Opel Sintra
| Opel Sintra | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Opel (General Motors) |
| Also called | Vauxhall Sintra (United Kingdom) |
| Production | 1996–1999 |
| Assembly | United States: Doraville, Georgia (Doraville Assembly) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Large MPV (M) |
| Body style | 4-door MPV |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | U-body/GMT200 |
| Related |
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| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Chronology | |
| Successor |
Opel Zafira Tourer Chevrolet Uplander (except United Kingdom) |
The Opel Sintra was a large MPV produced under the German marque Opel for the European market. It was sold in the United Kingdom under the Vauxhall Sintra nameplate) between 1996 and 1999 by Vauxhall. The Sintra was one of the second generation U-body MPVs (known internally as GMX110s).
The name was chosen by a computer from a list of short, easy to pronounce words and not after the historic Portuguese town of Sintra. The Sintra is specifically based on the short wheelbase version of the second generation U platform and has the same wheelbase, front and rear track as the short wheelbase Chevrolet Venture and Pontiac Montana/Trans Sport, and similar exterior dimensions. Along with other U body minivans, it was made in Doraville, Georgia.
It featured a supple, quiet luxurious ride, yet had excellent road handling characteristics. ABS was standard as well as dual front airbags, dual front side airbags, and seat belt tensioners. The hood was made of aluminium in order to save weight and increase the crumple zone for safety. It had the largest interior of all the MPVs in the European market, including those from Daimler Chrysler.
It did not use the LA1 3400 V6 engine, but rather a selection of Opel engines (which had to be imported to the United States for assembly). New for this generation, cabin air filters were installed, and the filters can be accessed from behind an access panel easily accessed from inside the glove compartment.
The Sintra had an important influence on U body development, because GM wanted to keep it similar in dimensions to European large MPVs (such as the Volkswagen Sharan/Ford Galaxy/SEAT Alhambra or the Eurovans), the platform was made quite narrow, which in turn made the GMX110s narrower than the previous "dustbuster" minivans, and more importantly than most American competitors.
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