Vauxhall unveils 2018 Combo panel van

Vauxhall is renewing its small van range with the launch of the all-new Combo. The next-gen panel van will be larger than ever before, capable of carrying two Euro pallets. The Vauxhall Combo will go on sale in late 2018 and be priced in the region of £16,000 before VAT.

Arriving in Vauxhall showrooms in December, the Combo is based on the same platform as the Citroen Berlingo and is available in two wheelbases. In its largest form, it'll shift payloads weighing up to 1000kg, while its load volume of 4.4 cubic metres will make it much more practical than the outgoing modle that was built in partnership with the Fiat Doblo. 

Longer items up to 3440mm, such as pipes and ladders, can be stored at an angle without having to leave the rear door open, thanks to the rear swing doors and roof hatch. Crew bodystyles will also allow the van to carry up to five adults and all vans will get an overload warning system that will warn the driver when the van approaches its legal load limit. 

Vauxhall hasn't released any details on engines, but the new Combo is expected to feature the same engines as the Berlingo, with a 130PS 1.5-litre diesel offered alongside a 110PS or 130PS 1.2-litre petrol. Both will be mated to a six-speed manual or EAT8 automatic gearbox. There are no details about fuel economy or emissions. 

Depending on spec, the Combo will provide two or three seats in the front, along with touchscreen navigation and automatic speed sign recognition. Safety tech will include automatic city braking, lane keep assist and driver downiness system that will remind the driver to take a break if it detects they're driving in a manner that suggests they're tired. 

Other innovations available include a Rear View Camera that acts as a “digital” rear view mirror, while a second camera in the passenger side door mirror ensures that the driver has an additional blind spot detection aid.

In cab storage will be plentiful with an overhead shelf, a drawer under the driver's seat and door bins that will easily accommodate a litre bottle of water. There will also be lots of mobile phone and portable sat nav charging points, with a pair of USB sockets, two 12V sockets and a single 220V socket.