Geneva 08: Facelifted Opel Zafira

[Toto]

Geneva 08: Facelifted Opel Zafira
http://www.gminsidenews.com














High-Resolution Images

Rüsselsheim/Geneva. After its world premiere last December in Bologna and its first few days at dealerships, the new Opel Zafira is now one of the highlights at the Geneva Motor Show. The fully variable compact MPV cuts a distinctive, powerful figure with its sporty design accents. New model variants and three more powerful engines with reduced fuel consumption make the bestseller even more attractive and offer greater value for money. The innovative Flex7 seating system, which has made the Zafira the epitome of flexible seven-seaters, is of course also on board ex works. With its unrivalled variability, it enables a transformation of the car’s interior in seconds without cumbersome removal of the seats.

New engines offer greater output with lower consumption

The Zafira’s engine range is expanded by three new units, which offer customers a double benefit: lower fuel consumption – and thereby reduced CO2 emissions – combined with greater output. The new, refined 1.6 ECOTEC gasoline engine with seamlessly adjustable intake and exhaust camshafts (Cam-Phase) produces 85 kW/115 hp. It replaces the 1.6-liter four-cylinder unit with 77 kW/105 hp as the Zafira’s new entry-level gasoline engine. Opel continues to pursue its engine downsizing strategy with two highly economical 1.7-liter CDTI common-rail turbo-diesel engines (81 kW/110 hp and 92 kW/125 hp). The new diesels replace the 1.9-liter with 74 kW/100 hp and 1.9-liter with 88 kW/120 hp and manual transmission.

The new 1.6-liter gasoline unit with five-speed manual transmission requires an average of 7.1 liters of fuel per 100 km, which is a 4.3 percent reduction compared to the predecessor engine. The new engine also boasts improved elasticity, smoothness and 155 Nm of torque (3.3 percent higher).

With an average consumption of 5.7 liters per 100 km, both new diesel units are around five percent more economical than the 1.9 CDTI engines they replace. Both come with six-speed manual transmission and – like all Zafira diesels – a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter as standard. The 1.7 CDTI engines feature common-rail direct injection and four-valve technology with swirl control for pronounced refinement, high responsiveness and exemplary fuel efficiency.

The new Zafira is available with a range of ten engine variants: five gasoline, four turbo-diesels, plus the especially environmentally friendly 1.6 CNG engine optimized for natural gas operation for the most economical Zafira. A 240 hp turbo engine makes the OPC variant the fastest van in the world.

Pronounced design elements for dynamic look

The new Zafira is characterized by pronounced front and rear design elements. The wide chrome beam with integrated Opel logo and fully chromed two-part radiator grille fins give the Zafira a confident look. The distinctive lines around the fog lamp recesses also integrate the bumper into the dynamic V-styling; headlamp housings are in chrome-look. Other new eye-catching features include two transparent 3-D cells in the red tail lamps. The design enhancement is rounded off by the rear lamps’ silvery white strip, which crosses over into the rear chrome beam. The interior boasts glossy chrome-ringed climate and radio control elements, new decorative trim on the instrument panel and doors, as well as piano lacquer trim for the Cosmo variant. The infotainment systems with navigation, CD, DVD and MP3 functions also have stereo inputs for external audio equipment, such as an iPod.

Technological excellence and high safety standards

The new-edition Zafira also offers innovative technological highlights unique in this vehicle class.

These include the adaptive IDSPlus chassis system (Interactive Driving System) with electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC) and further improved Trailer Stability Assist (TSA). Another highlight is the AFL bi-xenon headlamp system (Adaptive Forward Lighting) with dynamic curve light, which Opel introduced to the compact MPV segment with the Zafira. Also unique is the panorama roof, whose four tinted glass panels give the car’s design an even more elegant and dynamic look from the outside. In strong sunlight, the panorama roof’s power-operated shading system covers all panels simultaneously and in perfect synchronization (with one shade per panel). Hill Start Assist (HSA), Open & Start keyless entry system and high-quality infotainment systems round off the Zafira’s technological features.

The Zafira’s standard SAFETEC system ensures maximum safety. It ranges from the Interactive Driving System (IDS) with McPherson front axle, patented torsion-beam rear axle and electronic assistance systems to the numerous occupant protection elements. The Zafira comes ex works with eight airbags, active head restraints, ISOFIX child seat mountings and the Pedal Release System (PRS), which decouples the pedals in the event of a frontal collision.

[mbukukanyau]

That interior does look cheap, with Opel Partsbit type products.
What is the reputation of Opel in Europe? truthfully?

[Toto]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

That interior does look cheap, with Opel Partsbit type products.
What is the reputation of Opel in Europe? truthfully?

Like Chevrolet in USA.

[Butz]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

That interior does look cheap, with Opel Partsbit type products.
What is the reputation of Opel in Europe? truthfully?

I don't see how you can see the interior as cheap? I think it is very nice and elegant.
The whole car looks a lot nicer now.

[montrealvue]

Hopefully they keep it much the same as shown if/when it comes over and joins the Saturn lineup.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

What is the reputation of Opel in Europe? truthfully?

Top seller in a much more highly contested market than here.



GM, now slap a Saturn badge on that thing and get it here, PRONTO!!

And I LOVE that piano black on the insde, so nice.

[Hitman1970]

Kill the Outlook over here and bring that over here. I am sure that will fit in better with what Saturn shoppers would be looking for. Functional, reasonable, and not a GM rebadge (for NA anyway).

[NoNameDenton]

I would definitely like to see that engine show up in some US GM vehicles

[Koasterking]

That'll be a nice micro van for GM. I'd get one.

[NoNameDenton]

Originally Posted by Koasterking

That'll be a nice micro van for GM. I'd get one.

Would do well to compete against the Mazda5 and to a lesser extent, the Kia Rondo (I say lesser extent because the Rondo does not have sliding doors like the Mazda)

[CJ Thunder]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

Top seller in a much more highly contested market than here.



GM, now slap a Saturn badge on that thing and get it here, PRONTO!!

And I LOVE that piano black on the insde, so nice.

Looks like a taller Astra and a competitor for the Mazda 5, should have been a Saturn besides the Outlook. I wonder what would have sold more though?

[NoNameDenton]

Originally Posted by CJ Thunder

Looks like a taller Astra and a competitor for the Mazda 5, should have been a Saturn besides the Outlook. I wonder what would have sold more though?

Hard to guess, the Mazda5 is based off the Mazda3, which is built on the same platform as the Volvo S40, so it is safe and sporty, but the Opel looks better and if it brought the diesel with it, could be more fuel efficient

[BigAls87Z28]

This would be a cool car...but that would make the third people carrier for Saturn.
Looks really good, and a great idea for a small family car.
The engines would be poorly underpowerd for America. The Astra's 1.8 would need to be standard, with a 2.2 VVT optional.

[Snafu_SS]

Originally Posted by Butz

I don't see how you can see the interior as cheap? I think it is very nice and elegant.
The whole car looks a lot nicer now.

I agree...the interior looks better than the one of the Astra's (Saturn's at least)

The Piano-black looks very nice...this vehicle would really be cool to have here in the States. But I really wish that Astra wagon could make it over...Why are GM and Ford's best looking auto's in Europe??!!

[FenwickHockey65]

Get used to it. The Zafira is killing the Outlook if I'm not mistaken.