BETTER PARTSDriven: new Opel Combo
Although the previous, when Fiat purchased Combo by Opel at the time, almost apologetically as a 'four' was announced, he has for seven long years and naturally. The new Combo is completely PSA, with some Opel-elements.
The transfiguration of the Combo does not at all mean the end of the Fiat Doblò, for as far there is a misunderstanding should exist. It is perhaps against the sore leg of Opel, but the Doblò is a possible alternative for Combo riders that the new model does not. That may be the case when the tape measure from the back pocket comes: that is inexorable in the determination that the outgoing Combo was greater than the new. Both the new Combo L1 if L2 have a 4 cm shorter floor, what in the world of the (compact) truck net can make all the difference. That is certainly true for the limits, with up to 20 cm is decreased. And there is no increased version in sight. To the salt even deeper in the wound rub: the basic engines of 90 hp (1.3 CDTI) to 75 hp (1.6 D), while the payload for that version with a small 100 kg decreases. As regards volume, there is a loss of 0.1 m3 at the L1H1 and 0.3 m3 in the L2H1. The old L2H2 even came to 5.0 cubic meters. Serious differences, that in heavier versions shrink. But well, it's an extra thing to have when making the transition from an old to a new Combo time, or the specifications. A nice innovation is the feature that allows you to press the button (in the body) can see or the car is not too heavily laden.
Smooth and quiet
What size is the Combo so in the disadvantage compared to that of its predecessor, but when it comes to driving. The short test drive revealed yet, not all secrets, but it is clear that comfort and sophistication prevail. Below, we explain that further. The new 1.5 diesel engine of 130 hp/300 Nm is very smooth and quiet, but had despite that not childish specifications best effort with the roughly 1,400 kg own mass plus the 250 kg of cargo in the back was placed. A little getting used to is the to ratio is rather high positioned gear lever, which operation incidentally smoothly. Not so good are the mirrors, which for a van is too small; it disappears right easily a whole car in. Blind spot assist is only available as an option on the two most expensive versions, but, of course, had standard.
The difference in comfort with the previous Combo is significantly in favor of the new, that is, all flatters here, the charge quantity is likely to be. A fine frame (EMP2 with the rear elements of the previous Partner/citroen Berlingo), with a quiet, happy, not very indirect control (such as Expert/Jumpy) and a lot of stability. The interior is attractively designed and has a lot of storage spaces. Although the display and the instruments clear to the modern PSA-style track and the panel of the heat dissipation directly from the Jumpy/Expert, there are enough Opel-elements to find the Combo their own identity - much more than in the previous Combo - such as specific Opel-levers on the steering column, the (multifunction) steering wheel itself and, for example, the light switch in the form of a rotary knob on the left of the dashboard.
Better
The preliminary conclusion is that the new Combo is a lot easier in handling than its predecessor, but that he regards practical usefulness it yet in the shadow. The prices start at € 13.599 for the short Combo Selection L1H1 1.6 D with 75 hp to € 22.499 for the Combo Innovation L2H1 1.5 D start/stop with automatic transmission. From november to the dealers.
In the slideshow on the history of the Combo, in 1985, as a Kadett Combo debuted, and then already an independent model was built on basis of the Corsa (1993 to 2001); this was followed by the Fiat-derived in 2011.