In 1999, the Zafira was one of the first of the mid-sized MPVs on the market, and it pioneered the idea of having a third row of seats that could be stowed away without removing them from the car. Six years on, and despite increased competition the Zafira remains a top seller, with sales increasing year on year in the UK. But Vauxhall decided not to rest on its laurels, and rather than simply facelift the current car, an all-new vehicle debuted in Geneva.

Sensibly, the innovative 'Flex7' seating system has been retained, allowing any combination of seats and luggage without having to remove bulky and heavy seats. The new Zafira has more space than its predecessor, but like most new cars it has grown significantly; the new car is 150mm longer and 34mm wider than the current car, but about the same height. A new option is the panorama glass roof, comprising of four large panels (with electrically operated shades) and a centre roof console incorporating five storage compartments.

Mum and dad get a large display monitor to control the various 'infotainment' options such as satellite navigation. The gear lever is raised to make the act of driving easier and free up space between the seats. Vauxhall claims that the lessons learned in the development of the new Astra have been translated to the Zafira, with bold talk of IDS (Interactive Driving System) and CDC (Continuous Damping Control). We'd expect the Zafira to roll around a bit, but in a straight line it should cut the mustard, with power outputs from 100 to 200bhp available. There are two diesel and four petrol engines available, including a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit that can power the Zafira onto nearly 140mph if you are crazy enough. In the UK, this car will be endowed with the sporty VXR badge. Watch out for our review of the new Zafira later this year on the main Road Tests page.

Shane O' Donoghue - 7 Mar 2005