Opel is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Vivaro, the reference van among light commercial vehicles, which stands out for its flexibility.
The Rüsselsheim brand introduced the Vivaro in 2000, which quickly became a key model in Opel’s commercial vehicle range, having been awarded the title of “International Van of the Year” twice, in 2002 and 2021.
In addition, Opel has used the Vivaro as a basis for innovative studies, which allowed for the anticipation of new technologies and the future development of the Vivaro e-Concept, a 100% electric model revealed in 2010, which became a reality in 2020 with the arrival of the third generation of the Vivaro.
It should be noted that Opel’s popular van emerged as a result of a joint venture created at the end of 1996. Opel aimed to build particularly attractive vans for customers and expand its portfolio to include Light Commercial Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tons. The Opel Arena, the immediate predecessor of the Vivaro, was launched in 1997, followed two years later by the first Movano in the segment above the Arena.
Three years later, in 2000, Opel then presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show, the prototype of a new generation of vans: the completely redesigned Opel Vivaro, which featured the futuristic design of the so-called “Jumbo roof.”
Furthermore, the dome-shaped cabin not only provided the driver and front passengers with exceptional headroom, but also allowed for easy access in and out of the vehicle, which is particularly appreciated by delivery and express mail services.
At its launch in 2001, the Vivaro was equipped with front-wheel drive and featured Diesel variants with different power outputs, always combined with a six-speed manual transmission. The gear shift control integrated directly into the center console saved space and facilitated use.
The latest version of the Opel Vivaro arrived in 2024 with a new style marked by the debut of the brand’s iconic Opel Vizor front. In addition to the Vivaro Electric, which is 100% electric and once again available with two battery options, customers have access to a wide range of economical Diesel engines.
The Vivaro is as diverse in its range of versions as it is in its engines: it is available in two lengths (4.98 meters and 5.33 meters), as a van, double cab, and chassis, a practical solution for different types of bodies. Depending on the version, it offers up to 6.6 m3 of cargo volume and about 1.4 tons of payload.
