Opel Combo Electric - now also as a passenger car
Opel targets families seeking to go combustion-free with the Combo Electric. Here's what the now available, slightly more luxurious passenger car version of the high-roofed station wagon offers, according to ntv.de.
When Porsche CEO Oliver Blume says in an interview that the electric car is far superior to the combustion engine, it certainly gives pause for thought. Granted, that may hold true for the Zuffenhausen-based company on a broader scale. Electric motors react more sensitively, making dynamic driving processes more manageable - a key factor for the sports car brand. And in terms of efficiency, when considering the powertrain as a whole, the rest is up for debate.
However, I'd like to avoid opening a discussion on battery disposal, the promotion of critical raw materials, or the power mix here, as there are other matters at hand. I'm currently sitting in the electrically driven Combo, and as a passenger car, it's a pretty practical and sensible, yet also comfortable affair compared to the previous commercial vehicle version with sheet metal sides and spartan equipment.
Emotions don't play a role here, but rather another one. But let's take it slow. Of course, we must talk about the powertrain. In this vehicle category, however, it's not exciting at all (even a combustion engine would hardly generate goosebumps here), so it doesn't matter whether a combustion engine or an electric motor is under the hood. Or does it? The electric motor has advantages. It runs much quieter and more refined than, for example, a diesel engine. And that helps to make a car in this class quieter, where sound insulation plays a lesser role due to cost reasons.
But the electric powertrain does have one Achilles' heel, which is why it is still often resisted. At least for now. And it can't be dismissed. The state of charge indicator shows it: With exactly 100% SOC, the Combo is predicted to travel 318 kilometers. And does that hinder the user from covering longer distances? No. But the driving habit is naturally different, as the Combo's traction battery takes about 30 minutes to reach 80% state of charge, according to the manufacturer.
However, the driving experience makes up for it. With 136 PS, the 1.8-tonne all-rounder feels more agile than a comparable combustion engine, although the nominal acceleration - here 11.3 seconds to 100 km/h - doesn't necessarily need to be more impressive. But that's also clear, as the electric motor delivers plenty of torque from the start (270 Nm) and doesn't waste time shifting gears, as there's only one. In return, the electric motor has a maximum speed of 135 km/h.
Opel's compact high-roof station wagon offers plenty of space
And what else? Immediately upon entering, it's clear that the high-roof station wagon is no longer a small car. The massive windshield is impressive. And yes, its height of 1.82 meters is also impressive - the interior is correspondingly spacious. Countless compartments predestine the Rüsselsheim-based car for the classic family vacation with children in the rear compartment. However, adult passengers also have plenty of legroom in the second row, and the seats can be considered comfortable. If you order the Combo in the XL version with an additional 19 centimeters of wheelbase (growing to 2.98 meters), Opel will install a third row of seats against an additional charge of 750 euros, which can also be adjusted.
Back to the storage options. The most impressive is certainly the box accessible from the outside in the rear of the roof (depending on the equipment, the rear window can be opened separately), into which rear passengers can reach from the inside. This is practicality taken to the extreme. And incidentally, even the short Combo swallows more than 2000 liters of luggage with the seats folded down. The long version holds up to 4000 liters.
While the rear passengers are still getting used to their (quite spacious) surroundings, it's expected that the passenger's fingers in the front right will already be touching the screen. But why not try out the voice control? The software developers have improved it to make the system much smarter. Feel free to ask what a lithium-ion battery is or how many inhabitants Ruesselsheim has. The answer might surprise you.
Speaking of lithium-ion batteries. The compact Combo (4.41 meters long) has a capacity of only 50 kWh. This is good for the environment - batteries consume resources. And it's good for the wallet, as the battery is the main cost driver of the electric car. But the electrically powered Combo is not exactly cheap, especially since it's always compared to its competitors. Or is it? While there's no combustion engine Combo on the Opel website, Citroën offers its brand sibling Berlingo as a combustion engine again: starting at 24,890 euros. The electric Combo, on the other hand, starts at 38,600 euros.
However, the Opel also has a more powerful motor. If you choose a similarly powerful combustion engine, the price advantage disappears. Furthermore, the electric car has lower operating costs. The vehicle tax is abolished and inspections are cheaper. And if the company car tax becomes relevant, a lot is saved thanks to the 0.25 percent rule. Whether the electric Combo offer will be accepted by many customers remains to be seen.
The Combo Electric's electric motor allows for a more quiet and refined driving experience compared to combustion engines, making it an appealing choice for families seeking a quieter ride in this vehicle category. Furthermore, other vehicles on the road may need to be aware of the Combo Electric due to its excellent range and quick charging capabilities, ensuring they don't inadvertently underestimate its capabilities.
