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Opel Corsavan delivers small packages in a small package

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It used to be that if you had stuff to haul, you got yourself a full-size pickup or a large van. But these days, even with our wide open roads and (relatively) low fuel prices, Americans are starting to turn on to smaller vans like that Ford Transit Connect and Nissan NV200. Those vehicles are still pretty big, though, by European standards, where even the smallest hatchbacks can be ordered up for cargo duty. Like this latest Corsavan from Opel - the German division of General Motors.

Introduced this weekend at the Brussels Motor Show, the new Corsavan is based on the recently facelifted version of the Opel Corsa and goes after the same market as the Ford Fiesta Van. It benefits from the same enhancements applied to the passenger version, but takes a more utilitarian approach.

For starters, the back windows are blanked out by sheetmetal, which tells you that the rear end of the car has been converted for carrying stuff, not people. It's got a flat cargo floor, half-height steel bulkhead and sidewall paneling, load-lashing hooks, a cargo net, rubber floor mat and a four-piece cargo cover.

All told, it can swallow up 32.5 cubic feet of stuff, with a maximum payload capacity of 1,259 pounds. That may not seem like much, but it could just be what the delivery doctor ordered for small jobs – especially considering its compact dimensions and tight turning circle that could, on some tight European city streets, bring the vehicle closer to the job than a small van ever could.
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New Corsavan Celebrates World Premiere at Brussels Motor Show

- Economical 1.3 CDTI ecoFlex engine and more payload capacity than predecessor
- Excellent connectivity with IntelliLink Infotainment System
- Numerous safety features thanks to close relationship with passenger car

Rüsselsheim. Following the successful launch of the new Opel Corsa at the Paris Motor Show in October of last year, the new Corsavan will make its debut at the Brussels Motor Show (January 16 to 25, 2015). The small but capable van will be on show at the Opel stand in Hall 9 of the Brussels Expo and is part of Opel's new light commercial vehicle strategy. Based on the new three-door Corsa, the nippy city delivery van, which combines the comfort, safety features and performance of a passenger car with the transport capacity of a small van can be ordered now and will be at dealerships in the first quarter of this year.

The new Corsavan is even more practical than its predecessor, offering 21 kilograms more maximum payload. Furthermore, it also comes with numerous safety features such as the second-generation Opel Eye front camera, with Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Following Distance Indication and Forward Collision Warning. To top things off, the optional IntelliLink Infotainment System guarantees excellent connectivity. Compatible with Android and Apple devices it makes the Corsavan the best-connected city delivery van on the market.

"The Corsavan offers small businesses the comfort and practicality of a van combined with the most up-to-date safety and connectivity features of its passenger car sibling at an extremely attractive price," said Steffen Raschig, Director of Opel Commercial Vehicles. Raschig expects the Corsavan to be especially popular in Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, where the predecessor model also enjoys great success.

Dynamic and practical

From the outside, the Corsavan barely looks like a commercial vehicle at all. It shares the new Corsa's dynamic appearance and fits easily into tight parking spaces thanks to its compact dimensions (4021 mm long, 1944 mm wide including exterior mirrors and 1479 mm high, turning circle 9.9 meters) and speed sensitive power steering. Its spacious and modern interior offers generous leg and headroom. The ergonomic design puts every switch and control within easy reach. The cabin feels more like an office and allows owners/drivers to get some paperwork done between appointments. Contoured, supportive seats provide ample comfort throughout the day.

The compact proportions in no way detract from the agile city van's great transport capacity. The Corsavan's large, flat loading area provides a capacity of 920 liters with a maximum payload of 571 kilograms. Standard features such as a solid steel floor and half-height steel bulkhead along with half-height sidewall paneling and load restraint lashing eyes all serve to protect and stabilize cargo. Additionally, upper load restraint mesh, fitted rubber floor mat and four-piece load compartment cover are optional for even more load protection.

Economical and lively

The engine lineup consists of 1.2- and 1.4-liter gasoline engines and 1.3-liter diesel aggregates with outputs ranging from 70 to 95 hp. The 1.3 CDTI ecoFlex engine with 95 hp is the pick of the diesel aggregates and has undergone comprehensive redevelopment for use in the new Corsavan. It delivers 190 Nm torque, comes with Start/Stop as standard and is Euro-6 compliant. While delivering a lively drive it also keeps fuel consumption at an outstanding 3.3 liters per 100 kilometers for the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions down to an impressive 88 grams per kilometer.

The servicing intervals also represent an economical advantage. Main services intervals have been set to every two years or 60.000 km (whatever comes first) with an interim service interval of every 30.000 km or yearly. This guarantees that the vehicles spend even more time representing the client on the road.

Outstanding connectivity

Elsewhere, the optional IntelliLink infotainment system's 7-inch color touchscreen is located on the center stack. Opel's award-winning infotainment system offers optimum connectivity opportunities. It is compatible with Apple and Android devices and makes the Corsavan the best-connected small van on the market. The driver can use apps like BringGo for navigation as well as Stitcher and TuneIn for worldwide radio and podcast reception. With IntelliLink, a driver can plan his entire day without having to return to the office. Emails, contacts or the personal calendar are all easily accessible. The integration of Apple iOS devices within IntelliLink enables Siri Eyes Free voice control. This makes it possible for drivers to hear an incoming SMS read aloud or dictate an SMS and emails – all while keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road ahead.

Comprehensive Safety & Comfort Package

When it comes to safety, the Corsavan benefits greatly from its close relationship with its passenger car sibling and comes with a generous package of safety features. The second-generation Opel Eye front camera, with Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Following Distance Indication and Forward Collision Warning, also further increases driving safety. Traffic Sign Recognition reads speed limit- and no-passing signs and displays them on the instrument panel. Lane Departure Warning alerts drivers when they unintentionally stray out of their lane. High Beam Assist offers a considerable safety advantage when driving in the dark automatically activating the high beam light for better road illumination and improved visibility. Following Distance Indication, which is activated automatically at speeds from 40 km/h, not only helps to prevent collisions, but also helps to avoid possible fines for not maintaining sufficient safety distance to the vehicle in front. If the vehicle gets into a critical situation where a collision with the preceding vehicle is imminent, Forward Collision Warning alerts the driver with a loud alarm as well as a visual warning on the instrument cluster.

At the touch of a button, the City mode of the steering system, fitted as standard except when the Opel Eye front camera is chosen, increases power assistance at lower speeds, which is particularly useful when maneuvering in congested urban areas. Hill Start Assist also comes as standard. It maintains the brake function for about two seconds. This prevents the Corsavan from rolling back when starting on a slope. On cold days, owners benefit from the heated ThermaTec windscreen that ensures perfect visibility and the heated steering wheel.

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