New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 European Launch
Volkswagen’s Crafter has undergone a midlife makeover and gets a new front-end along with new Euro 5 engines… Read More
New Vauxhall Combo set for 2012 UK launch
Vauxhall dealers have begun taking orders for the new generation Combo with delivery slated for February 2012. Based on the current Fiat Doblò the new model line-up is much more extensive than its predecessor — introduced 15 years ago — with a choice of two wheelbases, roof heights and gross vehicle weights, as well as ecoFlex, Sportive and automated manual Tecshift transmission variants. Load width is 1,714mm, reducing to 1,230mm between the wheel boxes while maximum height is 1,305mm. There’s a high roof option (H2) on the short-wheelbase (L1) which has a load length of 1,820mm; the long-wheelbase (L2) extends this to 2,170mm. This results in load volumes of 3.4m3 (L1H1), 4.0m3 (L1H2) and 4.2m3 (L2H1). Rear loading height is 54.5mm and there are two payload options; 750kg or 1,000kg
Four common rail Euro 5 diesels provide the power with a choice of 1.3CDTi, 1.6CDTi and 2.0CDTi. The former is capable of 90hp, the 1.6 produces either 90hp or 105hp and the latter manages 135hp. Five speed manual transmissions are standard with the 1.3-litre powerplant with the remainder featuring a six-speeder; Tecshift (five-speed) is available mated to the 90hp 1.6-litre. With the exception of the Tecshift models, all powertrains are available with a Start/Stop system to optimise fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Currently there are no details of what ecoFlex brings to the table.
All new Combos come with ABS, remote central locking with deadlocking, full steel bulkhead, trip computer, driver’s airbag and a radio/CD player. Sportive derivatives add air conditioning, metallic paint, colour-coded bumpers and door mirrors, nearside sliding door, driver’s seat with height adjustment, armrest and lumbar support, and full wheel covers.There are a raft of options on offer including cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic climate control, ESP with hill holder, passenger airbag and/or side-impact airbags, glazed rear doors or tailgate, longitudinal roof bars and winter tyres.
Three option packs are also up for grabs. The load pack provides an overhead storage shelf in the cab, PVC lining for the load floor, rear 12v power outlet and a removable courtesy light. Go for the winter pack and it adds headlamp washers, front fog lights, external temperature sensor and electric door mirrors. The driver pack includes a CD50 multimedia radio/CD player (Bluetooth/USB/MP3) with steering column-mounted controls and a leather steering wheel and gearknob.
“We’re looking forward to bringing the all-new Combo to market in 2012,” said Steve Bryant, brand manager for Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles. “Combo has been a lynchpin of our van offering for the last 15 years, earning a long list of accolades.”
