March 2009


Opel Combo: Compact Van with Passenger Car Qualities

  • From panel van to Arizona and Sport: For commercial, family and leisure use
  • CDTI turbo-diesel, TWINPORT gasoline and CNG in ecoFLEX league
  • One of the largest in its class: Up to 3200 liters of cargo space

Rüsselsheim. Opel offers a state-of-the-art, diverse fleet in the light commercial vehicle segment with the Combo, as well as the popular Movano and Vivaro vans. Along with the Combo panel van that offers up to 3200 liters of cargo space, the five-seat Combo variant has established itself as a popular leisure and family vehicle, thanks to its spaciousness and outstanding value for money. The Combo is available with two common-rail turbo-diesels, one TWINPORT gasoline engine, and one especially economical and environmentally compatible 1.6 CNG natural gas unit.

Design and packaging

“Timelessly practical” is an excellent description of the Combo. The monocab concept unites the passenger cab and cargo area into one harmonious unit, while GM/Opel aerodynamic experts have fine-tuned the Combo to a drag coefficient of 0.35, making it one of the most streamlined delivery vans available. The side windows pulled down low and the large exterior mirrors are helpful during maneuvering, and the tail lights are located outside of the impact zone along the frame of the tailgate aperture.

The Combo is 4.32 meters long and has a 2.71 meter wheelbase. The load area is
1.79 meters long, with a width ranging from 1.35 meters to a maximum of 1.45 meters (with two sliding doors). With the front passenger seat back folded down, the load area length can be increased to a best-in-class 2.70 meters. The distance between the wheelarches is up to 1.11 meters and maximum load height is 1.19 meters. Standard-sized (60 cm) furniture can be loaded through the up to two sliding doors, and the large rear aperture enables loading of Euro pallets through the wing doors in the panel van or tailgate in the passenger car variants. Other practical details include the high payload up to 742 kg and the permitted trailer load of up to 1000 kg (braked).

Passive safety

Thanks to the Combo’s stable body structure, collision energy is distributed along predefined load paths in the event of an accident at higher speeds. Side-impact protection beams in the doors and reinforced roof, B-pillars and side sill profiles ensure a high level of protection in the event of a side collision. In addition, all Combo variants are fitted with ABS and brake assist as standard, which builds up higher brake pressure more quickly. Airbags for the driver and front passenger are standard in all passenger versions, and the panel van comes with driver's side airbag. The Combo features Opel’s patented Pedal Release System (PRS), three-point safety belts for all seats, as well as seat-belt tensioners and belt-force limiters in front as standard. Fixtures for the ISOFIX child’s seat system are available as an option for the outer rear seats.

Chassis and active safety

The Opel Combo owes its safe and stable handling characteristics to its torsion-resistant body, McPherson strut front axle suspended from a hydroformed subframe, and torsion beam rear axle. Thanks to its compact construction, the cargo area is free of protruding strut-mount towers. Stiffer springs and special shock absorbers are available for transporting especially heavy loads.

The ABS system with brake booster, internally ventilated disk brakes in front (also in rear with the 1.7 CDTI, 1.6 CNG and the ‘increased payload’ option) and brake assist ensures powerful deceleration. With power steering, maneuvering requires minimal effort.

Engines and transmissions

The Combo’s engine range includes one state-of-the-art TWINPORT gasoline unit, two powerful CDTI common-rail turbo-diesels and one especially environmentally compatible natural gas unit. Thanks to variable intake control and high rates of exhaust gas recirculation, the 66 kW/90 hp 1.4 TWINPORT consumes just 6.3 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. The efficient 1.3 CDTI (55 kW/75 hp) and 1.7 CDTI (74 kW/100 hp) with variable multiple direct injection require between 5.1 and 5.2 liters of diesel per
100 kilometers. The 1.6 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) unit, featuring the monovalentplus concept, is designed for maximum efficiency in natural gas operation. With 19 kg of natural gas and a 14-liter gasoline reserve, the 69 kW/94 hp CNG Combo has an operating range of approximately 550 kilometers and produces just 133 g/km CO2. It is this
low-emission figure that entitles the Combo CNG to bear the ecoFLEX logo of Opel’s environmental initiative. The same applies to the 1.4 TWINPORT ecoFLEX (148 g/km CO2) and the 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX (134 g/km CO2). All Combos are equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. The 1.3 CDTI is also available with an automated Easytronic five-speed manual gearbox and features a diesel particulate filter as standard.

Opel Combo: Facts and Figures

Timeline

  • November 2001: Introduction of panel van
  • March 2002: Introduction of five-seat Combi passenger variant
  • September 2002: World premiere of the family and leisure variant Tour
  • June 2003: Tour upgraded with new design and modified interior
  • Fall 2003: Launch of workshop vehicle equipment
  • December 2003: ABS and brake assist as standard
  • June 2004: Entirely new engine range including the 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC, 1.7 CDTI ECOTEC and 1.4 TWINPORT ECOTEC; introduction of new-generation infotainment systems
  • June 2005: Market launch of natural gas variant 1.6 CNG
  • August 2005: Introduction of hatchback versions
  • January 2006: 1.3 CDTI engine with 55 kW/75 hp and maintenance-free diesel particulate filter as standard


Highlights

  • January 2002: Second place behind Opel Vivaro for “International Van of the Year 2002”; first place for its class in “Arctic Van Test,” conducted in Finland’s Lapland region
  • June 2005: 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC “Engine of the Year 2005” in 1.0 to 1.4-liter class
  • September 2006: Value-for-money winner in “Auto Bild” compact van comparison
  • December 2006: 1.6 CNG is best-selling natural gas car of the year in Germany
  • Main markets: United Kingdom, Germany, Spain
  • Most popular equipment variants in Germany in 2008: Panel van (commercial) and Edition (passenger)
  • Most popular engines in Germany in 2008: 1.3 CDTI (commercial) and 1.4 TWINPORT ECOTEC (passenger)
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