The new Vauxhall Corsavan

Late last year I attended the launch of the new Vauxhall Corsa car and reported that a new Corsavan would follow shortly.

The new Corsavan is now on sale with first deliveries expected in March. Like the new Corsa cars, the Corsavan has been generously specified with a standard spec that includes ESP with Hill Start Assist, daytime running lights, tyre pressure monitoring, digital radio plus Bluetooth, and steering wheel controls.

The popular Sportive specification has been continued as well, and buyers of this model — likely to be owner-drivers — will enjoy 16″ alloy wheels, air con and a heated windscreen too, along with a range of options.

A van like this is likely to be used for small, light cargos, but for anyone wanting to transport small, heavy objects, the payload is a competitive 560kg or thereabouts, depending on which specification you choose. Loading capacity is 920 litres.

Power plants

When I drove the new Corsa, it was clear to me and most of the others at the launch that Vauxhall’s new 1.0l turbocharged petrol engine was the best of the bunch. Torquey, relatively characterful, efficient and perfectly matched to the car.

Given this, it’s a real shame that Vauxhall has opted not to make the 1.0l engine available on the new Corsavan — the only petrol option is Vauxhall’s ageing, dull (but cheap) 1.2i 70PS engine.

The options are much better if you want a diesel, with 75PS and 95PS variants of Vauxhall’s popular 1.3CDTi engine on offer, both fitted with Start/Stop. Although ecoFLEX is only available on the higher-powered model, both engines promise combined cycle fuel consumption of more than 70mpg.

Choosing diesel may seem like a foregone conclusion when buying a van, but it shouldn’t be — especially for a small van like this that won’t have to haul heavy loads and which may often be used for low mileage, urban work, where petrol makes more sense and is far more environmentally friendly than diesel.

Prices for the new Corsavan start at £10,995 +VAT for the petrol model and £12,245 +VAT for the diesel models.