Vauxhall claims its all-new Combo van sets best-in-class standards for loadspace (up to 3,200 litres, and payload (up to 810 kg) while offering the comfort and handling of a passenger car.

Almost four inches longer than its predecessor, Combo has a cargo compartment of 1.78m long by 1.38m wide (1.13m between the wheel arches) with a maximum load height of 1.20m. Rear double-panel doors extend into the roof so that the van can carry Euro pallets and, if required, the front passenger's seat can be folded to increase the load area length to 2.7m.

A partition grid behind the seats protects driver and passenger against forward movement of objects behind them and if the back of the passenger seat is folded down, the grid can be folded to a 90-degree angle to protect the driver on two sides.

One or two side sliding doors can be specified from the options list, which also includes air-conditioning and satellite navigation.

A Dualfuel LPG/petrol engine will be available early next year to add to the line-up of a 1.6-litre petrol engine (87bhp) and two 1.7-litre direct injection turbodiesels (65bjp and 75bhp).

Prices start at £9,30 excluding VAT. (November 5, 2001)