By Otsile Kadiege

Whilst browsing through Opel South Africa’s website we came across the German automaker’s new Vivaro panel van. The Vivaro is available solely available with a 2.0-litre diesel and one model derivative dubbed “Cargo” with a decent list of standard features. Customers who want more cargo capacity can opt for the long-wheelbase variant.

Exterior design and dimensions

Outside, the new Vivaro Cargo panel van shares a similar design with the Zafira Life. Up front, the Vivaro sports black front bumpers and halogen lights. Its side profile features 16-inch steel wheels (225/65) with a full size spare wheel, black side mirrors, black door handles and manually sliding rear doors.

Its rear end has a high-mounted centre stoplamp, vertical taillights with incandescent bulbs, 50/50 split symmetrical wing doors and a tow bar capable of towing up to 600kg both braked and unbraked. The Vivaro’s exterior dimensions are as follows:

Length (mm) – 5309

Width (mm) including side mirrors – 1920

Height (mm) – 1948

Wheelbase (mm) – 3275

Side door entry width (mm) – 935

Side door entry height (mm) – 1241

Rear door/tailgate entry width (mm) – 1258

Rear door/tailgate entry height (mm) – 1220

Load height from ground to tailgate entry (mm) – 633

Ground Clearance (mm) – 150

Interior design and dimensions

The similarities with the Zafira Life continue inside the Vivaro panel van. The three-seater features cloth seats, RCE Radio with Bluetooth and USB, a four-speaker sound system, a three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel, manual air conditioning, electric windows, a 12V socket and cup holders. As standard, the Vivaro Cargo has a payload of 1000kg. Customers who want a bigger payload will have to opt for one with 1400kg.

Powertrain

Powering the Opel Vivaro Cargo panel van is a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine making a healthy 110kW and 370Nm. It’s paired to a six-speed manual only and feeds power to the front wheels. Opel claims a combined fuel-consumption of 6.0l/100km.

Pricing

The new Opel Vivaro Cargo panel van 2.0TD LWB is priced from R579,000.