14 May 07 14:03
Vauxhall Agila due spring 08
The all-new Vauxhall/Opel Agila has been revealed, alongside its sister model the Chevrolet Beat, replacement for the Matiz. To be launched next spring, it's a full five-seat, five-door city car said to offer enough luggage space to embarrass cars in the class above, despite its miniscule dimensions. With a high roof, access should be easy, too.
Both Agila and Beat are much curvier and cheekier looking than the boxy old Agila (which was a sister model to the Suzuki Wagon R+). Vauxhall is promising much-improved interior quality, and there will be a wider choice of engines and transmissions. There's a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder 65bhp petrol engine, an 86bhp 1.2-litre four with the option of an automatic gearbox, and the ultra-economical GM-Fiat 75bhp 1.3-litre diesel.
Standard equipment will include four airbags, with stability control optional; more details will be announced when the car is unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this autumn.
