25 years of the Opel Vivaro

As a flexible work companion, delivery hero or transporter for a wide range of requirements: the Opel Vivaro is a true all-rounder for tradespeople and fleet customers – and has been for 25 years now.

At the IAA Commercial Vehicles motor show in 2000, Opel presented a completely new transporter, laying the foundation for the long-lasting success, which is now in its third decade.

After its launch, the Vivaro quickly became a key model in Opel’s commercial vehicle portfolio. This workhorse and everyday hero was and is just as popular with customers as it is recognised by experts – among other awards, it was named ‘International Van of the Year’ twice.

Additionally, Opel presented groundbreaking Vivaro studies, anticipating new technologies and the future development of its best-selling commercial vehicle – most notably the all-electric Vivaro e-Concept in 2010.

Since 2020, the Opel Vivaro has been available in a battery-electric version. And since the beginning of 2024, the latest Vivaro generation has been on the market – with innovative technologies, comfort and design on a par with passenger cars.

For example, the current Vivaro features the Opel Vizor brand face familiar from passenger car models for the first time. As from the very beginning, customers can rely on the typical Vivaro virtues today: the van offers plenty of flexible space, excels as a load carrier and is available in numerous variants for virtually any purpose, including as a crew van or shuttle vehicle for people with limited mobility.

From Arena to Vivaro
The first Vivaro generation originally emerges from a joint venture created at the end of 1996. Opel wants to build particularly attractive vans for customers and expand its portfolio to include light commercial vehicles (LCVs) with up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW). The Opel Arena – the Vivaro’s immediate predecessor – is launched in 1997, followed two years later by the first Opel Movano in the segment above the Arena. At the 2000 IAA Commercial Vehicles show, the manufacturer then presents the prototype of a new generation of vans: the completely redesigned Opel Vivaro.

Perfect combination
At launch in 2001, the front-wheel drive Vivaro was available in efficient diesel variants with different outputs, always combined with a six-speed manual transmission. The shift lever was integrated directly into the centre console to save space and ease handling. The excellent driving characteristics were comparable to those of a passenger car – another strength of the Opel Vivaro which was also noted positively by the jury of experts, who named the Vivaro ‘International Van of the Year 2002’ (IVOTY).

With a GVW of 2.7 or 2.9 tonnes, Opel offered the first generation Vivaro in more than 20 variants. Customers could choose from two wheelbases – 3,098 or 3,498 mm – and three body styles (panel van, combi or platform chassis). Each version provided plenty of space. The short wheelbase van and combi offered 5 m3 of cargo capacity; the longer version of the van could even accommodate three Euro pallets in its almost 6 m3 cargo compartment.

The domed cabin was equally practical, ergonomic and modern for its time. With integrated navigation, telephone and CD-changer, the infotainment systems from Opel passenger car models set new standards for LCVs at the time.

Visionary concepts
But Opel fostered even more ambitious plans for the Vivaro. As early as in 2001, the manufacturer presented its vision of a high-tech multimedia luxury bus for work and leisure at the IAA in Frankfurt. Fine materials such as leather and Alcantara, an exclusive two-tone paint finish and special 20-inch rims define the appearance of the Vivaro Concept V. The six-seater concept car combined luxury class equipment with state-of-the-art infotainment systems. The seats offered high comfort and exceptional functionality with armrests and fold-out tables. In the second row, they could be rotated 180 degrees to create a conference arrangement. This can be seen as the first precursor to the lounge configuration with four independent vis-à-vis seats in today’s Opel Zafira Electric.

At the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicles, the Vivaro e-Concept celebrated its world premiere. With this concept, Opel sowed the seeds of an idea that will germinate in 2020 in the shape of the battery-electric Vivaro series model. With the Vivaro e-Concept, Opel presented the study of an electrically driven panel van with an extended range of more than 400km. Featuring 5m3 of cargo space, a payload of 750 kg and a 111 kW (151 hp) electric motor, the study provided an outlook to what an electric light commercial vehicle was capable of and how environmentally friendly e-mobility was becoming attractive for trade and commerce.

Electric winner
The Vivaro Electric was officially launched in 2021 and would go on to win International Van of the Year and Irish Van of the Year. It quickly became the best-selling electric van in Ireland in 2022, again in 2024 and further leading the sales charts in Ireland for the first quarter of 2025.

Equipped with a powerful 136hp motor and a 75kWh battery that is mounted under the load floor to maximise the carrying capacity of the van, the Vivaro Electric boasts a WLTP range of over 340km. Available in two versions (Komfort and Sportive) and two lengths (L1 and L2), the Vivaro Electric can charge to 80 per cent battery capacity in just 45 minutes at a DC rapid charger.