Vauxhall has revealed the new version of its electric van being made at Ellesmere Port will be thousands of pounds cheaper and have increased range.
As part of an upgrade to its light commercial vehicle range, the new Vauxhall Combo Electric is available in a range of options and what the car manufacturer says is a "class-leading driving range".
All the new vans will be available in 'Prime' – the entry point to the respective ranges – and 'Pro' – offering additional features for comfort and practicality.
The first vehicles are scheduled to be delivered from spring, with the new Combo Electric representing a saving of nearly £5,000 over the old model.
The new Vauxhall Combo Electric is available in two lengths, with a choice of two or three front seats, and can be offered as a five-seat crew van.
Produced at Ellesmere Port, the UK’s first EV-only volume manufacturing plant, the New Combo Electric can travel up to 205 miles on a single charge of its new 50kWh battery (WLTP combined cycle) – 30 miles further than its predecessor.
Powered by an electric motor developing 136PS and 270Nm of torque, the New Combo Electric comes with a 7.4kW on-board charger as standard (an 11kW charger is optional), and the battery can be recharged from 0-80 per cent in 30 minutes at a 100kW public charging station.
Like its predecessor, the New Combo Electric continues to offer up to 4.4 cubic metres of storage space (the same as its combustion engine siblings), while the 780kg payload and the 750kg towing capacity are both best-in-class.
Prime specification includes a smartphone station as standard, featuring DAB radio, Bluetooth and a smartphone interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Vauxhall Connect.
Prime models are also equipped with safety systems, including advanced emergency braking, driver attention alert, intelligent speed assistance and lane keep assist. Drivers also benefit from rear parking sensors, automatic lighting control with high beam assist and cruise control.
Pro trim adds Vauxhall’s Multimedia Pro Navi infotainment system, which includes a 10-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and natural voice recognition. The instrument cluster is also upgraded to a 10-inch digital display, while visibility is improved thanks to the Dynamic Surround View system.
This comprises two cameras, one located above the rear doors and another under the passenger-side exterior mirror. The images – of the rear while driving and (when activated by the indicator stalk) of the side blind-spot – are displayed in the new high-definition digital rear-view mirror.
Another first for the New Combo is the addition of adaptive, glare-free headlights on Pro variants, which automatically cut out oncoming road users from their beam, ensuring drivers have a clear view ahead without dazzling others.
Prices for the New Combo Electric start from £26,800 OTR (after Plug-in Van Grant, excluding VAT), representing a saving of £4,750 over the outgoing model.
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