VAUXHAL L COMBO LS
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• Gearing in the Combo is a bit weird. Progress in first is good, promising fast acceleration that later gears and the 1.7-litre engine just can't deliver. Lose momentum on hills at your peril.
But this speed, or lack of it, isn't much worse than the Volkswagen's and we expect most operators in this sector to be more interested in areas like productivity—and the tall gearing does give good Fuel returns. And perhaps it's a good thing the Vauxhall doesn't go like the clappers: its handling can be very light and it's a bit of a handful on motorways from time to time. However, the brakes are excellent and only really beaten by the Volkswagen's optional ABS system. Retardation feels very safe and easy to control. The load area in the Combo comes decked out with a rubberised mat, half-height sidewall panelling and tie-downs. This is the only van in this test to sport a full width, full-height load restraint as standard. The top half is wire mesh, the bottom section is a steel bulkhead. Good job.
Once again a Euro pallet can be accommodated, but it will sit on the highest deck of the quartet, at 630mm, with the lowest available payload on test, at just 483kg including a 75kg driver. Maximum payload option in the Combo range is 708kg.
To its credit, Vauxhall offers the most information on how much various options might take away from your eventual payload in some of its literature; something other manufacturers would do well to copy.
While the rear doors open to 180° like all the others, the operation of the release is the most fiddly to use. The system locks the doors securely enough but
demands a good deal of wiggling about to release and re-engage when opening beyond 900. A good nudge from a pallet might be able to put one out of commission for good.
Storage is OK but certainly not exceptional, with slender side pockets compensated for by a large overhead storage area.
Seats are very comfortable; the driver's is adjustable for reach, rake and height as standard. Visibility is good for this type of van, with well-placed wing mirrors (but they are not adjustable internally).
Security-wise the Combo feels like Fort Knox with deaclbolts, immobilisers and laser trip wires. All right, we made the last one up, but the immobiliser is very James Bond and drove us mad within minutes. Open the door and the cab greets you with a series of pips that increase in frequency and urgency like the timer of a bomb planted by SMERSH.
We failed more than once to insert the necessary special key to abort the countdown before critical mass was reached and the alarm sounded. Loudly. Vauxhall describes the system as "acclaimed" and it is certainly an excellent feature if you need extra security.