Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles have introduced clutchless transmission systems to their Combo CDTi and Vivaro Vans, both of which are popular with UK plumbers.
With a van being a major part of the plumber’s day, serving as a mobile workshop, storage space, office as well as means of transportation, the latest addition is a response to growing demand for automatic gear boxes due to traffic jams and congested city centres.
The vans are built in General Motors’ plant in Luton, Bedfordshire. The Vivaro 2.0 CDTi Tecshift offers two-pedal transmission at a lower price point than before (when it was offered on 2.5 litre models).
The Vivaro Euro IV, with the 115PS common rail diesel engine and a six-speed transmission allows both automatic and manual operation of the gears. The £800 option is available on all 115PS Vivaro vans, making the entry level 2700 standard roof short wheel base panel van cost £15,590 ex-vat.
Vauxhall has introduced the semi-automatic gearbox to the Combo Easytronic range. The system is offered on the Combo’s 1.3 litre 75PS CDTi engine in fully automated mode or a set up where the gears can be individually selected electronically. The Combo Easytronic is offered from £10,665 ex-vat up to £11,665 ex-vat for the five-seater crew van model.