Opel Combo

Opel Combo
Overview
Manufacturer	Opel
Production	1986–present
Body and chassis
Class	Panel van/Leisure activity vehicle
Body style	Van
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Bedford Beagle Bedford Chevanne Bedford HA Bedford Rascal
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 has been 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 Group PSA in March 2017: the fourth generation Combo, launched in 2018, shares the platform and bodywork of the Peugeot Rifter and Partner and 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; 1986–1993)

Kadett Combo
Opel Combo (1989–1993)
Overview
Also called	Bedford Astramax Bedford Astravan Vauxhall Astravan Vauxhall Astramax
Production	1986–1993
Assembly	Portugal: Azambuja United Kingdom: Ellesmere Port
Body and chassis
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.

Opel Kadett Combo 1.7 D (1986–1989), rear

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 365 or 560 models, or somewhat better equipped 365L/560L versions.

1990–1993 Vauxhall Astramax 365

Combo B (1993–2001)

Combo B
Overview
Also called	Vauxhall Combo Holden Combo (SB) Chevrolet Combo Shanghai Auto Saibao
Production	1993–2001
Assembly	Azambuja, Portugal
Body and chassis
Body style	3-door panel van 3-door LAV
Platform	GM4200 platform
Related	Opel Corsa B

The first generation of Combo, launched in October 1993, was based 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 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 three door.

Following the increasing popularity of leisure activity vehicles, Opel launched a five 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 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 2002 models. Production of the Combo A ended in August 2001.

• 
  Holden Combo (SB) van
• 
  Vauxhall Combo van
• 
  Opel Combo B

Combo C (2001–2011)

Combo C
Opel Combo (2001–2003)
Overview
Also called	Vauxhall Combo Holden Combo (XC) Chevrolet Combo
Production	2001–2011
Assembly	Azambuja, Portugal (2001–2006)[5] Zaragoza, Spain (2007–2011)
Body and chassis
Body style	4/5-door panel van 4/5-door LAV
Platform	Gamma platform
Related	Opel Corsa C Opel Meriva A Chevrolet Montana
Dimensions
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)

The second generation was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show, in September 2001.^[6] 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 C gained sliding rear side doors (versions with either single passenger side door or double doors are available). Sales began in October 2001.

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,^[7] and the production of the Opel Combo transferred to Zaragoza, Spain in 2007.^[8] Holden in Australia launched the XC series Combo in September 2002.^[9] 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.^[10]

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.^[11]

• 
  Holden Combo (XC) van
• 
  Opel Combo C Tour
• 
  Opel Combo C Tour
• 
  Vauxhall Combo
• 
  Interior

Combo D (2011–2017)

Combo D
Overview
Also called	Fiat Doblò Vauxhall Combo Ram ProMaster City
Production	2011–2017[12]
Assembly	Bursa, Turkey (Tofaş)
Body and chassis
Class	Panel van/Leisure activity vehicle
Body style	4/5-door panel van 4/5-door LAV
Platform	SCCS platform
Related	Fiat Linea Fiat 500L Opel Meriva B
Powertrain
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
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 2,755 mm (108.5 in) LWB: 3,105 mm (122.2 in)
Length	SWB: 4,390 mm (172.8 in) LWB: 4,740 mm (186.6 in)
Width	SWB: 1,832 mm (72.1 in) LWB: 1,832 mm (72.1 in)
Height	SWB: 1,845 mm (72.6 in) LWB: 1,880 mm (74.0 in)

The third generation Combo was manufactured from December 2011 to December 2017, and was based on the Fiat Doblò. The third generation Combo was manufactured in Turkey by Tofaş.^[13] Sales began in January 2012.

• 
  Opel Combo D
• 
  Opel Combo D
• 
  Opel Combo D
• 
  Vauxhall Combo Mk 3

Combo E (2018–present)

Combo E
Opel Combo Life
Overview
Also called	Peugeot Rifter Citroën Berlingo Vauxhall Combo/Combo Life
Production	2018–present
Model years	2019–present
Assembly	PSA Vigo Plant[14]
Body and chassis
Class	Leisure activity vehicle (M)
Body style	4/5-door panel van 5-door LAV
Platform	PSA EMP2 platform
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L Petrol THP 1.5 L diesel HDi/CDTI
Transmission	6-speed manual EAT8 Automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,780–2,970 mm (109–117 in)
Length	4,400–4,750 mm (173–187 in)

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 the PSA Group bought Opel in March 2017.

• 
  Rear
• 
  Interior
• 
  Middle Seats
• 
  Vauxhall Combo Life

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opel Combo.

• Official Opel Combo website