Add new comment to The new Opel Combo-e is a superbly practical electric car

The 4.40-meter-long standard combo (also available in a 35-centimeter-longer XL version) may be confidently defined as a motorized storage box. Not only is the baggage compartment extendable from almost 600 liters to a maximum of 2126 liters, but there are so many compartments, nooks, shelves, and storage areas throughout the cabin that it is a true marvel. There are around two dozen of them in addition to the two glove compartments, and the box between the front seats alone is so large that it can only be searched successfully with a torch.

Another advantage of the car is its two sliding doors, which allow passengers in the second row to enter and exit the vehicle quickly, even in small parking situations. Even if you do not buy the panorama roof, the airy interior and huge windows provide a fantastic all-around view. This perspective protects bicycles while turning right and guarantees that the occupants can see what is going on on the road.

With a cabin width of 1.49 meters at the front and 1.47 meters between the door panels at the back, the passengers have plenty of room to move around, and with a vehicle height of 1.84 meters, headroom is not an issue. In addition, anyone who has to put the beverage crates into the trunk for the garden party will appreciate the low loading edge of 60 centimeters and 1.20-meter width of the loading aperture. When backing up, though, make sure you are at least 1.30 meters away from the subsequent obstruction. This is the amount of swiveling range the flap needs to open fully.

If you look closely at the inside, you will observe that harsh plastic panels are used extensively, not adding to the coziness and pleasant atmosphere. The option to modify the height of the front seat belts would have been ideal as well. The chairs in the front have just modest side bulges, allowing for a smartphone or a beverage area to be placed on its own in a quick curve.

The test car presented a battery charge's helpful in various real-world scenarios. Of course, given the winter, it was not expected that the Opel Combo-e would fulfill the manufacturer's standards of 273 kilometers (inner-city up to 395 according to WLTP), but the promised 250 kilometers after a night on the network appear to have just theoretical relevance.

The rule in the documented travels was a significant difference between the estimated range and the actual kilometers traveled. In one instance, 72 kilometers were actually traveled, although the advertised range was lowered by 150 kilometers. When 50 kilometers were driven in a row in another attempt, the stated range was reduced by 96 kilometers.

After all, with a 100 kW station, you won't have to wait long. The battery can be charged to 80 % within half an hour, and the voyage resumes. According to Opel, the average consumption is 20.3 kWh per 100 kilometers. The accompanying Mode 2 charging cable is six meters long, well-dimensioned, and simple to use.

The Opel Combo-e accelerates rapidly due to its 100 kW (134 hp) output and 260 Nm torque, although the top speed is electronically limited to 130 km/h to conserve battery power. The test automobile was outfitted with winter tires that were certified for speeds of up to 240 km/h. The cabin is relatively quiet at 100 km/h, with 60 dB (A). Except for the little effortless steering, the driving qualities were faultless.

Roof rails, side protection strips, reversing camera, cruise control, high beam assistance, rain sensors, DAB radio, automatic air conditioning, lane-keeping assistant, and traffic sign recognition are among the standard features on the "Life" package. The Premium Ultimate Package for 2500 Euros includes a head-up display (with projection screen), parking pilot, navigation device, panoramic roof, keyless access system, and wireless charging cradle for the smartphone.