VAUXHALL'S award-winning Combo van has become even more desirable with the launch of a Summer Special.

It includes as standard air conditioning among a list of usually optional items worth more than £1,100.

The practical, versatile and reliable van has won many new customers since its launch last autumn with sales in the first half of 2002 up by 46 per cent over the same period last year.

Only 500 Summer Specials will be built with free options that combine functional features with driver comfort.

Based on the Combo 1700 with 1.7Di or 1.7DTi engines, the van includes a nearside loading door normally costing £235, a FlexCargo fold flat passenger seat with moveable bulk-head, normally priced at £150, electric windows (£75) and an up-market CDR2005 radio/CD player worth £150 over the unit it replaces.

But the icing on the cake is air conditioning which normally adds £550 to the price.

Jon Leicester, Vauxhall vans brand manager, said: "A total saving of £1,165 is a hefty bonus for those who like the look of new Combo and realise it is a van for all seasons and all reasons.”

Time may not be on the side of some buyers. Mr Leicester said: "We expect the offer to be exhausted pretty quickly."

The van can be ordered now at on-the-road prices (at no extra price to the standard model) of £9,550 for the 1.7Di model and £9,850 for 1.7DTi.