AUTOBEST: Opel Combo Life is “Best Buy Car of Europe 2019”

• International jury of journalists from 31 countries votes for Combo Life
• New Opel Combo Life impresses with best value for money, innovative driver assistance systems, high comfort and spaciousness

Opel Combo Life

The new Opel Combo Life has been elected “Best Buy Car of Europe 2019” by the authoritative AUTOBEST jury, which was particularly impressed by the car’s excellent value for money. The Combo Life defeated five other brand new contenders for the title (Citroën C4 Cactus, Dacia Duster, Ford Focus, Kia Ceed, Toyota Corolla).

The jury of journalists from 31 European countries decided in favour of the Opel Combo Life after the final round of test driving at the Vairano racetrack in Italy. The Opel offers ultra-modern technologies such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), driver drowsiness alert, a 180-degree rear view camera, Head-Up Display (HUD) and “Flank Guard” protection for the side bodywork. 

Opel Combo also combines the comfort and driving dynamics of a passenger car with the variability of a leisure activity vehicle. In their evaluation the jury members also focus on the cost of ownership, the availability of spare parts and the standards of dealer servicing. The winner of the “Best Buy Car of Europe 2019” award must deliver the best all-round package, the fifth-generation Opel Combo therefore proved unbeatable.

“We are thrilled with the decision of the 31 independent members of the AUTOBEST jury”, said Opel CEO, Michael Lohscheller. “The Combo simply offers a lot of car for the money – the key to winning ‘Best Buy Car of Europe’. The new Opel Combo Life is an all-round talent that can do almost anything. It plays a major role in our on-going product offensive that will see us launch eight new models in the next two years.”

Opel Combo Life XL

Dan Vardie, founder and chairman of AUTOBEST: “We had a very tough competition between the finalists, a record number in the AUTOBEST history. The Opel/Vauxhall Combo Life, along with Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Rifter – competing as one model, another first in our history – managed to impress the jury members and deserve the ‘Best Buy Car of Europe’ title. The winning models are simply an efficient solution for the European customer.”

As “Best Buy Car of Europe 2019” the Combo Life continues a strong Opel tradition. In recent years, the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker was twice successful in the AUTOBEST Award. The Opel Corsa took the title outright in 2007 and 2015. AUTOBEST presents the “Best Buy Car of Europe” since 2000.

Big Anniversary and Electrification: Opel Looks Ahead to 2019

• Opel Grandland X plug-in hybrid and fully electric Opel Corsa for order in first half of 2019
• New Opel Vivaro in 2020 also as electric van
• Production of electric new-generation Opel Mokka X begins in 2020
• Great celebrations: 120 years of automobile production at Opel

Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller with Opel Grandland X plug-in hybrid

2019 will be special for Opel, a year that will see the German carmaker not only celebrate 120 years of automobile manufacturing, but also accelerate the electrification of its model range. The company will already open its order books for two electrified models in the first half of next year – the battery electric version (BEV) of the new Corsa and the Grandland X SUV as plug-in hybrid (PHEV). “Opel is going electric!” says Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller. “We made this announcement at the presentation of our PACE! strategic plan and now we are delivering.”

The new Corsa in particular will give Opel additional drive next year. The bestseller, the first generation of which made its premiere in 1982, is all-new and features an electric version for the first time. Lohscheller promises a competitive price: “The new Opel Corsa will make electro-mobility affordable for many customers, it will be a real electric car for the people.”

The Grandland X plug-in hybrid, which Opel will produce at the German Eisenach plant as of next year, is for customers who want more space and the feeling of an SUV. The hybrid propulsion system will develop the equivalent of up to 300 hp / 221 kW and comes along with an e-All Wheel Drive (e-AWD) technology.

The all-new Opel Vivaro midsize van will also be available as a battery electric vehicle in 2020; and the next-generation of the successful Opel Mokka X sub-compact SUV, which goes into production in 2020, will also include a fully electrified version. “We are putting maximum effort into the electrification of our portfolio,” says Lohscheller.

Opel has always positioned itself as the brand that makes innovation available to everyone. This will remain a core element of the 120th anniversary of automobile production, which the German company will celebrate in 2019. The success story, which began in Rüsselsheim with the production of 65 handmade Opel “Patentmotorwagen System Lutzmann” cars in 1899 – four years after the death of company founder, Adam Opel – now comprises more than 70 million vehicles. Throughout its history Opel has remained true to its ambition of producing high-quality cars as efficiently as possible and making them affordable for as many customers as possible.

The many iconic models from Rüsselsheim developed in the last 120 years include milestones of automotive history such as the Laubfrosch, Admiral, Kadett, Rekord, Manta and the GT. Simultaneously, Opel has also brought a long list of innovations to a mainstream audience. These include the first mass-production vehicle in Germany with a self-supporting all-steel body (Opel Olympia, 1935), the introduction of the three-way catalytic converter as standard (1989), fitting all passenger cars with full size airbags (1995) or bringing the adaptive IntelliLux LED Matrix light to the compact segment (2015) with the Astra.

In order to celebrate the 120th anniversary with its customers, Opel will add a “120 Years” special edition to the model range. The variant is offered by the German Brand on several models and pre-selling has just started in most markets. The “120 Year” versions will offer a variety of innovative technologies and design and comfort features as standard equipment, at especially attractive prices.

Happy Birthday: Order Books for Special 120 Years Edition Opel Models with Top Features now Open

• Made in Germany: Opel celebrates 120 years of car making with great offers
• Full of features: Lots of Opel passenger cars from ADAM to Zafira in “120 years” trim
• All in: Park assist, seat and steering wheel heating, IntelliLink mostly standard
• Attractive conditions: Customer savings on special “120 years” edition models

Opel Grandland X “120 years” edition

Opel will celebrate 120 years of car manufacturing in 2019 and thus 120 years of innovative technologies that the carmaker makes available to a broad range of customers – true to the Opel motto “The Future is Everyone’s”. In order to celebrate this anniversary with its customers accordingly, Opel is launching the “120 years” special editions. Passenger car models such as the small cars ADAM, KARL and Corsa, the bestselling Astra, the sporty SUV family consisting of the Crossland X. the Mokka X and the Grandland X right up to the Zafira compact van and the Insignia flagship will be available in the “120 years” trim and thus come with bundles of state-of-the-art technologies, design and comfort features as standard at attractive conditions. Order books for the special “120 years” edition models are open now.

Opel Corsa “120 years” edition

“Opel has been democratising mobility for 120 years. In our cars, we make trendsetting technologies and features affordable for all groups of buyers. That is what we stand for! And that is why we are offering the special edition ‘120 years’ trim level for so many of our models to mark the start of our anniversary,” said Xavier Duchemin, Managing Director Sales, Aftersales & Marketing.

The special edition trim sits directly above the “Edition” trim and, depending on the model, includes assistance systems such as Park Assist or Cruise Control as standard. Features such as heated seats, heated steering wheel and velour floor mats increase the level of comfort. The “120 years” models become true eye catchers with stylish alloy wheels, chrome elements, door sills with Opel lettering and of course the “120 years” badge. And all this is available at attractive prices. For example, the special edition Corsa is already available from €15,440, prices for the anniversary Astra start at €21,725 and for the Grandland X at €29,200 (all prices RRP including VAT in Germany).

Opel Astra “120 years” edition

Example Opel Astra: The compact Opel bestseller already shines with assistance systems such as Hill Start Assist and Cruise Control as standard in its entry-level version. Air conditioning, thermal glazing and Quickheat heating system are also already on board. Fog lamps and Rear Park Assist are added as standard on the “120 years” variant. Heated front seats and the heated steering wheel along with the sight package including rain sensor, automatic headlamps with tunnel detection and automatic dimming rear-view mirror ensure comfortable temperatures and an increased level of safety on cold and wet days. In addition, Astra 5-door and Sports Tourer drivers and occupants can rely on outstanding connectivity and entertainment thanks to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible R 4.0 IntelliLink infotainment system with seven-inch colour display. The door sills with Opel lettering, 17-inch alloys in 5-twin-spoke design and the “120 years” logo immediately identify the Astra as a special edition model.

Opel Crossland X  “120 years” edition

The “120 years” Opel Crossland X comes with the same inner values as the Astra. Furthermore, the SUV, which was successfully launched last year, features a heated ThermaTec windscreen for a clear view on frosty days. The LED ambient lighting in the centre console and the doors increases the feel-good atmosphere in the dark. On the outside, the “120 year” Crossland X shines with high-gloss black B pillars, a chrome roofline, front and rear silver underride guard look and anthracite-coloured alloys in 4-twin-spoke design. Prices for the “120 years” Crossland X start at €21,650.