Stellantis has expanded its commercial vehicle line-up with a new flatbed variant of the Opel Vivaro, introducing a more powerful 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine to the range. The vehicle was presented at the IAA Transportation show in Hannover, targeting business customers who need an open load area for larger tools and equipment.
The new four-cylinder engine produces 148hp and 370Nm of torque, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels. That represents an increase of 5hp and 30Nm over the previous 2.0-litre turbodiesel, and it comfortably outpaces the fully electric version of the flatbed by 13hp and 100Nm. Buyers seeking an electric option can still choose the flatbed with a 42kWh or 69kWh battery pack.
The flatbed bodystyle itself is not new to the Stellantis commercial family. The Opel Vivaro, along with its closely related siblings — the Peugeot Expert, Citroen Jumpy and Fiat Scudo — has been available in this configuration before. What is new for 2026 is the addition of the more potent diesel unit, giving fleet operators a manual gearbox alternative at a time when many rivals are moving towards automatic-only powertrains.
Visually, the flatbed Vivaro borrows the front section of the facelifted Vivaro van and combines it with an exposed cargo area at the rear. The bed is accessible from three sides and features integrated steps for easier loading. Below the metal structure, designers have added a sleeker plastic trim for a more cohesive appearance and improved aerodynamics. The side section includes an opening for the fuel tap, while an additional storage compartment sits between the taillights for tools or other gear.
The interior is carried over from the regular van, retaining a three-seater layout. The model pictured at the show features a digital instrument cluster and a basic 5-inch monochrome display rather than the optional 10-inch touchscreen. Cloth upholstery, hard plastic dashboard and door cards, and a modern flat-bottom steering wheel with integrated controls complete the cabin.
Stellantis says the target group for the flatbed bodystyle includes municipal depots, landscaping companies and anyone who needs to transport larger tools on an open load area. The company has not announced pricing for the new flatbed, but the cheapest Opel Vivaro platform chassis with the same 150hp diesel engine starts at €35,350 before VAT in Germany.
The new flatbed is not currently planned for the US market. The American-spec 2027 Ram ProMaster City, which shares its underpinnings with the Vivaro, does not offer a diesel engine. Instead, it features a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 166hp and 221lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. That leaves the flatbed diesel variant as a distinctly European proposition for now.
For British buyers, the Opel Vivaro is sold under the Vauxhall badge, and the flatbed variant with the new diesel engine is expected to reach UK showrooms in due course. The move underlines Stellantis’s continued commitment to diesel power in the light commercial vehicle sector, even as passenger cars increasingly shift towards electrification. The manual gearbox option may also appeal to operators who prefer greater control when manoeuvring with heavy loads or in tight urban environments.