Sintra MPV (1996)

New Car Review

1996 Sintra MPV

by Paul Negyesi

The first American made Opel will debut at the Geneva Salon within a week. German sales will start in November. Still in 1996 the Sintra will appear in Austria and Switzerland and then from 1997 the rest of Europe will follow.
Currently the Ford Galaxy/Volkswagen Sharan is the most popular MPV in Europe. General Motors aims to cut their market-share.
The first sign of a globalization at GM was the Cadillac Cetera which is a slightly altered Opel Omega. In the case of the Sintra the process has been reversed, although the American brother is still unknown. But their floorpan will be the same. So the follow-up to the Pontiac Transport/Chevy Lumina MPV etc. and the Sintra will have lots in common: probably engines as well.

One thing should not be said: the Sintra looks the same as the other MPVs. Its contour follows a two-box scheme rather than a one-box.
The front box holds the engines. At the beginning a 2.2 liter 104 kW (141 bhp) engine and a 3-litre 148 kW engine (this is from the Opel Omega) will be offered and then from 1997 a diesel powertrain as well.
The next box carries the passengers. Entrance via sliding doors. GM opted for double sliding doors each side.
The Sintra should transport up to 8 persons and I'd calculat from its 4.67 metres length that its comfortable inside.

The most interesting features of the interior are the seats: the seats in the 2nd and 3rd row are made from magnesium and should be moved independently. The result is a wide range of possible seat configurations.
When the car stands the first row should be rotated 180 degrees so a comfortable picnic scene should be created.
The new Sintra MPV will be made in Doraville, Georgia alongside its American versions.

Specifications
Fuel consupmtion (l/100 km)
Engine	2.2 16v	3.0 V6
Capacity (cc)	2198	2962
Max. power (kW/bhp)	104/141 @ 5400 rpm	148/201 @ 6000 rpm
Max. torque (Nm)	202 @ 2600 rpm	260 @ 3600 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (sec)	12.8	10.9
Max. speed	181	202
city	10.7*	10.5
at 90 km/h	6.3*	8.0*
Dimensions
Length	4670 mm
Width	1711 mm
Height	1830 mm
Wheelbase	2845 mm
Kerb weight	1610-1705 kg

* factory claims