Test Drive Opel Combo since 2002 Minivan
Opel Combo: First Commercial
Commerizing Russian business requires compact commercial vehicles. They will be delivered to pizza, give correspondence and auto parts; Perhaps even to transport people, though, passenger versions of cargo compacts are less in demand. Such trucks are not afraid of low bridges, close parking and rising fuel prices; They are maneuverable and inexpensive. They are economically beneficial. The last of those who responded to small and medium-sized business requests became Opel, which, for the first time for himself, brought Combo Combo car to Russia.
The new cargo-passenger compact is sold in two versions: cargo (Combo Van) and Passenger (Combo Tour). The engines are also two: gasoline 1.4-liter 90-strong motor and diesel 75-strong 1.3-liter aggregates. Our test participates a gasoline version of the Opel Combo Van in the version that is obviously destined to become the most demanded basic. Like most compact trucks, Opel Combo inside seems more than outside. And this is felt not only visually, but also acoustically: the slightest knock in the cabin responds to such echo, as if you are in a cargo car or, at a minimum, a container.
Despite the compact dimensions, the car is characterized by impressive owners of sedans and hatchbacks
the volume of the freight compartment: 3,200 l (or 2,880 liters when measuring VDA cubes). Such space allows you to deliver loads up to 2.7 m long, which significantly expands the range of combo goods transported. But not only for it you can pay attention to the commercial Opel. It is unlikely that the design can add customers with a car segment of commercial minor. Nevertheless, the creators of Opel Combo paid a lot of time to create the unity of the visual image of the passenger and cargo compartments. The so-called single-blank design harmoniously includes a cargo compartment into a common image with a roof forming a smooth arc when moving from windshield. Stylish can even be workers!
As a result of the application of such a designer solution, space over the heads of the front passengers increased. In this case, the aerodynamic resistance coefficient is only 0.35. Same
the indicator has passenger Mercedes A-Class and Vazovskaya Ten! There is nothing surprising that the salon of the simplest configuration of the boobboards does not shine wealth and luxury. On the other hand, even here is ABS, a driver's airbag and a full-size spare track; The steering wheel is equipped with an electric adjustor and adjustment mechanism in height and depth. They have adjustment in height and front armchairs, and wide-angle side mirrors eliminate all problems associated with overview.
However, if necessary, the Combo can be equipped so as to force the comprehensive middle-class sedan owner: front and side airbags, active front headrests, music control buttons on the steering wheel, combined filter with statically charged microfiber and activated
the coal that removes most of the allergens, as well as the radio reception with the function of road messages (TMC), a CD changer on four CDs including the navigation system and a GSM mobile phone with the Hands-Free device. But nothing of this distract from the trip on the test car, the only luxury in which was the electric powerful. Acques 1.4-liter 90-strong motors are enough for a dynamic ride, but with each hundred additional kilograms, the acceleration will be given to him all worse. And so the car version of the VAN is required 14 C to reach 100 km / h. Passenger modification Tour is needed on 3 c more, and it is worth putting inside two more passengers and, it seems, from hundreds of Combo separates the whole eternity
In the meantime, its body is empty (if you do not count seven big, but empty boxes) and the mass does not exceed 1,200 kg, Opel Combo is easily rising and rising. His handling will appeal to connoisseurs of cars of the embraced generations: empty and from this lung; Simple technically, but from this even more interesting and understandable. Combo obediently and easily enters the turn, and then quickly and naturally comes out of it. With small rolls and without excess noise from under the hood. The suspension can have one of three settings; In the standard version, the maximum carrying capacity does not exceed 490 kg. Alternatively, the front and rear suspension can be equipped with more rigid springs and special shock absorbers for working with heavy load. At the same time, the maximum mass of transported cargo increases
up to 635 kg. Finally, for severe operating conditions, the ground clearance increases by 30 mm, and the carrying capacity of up to 755 kg! Picture, hardworking and ready to work for reasonable money, Opel Combo fully complies with the requirements that the employer presents to his staff. Obedient, unprecedented, but not badly managed: so it seemed from the steering wheel. Still, how good is this car, will show not the end of the test day, but summing up the fiscal year
The car is provided by Atlant-M Baltica official Dealer General Motors.
Text: Alexander Korchenko
Photo: Roman Stunnin
A source: Magazine "Wheel" [August 2008]
