Opel Delivers Welcomed Improvements To Movano Range
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Opel is upgrading its flagship van light commercial vehicle range, the Movano, with a few much-welcomed changes that make it more fuel-efficient, more capable, more affordable, and more comfortable. The improvements to the offering (co-developed with Renault), include:
Start/Stop Engine Tech
The Movano is now even more fuel efficient thanks to the addition of Start/Stop technology that’s available with the 2.3 CDTI engine (making 100 hp or 125 hp) mated to a manual transmission on panel vans. The addition of Start/Stop cuts fuel consumption and emissions by up to 8 percent when compared to the same models without Start/Stop, according to Opel. The brand points to the short-wheel base and low roof Movano Combi variant, which now utilizes 6.7 l/100 km or 176 g/km CO2.
15% Increase In Towing Capacity
In addition to being more efficient, the Movano is now capable of a 15 percent boost in towing capacity. Specifically, the towing ability of the Movano chassis/crew cab with rear wheel drive (RWD) and dual rear wheel (DRW) configurations has jumped from 3 to 3.5 tons. Who doesn’t like, want, or need more towing ability?
Optional Pneumatic Suspension
Improving the Movano’s ride, comfort, and loading bay capacity, is the optional pneumatic suspension that’s available on all 3.5 ton front-whel drive versions of the panel van and chassis/crew cab.
The suspenders are controlled via a remote, and is capable of raising the van by seven centimeters (2.75 inches) from the height at which the van rides by default; the feature is also capable of lowering the height of the vehicle by 20 centimeters, making loading and unloading easier.
Semi-Glazed Offering Makes Movano More Affordable
Those concerned with cost of ownership will likely be interested in the new semi-blazed Combi variant of the Movano, which is classified as an M1 passenger car, which puts the vehicle within more financially favorable insurance and tax brackets. In addition, customers can choose the fully-glazed Combi variant that also carries the M1 type classification.
The GM Authority Take
So when does North America get these wonderful vans to replace the archaic Express and Savana?
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Movano a proper replacement for the old CF.
The Express and Savanna are due, both Ram and Ford had impresive displays at the Chicago Show of there Euro offering… Hopefully GM is considering an americanized twist on these Euro Vans…
Express/Savana have served well, but its time for this in N.A.
Look great as a black GMC whatever (especially the twin wheeled LWB model).
I’m puzzled to why we have not heard anything about replacing the Express/Savanna. Commercial vehicles rarely get FMC’s and have a longer lifespan than passenger vehicles. There has to be at least one person in Detroit whose notice that GM current offerings are getting long in the tooth.
Good looking van! Looks much better than the ugly, awkward looking Ford Transit and the real, real ugly Dodge “Ram” ProMaster. Time to retire the Express, even though I still like it.