Engineering:Opel Combo

Combo B
Combo B
Overview
Also called	Vauxhall Combo; Holden Combo (SB); Chevrolet Combo; Shanghai Auto Saibao
Production	November 1993 – December 2001; 2002–2005 (China )
Assembly	Portugal: Azambuja
Body and chassis
Body style	3-door panel van; 3-door LAV
Platform	GM4200 platform
Related	Opel Corsa B

Kadett Combo
Kadett Combo
	Opel Combo (1989–1993)
Overview
Also called	Bedford Astramax; Vauxhall Astramax
Production	February 1986 – August 1993
Assembly	Portugal: Azambuja (General Motors Portugal); United Kingdom: Ellesmere Port (Vauxhall Ellesmere Port)
Body and chassis
Class	3-door panel van
Platform	T-body platform
Related	Opel Kadett E

Opel Combo
Opel Combo
Overview
Manufacturer	Opel
Production	1986–present
Body and chassis
Class	Panel van, leisure activity vehicle
Body style	Van
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Bedford Beagle; Bedford Chevanne; Bedford HA; Bedford Rascal; Opel/Vauxhall Astravan H
Successor	Chevrolet N200/N300 (for all Chevrolet rebadges only)

The Opel Combo is a panel van and leisure activity vehicle from the Germany automaker Opel. The Combo first appeared in 1993, a second generation model was introduced in 2001, and the third was manufactured from December 2011 to December 2017, based on the Fiat Doblò. The name "Combo" was previously applied as a suffix to a three-door panel van body style of Opel Kadett E from 1986 until 1993.

Opel/Vauxhall joined Groupe PSA in March 2017: the fourth generation Combo, launched in March 2018, shares the platform and bodywork of the Peugeot Rifter and Partner, as well as the Citroën Berlingo.

The Combo B and Combo C share platforms, vital components and some body panels with contemporary subcompact Opel Corsas, which used to be a typical pedigree for such a vehicle. The generations are denoted B and C in typical Opel fashion, but Holden applied the codes SB and XC respectively, reflecting the relation with SB and XC Holden Barinas (Opel Corsa B and C, respectively).

Kadett Combo (Combo A; 1986)

The Opel Kadett Combo was introduced in January 1986, and finished production in August 1993. It was based on the Opel Kadett E small family car. It was built in the United Kingdom, at Ellesmere Port by Vauxhall until January 1989. This was when the model was facelifted, with a new grille separate from the bumper (as for the Kadett).

At the same time, production was transferred to Azambuja, Portugal and the vans were now built by Opel. In Germany, it was sold with a 1.3 litre petrol engine or a 1.6 (later 1.7) litre diesel unit.^[1] The 1.3 petrol unit was then changed to a 1.4. Buyers in some countries, including the United Kingdom, also had the choice of a 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) 1.6-liter petrol unit.

Opel Kadett Combo 1.7 D (1986–1989), rear

In the United Kingdom, the three door estate based van was known as both the Bedford and Vauxhall Astravan, and the high roof van as the Bedford Astramax, later sold as a Vauxhall. The changeover from Bedford to Vauxhall took place on 1 June 1990, as Bedfords were better known as a producer of heavier trucks.^[2]

The Astramax was available in base or somewhat better equipped L versions. Both models were offered in 365 or 560 versions, referring to the payload in kilograms.

1990–1993 Vauxhall Astramax 365

Combo B (1993-2001)

The first generation of Combo, launched in October 1993, was based heavily on the Opel Corsa B, launched six months earlier. The front part (up to the B-pillar) is practically identical with the Corsa (except for the roof spoiler), but the platform (and thus wheelbase and the body in general) is extended to accommodate a tall, boxy cargo compartment, capable of carrying a Euro-pallet.

The Combo B had symmetrical twin rear doors that opened to the side (rather than a single tailgate). These are counted as a single "door" when referring to the body style as three door.

Following the increasing popularity of leisure activity vehicles, Opel launched a five passenger version of the Combo in the summer of 1995, called Opel Combo Tour. It differed from the panel van version by having the cargo section fitted with side windows, and a three-passenger split folding bench seat.

Although Combo's primary market was Europe, it has also been sold on other continents, in markets where GM traditionally use Opel derived models. As the Azambuja Opel plant in Portugal is the sole production site of all Combos, all those models were replaced gradually with the Combo C in 2001.

The Combo was also produced in relatively small numbers by SAIC subsidiary SAIC-Yizheng as the "Shanghai Auto (Shangqi) Saibao SAC6420", equipped with the same 1.6 litre engine and five speed manual transmission as the Buick Sail. Built from 2002 until 2005, there was also a DeLuxe version available, with alloy wheels and other extras.^[3]

Holden in Australia launched the SB series Combo in February 1996.^[4] It offered the 1.4 litre C14NZ engine, upgraded to C14SE specification in 1997. Sales continued until 2002, although the last SB Combos were built in 2001, but complianced as models of 2002. Production of the Combo A ended in August 2001.

Gallery

Holden Combo (SB) van
Vauxhall Combo van
Opel Combo B
Shanghai Auto Saibao SAC6420
Shanghai Auto Saibao SAC6420 (rear)

Names and markets

Opel Combo – Europe (except for United Kingdom) and Chile before the rebranding in the end of the 1990s
Vauxhall Combo – United Kingdom
Holden Combo – Australia, New Zealand
Chevrolet Combo – Chile
Shanghai Auto Saibao SAC6420 - China

Engines

1.4 L I4 8V 44 kW (60 PS), 60 kW (82 PS) Ecotec
1.6 L I4 8V 60 kW (82 PS) Ecotec
1.7 L I4 8V 44 kW (60 PS) Circle-L Diesel

Combo C (2002-2012)

Combo C
Opel Combo (2002–2006)
Overview
Also called	Vauxhall Combo Holden Combo (XC) Chevrolet Combo
Production	January 2002 – January 2012 2002-2013 (Holden Combo)
Assembly	Portugal: Azambuja (2001–2006)^[5] Spain: Zaragoza (2007–2011)
Body and chassis
Body style	4/5-door panel van 5-door LAV
Platform	Gamma platform
Related	Opel Corsa C Opel Meriva A Chevrolet Montana
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.4 L Twinport I4 1.6 L Z16SE I4 Diesel: 1.3 L CDTI I4 1.3 L EcoFlex CDTI I4 1.7 L DI I4 1.7 L DTI I4 1.7 L CDTI I4 CNG: 1.6 L Z16YNG I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 5-speed Easytronic automated manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,715 mm (106.9 in)
Length	4,332 mm (170.6 in)
Width	1,685 mm (66.3 in)
Height	1,800 mm (70.9 in)

The second generation was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show, in September 2001.^[6] While most competitors severed their connections with their subcompact brethren, Opel decided to base the vehicle on the Corsa again. The use of subcompact Gamma platform constrained the overall width of the vehicle. The front clip is thus still shared with the Corsa, although now only back to the A-pillar. This allowed Opel to more fully integrate the overall design of the car, giving it a "flush" look more in line with its competitors.

Compared to previous generation, the Combo C gained sliding rear side doors (versions with either single passenger side door or double doors are available). Sales began in January 2002.

An Opel Combo Tour version was also introduced, followed by Opel Combo Tour Tramp (Combo Tour Arizona in some markets), in an effort to attract leisure activity vehicle buyers. Combo Tour Tramp/Arizona was thought as a more off road recreational vehicle.

It features enhanced suspension tuning, increased ground clearance, chassis protection covers and numerous styling details that differentiate it from standard Combo Tours, with the intention to conjure a sturdy, outdoor sports related image. The Combo Tour was not offered by Vauxhall in the United Kingdom. Commercial van versions retained the symmetrical twin rear doors, while the Tour versions have an option of a single tailgate (opening to the top). The tailgate is standard on Tour Tramp/Arizona.

In December 2006, the Azambuja, Portugal factory closed down,^[7] and the production of the Opel Combo transferred to Zaragoza, Spain in 2007.^[8] Holden in Australia launched the XC series Combo in September 2002.^[9] It offered the 1.6 litre Z16SE engine, upgraded to 1.4 litre Z14XEP specification in December 2004 for the MY05 update.

Although production ended in the end of 2011, Holden in Australia and New Zealand stockpiled sufficient Combo inventory to last until 2013, with the final 2011 build vehicles complianced in the beginning of 2012. In August 2013, CarAdvice announced that the Holden Combo had been quietly discontinued, and will not be replaced by the Combo D, available to European customers.^[10]

Production of the Combo C ended in the end of 2011, in time for the December 2011 launch of the Combo D, which is based on the Fiat Doblò.^[11]