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Vauxhall has revealed the look of its new city car, reviving the Viva nameplate last used in 1979.
The new Vauxhall Viva is expected to go on sale in Spring 2015 with industry sources predicting a price tag of around £7,500.
A five-door car measuring 3.68 metres long, the Viva will slot into the range below the Corsa and alongside the Adam but will be marketed as an entry-level model.
According to Vauxhall chairman and managing director Tim Tozer, the arrival of the Viva will give the carmaker an unrivalled position in the small car market.
”Short, crisp and full of character, Vauxhall’s new entry-level model is a proper small car and will hold great appeal in this rapidly growing sector,” he said.
Its major rivals are likely to include the Hyundai i10, Citroen C1, SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo. The Viva is also expected to appeal to former owners of the Chevrolet Spark, who might otherwise have gone elsewhere now that Chevrolet is no longer sold in the UK market.
The Viva will use Vauxhall’s new 1.0-litre 75PS three-cylinder petrol engine, which while having already appeared in the Adam Rocks and Corsa, was specifically developed for the new city car. It will be combined with a five-speed manual transmission.
Vauxhall intends to exploit the current trend for personalisation with the Viva, in similar manner as was done with the Adam. The new car will be available in 10 exterior paint finishes, and several wheel options ranging from 14 to 16-inch diameter.
Vauxhall adds that equipment levels will be extensive and include the availability of the IntelliLink infotainment system, which allows the use of Apple iOS and Android smartphones and their apps through the car.
The power steering City Mode already seen on the Adam and Corsa will also be offered. By a press of a button it reduces steering effort for travelling at slow speeds in urban areas.
ABS with EBD, ESP and Hill Start Assist will be standard, while available on the options list will be a range of further safety measures including Lane Departure Warning and Park Assist.
Further options will include Cruise Control, a sunroof, fog lights, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
Like the previous Viva, the new car will be built in Britain at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant on Merseyside. In Europe Opel will market a version of the car dubbed the Karl, but these will be built in South Korea.
