Opel Combo Explained

Opel Combo
Manufacturer:Opel
Production:1986–present
Class:Panel van, leisure activity vehicle
Body Style:Van
Layout:Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Predecessor:Bedford Beagle
Bedford Chevanne
Bedford HA
Bedford Rascal
Opel/Vauxhall Astravan H
Successor:Chevrolet N200/N300 (for all Chevrolet rebadges only)

The Opel Combo is a panel van and leisure activity vehicle from the German automaker Opel. The Combo first appeared in 1993, a second generation model was introduced in 2001, and the third was manufactured from December 2011 to December 2017, based on the Fiat Doblò. The name "Combo" was previously applied as a suffix to a three-door panel van body style of Opel Kadett E from 1986 until 1993.

Opel/Vauxhall joined Groupe PSA in March 2017: the fourth generation Combo, launched in March 2018, shares the platform and bodywork of the Peugeot Rifter and Partner, as well as the Citroën Berlingo.

The Combo B and Combo C share platforms, vital components and some body panels with contemporary subcompact Opel Corsas, which used to be a typical pedigree for such a vehicle. The generations are denoted B and C in typical Opel fashion, but Holden applied the codes SB and XC respectively, reflecting the relation with SB and XC Holden Barinas (Opel Corsa B and C, respectively).

Kadett Combo (Combo A; 1986)

Kadett Combo
Aka:Bedford Astramax
Vauxhall Astramax
Production:February 1986 – August 1993
Assembly:Portugal: Azambuja (General Motors Portugal)
United Kingdom: Ellesmere Port (Vauxhall Ellesmere Port)
Class:3-door panel van
Platform:T-body platform
Related:Opel Kadett E

The Opel Kadett Combo was introduced in January 1986, and finished production in August 1993. It was based on the Opel Kadett E small family car. It was built in the United Kingdom, at Ellesmere Port by Vauxhall until January 1989. This was when the model was facelifted, with a new grille separate from the bumper (as for the Kadett).

At the same time, production was transferred to Azambuja, Portugal and the vans were now built by Opel. In Germany, it was sold with a 1.3 litre petrol engine or a 1.6 (later 1.7) litre diesel unit.[1] The 1.3 petrol unit was then changed to a 1.4. Buyers in some countries, including the United Kingdom, also had the choice of a 1.6-liter petrol unit.

In the United Kingdom, the three door estate based van was known as both the Bedford and Vauxhall Astravan, and the high roof van as the Bedford Astramax, later sold as a Vauxhall. The changeover from Bedford to Vauxhall took place on 1 June 1990, as Bedfords were better known as a producer of heavier trucks.[2]

The Astramax was available in base or somewhat better equipped L versions. Both models were offered in 365 or 560 versions, referring to the payload in kilograms.

Combo B (1993-2001)

Combo B
Aka:Vauxhall Combo
Holden Combo (SB)
Chevrolet Combo
Shanghai Auto Saibao
Production:November 1993 – December 2001
2002–2005 (China)
Assembly:Portugal: Azambuja
Platform:GM4200 platform
Body Style:3-door panel van
3-door LAV
Related:Opel Corsa B

The first generation of Combo, launched in October 1993, was based heavily on the Opel Corsa B, launched six months earlier. The front part (up to the B-pillar) is practically identical with the Corsa (except for the roof spoiler), but the platform (and thus wheelbase and the body in general) is extended to accommodate a tall, boxy cargo compartment, capable of carrying a Euro-pallet.

The Combo B had symmetrical twin rear doors that opened to the side (rather than a single tailgate). These are counted as a single "door" when referring to the body style as three door.

Following the increasing popularity of leisure activity vehicles, Opel launched a five passenger version of the Combo in the summer of 1995, called Opel Combo Tour. It differed from the panel van version by having the cargo section fitted with side windows, and a three-passenger split folding bench seat.

Although Combo's primary market was Europe, it has also been sold on other continents, in markets where GM traditionally use Opel derived models. As the Azambuja Opel plant in Portugal is the sole production site of all Combos, all those models were replaced gradually with the Combo C in 2001.

The Combo was also produced in relatively small numbers by SAIC subsidiary SAIC-Yizheng as the "Shanghai Auto (Shangqi) Saibao SAC6420", equipped with the same 1.6 litre engine and five speed manual transmission as the Buick Sail. Built from 2002 until 2005, there was also a DeLuxe version available, with alloy wheels and other extras.[3]

Holden in Australia launched the SB series Combo in February 1996.[4] It offered the 1.4 litre C14NZ engine, upgraded to C14SE specification in 1997. Sales continued until 2002, although the last SB Combos were built in 2001, but complianced as models of 2002. Production of the Combo A ended in August 2001.

Names and markets

Engines

Combo C (2002-2012)

Combo C
Aka:Vauxhall Combo
Holden Combo (XC)
Chevrolet Combo
Production:January 2002 – January 2012
2002-2013 (Holden Combo)
Platform:Gamma platform
Body Style:4/5-door panel van
5-door LAV
Transmission:5-speed manual
5-speed Easytronic automated manual
Wheelbase:27151NaN1
Length:43321NaN1
Width:16851NaN1
Height:18001NaN1
Related:Opel Corsa C
Opel Meriva A
Chevrolet Montana

The second generation was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show, in September 2001.[5] While most competitors severed their connections with their subcompact brethren, Opel decided to base the vehicle on the Corsa again. The use of subcompact Gamma platform constrained the overall width of the vehicle. The front clip is thus still shared with the Corsa, although now only back to the A-pillar. This allowed Opel to more fully integrate the overall design of the car, giving it a "flush" look more in line with its competitors.

Compared to previous generation, the Combo C gained sliding rear side doors (versions with either single passenger side door or double doors are available). Sales began in January 2002.

An Opel Combo Tour version was also introduced, followed by Opel Combo Tour Tramp (Combo Tour Arizona in some markets), in an effort to attract leisure activity vehicle buyers. Combo Tour Tramp/Arizona was thought as a more off-road recreational vehicle.

It features enhanced suspension tuning, increased ground clearance, chassis protection covers and numerous styling details that differentiate it from standard Combo Tours, with the intention to conjure a sturdy, outdoor sports related image. The Combo Tour was not offered by Vauxhall in the United Kingdom. Commercial van versions retained the symmetrical twin rear doors, while the Tour versions have an option of a single tailgate (opening to the top). The tailgate is standard on Tour Tramp/Arizona.

In December 2006, the Azambuja, Portugal factory closed down,[6] and the production of the Opel Combo transferred to Zaragoza, Spain in 2007.[7] Holden in Australia launched the XC series Combo in September 2002.[8] It offered the 1.6 litre Z16SE engine, upgraded to 1.4 litre Z14XEP specification in December 2004 for the MY05 update.

Although production ended in the end of 2011, Holden in Australia and New Zealand stockpiled sufficient Combo inventory to last until 2013, with the final 2011 build vehicles complianced in the beginning of 2012. In August 2013, CarAdvice announced that the Holden Combo had been quietly discontinued, and will not be replaced by the Combo D, available to European customers.[9]

Production of the Combo C ended in the end of 2011, in time for the December 2011 launch of the Combo D, which is based on the Fiat Doblò.[10]

Names and markets

Engines

1.4 Twinport ecoFLEX1.61.6 CNG ecoFLEX1.3 CDTI1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX1.7 DI1.7 DTI1.7 CDTI
engine typePetrol I4CNG I4Diesel I4
displacement1364 cm31598 cm31248 cm31686 cm3
max. power
at rpm

5600

5400

6200

4000

4000

4400

4400

4400
max. torque
at rpm
125 Nm/
4000
138 Nm/
3000
133 Nm/
4200
170 Nm/
1750–2500
170 Nm/
1750–2500
130 Nm/
2000-3000
165 Nm/
1800–3000
240 Nm/
2300
max. speed164 km/h164 km/h166 km/h150 km/h152 km/h147 km/h155 km/h170 km/h
CO2 emission
combined in g/km
151188133138134146146140

Combo D (2012-2018)

Combo D
Aka:Fiat Doblò
Vauxhall Combo
Ram ProMaster City
Production:January 2012 – December 2018[11]
Assembly:Turkey: Bursa (Tofaş)
Class:Panel van/Leisure activity vehicle
Body Style:4/5-door panel van
5-door LAV
Platform:SCCS platform
Engine:1.4 L Fire I4 (petrol)
1.4 L Fire Turbojet I4 (CNG)
1.6 L CDTI I4 (diesel)
Transmission:5-speed manual
6-speed manual
5-speed automatic
Wheelbase:SWB: 27551NaN1
LWB: 31051NaN1
Length:SWB: 43901NaN1
LWB: 47401NaN1
Width:SWB: 18321NaN1
LWB: 18321NaN1
Height:SWB: 18451NaN1
LWB: 18801NaN1
Related:Fiat Linea
Fiat 500L
Opel Meriva B

The third generation Combo was manufactured from January 2012 to December 2018, and was based on the Fiat Doblò. The third generation Combo was manufactured in Turkey by Tofaş.[12] Sales began in January 2012. It is built in the Stellantis plant in Mangualde, Portugal, and in the Stellantis plant in Vigo, Spain, alongside the new Peugeot Rifter and Citroën Berlingo.[13] [14]

Engines

1.41.4 Turbo1.4 CNG Turbo ecoFLEX1.3 CDTI1.6 CDTI1.6 CDTI2.0 CDTI
engine typePetrol I4CNG I4Diesel I4
displacement1368 cm31248 cm31598 cm31956 cm3
max. power
at rpm

6000

5000

4000

4000

4000

4000

3650

4000

3500

3500
max. torque
at rpm
127 Nm/
4500
206 Nm/
3000
206 Nm/
3000
200 Nm/
1500
290 Nm/
1500
200 Nm/
1500
300 Nm/
1750
290 Nm/
1500
320 Nm/
1750
320 Nm/
1500
max. speed161 km/h172 km/h158 km/h159 km/h
(161 km/h)
158 km/h
[158 km/h]
158 km/h164 km/h160 km/h
(164 km/h)
172 km/h
(176 km/h)
179 km/h
CO2 emission
combined in g/km
169–177
(163–171)
169–179134136
(129)
136
(123)
145–156
(141–157)
138–148
(133–147)
137
(124)
145–156
(138–148)
134–158
(120–133)
136–149
(124–140)
156–163
(150–157)

Combo E (K9; 2018)

Combo E
Production:2018–present
Model Years:2019–present
Assembly:Portugal: Mangualde (PSA Mangualde Plant)
Spain: Vigo (PSA Vigo Plant)[15]
United Kingdom: Ellesmere Port (Vauxhall Ellesmere Port)
Aka:Peugeot Rifter
Citroën Berlingo
Peugeot Partner
Toyota ProAce City
Vauxhall Combo/Combo Life
Fiat Doblò
Class:Leisure activity vehicle (M)
Body Style:4/5-door panel van
5-door LAV
Platform:PSA EMP2 platform
Engine:1.2 L Petrol THP
1.5/1.6 L diesel HDi/CDTI
Transmission:5&6-speed manual
EAT8 Automatic
Wheelbase:2780-
Length:4400-
Sp:us

The fourth generation Combo was unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. It is a sister model to the Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Rifter and Partner, as Groupe PSA bought Opel in March 2017.

Gallery

External links

Notes and References

  1. Lastauto Omnibus Katalog 1990, p. 153
  2. 1990-05-31 . Retirement for Bedford name . Brian . Weatherley . 172 . 4371 . . Sutton, Surrey . Reed Business Publishing Group . 24 . 0010-3063.
  3. Web site: Spotted in China: Shanghai Auto Saibao panel van. CarNewsChina.com . Tycho . De Feyter . 2011-12-08 .
  4. Web site: Holden's Unique New Combo Delivers Unbeatable Van Value, Car-Like Comfort And Safety . AutoWeb . 13 February 1996 . 9 August 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140810203858/http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_50003/title_Holdens-Unique-New-Combo-Delivers-Unbeatable-Van-Value-CarLike-Comfort-And-Safety/newsarticle.html . 10 August 2014 .
  5. Web site: 22 August 2001 . World premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show: Opel Combo Tour . The Auto Channel . 11 May 2015.
  6. Web site: Patel . Pritesh . Scott . Candida . 2007-04-18 . Opel Antwerp Loses Out on Next Astra Production Allocation, Strikes Begin . IHS Inc. . 2015-05-12.
  7. Web site: Zaragoza Plant. Facts and Figures . Opel . 2015-05-12.
  8. Web site: Pettendy . Marton . 18 July 2011 . First look: Opel outs next Combo . GoAuto . 9 August 2014.
  9. Web site: Beissmann . Tim . 8 August 2013 . Holden Combo discontinued, no plans for replacement . CarAdvice . 9 August 2013.
  10. Web site: Fiat and Opel/Vauxhall Sign Contract for Combo Successor . Vauxhall . 2010-11-29 . 2015-05-12.
  11. http://europe.autonews.com/article/20170608/ANE/170539996?template=mobile02&X-IgnoreUserAgent=1 Autonews production
  12. Web site: Fiat to Build Combo for Opel . Daniel . Patrascu . 2010-12-02 . autoevolution.com.
  13. Web site: Les futurs Citroën Berlingo et Peugeot Partner seront produits à Vigo . l'argus.
  14. Web site: Les remplaçants des Peugeot Partner, Citroën Berlingo et Opel Combo sont prévus pour 2018 . caradisiac.
  15. Web site: Michael . Specht . Nach PSA-Übernahme: Welche Opel-Modelle werden geopfert? . After the PSA takeover: Which Opel models will be sacrificed? . de . Welt.de . 2017-03-22 . 2022-04-12.