15-17 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

The highlight of the Vauxhall stand will be a trio of concept vehicles. Called ‘Black Editions’, the three vans – all finished in metallic Black pearlescent paint – will form the centrepiece of the Vauxhall stand in Hall 10, and show off the styling of three of the company’s most popular models – Corsavan, Astravan and Vivaro.

Also new is the latest addition to Vauxhall’s core conversion line-up – the Movano Luton. With a choice of three engines and a neat and stylish body, it brings an even more cavernous load area to the already seriously big Movano line-up.

We’ll also be doing everything we can to make life as easy as possible for the assembled CV media, with a range of services including a cloakroom, chauffeur-to-car service and our now-legendary coffee and breakfast.

Black Edition concepts

Sporty concepts have become very much a theme of Vauxhall’s CV Show activity, and once again we won’t disappoint. For 2008, we’re exhibiting three ‘Black Edition’ concept vans, which accentuate the stylish design for which our commercial range has earned a strong reputation over the years.

Like last year’s Sportive SE concepts, the ‘Black Edition’ models show what can be done by applying a little extra style – in the case of the Corsavan and Astravan by using extra specification already available through Vauxhall retailers.

The Corsavan Black Edition is based on the Sportive 1.3CDTi (90PS) model and adds extra specification in the form of 17-inch Sports Star alloy wheels, Recaro part-leather sports seats, front, side and rear spoilers and a unique chequered livery over the bonnet, roof and tailgate.

Meanwhile, the Astravan Black Edition, based on the Sportive SE 1.9CDTi (150PS), comes with 18-inch Sports Star alloy wheels, a twin pipe rear exhaust, sports steering wheel, leather Recaro seats and a similar chequered livery.

Moving on to the Vivaro Double Cab Black Edition, the concept has a unique front bumper, plus side and rear spoilers, 17-inch alloys, twin split-pipe rear exhausts, stainless steel front fog light surrounds and a full leather interior, along with the distinctive chequered livery of its standmates.

The three concept models will be displayed on a raised area of the Vauxhall stand, ahead of a video wall featuring a Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles brand film.

Movano Luton

The latest addition to our core conversions range, the Movano Luton is based on the LWB chassis cab and is available with three versions of the proven 2.5CDTi engine, developing 100, 120 or 146PS.

Its aluminium Luton body is produced by Aluvan of Brugge, Belgium. All the exterior body profiles are finished with anodised aluminium extrusions, giving a strong yet stylish finish to the vehicle.

Maximum payload is 1,358kg, while the load bay dimensions are truly cavernous, offering a total volume of 17.2 cubic metres. It also uses an integrated rear frame to accept a tail lift option.

Standard specification includes reinforced rear suspension, a six-pin connection in the battery compartment, side, front and rear markers, driver’s airbag, remote central locking (cab only), spare wheel and stereo/radio/cd player.

As a core conversion, the Movano Luton is covered by Vauxhall’s three-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Prices are £23,135 (ex VAT) for the 100PS model, £24,335 for the 120PS variant and £25,535 for the most-powerful 146PS version. An electrically operated Ratcliff tail-lift is available as a £2,750 option.

talkSPORT Minibus giveaway

On the final day of the CV Show, April 17, Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles will be holding a penalty shoot-out live on its stand, where the winner can drive away in a 15-seat Movano minibus for his or her community football team.

The competition will involve three pre-selected winners from a talkSPORT radio phone-in, who will go live against each other in a sudden death penalty shoot-out, broadcast live on talkSPORT, with the winner taking the bus for his or her team.

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles marketing manager, Simon Culley, said: “Supporting grass-roots football like this is core to the appeal of Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles. We’re a down-to-earth company selling sensible products to ordinary people, and the tie-in with talkSPORT and amateur sports associations reflects this.”

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles has been a sponsor of talkSPORT since 2001 and in 2007 announced a 3-year sponsorship of talkSPORT's live coverage of the Barclays FA Premier League.

Proceedings commence at 1.30pm on the Vauxhall stand, and a press release will be issued live from the show if you’ve already left!

The stand

As proof of Vauxhall’s commitment to grow its commercial vehicle business yet further, the company’s stand at the CV Show is one of the biggest in Hall 10 – the show’s new home.

As well as the concept vans and Movano Luton, we’ll be showing off the full Vauxhall commercial vehicles range, including vans from some of our most valued customers including Royal Mail, BSkyB and United Utilities.

There will also be the opportunity to stop for ‘arrest’ alongside a Vivaro fully-kitted out in Metropolitan Police livery and primed for action by GM UK’s bespoke Special Vehicles Operation at Millbrook, Beds – we’ll be holding a press visit there later in the year so you can see what goes on in more detail.