[Ed753]

So yesterday morning on my way into Milford Proving Ground, for one of my periodic visits, as I'm siting at the light, I look in my rear view mirror and see the Opel "flash" on the grille, it was a rather odd looking vehicle, so I went slow, allowing him to pass me for a better look, this was it, driving around in full street trim, Opel Zafira Tourer!

Has anyone heard about this, seems to fit in and around the Ford Transit Connect or Mazda 5 by the looks of it.

 

[zl-1]

Probably just some GM test fleet car. I think it would be interesting to offer a small minivan in the US; Buick could use that.

 

[Ruperts Trooper]

Back in '96, Opel/Vauxhall introduced the Sintra, a mid-size MPV, built in the US, at Doraville Georgia, on the U-body platform and derived from the SWB Chevrolet Venture. The built quality was atrocious, reliability was appalling and it finished bottom of the JD Power survey - sales never got going and the model was discontinued in '99.

In '99, Opel/Vauxhall introduced the Zafira-A, a compact MPV with 3-row/7-seats, based on the Astra-G platform which took over the MPV role although it wasn't a direct successor - it was the first 7-seat compact MPV in Europe and spawned competitors from other manufacturers.

The Zafira-B was introduced in '05, based on the Astra-H platform.

The Zafira-C, aka Zafira Tourer, was introduced in '11 using the Astra-J platform but going up in size to a mid-size MPV to counter Ford's S-Max - the Zafira-B remains in production as the Zafira Family.

Since the Astra-K is imminent, you may have seen a development version of the Zafira-D as Opel/Vauxhall development is carried out around the world to get varied climatic and road conditions, not just in countries they're about to be sold into.

 

[sfbreh]

I'm clicking but it just ain't working.

 

[calgaryhhr]

Zafira would be much better than the crappy Orlando that GM has bestowed upon us.

 

[MechEng]

Yes please! Make it a Buick add a Voltec option and it will find a place in my driveway.

 

[Toto]

Zafira would be much better than the crappy Orlando that GM has bestowed upon us.

Maybe, but Zafira Tourer is more expensive. A fully loaded 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo in highest trim level cost €42,000 (without VAT) in Germany. For that money you could get two base Orlandos. It would fit better as a Buick.

 

[Toto]

Probably just some GM test fleet car. I think it would be interesting to offer a small minivan in the US; Buick could use that.

Indeed, Opel (and many others) testing cars quite often in the US. For example the Astra J 5-door at Death Valley with two Vectras as bodyguards.

 

[calgaryhhr]

Maybe, but Zafira Tourer is more expensive. A fully loaded 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo in highest trim level cost €42,000 (without VAT) in Germany. For that money you could get two base Orlandos. It would fit better as a Buick.

It wouldn't matter to me whether GM brought it to NA as a Buick, Chevy or GMC because it would be a great alternative to the slew of uninspired CUV's currently available from GM.

 

[Butz]

Could use a Transit Connect competitor.

 

[mchicha]

Grass is always so green on the other side.

 

[megeebee]

Could use a Transit Connect competitor.

The Zafira is a completely different animal. It's not designed as a delivery van, but a mid-range people mover.