Test drive Opel Combo: combiner
The first test of the new edition of the multifunctional model
Hardly anyone doubted that the big changes in the Opel brand in recent years will also lead to major changes in the appearance of the lineup of the company from Rüsselsheim. Without a doubt, the fact that the van market, in which the Germans have held an extremely strong position for many years, has recently melted due to the SUV craze, and a model like the Zafira is now far from its once dominant role.
New times require new solutions. The creation of the next-generation Opel Combo on the parent company's PSA EMP2 platform was obviously intended to be used as an opportunity for a new, more cost-effective swapping of cards on an already very narrow line between family and business vans. So, after three generations on the Kadett and Corsa platforms and one as a result of the collaboration with Fiat Doblò, Combo increased the Citroën Berlingo / Peugeot Rifter duo to a Franco-German trio.
You don't have to sit behind the wheel of a new model for hours to see if the Combo is genuine - the passenger version of the Life makes no secret of its practicality, but cleverly uses advances in technology to add comfort and dynamic behavior to its traditionally high performance. this class in terms of interior space and flexibility in terms of cargo volume. Opel engineers and designers are also working hard to bring the Combo up to the brand's high standards. As far as possible, of course, given the same range and power range of powertrains - a three-cylinder gasoline engine with 110 hp. and a new 1,5-liter turbodiesel in versions with 76, 102 and 130 hp. With.
Dynamic petrol engine
The top-of-the-line diesel version can also be ordered with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which comfortably relieves the driver of the shift lever and makes the Combo suitable for both long family trips and daily work in heavy city traffic. In general, a diesel engine will appeal to more calm natures, and lovers of dynamics are better off sticking to a three-cylinder gasoline engine and its cheerful character. With it, the Combo accelerates perfectly from standstill and demonstrates commendable elasticity. Gear shifting in this case is taken care of by a six-speed manual gearbox, which, despite a somewhat inconvenient gear lever, works very accurately and adequately. Despite the noticeably comfortable upholstery of the seats and the side vibrations of the body in corners that are completely normal for this class, the petrol Combo is fully capable of evoking dynamic ambitions in the driver.
Of course, the strengths of the model are different - Combo impresses, first of all, with an abundance of interior space, excellent visibility from the driver's seat and an amazing variety of modern auxiliary systems. Both the standard (4,40 meters) and extended wheelbase (4,75 meters) versions are available in five- and seven-seat versions, and depending on the configuration and seating arrangement chosen, the Combo can offer luggage volumes ranging from an impressive 597 and a whopping 2693 liters, not counting the capacity of 26 different compartments and pockets for interior items. In addition, the maximum load capacity of the new generation has been increased to 700 kilograms – a whopping 150 more than its predecessor.
CONCLUSION
Created in collaboration with the PSA subsidiary brands, the new model impresses with a spacious, extremely flexible and practical interior, excellent visibility from the driver's seat and excellent equipment with modern electronic driver assistance systems, which puts it in a very advantageous market position. ... Combo Life will undoubtedly appeal to large families and people with active lifestyles, demonstrating the ability to take on the role of successor to the classic vans of the brand, and the cargo version will undoubtedly strengthen its position among professionals.
Text: Miroslav Nikolov
Photos: Opel
