New Opel Combo Cargo: Spacious Transporter with Compact Footprint and Amazing Technologies

• Best ever: 5^th generation Opel Combo developed to offer leading efficiency
• Loading champ: First-class load volume of up to 4.4m³ and up to 1,000 kg payload
• Ingenious for large loads: Cargo space accommodates two Euro pallets
• Extra versatile: Short and long versions, crew cab and roof hatch are all available
• Top innovations: Permanent Rear View Camera and numerous assistance systems
• Connected: Latest generation infotainment with 8-inch touchscreen
• Passenger car comfort: Heated steering wheel, unique in the segment, along with heated front seats and dual zone climate control
• Available soon: World premiere and start of sales in September

Opel announces the 5^th generation of its compact, multifunctional commercial vehicle, the Combo. The new Combo cargo van has been developed with the ambition of offering top efficiency to professionals and the lowest cost of ownership in the segment thanks to an all-new architecture, ingenious packaging and unique technologies while simultaneously representing a huge leap compared to outgoing version. With its world premiere scheduled to take place at the IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hannover on September 19, 2018, and available to order from September, the new Combo offers a wide range of variants to choose from including a short version with 4.40 metres length, a long version with 4.75 metres, both with cockpits featuring two or three front seats, and a spacious five seater crew cab. Opel’s new compact transporter also outshines most of its main competitors with a load volume of up to 4.4m³, a payload of up to 1,000 kg and a loading length of up to 3,440 mm for objects and work material. Decisive for many professionals, an especially ingenious feature is that the distance between the two wheel arches is wide enough to enable the loading of Euro pallets, two of which can even be accommodated in the cargo space of the short version of the Opel Combo. 

And extremely long utensils such as wooden planks can be stowed at an angle thanks to the optional roof hatch. And, a unique feature in the segment is also introduced in the new generation Opel Combo: a sensor-based overload indicator[1] that, at a press of a button, allows the driver to make sure the vehicle is not overloaded.

In addition, new Opel Combo comes with further innovative technologies and up to 19 assistance systems that make driving, manoeuvring, transporting goods or a crew easier, safer and more comfortable. The optional Permanent Rear View Camera¹, acts as a “digital” rear view mirror - greatly improving visibility of panel vans or of fully loaded vehicles. Furthermore, a second camera in the exterior door mirror on the passenger side ensures that the driver no longer needs to worry about the blind spot on this side of the vehicle. And, the new Combo can also be equipped with the new, sensor-based Flank Guard[2] system that helps prevent annoying and expensive bumps or scratches while turning at low speeds, warning the driver when there is a risk that a flank of the car will collide with an obstacle (pillars, barriers, walls or other vehicles). Those professionals whose workplaces require enhanced traction in mud, sand or snow can also upgrade their front-wheel drive Opel Combo with the electronic IntelliGrip traction control system and with the “worksite” set-up. This includes an increased ground clearance of 30 mm, front and rear stiffness antiroll bars, increased tyre diameter and rear variable rate springs. And the optional ultra-modern Apple CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment systems ensure that drivers easily find their way to and from even the most remote locations.

“The Opel Combo is the ideal working companion and almost no job is too big for it thanks to its best-in-class load volume. In addition, it comes with ultra-modern technologies previously only known from the passenger car segment. This makes Opel Combo a commercial vehicle with proven passenger car qualities in terms of driver assistance, safety and comfort – an all-rounder in the best sense of the word,” said Managing Director Sales & Marketing Peter Küspert.

Loading capacity of a larger vehicle: Opel Combo as a multifunctional transporter

The Combo nameplate has been a synonym for compact, multifunctional transporters for professionals over 4 generations since 1986. The first generation was based on an Opel Kadett, the two next on the Opel Corsa models of the time and the fourth was the result of a joint-venture with Fiat. The new, fifth generation has been developed on a completely new architecture within Groupe PSA, the undisputed European leader in the commercial vehicle business. Therefore, it is no surprise that it comes as the most competent vehicle on the market place.

It is available in various variants allowing countless applications;

• a 4.40-metre long short version with a wheelbase of 2,785 mm, payloads of up to 1,000 kg and a cargo volume of 3.3 to 3.8 m³, in which utensils with a length of up to 3,090 mm can be stowed easily. Those who need to transport even longer item can order the Combo with rear swing doors and the useful roof hatch. The latter enables the transport of items weighing up to 100 kg at an angle without having to leave the rear door open.
• a 4.75-metre long XL variant with a wheelbase of 2,975 mm and a load volume of up to 4.4 m³, that can even take working equipment with a length of up 3,440 mm.

Being able to easily load bulky items through the rear doors with a low loading edge of just 557 mm is another major advantage. There is enough space between the wheel arches for a forklift to load two Euro pallets, even into the shortest Combo. And safety has also been taken into consideration: Six tie rings on the floor and a further optional four fitted at mid-height help keep everything in its place.

An important safety feature, the so-called overload indicator¹ is new to Opel. The system automatically measures the mass present on board upon starting up the engine. Alternatively, the driver can ask for the sensor-based system to measure the load on the axles by pressing a button. A white LED signal lights up if the weight exceeds 80 per cent of the permitted payload. If the weight is above the limit, an orange signal with an exclamation mark lights up.

The new Combo also offers a solution for transporting people and equipment with the crew cab version. A crew of up to five including the driver can sit in comfort while the working material is safely stowed behind the partition wall. In addition, the rear bench can be folded down and the partition moved behind the front seats if required. A flap in the partition ensures that especially long items can be transported.

Relaxing drive: Top technologies and passenger car comfort

When it comes to the loading area, Opel Combo is an out and out commercial vehicle but it also offers cutting edge technologies unique in the segment, and a level of comfort for the occupants directly inherited from the Opel Combo Life passenger version that went on sale in early June.

Innovative assistance systems such as the Permanent Rear View Camera¹ ensure outstanding visibility and make the drive more relaxing. Everybody who has driven a transporter knows that looking through the rear view mirror can be challenging - or even impossible in case of a fully loaded vehicle or a full panel van: in these cases, the car has to be driven via the exterior door mirrors. This is not applicable to the new Opel Combo. It can be equipped with a Rear View Camera that shows the area behind the car on the infotainment screen. On one hand, it facilitates manoeuvring via guidelines as soon as reverse is selected. On the other hand, when driving forward, it displays an area from 4 to 30 metres behind the vehicle and can thus be used as a permanent “digital” rear view mirror. A second camera¹ fitted in the exterior door mirror on the passenger side further improves the overall view. As soon as the passenger side indicator is activated, the passenger side view is shown on the monitor, resulting in a major increase in safety for all road users as a blind spot is almost unheard of for Opel Combo drivers.

In addition the newcomer comes with further ultra-modern driver assistance systems known from the Opel Combo Life passenger version. The offer is unique on the market and includes:

 

• Forward Collision Alert with pedestrian detection and Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane Keep Assist
• Hill Descent Control
• Intelligent Speed Adaptation
• Automatic Cruise Control
• Driver Drowsiness Alert
• Speed Sign Recognition

Last but not least, the new generation of infotainment systems ensures outstanding on-board connectivity. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible Multimedia Radio and Multimedia Navi Pro systems can easily be controlled via the prominent 8-inch colour easy-to-read, easy-to-reach touchscreen. The integrated navigation system of the top-of-the-line unit with European maps and 3D navigation also shows TMC (Traffic Messaging Channel) updates, thus ensuring that drivers can always select the perfect route to get to their customers and avoid traffic jams.

And, as there is nothing like enjoying comfort before or after work with the heated front seats, the heated steering wheel – unique in this segment and typical Opel – and the comfortable rear bench. And occupants can keep a cool head even on the hottest days thanks to the dual zone climate control.

Just like its passenger car sibling, the Combo will be able to draw upon a range of lively and efficient engines combined with modern transmissions. Together with first-class load volume, comfort levels similar to those in passenger cars and extensive on-board entertainment, they make the new Opel Combo an ideal and general purpose commercial vehicle for much more than just working life.

 

[1] Expected to be available from 2019.

[2] Active at speeds below 10 km/h.

[3] Works automatically above 5 km/h and below 85 km/h. From 0 to 30 km/h the deceleration metric to reduce the impact speed of the collision is 0.9g. From 30 to 85 km/h the system brakes to the speed by a maximum of 22 km/h. After this threshold, the driver needs to brake himself to reduce the speed even further.