Opel Zafira

Opel Zafira
Overview
Manufacturer	Opel (General Motors)
Production	1999–present
Body and chassis
Class	Compact MPV
Body style	5-door MPV
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Opel Sintra (3rd generation)

The Opel Zafira, also as the Zafira Tourer since 2011,^[1] is a compact MPV produced by the German car manufacturer Opel, since January 1999. The third generation launched in 2011.^[2]

It has also been marketed under the Vauxhall marque in the United Kingdom, the Holden marque in Australia, as well as under a number of other market-specific brands and names.

Zafira A (1999–2005)

Zafira A
Overview
Also called	Chevrolet Nabira Chevrolet Zafira Holden Zafira Subaru Traviq Vauxhall Zafira
Production	1999–2005 2001–2012 (Brazil)
Assembly	Bochum, Germany Rayong, Thailand (GM Thailand) São José dos Campos, Brazil (GM Brazil)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact MPV (M)
Platform	T-body platform
Related	Opel Astra G
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L Family 1 I4 (petrol) 1.8 L Family 1 I4 (petrol)[3] 2.0 L Family II turbo I4 (petrol) 2.2 L Ecotec I4 (petrol) 2.0 L Y20DTL/DTH I4 (diesel) 2.2 L Y22DTR I4 (diesel)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,694 mm (106.1 in)
Length	4,317 mm (170.0 in)
Width	1,742 mm (68.6 in)
Height	1,684 mm (66.3 in)
Curb weight	1,320–1,560 kg (2,910–3,439 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Subaru Exiga (for Subaru Traviq) (Japan)

The first generation of the Zafira is usually referred to as Zafira A, as is customary for Opel models. Developed with the aid of Porsche,^[4] the Zafira was first shown in concept form at the 1997 Frankfurt Auto Show, and entered series production in January 1999, with sales beginning in April.^[5]

The car was based on the same platform as the 1998 Astra G and shared much in common with that car. The Zafira A body was used in GM/Opel's concept hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle the HydroGen3. Offered with a series of petrol engines and initially a single diesel offering, the "X" engines were replaced by the newer "Z" engine generation in 2000.^[5] These featured variable intake manifolds and were able to meet Euro 3 emissions standards.

The Opel Zafira has seven seats arranged in three rows, the back row of which can be folded into the floor to create more space, individually or together, rather than requiring that the extra seats be physically removed from the vehicle. The system was named Flex 7. In TüV's ranking of the quality of three-year-old cars, the Zafira was by far the best Opel, only slightly behind the winning Ford Focus.^[4]

Introduced at Geneva in February 2001, the turbocharged Zafira OPC went on sale in October 2001. With 192 PS (141 kW), this was the fastest minivan on sale in Europe.^[6] Only available with a five-speed manual transmission, 0–100 km/h (62 mph) can be reached in 8.2 seconds and the top speed is 220 km/h (137 mph).^[3] The popular 2-litre turbodiesels were complemented by a 125 PS (92 kW) 2.2 litre option in January 2002.^[4]

The Opel Zafira A was replaced by Zafira B in Europe, but was still sold in most other markets until 2012 (albet that its cousin the Chevrolet Astra was discontinued in 2011), except for Australia and New Zealand, where the model was cancelled altogether. The Zafira was sold in the Philippines from 2001 to 2005, being the last European-based Opel car to be sold in the Philippines after they stopped selling the Opel Astra in 2003.

The Zafira was sold in Japan from 2001 through 2004 as the Subaru Traviq alongside the standard Opel vehicle, where it was cancelled and replaced later in 2008 by the Subaru Exiga – developed from the Subaru Legacy platform. According to Subaru, the name was a combination of the words "travel" and "quick",^[7] however, the word more closely resembles the English word "traffic".

Due to the exterior dimensions exceeding Japanese government regulations for vehicles defined as "compact", Japanese buyers were liable for additional taxes. The Traviq was originally only available with the bigger 2.2 litre engine, although a 1.8 L, lower-priced alternative was added in July 2003.^[7] The engines used were not Subaru supplied boxer engines, but were conventional in line units that were uncharacteristic to market-recognised Subaru products, and all-wheel-drive technology was also not available.

The sale of the Zafira as a Subaru created a conflict with previously established Yanase Co., Ltd. retail dealerships, in that Yanase was already selling Opel products, like the Zafira. When production of the Traviq ended, Yanase continued to import Opel products into Japan until 2006.

• 

  Rear view

• 

  Opel Zafira A OPC

• 

  Vauxhall Zafira (United Kingdom)

• 

  Chevrolet Zafira (Brazil)

• 

  Holden Zafira (Australia)

• 

  Subaru Traviq (Japan)

Zafira B (2005–2014)

Zafira B
Overview
Also called	Chevrolet Zafira Vauxhall Zafira
Production	2005–2011 2011–2014 as Zafira Family[8]
Assembly	Bochum, Germany Gliwice, Poland
Body and chassis
Class	Compact MPV (M)
Platform	T-platform
Related	Opel Astra H
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L Family 1 I4 (petrol) 1.8 L Family 1 I4 (petrol) 2.0 L Ecotec turbo I4 (petrol) 2.2 L Ecotec I4 (petrol) 1.9 L CDTi I4 (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual[nb 1] 4-speed automatic 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,703 mm (106.4 in)
Length	4,468 mm (175.9 in)
Width	1,801 mm (70.9 in)
Height	1,801 mm (70.9 in) (2005–2007) 1,636 mm (64.4 in) (2008–present)

The second generation of the Zafira, called the Zafira B, debuted in Europe in 2004, with sales starting in 2005. It shares the platform and mechanical parts with the Opel Astra H.

In February 2006, the Zafira B was launched in Singapore. By March 2006, the model had only been introduced in Europe and Singapore. It went on sale in Mexico in April 2006 and Chile in September 2006. In both countries it was branded as a Chevrolet Zafira.

Names and markets

• Vauxhall Zafira – United Kingdom
• Chevrolet Zafira – Chile and Mexico
• Opel Zafira – Europe (except for United Kingdom), Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan & South Africa

In Mexico the Opel Zafira was discontinued after the 2006 model year, and replaced by the 5-passenger Chevrolet HHR (discontinued in Mexico since 2009).

However, by 2010, reflecting both its status as a run-out model, and adverse consumer reaction to uncertainty over Opel's future, the car was outsold by the more recently face-lifted Volkswagen Touran on the German market, with 2,568 Zafiras sold in the first two months of the year, against 7,270 Tourans.^[9]

• 

  Opel Zafira B (2005–2008)

• 

  Rear view (2005–2008)

• 

  Opel Zafira B (2008–2014)

• 

  Rear view (2008–2014)

• 

  Opel Zafira OPC
  (2008–2010)

• 

  Vauxhall Zafira (United Kingdom) (2005–2008)

Engines

The Zafira B's engine lineup is partly carried over from the previous Astra/Zafira generation, but Opel replaced the old 2.0 and 2.2 turbodiesel I4 engines with 1.9 L common-rail turbodiesels developed by Fiat (Multijet). Opel Performance Center developed a turbocharged 240 hp (180 kW) 2.0 L performance version of the Zafira B as well. A CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) version of the new Zafira with a 1.6 L engine is also available.

Known issues

In December 2015, Safety officials asked Vauxhall to initiate a full safety recall of the Zafira B model, due to a worrying level of car fires apparently or alleged to have been caused by 'Improper Repairs'.^[10]

Zafira Tourer C (2011–present)

Zafira Tourer C
Overview
Also called	Vauxhall Zafira Tourer
Production	2011–present
Assembly	Bochum, Germany[nb 2] Rüsselsheim, Germany[nb 3]
Platform	Delta II platform
Related	Opel Astra J Opel Cascada
Powertrain
Engine	1.4 L I4 (petrol) 1.6 L I4 (petrol) 1.6 L I4 (diesel) 2.0 L I4 (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual[1] 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,760 mm (108.7 in)
Length	4,660 mm (183.5 in)
Width	1,820 mm (71.7 in)
Height	1,690 mm (66.5 in)

The third generation of the Zafira, called the Zafira Tourer, was previewed in concept form at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, as the 'Zafira Tourer Concept'. It is largely based on the Opel Astra J, and has been revealed that, when the Zafira Tourer C goes on sale, the Zafira B will remain on sale, albeit in facelifted form as the "Zafira Family", to act as a smaller and cheaper version, as the Zafira Tourer C is to increase in size to act as a proper rival to the Ford S-Max.^[12] A hybrid/electric version was expected to follow during 2012. This car indirectly replaces the Opel Sintra, which was discontinued in 1999.

The production version debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and went on sale November 2011.^[13]

A natural gas version of the Zafira Tourer was announced in December 2011. A dual-fuel vehicle, its CNG tank will drive the car 530 kilometers, and a 14-litre petrol tank provides additional range or operation when a CNG filling station is not available.^[14]

• 

  Rear view

• 

  Opel Zafira Tourer C CNG

• 

  Opel Zafira Tourer Concept

• 

  Dashboard

Engines

All engines have a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, bar the 1.8 petrol, which has a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. An automatic gearbox is available as an option on the 1.4T and 2.0 CDTI (165 PS), both without S/S. An EcoFLEX versions went on sale in 2012, equipped with the 2.0 CDTI (130PS) engine and gains a Start/Stop system to make it more economical, emitting 119g/km of CO2, as for petrol variants there are 1.4T ecoFLEX with a Start/Stop system with same amount of power (120 and 140 PS) like standard versions but with less CO2 emissions – 144g/km and better fuel efficiency.^[15]

In 2013 two all new engines were introduced: 1.6 SIDI Turbo petrol engine with 170 PS and 200 PS, and new developed 1.6 CDTI diesel engine with 136 PS.

In September 2014, Opel introduced its all-new generation of engines – Large Diesel engine, starting with 2.0 CDTI engine with 170 PS and 400 Nm, which is a part of new strategy in which Opel will introduce 17 new engines, in a period from 2014–2018.^[16]

Awards

• The Zafira Tourer was awarded: Best Estate, at the German Car of the Year awards for 2012.
• The Zafira Tourer scored a 5-star rating in EuroNCAP
• The Opel Zafira Tourer wins prestigious "Golden Steering Wheel 2012" award from German publication "Auto Bild", "Bild am Sonntag" and 26 European partner magazines.^[17]

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opel Zafira.

• Official Opel Zafira Tourer website (Ireland)

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