Opel Combo as opposed to a delivery vehicle built on the basis of the Opel Astra, Combo is very popular on the Polish market (a similar pattern occurred in Ford, where Courier based on Fiesta bravely dealt with Escort).
The Combo cab is simply a Corsa cut off just behind the center pillar. What is important, the introduction of a wall separating the cargo space from the driver's cabin only slightly shortened the travel of the driver's seat, which even gifted with a height of approx. 180 cm will not complain about the amount of space in this plane. It will be a bit more difficult for him to come to terms with the width of the cabin, but Combo had inherited this feature from a personal ancestor. A fact may be a consolation, that by using the space between the armchairs and the partition wall, we can put a thick winter jacket there, which will probably allow a bit more freedom of movement. We have already solved the problem of clothing, now it's time for invoices, order lists and, most importantly, lunch. The compartments located above the heads of the driver and passenger are perfect for their transport. Everyone, accessible from the cargo area, closed with a lid and the second, looking like a pocket in the roof – easily accessible from the cabin, even while driving.
Combo also provides space for less used equipment, such as a toolkit or a safety triangle. The aforementioned space behind the seats is the "vestibule" for the tool compartment, created after covering the place, where Corsa rear seat passengers keep their legs.
Given the requests of our exemplary laundry owner, we must also mention the Combo in the freight and passenger version, that is Tour.
By inserting side windows and installing a Corsa rear bench in the cargo area, Opel has created a 5-seater car, which can be easily converted into a full-fledged delivery vehicle. Compared to the Van version, After folding the seat, the cargo space of the Toura is shorter by approx. 13 cm. Folding the couch is as easy as in the Corsa. It is enough to raise the seat and then put the backrest down, unlock them beforehand by pressing the buttons. Moving the dividing grid will cause us a little more trouble, it will not be without a wrench to unscrew 4 screws.
Because the couch was moved from the Corsa, and at the same time the width of the interior increased, in which it was placed, you can say, that rear row passengers "bask in luxury". Free space, which was created after inserting a shorter sofa into a wider interior, developed by inserting a bucket-shelf on each side. Also, the amount of legroom should be sufficient, children will certainly fit comfortably in the back. To get to the rear seats, use the door on the right, the passenger seat is equipped with a mechanism that allows, after pressing a button, to simultaneously tilt the backrest and move the whole forward. On the left side, to tilt the backrest and move the seat forward, we have to use two buttons. The convenience of taking seats is characteristic of a three-door car, that is, none and requires no comment.
There are lift compartments under the Combo Tour passenger seat (In the Van version, bolted to the floor behind the driver's seat), first aid kit and tools.
The Combo cargo area is shaped like a cube, slightly tapering towards the top. The maximum length measured on the floor in the Van version is 1760 mm, and the width between the wheel arches 1130 mm. The dimensions enable loading and transport of materials on a typical euro-pallet. Height 1220 mm does not encourage you to be inside the cargo space, although there were cases of trapping the driver in it. It is precisely about such accidents that a lever has been introduced from the inside, acting as a handle in emergency situations. The door itself is double-leaf, symmetrical, equipped with windows. which open 90 ° and almost 180 °,in the first position supported by a wire stopper.
Standard Combo equipment is lining of the floor and sides of the cargo hold (In the Tour version, the wheel arches were also covered). Made of a felt-like material, the side cover has undeniably excellent damping properties, but at the same time it is very susceptible to getting dirty. In the Combo Van, sheets of felt are glued to the side walls, which eliminates the resonance of the plating sheets. Corsa also lent the Combo front suspension, using McPherson struts. At the rear, the simplest possible was chosen, i.e. a rigid axle suspended on leaf springs and short shock absorbers placed like this, so that they do not enter the cargo space.
Depending on the load capacity, the car is equipped with tires: 165 R13 – 86 R for version 500 kg and 175/65 R14 -86 T for versions with a payload increased to 700 kg.
The Combo uses two 60 HP Corsa engines to drive: gasoline with a capacity 1,4 dm3 of gasoline and diesel 1,7 dm3. The first is the well-known Astra engine with a cast iron body with an aluminum head, equipped with one driving camshaft 8 valves. maximum power 44 kW reaches at 5400 rpm, a maximum torque 106 Nm at 3000 rpm.
Engine 1.7 D is an Isuzu design with a pre-chamber. The power system has a rotary pump and achieves maximum power 44 kW at 4400 rpm and maximum torque 112 Nm at 2650 rpm. Buying a diesel car is tantamount to choosing a vehicle with increased to 700 kg load capacity.
Combo Van version can bravely fight for customers with all cars of this segment, including new generation vans, such as Berlingo or Kangoo. Its situation in the role of a passenger car is worse, because the doors facilitating access to the passenger compartment are an unbreakable asset.