More cube with Combo Daihatsu duo
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on the road
• Vauxhall's Astramax replacement will go on sale on 21 October. The Combo is a high-cube design that mates an Astramax-derived rear end to the Corsa's passenger compartment; Vauxhall claims improved payload and load volume as well as exceptional safety features.
The new vehicle's Corsa front end is clearly recognisable, but the load compartment has been reskinned with "jellymould" side panels (see picture) and a volume increase from 2.32m3 to 2.72m3 (VDA measurement). Load length and width are slightly increased and load height goes up from 1,023mm to 1,145mm.
Overall length is much the same, but width increases to 1.686mm from the Astramax's 1,674mm, and height goes up by a significant 135mm to 1,805nun. The most noticeable departure from the Astramax is the provision of a streamlined roof box over the cab, accessible from the main load area.
The Corsa-based cab features overhead stowage and is available in two levels of trim.
Power units offered are Vauxhall's own 1.4i petrol engine and an Isuzu-sourced 1.7-litre diesel, each rated at 44kW (59hp). The diesel is available in two payloads (515kg or 700kg) while the petrol version has a usable pay load of 560kg, figures that are significantly higher than those of the Astramax equivalents.
Vauxhall emphasises the Combo's safety features: as with the Corsa, there are side-impact door beams, seat belt tensioners and "anti-submarining" ramps on the seats: an airbag option will follow next spring.
No price has yet been quoted— this should be announced when the Combo is launched at the London Motor Show