September 2008


Opel Zafira: New Edition Of A Trendsetter

  • New engines: More output with less consumption
  • New efficiency: Fours engines in ecoFLEX league
  • Unrivalled: Unique Flex7 seating system with maximum practicality



Rüsselsheim. The new edition of the successful Zafira was launched in February 2008. It is based on the second Zafira generation, which was launched in summer 2005 and boasts unique technology, an intelligent space concept and distinctive design. The new Zafira’s engine range is expanded by the refined 1.6 ECOTEC gasoline engine with 85 kW/115 hp and two highly economical 1.7 CDTI common-rail turbo-diesels (81 kW/110 hp and 92 kW/125 hp). The Zafira’s “trademark” is of course on board − unrivalled in terms of its flexibility, the Flex7 seating system enables transformation of the interior in a matter of seconds, without cumbersome removal of the seats.

Technical highlights of the trendsetting car include the panorama roof system with integrated storage compartments and power operated shading system, as well as the IDSPlus chassis (Interactive Driving System) with electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC). Other features include steering-linked AFL bi-xenon curve light (Adaptive Forward Lighting), trailer stability assist, Hill Start Assist (HSA) and the Open & Start keyless entry system.

New in model year 2009

Until now, only the natural-gas 1.6 CNG Zafira with 69 kW/94 hp boasted the ecoFLEX environmental logo. With the start of the new model year, Opel awards this seal to the most economical and low-emission engines in a model line for every fuel type. This offers customers easier orientation as they search for particularly environmentally friendly engines. The 1.6 gasoline engine with 85 kW/115 hp and the 1.7 CDTI with 81 kW/110 hp or 92 kW/125 hp now also join the ecoFLEX family. Also new in this model year is the exterior color carbon grey, 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels in 7-spoke trapezoidal design as well as modified caps for the design wheel.

Design and packaging

The new Zafira is characterized by more pronounced front and rear design elements that give the compact MPV a sporty look. In front, these include the wide chrome beam with integrated Opel logo, the hood tapering and two-part radiator grille fins, which are fully chromed; headlamp housings are also in chrome-look. Other new eye-catching features include two transparent 3-D cells in the red tail lamps. The badge on the tailgate of the Zafira ecoFLEX models reflects their exceptional fuel-saving qualities.

Glossy chrome-ringed climate and radio control elements, as well as decorative trim on the instrument panel and doors, give the interior a very chic look. The infotainment systems with CD or DVD navigation system, as well as CD and MP3 functions, also have stereo inputs for external audio equipment, such as an iPod.

Thanks to its long wheelbase, wide track and clever packaging, there is room for up to seven passengers in three rows in the Zafira. The Flex7 seating system ensures maximum versatility: the compact MPV can easily be turned from a seven into a six, five, four, three or two-seater, without having to remove the seats. The Zafira has a maximum load volume of 1820 liters, and its 645-liter load capacity in its five-seat configuration is a best-in-class figure.

Passive safety

The Zafira’s SAFETEC system ensures maximum safety. It includes eight airbags, active head restraints, ISOFIX child seat fixtures and Opel’s Pedal Release System (PRS), which decouples the pedals in the event of a frontal impact. In the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) crash test, the Zafira achieved the maximum rating of five stars for passenger protection, and it also boasts excellent child and pedestrian protection.

Equipment and extras

The entry-level version of the Zafira already features comprehensive standard equipment. Five further equipment lines are also available. Highlights include:
Zafira − Flex7 seating system, height-adjustable driver’s seat, radio remote control central locking, heated power exterior mirrors, power windows in front, height and reach-adjustable steering wheel, cruise control
Zafira Edition (in addition to Zafira) − Air conditioning, MP3-compatible stereo CD-radio,
tilt-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, roll-up luggage compartment cover, fog lamps, Lighting package (with two front and two rear reading lamps, sun visors with illuminated make-up mirror), 16-inch steel wheels
Zafira INNOVATION (in addition to Edition) – AFL bi-xenon curve light, Electronic Climate Control (ECC), on-board computer with check control system
Zafira Sport (in addition to Edition) − Tinted heat-absorbing rear glazing,
Stereo CD-Radio CD 70 with navigation system, OPC line design side sills as well as front and rear apron lip, leather sport steering wheel, sport seats in front, IDS sport chassis, ECC, 17-inch alloy wheels
Zafira Cosmo (in addition to Edition) − Rear power windows, ECC, Stereo CD-Radio CD 70 with navigation system, leather steering wheel, panorama roof, sporty style comfort seats in front, morrocana/fabric upholstery, IDS sport chassis (for 2.0 turbo), 16-inch alloy wheels
Zafira OPC (in addition to Sport) − Keyless Open & Start entry system, rear power windows, Recaro sport seats in front, OPC leather sport steering wheel, IDSPlus2 chassis, fabric/leather upholstery, special OPC parts (exhaust system, brakes, side sills, radiator grille, roof spoiler, bumpers and door sills), 18-inch alloy wheels

The wide range of options includes the highly practical FlexOrganizer system for the load area with fixture points for various dividing elements, storage boxes, nets and hooks. The Zafira can also be ordered with various infotainment systems up to the stereo CD-Radio with DVD-supported navigation system and 6.5-inch color display.

Chassis and active safety

The basis for pronounced agility and precise handling with a high level of driving safety is the IDS (Interactive Driving System) chassis with McPherson front axle and patented torsion-beam rear axle. Every Zafira comes standard with the newest-generation Electronic Stability Program ESPPlus, Traction Control TCPlus, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), brake assist and electro-hydraulic power steering.

The optional IDSPlus chassis (standard in OPC model) with electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC) is an adaptive system in which the control units and sensors of ESPPlus, ABS and CDC exchange data constantly, thus ensuring optimal road-holding properties in all driving situations.

Engines and transmissions

There are five gasoline, one natural gas and four diesel engines available for the Zafira, with 1.6 to 2.2-liter displacements and output from 69 to 177 kW (94 to 240 hp). The 1.6 ecoFLEX with 85 kW/115 hp offers improved elasticity, smoothness and ten percent more output than the previous 1.6-liter engine. It also has lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions: the engine requires an average of 7.1 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. Both new 1.7 CDTI engines (81 kW/110 hp and 92 kW/125 hp) are also in the ecoFLEX league and come with six-speed manual transmission and maintenance-free diesel particulate filter as standard. The wide selection of engines is complemented by a transmission range which includes five and six-speed manual gearboxes, four and six-speed automatic transmissions, as well as the automated Easytronic five-speed manual gearbox.

Quality and economic efficiency

The Zafira meets the highest standards in quality, reliability and service life. Customers benefit from long service intervals and reduced scope of required maintenance, which help minimize running costs. Excellent value retention is promised by the extensively galvanized body, which Opel backs up with a 12-year anti-perforation warranty. A further benefit is the two-year new-car manufacturer’s warranty, which goes far beyond the mandatory guarantee.

Opel Zafira: Facts and figures

Timeline

  • March 2005: World premiere of second-generation Zafira and Zafira OPC at Geneva Motor Show
  • April 2005: Start of series production in Bochum
  • July 2005: Market launch in Germany – over 10,000 orders already placed Europe-wide
  • September 2005: World premiere of second-generation CNG Zafira at the IAA
  • Fall 2005: Expansion of Zafira family with high-performance OPC version
  • Fall 2006: Market launch of natural-gas powered Zafira 1.6 CNG variant
  • February 2008: New edition with design and technology enhancements
  • March 2008: Zafira 1.6 CNG gets ecoFLEX environmental logo
  • August 2008: Introduction of 1.6 and 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX variants


Highlights

  • All CDTI engines with maintenance-free diesel particulate filter as standard
  • First Opel model and one of the first cars overall to comply with regulations on pedestrian protection, in effect since October 2005 across the EU
  • First car in compact MPV segment to feature adaptive IDSPlus chassis (Interactive Driving System) with electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC) and AFL bi-xenon curve light (Adaptive Forward Lighting)
  • World premiere: glass panorama roof with integrated storage system
  • May 2005: Top rating for passenger safety in Euro NCAP crash test
  • November 2005: “Golden Steering Wheel 2005” award from German newspaper “Bild am Sonntag”
  • January 2006: First place: “Best Value 2006” awards in specialist magazine “Auto Bild”
  • May 2006: Compact MPV circuit record on the Nürburgring – 8:54.38 minutes
  • Fall 2006: Natural gas version reduces fuel costs by up to 50 percent
  • January 2007: Victory in “ADAC motorwelt” confirms series of comparison test successes in specialized and daily press, as well as in electronic media
  • March 2007: Natural-gas variant wins alternative propulsion comparison in German “Auto Bild” magazine
  • August 2007: 1.6 CNG named “Best seven-seater” in VCD Environmental Car List
  • Most popular equipment variant in Germany in first half of 2008: Edition
  • Most popular engine in Germany in first half of 2008: 1.8 ECOTEC
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