It’s based on the PSA Group’s EMP2 platform, which it shares with the Toyota ProAce and Peugeot Expert. This provides it with a payload of 1,400kg and a towing capacity of 2,500kg, which is a respective 200kg and 500kg more than its predecessor.
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It’s being powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine available in two states of tune, producing either 99bhp or 118bhp – the latter providing provisional economy figures of 57.6mpg.
Three body styles will be available, including a panel van, a crew cab and a platform chassis. Both short- and long-wheelbase models will be available, with the larger model bearing a maximum load capacity of 6.6 cubic metres (233 cubic feet) and, thanks to a load-through flap under the passenger seat, enough space to transport objects up to 4.02m (13ft 2in) long.
Buyers will also have the choice of three trim levels. The entry-level Edition model comes as standard with dual sliding doors, driver and passenger airbags, cruise control and a speed limiter.
Mid-range Sportive models are better equipped, offering body-coloured door mirrors, handles and side mouldings, as well as an alarm, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a sound-dampening windscreen and thickened side-glazing.
Range-topping Elite models feature a comprehensive range of safety equipment as standard, including lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, a driver drowsiness alert system and blind-spot detection. Other features include forward collision assist, a head-up display and automatic emergency braking.
Other updates over the previous Vivaro include optional automatic sliding doors (operated by kicking your foot under the van’s sills), a seven-inch infotainment system, parking sensors, an optional rear-view camera and an optional work-site chassis set-up with higher ground clearance and underbody protection.
