VAUXHALL will be adding a new van to its model line-up in January next year. The Movano, which ranges from 2.8 to 3.5 tonnes, is the second product of a commercial agreement between General Motors and Renault and is based on the Renault Master. The deal has already seen Renault supply Vauxhall with its Trafic van, rebadged as the Vauxhall Arena.

This month sees the new short wheelbase Arena go on sale, with a 1.9-litre diesel engine and payload of 1,000kg. The next stage of the GM-Renault link-up is the development of a new range of medium-weight vans in the 2.5 to 2.8 gross weight sector to replace the Trafic/Arena. This is being finalised by Vauxhall and will be built by IBC Vehicles in Luton, where the Frontera is built. The new van range will be badged for Vauxhall, Opel and Renault.

The Movano has already been named 1998 European Van of the Year in its Renault Master guise. Vauxhall's version will be available in several base variants, with three lengths, 4.89m, 5.39m and 5.89m, and three roof heights, 2.24m, 2.47m and 2.71m. It will also come as a box van, a passenger carrier or as a chassis suitable for various bodies. The range will be powered by 2.5-litre 80PS or, in the turbocharged direct injection version, 2.8-litre 115PS diesel engines and overall volume will range from 8.1 to 13.9 cubic metres, with payloads of between 1000kg and 1700kg.