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| Opel/Vauxhall Zafira - by Brian G. Thornton - April 1999 | |
| Welcome to The Car Enthusiast's first ever Road Test. We admit that the Zafira is not the most exciting car to start this with, but somebody, somewhere will want to know about it - and that is why we are here - to keep you lot informed. More exciting cars will feature here in the not too distant future though - that is a promise. For the moment, please welcome freelance journalist Brian Thornton who drove the Zafira in Algarve - as ever, we would appreciate feedback on this page - email the editor. Photographs provided by Vauxhall. Brian may be contacted by email through caint.com. | |
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Zafira is pronounced sapphire, with an 'a' on the end. The new MPV from General Motors uses the Opel Astra platform and engines,
but allows seven persons to sit in three rows, with the centre row three persons wide. Its Flex7 patented feature means the third row of seats folds forward, straightens out, and folds flat to become the load area floor. Very clever stuff.
The Zafira replaces the unpopular Sintra in Europe, and goes on sale here on May 16th next. The advantage of Zafira is flexibility (hence Flex7). If the rear seats are folded flat, and the second row pushed forward, there are 1,700litres (60 cubic feet) of luggage space. This reduces to 150litres (5.3 cubic feet) if all seats are occupied. |
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| The 60/40 split second row seats slide forward by up to 540mm to give increased legroom in the rear. The front passenger seat folds to give a table top on its back and thus permits a three metre internal load length, something appreciated by board sailors! Power units start with a 1.6-litre 16 valve 100bhp ECOTEC, which gives adequate performance and should return an average 34mpg. A much more sparkling performance comes from the 115bhp 1.8-litre, which should return an overall 33.2mpg. Our run in this car was into the hills on twisty roads using intermediate gears. This did nothing for fuel consumption, but the car had oodles of acceleration when required. | |
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At year end - timed for next year's market - will be the two litre direct injection diesel, with 82bhp. While this sounds lowly, its maximum torque is 185Nm at only 1,800 revs. This means plenty of bottom-end acceleration to get and keep the car moving along with a return of 42.8mpg overall.
Despite a reference in some reports to a van, Zafira is anything but and no commercial version is planned. In this the car is different from the Citroen Berlingo Multispace and Nissan Serena. Over twisty roads Zafira showed neutral handling. Despite its height of 1684mm, it showed little body roll. Zafira will be pitched directly against the Renault M�gane Sc�nic (recently face-lifted). Prices and specifications for Zafira will not be announced until nearer the go-on-sale date. Like the Sc�nic, all versions will have ABS brakes and there will be no 'base' level model here and may be expected to start around IR�18,000 - a little less in the UK. The Zafira is 183mm longer than the Sc�nic but 300mm shorter than most other seven seat people carriers, which makes for easier parking. It chassis is only 90mm longer than Astra. |
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