AN ambitious drive to boost its commercial vehicle strength has been launched by Vauxhall with the arrival of a new Movano van. The company aims to double its annual sale of the popular Movano as the vehicle enters its second incarnation. The new Movano features trademark Vauxhall elements like a horizontal chrome bar - housing the largest Griffin badge on any vehicle in the company’s history - and the signature crease on the front hood. Special attention has been paid to the interior design, resulting in a cab that is 5.7 centimetres longer than that of the outgoing model and boasts durable materials and surfaces, plus multi-adjustable seats and a height-adjustable steering column. Movano also provides one of the widest ranges of body variants on the commercial vehicle market, offering a model for every potential customer. The line-up includes panel vans, doublecab, platform, chassis and crew cabs as well as combi versions. Vehicles are also equipped for special conversions or enhancements. Four different vehicle lengths are available too. For the first time, the new Movano offers rear-wheel drive versions in addition to front-wheel drive, thanks to its modular platform. The cargo areas of the panel van variants have a load volume of up to 17 cubic metres and a maximum load area length of up to 4.4 meters. Gross vehicle weight extends up to 4.5 tonnes and maximum payload up to 2.5 tonnes depending on body variant. A new family of 2.3-litre CDTi common-rail diesel engines are available with three power outputs – 100, 125 and 146PS – and with an optional 105-litre fuel tank, the operating range is nearly 875 miles. Vauxhall’s managing director Duncan Aldred said: “The commercial vehicle market is of great strategic importance to us. The new Movano plays a key role in our sales plans for 2010.” The Movano Expression entry level model goes on sale in May at £20,250 and to celebrate the launch Vauxhall has created a special launch pack. It includes £1,400 worth of options such as air conditioning, a multi-function trip computer, vehicle alarm and Bluetooth connectivity. The Launch Pack will be offered free on all new Movanos, apart from the Expression model, until July 31. | 
News | Road tests new | Views | Buying advice | New cars | Manufacturers | Special reports | Road tests | Dealers
