Vantastic - the all-new Vauxhall Astravan

On sale from October this year, the new Vauxhall Astravan as its name suggest is based upon the current Astra range of cars and estates.

This is the fifth generation of Astravans and it is likely to continue the heritage by remaining the best seller in the light van sector of the UK’s commercial vehicle market.

Just this week the Vauxhall Astravan has received the ‘Editor’s Choice’ award in the annual What Van? Magazine accolades.

The launch of the all-new Astravan with is stylish Astra looks and car driveability, more performance and better equipment levels, has already started to make an impact on the commercial vehicle market. In its first month Astravan sales were more than double the initial target.

Designed, developed and built in the UK, where nearly 10,000 Astravans are sold each year, the vehicle is based on the Astra estate platform. Vauxhall say although the new commercial vehicle is based on the estate, every aspect and every component has been reassessed or redesigned so it is purpose built for commercial duties. It retains the performance and handling characteristics of Astra cars and estates, making it a driver’s van, not a shed on wheels.

Like Astra passenger cars, the new Astravan has a Euro NCAP five star safety rating and for further security its low-ish height means it can be parked overnight out of site in a conventional garage. The Astravan is also protected remote central locking, tamper-proof door locks and a perimeter alarm and a reinforced tailgate are optional extras.

The front retains all the design and looks of Astra cars and the two-seat cab has the looks of a functional base model Astra estate or saloon. Where it matters, behind the driver’s cab, it looks an aerodynamic vehicle as the roofline tapers backwards by 50mm to improve aero efficiency.

A wide tailgate allows easy access to the large load area which has a completely flat floor. The load area floor and sides are covered with a plastic liner to stop any damage and to make it easy to wash out when needed. The load floor is 58mm longer and 9mm wider than the outgoing Astravan. There is also 29mm more load height and the payload has been increased by 45kg, all important factors for light van operators. There are six individual lashing points on the load deck, while a half height bulkhead stops loads sliding forwards into the cabin during braking.

The rear axle has been redesigned from that used for the Astra estate. This has allowed the fuel tank to be repositioned giving a lower centre of gravity to the vehicle for better loaded stability and handling, and it helps maximise the flat floor space.

At the front the wheel camber and toe angles have been changed to increase tyre life and reduce fuel consumption. The electronic power steering has been re-mapped to give a lighter feel in slow moving traffic in and around town, the natural workplace for such vehicles. Anti-lock braking, electronic brake distribution and emergency brake assist are all standard equipment. Driver and passenger airbags are standard while side airbags are an extra cost option.

Whilst the load area has to be fit for purpose, durable and easy to load and big enough to make it a financially viable workhorse, the driver’s cab also needs to be user friendly. Astravan is available with two trim levels, Club and Sportive and prices range from £9,995 to £14,570 excluding Vat.

Club model standard specification includes electrically operated windows, dark tinted tailgate glass, a stereo radio and CD player, height adjustable driver’s seat, body coloured bumpers and side protection mouldings. The Sportive models have 16-inch road wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, sports leather steering wheel, chrome effect facia inserts, roof rails and metallic paint.

As with the Astra cars and estates there are a wide range of extra cost options available to tailor the Astravan to the operator’s specification.

The Astravan is available with the choice of engines, three diesels and one petrol and all are Euro IV compliant.

The petrol engine is a 1.4-litre, 90PS unit and is only available with Club specification. The three turbodiesel engines, 1.3, 1.7 and 1.9-litre CDTi units are available in both Club and Sportive specification and an automatic transmission option is available for both 1.9-litre, 120PS, variants.

My test vehicle was the Astravan Club 1.3 CDTi priced at £11,370 excluding Vat. This has a 6-speed manual transmission and is the expected best selling variant in the new range.

We know this engine well for its use in GM and Fiat passenger cars and it has a reputation or being a willing and responsive worker. It generally outperforms its 1.3-litre label with 90PS of power and more importantly 270Nm of torque at just 1,750rpm.

Because it is a workhorse and performance will vary greatly depending on what type of work a commercial vehicle does, manufacturers do not give performance figures for their vehicles. However taking the same specification and comparing it against the Astra estate 1.3-litre Club, top speed should be around 107mph, 0-60mph in 11.4 seconds and average fuel economy should be around 58.9mpg. From my test drive experience the fuel economy was closer to high 40s rather than high 50s.

MILESTONES. Vauxhall Astravan Club 1.3 CDTi. Price: £11,370. Engine: 1.3-litre, four-cylinder, direct injection turbodiesel, 90PS and 200Nm. Performance: 107mph, 0-60mph 11.4 seconds, 58.9mpg (actual 49mpg). Dimensions/weights/capacities: 4,515mm long, 1,753mm wide, 1,500mm high, 1,789mm load bed length, 1,103-1,380mm load width, 900mm load height, 645kg payload, 1,300kg braked towing weight, 1.58 cu m capacity.

For: Smart styling, practical load area size, good driveability and care for the driver, value for money and low running costs.

Against: Sluggish engine when cold, prone to stalling hot or cold if too little engine revs are used which is unusual for a diesel unit, Club specification facia functional but dull.