V for Value: Vauxhall Viva Recaptures the Classic

Rob Gill compared the new Viva to the “no-frills classic” 1963 original in a review for the Sun. “Just like the orginal, which cost £478 in 1963, the 2015 Viva is all about Value with a capital V,” says Gill. At £7,995 the SE model is “cheaper than” a host of rivals but still boasts “big car kit”. “I like the way Vauxhall has kept things simple to keep a lid on cost. Sitting below the Corsa and ADAM, the baby Viva only comes in two trim levels. But even the SE has cruise control with speed limiter, lane departure warning, easy City Mode steering, hill start assist, electric front windows, heated door mirrors, central locking and six airbags. “You’ll also notice the colour-coded bumpers and door mirrors? Standard. Cornering front fog lights? Standard. The £9,495 SL adds 15in alloys, tinted rear windows, USB, Bluetooth, electric aircon and a two-tone grey dash. From January, you can upgrade for the smart 7-inch IntelliLink touchscreen that’s in the ADAM and Corsa. “Both versions of Viva use the same 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine as the ADAM and Corsa with a slick five-speed manual. “Vauxhall quotes 62mpg and £20 road tax (CO2 104g/km). Or pay another £175 for the £8,170 SE ecoFLEX (front lip spoiler, ultra-low rolling resistance tyres) for 65mpg and free road tax (CO2 99g/km). “It’s also the same height as the Corsa and shares the same family blade design down the sides — but it’s 34cm shorter and 6cm narrower.” Over one million examples of the original Viva model, which was built in Luton and Ellesmere Port, were sold in the UK. “A new baby Viva is born. Long live the Viva,” adds Gill.