The Vauxhall Viva city car will cost from £7995 when it goes on sale this summer.

Vauxhall claims to be “full of character” and will come in a five-door body style with one engine option.

The 3.68m-long Viva is said by Vauxhall parent GM to provide “more than enough room for five people”. The entry-level trim level is SE, with SE Air Con, SE ecoFLEX versions with the SL topping out the range. Claimed fuel economy is 62.8mpg.

All models will get a high level of standard equipment, including tyre pressure monitoring, lane departure warning, hill start assist, cornering brake control, cruise control and front foglights.

As the name suggests, the air conditioning is standard on the SE Air Con, while SE ecoFLEX models get a front and rear spoilers and low-rolling resistance tyres to help it achieve 65.7mpg, CO2 emissions of 99g/km and a saving of £20 per year in road tax over the standard car. The ecoFlex will cost £8170.

SL models get electronic climate control, plusher seats, leather steering wheel and 15in wheels. Further options include heated seats, parking sensors and a glass electric-sliding sunroof.

All models are powered by a naturally aspirated version of GM’s new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Ecotec engine. Rated at 74bhp, it is said by Vauxhall to have been specially developed for the Viva and is mated to a five-speed gearbox.

Vauxhall says the Viva’s chassis has been tuned for “exceptional safety and comfort”. It’s equipped with electronic stability control, traction control and hill start assist. The power steering has a City mode, which reduces driver effort.

Options will include lane departure warning, park assist, cruise control, a sunroof, foglights and heating for the front seats and steering wheel. The Viva will also get GM’s IntelliLink multimedia system, which integrates with Apple and Android smartphones.

Vauxhall chairman and managing director Tim Tozer said: “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.”

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