2012 Opel Combo review and pictures

Opel Combo review:

New Opel Combo: Wide Range of Powerful Variants

• Two body styles: Passenger car and panel van
  
• Diverse: Panel van with two wheelbases and two roof heights
  
• Six efficient engines: Diesel, gasoline or CNG choice
  
• Best in class: Cargo volume up to 4,600 liters and payload up to one ton
  
• Variable concept: Choice of two, five or seven-seat layouts

The new generation Opel Combo offers clever solutions in the compact van segment. It comes in a wide range of variants, is technically advanced, exceptionally economical and provides maximum utility.

The panel van version now offers a choice of two wheelbases - 2,755 mm or 3,105 mm - giving an overall vehicle length of 4.39 and 4.74 meters respectively, as well as two roof heights, 1.85 m or 2.10 m. The new Opel Combo is also available as a versatile car-van, with five or seven seats and a paneled or glazed body.

For easy access to the cargo area, van variants can be ordered with one or two optional sliding doors. The passenger car version has both sliding doors fitted as standard and comes with a top-hinged tailgate. An asymmetrical double wing door is also available. In certain panel van configurations, an additional rear roof hatch can be installed to transport ladders, for example.

Best-in-class load-carrying dimensions

The special load-carrying talents of the new Opel Combo are immediately apparent: with up to 3,800 liters of cargo space in short wheelbase form (with seat folded down) and 4,600 liters with the longer wheelbase, the Combo offers the largest load volume in both classes. Its low 54.4 cm loading height and spectrum of possible payloads up to one ton are best-in-class values, while the aperture width of the sliding door is also a top value in the segment. The short wheelbase version also offers a cargo deck with the greatest length, height and width between the wheel arches.

Economical and powerful engines

The new Opel Combo is available with six engines: four diesel, one gasoline and a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) unit. The diesel line-up comprises 1.3 CDTI and 1.6 CDTI motors, each with 66 kW/90 hp, as well as a 1.6 CDTI variant with 77 kW/105 hp and a top performance 2.0 CDTI unit providing 99 kW/135 hp.

The 1.4-liter gasoline engine delivers 70 kW/95 hp, while the CNG version, which runs on low-cost and environmentally-friendly natural gas, delivers 88 kW/120 hp.

The gasoline and 1.3 CDTI engines are fitted with five-speed manual transmissions, while the CNG engine and the more powerful CDTI units have a six-speed manual transmission. The 66 kW/90 1.6 CDTI is also offered with Opel's 'Easytronic' automated five-speed manual transmission.

With the exception of the CNG and Easytronic units, all powertrains are optionally available with Start/Stop functionality to deliver even lower fuel consumption and emissions.

The new Opel Combo is not only easy on the budget with its low consumption, it also offers low running costs, not least due to long maintenance intervals. The CDTI diesels, for example, only need to be serviced every 35,000 kilometers or once a year.

Extensive equipment to ease the working day

Even the base specification of the new Combo generation includes generous standard equipment, including central locking, power steering, a height and reach adjustable steering column, electric windows, and a four-way adjustable driver's seat (also optionally available with height adjustment), as well as a driver's airbag, ABS brakes and a tire repair kit.

The Combo passenger variant is available in Essentia, Enjoy or Cosmo specification. Equipment options include remote control for the central locking, rear electric windows and front side airbags. Whatever body style or equipment level is chosen, the new Opel Combo is guaranteed to compete as strongly in price and value as it does in sheer usability.

Combo: A tried and trusted name in compact commercial vehicle segment

The new Opel Combo can by ordered as of autumn. The vehicle is based on the Dobl? van (voted ?International Van of the Year 2011') from Opel's cooperation partner Fiat and will reinforce Opel's growing presence in the commercial vehicle segment.

Opel has been offering a Combo model line since 1985 and the current generation has been on the market since 2001. The strategy of offering a versatile leisure, family and utility vehicle has been warmly received - as European sales of up to 72,000 units every year since its launch testify.

Even as it nears the end of its lifecycle, the predecessor of the new Combo remains in the top three in its segment in many markets. Over 25 years, the Combo has earned a long list of accolades, ranging from excellent placings in 'International Van of the Year' award to its value for money victory in a compact van comparison test conducted by the German car magazine 'Auto Bild'.