Opel Combo
| Manufacturer | Opel |
|---|---|
| Production | 1994–present |
| Class | Leisure activity vehicle |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
The Opel Combo is a 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 has been manufactured from December 2011, 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.
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).
Contents |
Kadett Combo (1986–1994) [edit]
| Also called | Bedford Astramax Vauxhall Astramax |
|---|---|
| Production | 1986–1994 |
| Class | 3-door panel van 3-door wagon |
| Platform | GM T platform |
| Related | Opel Kadett E |
The Opel Kadett Combo was introduced in January 1986 and finished production in the summer of 1994. It was based on the Opel Kadett E compact car and was built only in the United Kingdom, by Vauxhall.[1] In Germany it was sold with a 1.3 liter petrol engine or a 1.6 (later 1.7) liter diesel unit.[2]
United Kingdom [edit]
The Bedford/Vauxhall Astramax (Opel Kadett Combo in mainland Europe) was a very popular choice with drivers, and on the television show Lovejoy, it was used as a minor action vehicle.
When the van was introduced, it was called the Bedford Astramax. It was not until some years later it was called the Vauxhall Astramax when GM Europe decided to retire the Bedford badge and rebadge them as Vauxhalls.
Combo B (1994–2001) [edit]
| Also called | Vauxhall Combo Holden Combo (SB) Chevrolet Combo Shanghai Auto Saibao |
|---|---|
| Production | 1994–2001 |
| Body style | 3-door panel van 3-door wagon |
| Platform | GM4200 |
| Related | Opel Corsa B |
The first generation of Combo, launched in 1994, was derived out of Opel Corsa B, launched two years 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 Europallet. 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 3-door.
Following the increasing popularity of leisure activity vehicles, Opel launched a 5-passenger version of the Combo in 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 is 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]
Engines [edit]
- 1.4L I4 8V 72 PS SOHC Ecotec (1996)
- 1.6L I4 8V 86 PS SOHC Ecotec (1996)
- 1.4L I4 16V 90 PS SOHC Ecotec (1997)
- 1.6L I4 16V 105 PS SOHC Ecotec (1999)
- 1.7L I4 8V 75 PS SOHC Circle-L Diesel (1996)
- 1.7L DTİ I4 16V 100 PS SOHC Circle-L Turbo Diesel (2001)
Combo C (2001–2011) [edit]
Opel Combo facelifted |
|
| Also called | Vauxhall Combo Holden Combo (XC) Chevrolet Combo |
|---|---|
| Production | 2001–2011 (2012 for Australia and New Zealand) |
| Assembly | Azambuja, Portugal (2001–2006)[4] Zaragoza, Spain (2006–2011) |
| Body style | 4/5-door panel van 4/5-door wagon |
| Platform | GM4300 |
| Wheelbase | 2,715 mm (106.9 in) |
| Length | 4,332 mm (170.6 in) |
| Width | 1,685 mm (66.3 in) |
| Height | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
| Related | Opel Corsa C Opel Meriva A Chevrolet Montana |
The second generation was launched in 2001. 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. While the general body shape was updated to fashionable "flush" look, the front part (up to the A-pillar) is shared with the Corsa. Compared to previous generation, the Combo B gained sliding rear side doors (versions with either single passenger side door or double doors are available).
An Opel Combo Tour version was also introduced, followed by Opel Combo Tour Tramp (Combo Tour Arizona in some markets), in an attempt 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.
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 2006, the Azambuja, Portugal factory shut down and the production of the Opel Combo transferred to Zaragoza, Spain.
Production of this Combo ended in late 2011, when a new Combo based on the Fiat Doblò was launched. It is built in Turkey. However, Holden in Australia and New Zealand stockpiled sufficient Combo inventory to last until 2013, with the final 2011-build vehicles complianced in early 2012.
Names and markets [edit]
- Opel Combo - Europe (except GB) and Singapore
- Vauxhall Combo - Great Britain
- Holden Combo - Australia, New Zealand
- Chevrolet Combo - Chile
Engines [edit]
- 1.3L 1.3 CDTI Ecotec
- 1.4L I4 16V DOHC TwinPort Ecotec
- 1.6L I4 8V SOHC Ecotec
- 1.6L I4 16V DOHC CNG Ecotec
- 1.3L I4 16V DOHC CDTI
- 1.7L I4 16V DOHC DI
- 1.7L I4 16V DOHC DTI
- 1.7L I4 16V DOHC CDTI 100 bhp (75 kW)
Combo D (2011–present) [edit]
| Also called | Fiat Doblò Vauxhall Combo |
|---|---|
| Production | 2011–present |
| Assembly | Bursa, Turkey (Tofaş) |
| Body style | 4/5-door panel van 4/5-door wagon |
| Platform | SCCS |
| Engine | 1.4L Fire I4 petrol 1.4L Fire Turbojet I4 CNG 1.6L CDTI I4 diesel |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 6-speed manual 5-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase |
2,755 mm (108.5 in) (SWB) 3,105 mm (122.2 in) (LWB) |
| Related | Fiat Linea Opel Corsa D Opel Meriva B |
The third generation has been manufactured from December 2011, and is based on the Fiat Doblò. The new Combo is manufactured in Turkey by Tofaş.[5]
Engines [edit]
| Petrol engine | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Note | ||
| 1.4 FIRE | I4 | 1368 cc | 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp) @6000 rpm | 127 N·m (94 lb·ft) @4500 rpm | 2011-on | ||
| Compressed natural gas | |||||||
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Note | ||
| 1.4 FIRE CNG Turbo | I4 | 1368 cc | 120 PS (88 kW; 120 hp) @5000 rpm | 207 N·m (153 lb·ft) @3000 rpm | 2011-on | ||
| Diesel engine | |||||||
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Note | ||
| 1.6 CDTI | I4 | 1598 cc | 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) @4000 rpm | 290 N·m (210 lb·ft) @1500 rpm | 2011-on | ||
| 1.6 CDTI | I4 | 1598 cc | 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) @4000 rpm | 290 N·m (210 lb·ft) @1500 rpm | 2011-on | ||
References [edit]
- ^ Rex, Rainer, ed. (July 1989), Lastauto Omnibus Katalog 1990 [Truck and bus catalog] (in German) 19, Motor-Presse-Verlag GmbH und Co. KG, p. 42, 81531/89001
- ^ Lastauto Omnibus Katalog 1990, p. 153
- ^ De Feyter, Tycho (2011-12-08). "Spotted in China: Shanghai Auto Saibao panel van". CarNewsChina.com.
- ^ "Opel. Opel In Portugal". Car-cat.com. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- ^ "Fiat to Build Combo for Opel". autoevolution.com. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
External links [edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Opel Combo |
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| Mini MPV | Meriva A | Meriva B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact MPV | Zafira A | Zafira B | Zafira Tourer C | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Movano A | Movano B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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