The Evolution of the Vauxhall Vivaro

The Vauxhall Vivaro has been a mainstay of the medium van segment for some seventeen years, Vansdirect looks back at the history and evolution of the van over time!

Vauxhall Vivaro

Our Vauxhall Vivaro timeline covers all of the major events in the impressive seventeen year lifespan of the award winning medium van, from its introduction into the new van market in 2001 to potential plans to the future. Throughout this time the Vauxhall Vivaro has been British built in the company's plant in Luton, here is our timeline of the excellent Vivaro!

June 2001 - First model launched

In June 2001 the Vauxhall Vivaro joined the market, as a sister van to the second generation Renault Trafic van. The first generation Renault Trafic was first available in 1980 and was available until 2001 when the second generation model took over from a highly successful van. This van was only available in front wheel drive, whilst offering two van lengths 4,782mm and 5,182mm and two van heights 1,969mm and 2,464, with load volumes ranging from 5.0 cubic metres to 8.3 cubic metres.

June 2006 - Facelifted model launched

Vauxhall vans gave the first generation Vauxhall Vivaro van its first facelift five years on from joining the new van market, adding two all-new Euro 4 compliant CDTi diesel engines offering higher performance without affecting fuel consumption. The line-up was completed by a revised 2.5-litre CDTi engine delivering 145ps and 320Nm of torque.

Vauxhall vans also added a long-wheelbase Vauxhall Vivaro combi van to the line-up for the first time, adding added luggage space from the short wheelbase model. The range now comprised of standard and high roof models, short or long wheelbases, low and high-floor dropsides, doublecab crew van models, a 12-seat minibus and a Sportive model.

At the front of the van, the nose was now given a smoother appearance with teardrop-shaped front headlamps, indicator lamps have also been moved from the bumper to inside the light units. The new nose of the van is set off by a more prominent and wider V-grille to bring the Vauxhall Vivaro van in line with the entire Vauxhall vehicle range.

April 2007 - Biodiesel B30 technology launched in Vivaros

Vauxhall vans launched biodiesel B30 technology in the Vauxhall Vivaro, the models compatible with the technology use the 2.0-litre CDTi and 2.5-litre CDTi 100ps and 120ps engines and offered up to 20 percent fewer CO2 emissions compared to the standard Euro diesel units.

June 2010 - Vauxhall Vivaro range improved

All models in the Vauxhall Vivaro range were upgraded to include a new look fascia and steering wheel in conjunction with an infotainment system which was also brand new and included the latest technology at the time of aux-in and the options of bluetooth (standard on Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive models), USB and sat nav. The Vivaro range also gained a new cruise control option and a new Steel Grey exterior colour. Vauxhall vans also made a full steel bulkhead standard across the range for additional safety. Sportive models were loaded with standard features which at this point included: 16-inch alloys, front fog lights, radio CD with bluetooth and body-coloured rear light clusters and mirror housings. There was also a leather steering wheel for the first time on a Vivaro.

January 2011 - Vauxhall Vivaro ecoFLEX launched

The highly economical Vivaro ecoFLEX joins the market and comes with either a 2.0-litre CDTi 90ps or a 2.0-litre CDTi 115ps engine with CO2 outputs of 185g/km despite having impressive payloads up to 1254kg.

May 2012 - Vauxhall Vivaro ecoFLEX improved

The new Euro 5 compliant panel vans now have CO2 emissions of 180g/km and fuel economies up to 40.9 mpg. The ecoFLEX equipped with a speed limiter manages CO2 levels as low as 174g/km and fuel economies up to 42.7mpg. At this point there's also an ecoFLEX model of the Vivaro combi van.

October 2012 - DAB radio upgrade introduced

DAB digital radio is now available across the Vauxhall vans range as an option. The system gets fitted by Vauxhall retailers and can be integrated completely with the installed stereo's display and steering-wheel mounted controls which are existing.

April 2014 - New Vauxhall Vivaro second generation model launched

The new model was launched with four engines available ranging from 90ps up to 140ps with the introduction of a new twin-turbocharged version of the 1.6-litre diesel engine with stop/start available on selected models. The interior of the Vivaro received an overhaul with numerous useful touches including: built-in tablet and mobile phone cradles suited to all sizes of device, stacks of cubby holes and a laptop storage bin, DAB radio now comes as standard.

The new Vivaro is available in two lengths (L1 and L2) and two heights (H1 and H2) with cargo volumes ranging between 5.2 cubic metres and 8.6 cubic metres. L1 and L2 double cab models are also offered with load volumes of 3.2 cubic metres and 4.0 cubic metres, whilst the slightly increased wheelbase of the L1 panel van models mean that all Vauxhall Vivaro panel vans can now carry 3 Europallets as standard, all models also get ESP stability control and hill start assist as standard.

The load area now gets a load-through hatch which allows for loading of pipes or planks up to 3.75 metres in L1 models and 4.15 metres in L2 models, the hatch extends under the front seats and is easy to operate. The cross-section of the load area is the same as the first generation model, meaning shelving kits and conversions from the previous model will fit in the new model with no modification.

August 2015 - New engines added

The entry-level 1.6-litre CDTi 95ps engine delivers 260Nm of torque in conjunction with a combined consumption up to 44.8mpg and emissions of 164g/km of CO2. The new 1.6-litre BiTurbo CDTi 125ps engine delivers 320Nm of torque in con conjunction with a combined consumption up to 49.6mpg and emissions of 149g/km of CO2. Both new engines get start/stop technology and a six-speed manual transmission and comply with Euro 6 emissions standards.

2019 - Vauxhall Vivaro third generation model?

In April 2018 Vauxhall vans made the announcement that the next generation Vauxhall Vivaro van would be built in Luton just as the previous generation models have been, with an investment of approximately £100 million being invested in the van making plant by the PSA group who in 2017 acquired Vauxhall vans. The PSA platform will be used for the new third-generation Vauxhall Vivaro van meaning it is expected to be based on the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace medium vans. We're expected to see a new model at some point in 2019!

Vauxhall Vivaro vans on finance

The Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive is a fantastic van for all of your business needs, at Vansdirect we have both panel vans and Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive double cab models in stock and ready to go, with FREE UK Wide delivery in as little as five working days on selected models. Interested? Simply fill in a contact form or call us on 0800 169 69 95 for a friendly chat about all of your new van requirements! We also offer cars.