Professional Builder Goes on Tour with the Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive
Forget the Euros, Wimbledon, Royal Troon and Brands Hatch – Professional Builder had a momentous sporting moment of its own early this summer when we took delivery of a brand new Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive version!
Since its launch in 2014, Britain’s only home-made LCV has notched up a stack of prestigious awards and accolades in the medium van category and left a host of its closest competitors trailing in its stylish slip stream.
So we needed little encouragement to take to the open road in our shiny blue Vivaro, taking full advantage of its sporty 2.0 litre diesel engine and impressive load area, which we packed to the roof with an assortment of freebies and giveaways for the nation’s builders.
First up, appropriately enough, was a consignment of a new NRICH energy drinks, ideal for builders in need a quick pick me up or meal supplement.
GET NRICH QUICK!
Builders won’t need to be told that working on site can be hard graft and tradesmen could teach the treadmill traipsing gym worshipper a few things about burning calories.
These real milk drinks have been whisked over 10,000 times, are available in five flavours and contain no artificial colours or sweeteners.
Most importantly, however, they have been formulated with a blend of vitamins, minerals and protein.
The manufacturer maintains that the beverage’s PROCarb formula makes it ideal as a post-workout beverage, providing extra carbohydrate plus protein, in a ratio of almost 4:1.
tudies have shown that this combination can boost performance and reduce free radicals and muscle damage, versus using a sports drink that only replaces carbohydrates and electrolytes.
Vaux Pops
Vauxhall’s new Vivaro proves that, in one area at least, we can still give the rest of the world a proper run for its money, with the company’s Luton plant now standing alone, and proud, as the only light commercial vehicle manufacturing facility on these shores.
The second generation Vivaro features a number of tradesmen-friendly features, including a wide floor and near vertical sides.
Builders will certainly appreciate the introduction of a Flexcargo bulkhead which allows longer items, such as pipes, conduits and even planks of wood, to be carried without having the rear doors open.
Neat hatches in the base of the bulkhead and below the front bench seat allow items up to 4.15m to be loaded through into the passenger foot well.
If there is a need to carry overhanging cargo, the rear doors have been enhanced and can now be locked separately.
Load volumes vary from 5.2m3 to 8.6m3, with a choice of two lengths and two heights and there are plenty of floor and sidewall mounted lashing eyes provided.
VAUXHALL VIVARO SPORTIVE – FEATURES AT A GLANCE
• Engine: 1.6CDTi (120PS) Bi Turbo S/S
• Max Power: 120PS @ 3,500 rpm
• Loadspace capacity: 6.0
• Max length at load floor: 2,937mm
• Kerbweight: 1,736kg
• Payload: 1,274kg
• Combined MPG figure: 47.9
• On The Road Price: £22,853.33