The Opel Combo Cargo follows in the footsteps of its
platform siblings from PSA and gains access to the all-wheel drive system
developed by French company Dangel. The compact van is now available
with an optional selectable AWD that gets installed by Dangel for an additional
€ 6,400 in Germany.
While that’s not cheap, the conversion also includes
protection plates for the engine and transmission, the optimization of the
steering and suspension systems, as well as a 20 mm higher ground
clearance compared to the front-wheel-drive version.
Optionally, Automobiles Dangel also offers
additional protection for the fuel tank and rear axle, as well as a 80 mm higher ground clearance. Drivers can choose between two drive modes (Eco
and Auto 4WD) via a rotary switch on the instrument panel. In Eco mode, the
Combo Cargo functions in front-wheel drive only for optimal fuel economy.
When the going gets tougher, Auto 4WD can be
engaged on the move. The viscous coupling of the central differential then
distributes part of the torque to the rear axle as soon as the front wheels
begin to lose grip. If conditions become even more demanding, the driver can
select “R. Lock” to lock the rear axle. Dangel even offers an optional
limited-slip rear differential that helps maintain traction in the most
difficult driving conditions.
The optional four-wheel-drive system is available in
combination with the most powerful engine in the van’s lineup, the 130 PS 1.5-liter turbo diesel that’s linked to a six-speed manual transmission.
Opel says the Combo Cargo 4×4 averages 6.8 liters/100 km (41.5 mpg UK) and 179
g/km CO2 as measured on the WLTP cycle.
