Category Archives: VauxhallUk

VauxhallUk

VAUXHALL WINS BIG AT THE GREAT BRITISH FLEET AWARDS 2023

 

  • Vauxhall takes home the title of ‘Fleet Manufacturer of the Year’ at the Great British Fleet Awards 2023
  • Vauxhall Corsa was also awarded the ‘Best Fleet Supermini’, Vauxhall Astra was named ‘Best Lower Medium Fleet Car’, and Vauxhall Vivaro took ‘Medium Van of the Year’ at the awards
  • Vauxhall is one of the few brands able to offer fleets a fully electric van across its entire LCV line-up
  • By 2028, Vauxhall’s entire car and van range will be fully electric – seven years ahead of the Government deadline

Vauxhall has been awarded the title of ‘Fleet Manufacturer of the Year’, at last night’s Great British Fleet Awards 2023 in Milton Keynes organised by Fleet World. The Vauxhall Astra, Corsa and Vivaro were also celebrated, taking home the ‘Best Lower Medium Fleet Car’, ‘Best Fleet Supermini’, and ‘Medium Van of the Year’ titles, respectively.

The ‘Fleet Manufacturer of the Year’ title reflects Vauxhall’s position as one of the UK’s most versatile fleet operators. Across its Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, it is one of the few manufacturers in the country able to offer fleets an electrified variant across its entire model line-up, alongside diesel versions. Vauxhall has been the UK’s best-selling e-LCV manufacturer for the past two years running.

Vauxhall’s passenger vehicle range has also grown significantly over the course of the past 12 months, with the brand now selling electrified variants across every model with the exception of the Crossland. By 2028 it will be an electric-only manufacturer, seven years ahead of the UK Government deadline. Vauxhall’s commitment to electrification, and its versatile product range is making it easier for businesses to go green.

The Vauxhall Vivaro was named the ‘Medium Van Of the Year’ at last night’s awards. The award winning Vivaro has been the UK’s best-selling electric light commercial vehicle for two consecutive years. Available with a 50kWh or a 75kWh battery, the Vivaro Electric achieves a WLTP range of up to 205 miles from a single charge and comes with a maximum payload of up to 1,226kg. The Vivaro Electric is joined by the Combo Electric and Movano Electric. 

The Fleet World judges named the Vauxhall Corsa as their ‘Best Fleet Supermini’, a fitting title for the UK’s best-selling supermini of 2022, while the Astra took home the award for ‘Best Lower Medium Fleet Car’.

Both Corsa and Astra continue to be popular options for both private and fleet buyers. Astra offers efficient petrol and diesel variants as well as a highly efficient Plug-in Hybrid model capable of travelling up to 43 miles (WLTP, EAER) on electric power alone. Corsa has been available as a fully electric variant since 2020. The latest Corsa Electric provides up to 222 miles of range (WLTP) from its 50kWh battery, while a 0-80% charge takes just 30 minutes to complete from a 100kW rapid charger. The Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric will be joining the Vauxhall range later this year, providing even more electric vehicle options for fleet customers.

John Challen, Editor, Fleet World, said: “Vauxhall has always been committed to the demands of fleet drivers and the latest Astra is just one example of how it still has its eye on the ball. The arrival of plug-in hybrid and electric versions of its core fleet models ensures that the brand will remain a popular choice as the market moves away from diesel and petrol power.”

James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “I’m delighted to see that Fleet World has recognised Vauxhall as ‘Fleet Manufacturer of the Year’. It is a true indication of Vauxhall’s commitments to fleet users and how the latest Vauxhall range continues to adapt to meet the needs of today’s drivers as we move towards a fully electric car and van range from 2028.”

With the recent launch of the Astra GSe and the Astra Sports Tourer GSe, fleet users can now enjoy uprated electrified drivetrains and improved handling thanks to suspension and steering upgrades. Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe are both eligible for a Benefit-in-Kind rate of just 8% and 12%, respectively.

 

-ENDS-

VauxhallUk

NEARLY 20 MILLION TONNES OF CO2 COULD BE SAVED A YEAR IF EVERY VAN IN THE COUNTRY WAS ELECTRIC, FINDS VAUXHALL

  • Converting the UK’s van fleet into fully electric vans could save more than 19.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually, according to exclusive research by Vauxhall
  • Research comes as UK Government announces consultation into zero-emissions mandate, which includes a zero-emissions sales percentage trajectory for vehicle manufacturers
  • With more than 4.77 million petrol or diesel vans on UK roads, and an average annual mileage of 13,000 miles, UK’s van fleet covers more than 62 billion miles each year
  • Vauxhall’s research shows vans account for 18.2% of the UK’s annual transport related emissions
  • Vauxhall is the UK’s best-selling e-LCV manufacturer and one of few brands in the country with an electric variant across its entire LCV line-up
  • From 2028, Vauxhall will be an electric-only vehicle manufacturer

Nearly 20 million tonnes of CO2 could be saved every year if the UK’s van fleet was converted into fully electric vans, according to new research by Vauxhall. The research comes after the UK Government launched a consultation that could see manufacturers issued with yearly zero-emissions vehicle percentage sales targets, including financial penalties for those that fail to meet the targets.

As part of its commitment to electrify Britain, Vauxhall calculated how much CO2 could be saved every year if the country’s van fleet converted into electric Light Commercial Vehicles (e-LCVs) that produce zero tailpipe emissions. Using official UK Government and Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures, Vauxhall calculated vans account for 18.2% of the UK’s annual transport related CO2 emissions and 4.6% of the country’s total annual carbon emissions*.  

With 4.77 million petrol or diesel vans on the road, and with an average annual mileage of 13,000 according to the Department for Transport, van drivers in the UK cover more than 62 billion miles annually. Using the SMMT’s average new van emissions estimate of 195.7 g/km CO2 as the fleet average emissions, Vauxhall calculated annual emissions exceeding 19.5 million tonnes of CO2**.

Last year, more than 16,000 electric LCVs were delivered to businesses and customers across the country, a rise of 31.2% over the previous year. As one of few manufacturers in the country to offer fleets and businesses a fully electric van across its line-up, Vauxhall was the UK’s best-selling e-LCV manufacturer in 2022, with the Vivaro Electric the best-selling e-LCV model in the country.

However, e-LCVs accounted for just 5.9% of total van registrations in 2022, well behind the 16.6% 2022 market share for electric cars, and quite far off the 10% proposed mandate for 2024 for e-LCV sales***. As well as zero tailpipe emissions, electric vans offer businesses a number of benefits, including exemption from current congestion and emissions zone charges. 

With a goal of becoming an electric-only brand by 2028 – seven years ahead of the UK Government deadline – Vauxhall is committed to electrifying the nation, with the brand’s Ellesmere Port manufacturing site also undergoing a £100m renovation to become the first Stellantis plant to produce solely battery-electric models. One of the first models to be produced will be the Combo Electric compact van, which sits alongside the Vivaro Electric and Movano Electric in Vauxhall’s e-LCV line-up.

James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “Vauxhall is fully committed to electrification, and remains one of few manufacturers in the UK already able to offer fleets a zero-emissions-in-use vehicle across its entire LCV range. Our research highlights the importance in electrifying the country’s businesses to help meet the UK’s Net Zero targets, and comes at a time when the UK is considering imposing further measures to increase electric vehicle uptake.”

* https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-and-environment-statistics-2022/transport-and-environment-statistics-2022#co2-emissions-from-transport-by-local-authority
Table: Provisional UK greenhouse gas emissions national statistics, 2021 finds Transport Related Emissions in 2021 were 107.5 million tonnes equivalent of CO2. The UK’s total carbon emissions account to 424.5 million tonnes.

** For the research, Vauxhall used both official Government and SMMT figures.  According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, in 2021 there were 4,804,833 vans on UK roads, of which 26,990 were either electric or electrified, leaving 4,777,843 petrol and diesel vans for 2021. 

Using the average SMMT new van emissions of 195.7 g/km CO2 for 2022, and the Department for Transport 2021 estimate of 13,000 miles as the annual van mileage, Vauxhall estimated the country’s van fleet covers more than 62 billion miles a year, accounting for more than 19.5 million tonnes of CO2.

*** https://www.smmt.co.uk/2023/01/new-van-registrations-fall-in-2022-as-market-looks-towards-net-zero-rebuild/    
https://www.smmt.co.uk/2023/01/chip-crisis-subdues-new-car-market-but-evs-now-second-only-to-petro
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1147356/zev-mandate-co2-emissions-regulation-consultation-document.pdf

 

VauxhallUk

VAUXHALL GSe: DELIVERING COMFORT AND CONTROL

  • Grandland GSe, Astra GSe and Astra Sports Tourer GSe benefit from upgraded suspension and steering calibration
  • GSe models utilise Frequency Selective Damping technology from specialists KONI for improved comfort and control
  • Handling upgrades added to complement the increase in performance from plug-in hybrid powertrain
  • Vauxhall Grandland GSe is the most powerful Vauxhall on sale today, with 300PS and all-wheel drive
  • Entire Vauxhall Grandland range now benefits from recalibrated steering and suspension

At the heart of every Vauxhall GSe model lies two defining characteristics – exciting driving dynamics and electric power.

Each GSe model comes with a dedicated chassis which is geared towards a more dynamic and responsive driving experience that complements the electric powertrain on board.

Ahead of the arrival of the Vauxhall Astra GSe, Astra Sports Tourer GSe and Grandland GSe, Dr. Christian Hartweg, Head of Vehicle Dynamics Specification & Requirement, Opel/Vauxhall, explains how the current GSe has been upgraded to provide an improved driving experience.

Precise, dynamic, and yet still comfortable: GSe chassis with FSD technology

“Our goal was totally clear,” says Hartweg: “The GSe models must offer the optimum balance between driving comfort and performance-oriented handling – together with responsibility for the future.”

The most important assets in this process are the electrified plug-in hybrid powertrains and the chassis, which are fully adapted to the higher performance.

In the case of the Grandland GSe, the combination of two electric motors and a 1.6-litre 200PS turbocharged petrol engine equates to a total power output of 300PS and acceleration of 0-62mph in just 6.1 seconds thanks to the electric all-wheel drive. This makes the Grandland GSe the most powerful Vauxhall on sale today.

For Astra GSe variants, the electrified powertrain produces 225PS and 360Nm of torque – up from 180PS on standard variants, with a 0-62mph acceleration taking just 7.5 seconds. The specifically tuned GSe engine sound enhances the experience further.

“The Astra GSe is immediately recognisable by its specially designed front end and sportier stance, which we lowered by 10millimetres,” says Hartweg. “And they are a lot of fun. In corners, the GSe models stick to the road and remain stable – and they can be driven very dynamically but also very comfortably.”

This is made possible by special springs and dampers with KONI FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) technology, which are used in the GSe chassis. The FSD technology provides different damping characteristics at high frequencies (to control the suspension) and at low frequencies (focusing on the body), helping improve ride comfort regardless of the road surface condition and driving style. FSD technology is available across both Grandland and Astra GSe models.

The GSe models react directly to any command from the driver and, as is typical for Vauxhall, remain stable when braking, cornering and at high speeds. “The dampers have an additional valve and a second hydraulic circuit,” explains the Hartweg. “The car is then more comfortable or sportier to drive, depending on whether the valve is open or closed. GSe stands for ‘Grand Sport electric’ – sporty driving behaviour with the latest plug-in hybrid technology. Driving engagement has never been so smart.”

New set-up for all Grandland variants

The development of the chassis and steering has not just been limited to GSe models. All Vauxhall Grandland variants now benefit from improved damping and steering, with Vauxhall engineers having increased the damping force in the low piston speed range and reduced it in the medium-to-high-speed range to improve comfort when driving over poor road surfaces. The steering has also been recalibrated for a more direct and precise feel.

The new steering and suspension calibration is available on Grandland models on sale now.