January 22, 2008Print this page
A sportier look, three more powerful and economical engines and new model variants that offer even greater value for money, the second-generation Opel Zafira is all set for its February 2008 market launch.
Sporty design accents and the enhanced interior emphasize the fully variable seven-seater’s distinctive powerful appearance. The new model of course features the Zafira’s trademark variable Flex7 seating system – an unrivalled innovation that transforms the car’s interior from a seven to a five, four, three or two-seater in seconds without cumbersome removal of the seats, and has also set flexibility standards beyond its own segment. As a five-seater, it even exceeds all seven-seat compact vans with its 645-liter load volume, and has a trunk capacity of 1820 liters in its two-seat configuration.
This design masterstroke has helped drive the Zafira’s sales success since 1999: the two-millionth Zafira is expected to leave the production lines during the new model’s market launch. Together with the smaller Meriva, the Zafira has led the monocab segment in Europe since the Meriva’s market launch in 2003.
The new, refined 1.6 ECOTEC gasoline engine produces 85 kW/115 hp and is Zafira’s new high-volume engine. Opel also continues to pursue its engine downsizing strategy with two highly economical 1.7 CDTI common-rail turbo-diesel engines (81 kW/110 hp and 92 kW/125 hp). Customers enjoy significantly higher driving performances and still save fuel. The improved fuel economy also corresponds to a CO2 reduction compared to the previous top-selling engines.
The engine range is further expanded by the especially economical and environmentally friendly 1.6 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) unit. This natural gas-powered Zafira also sets standards: with an average fuel consumption of around five kg of H-gas per 100 km, fuel costs are reduced considerably. Tax and insurance levels are on par with the technologically similar 1.6-liter ECOTEC gasoline unit. The 69 kW/94 hp natural gas-powered Zafira also offers clear benefits in environmental compatibility: this type of propulsion produces 80 percent less nitrogen oxide than a diesel, and the exhaust gases contain almost no soot particles. Average CO2 emissions are just 138 g/km – a top value in the compact van segment. With six passengers plus driver, the Zafira 1.6 CNG – available as an Opel ecoFLEX model from spring 2008 – produces just 20 g CO2/km and passenger.
What the Opel executives say about the New Opel Zafira:
"The new Zafira is exactly the right offer at the right time. We know that customers are very satisfied with our bestseller’s functionality and versatility, and now we’ve given the Zafira an even sportier look and equipped it with more economical engines. This maintains the Zafira’s benchmark position in the European compact MPV class."
Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, GM Europe
"Despite greater output from both the 1.6 ECOTEC gasoline engine and 1.7 CDTI units, we were able to reduce consumption and emissions once again. This benefits the environment and drivers’ budgets. Customers also pay less motor vehicle tax thanks to the smaller engine displacements. Opel engines perfectly combine the virtues of driving fun and economy."
Rita Forst, Executive Director Product Engineering, GM Powertrain
"We wanted to give our Icon of flexibility a dynamic, upscale new fresh face and further refine its quality of execution."
Mark Adams, Vice President, GM Design Europe
"A key characteristic of the Opel brand is that we make innovative and useful technology features available to a wide customer base. We call this democratization of high-tech. There have been many impressive examples of this throughout our brand’s history, and the new Zafira is no exception."
William Mott, Marketing Manager Europe – Compact Cars
gmeurope
Sporty design accents and the enhanced interior emphasize the fully variable seven-seater’s distinctive powerful appearance. The new model of course features the Zafira’s trademark variable Flex7 seating system – an unrivalled innovation that transforms the car’s interior from a seven to a five, four, three or two-seater in seconds without cumbersome removal of the seats, and has also set flexibility standards beyond its own segment. As a five-seater, it even exceeds all seven-seat compact vans with its 645-liter load volume, and has a trunk capacity of 1820 liters in its two-seat configuration.
This design masterstroke has helped drive the Zafira’s sales success since 1999: the two-millionth Zafira is expected to leave the production lines during the new model’s market launch. Together with the smaller Meriva, the Zafira has led the monocab segment in Europe since the Meriva’s market launch in 2003.
The new, refined 1.6 ECOTEC gasoline engine produces 85 kW/115 hp and is Zafira’s new high-volume engine. Opel also continues to pursue its engine downsizing strategy with two highly economical 1.7 CDTI common-rail turbo-diesel engines (81 kW/110 hp and 92 kW/125 hp). Customers enjoy significantly higher driving performances and still save fuel. The improved fuel economy also corresponds to a CO2 reduction compared to the previous top-selling engines.
The engine range is further expanded by the especially economical and environmentally friendly 1.6 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) unit. This natural gas-powered Zafira also sets standards: with an average fuel consumption of around five kg of H-gas per 100 km, fuel costs are reduced considerably. Tax and insurance levels are on par with the technologically similar 1.6-liter ECOTEC gasoline unit. The 69 kW/94 hp natural gas-powered Zafira also offers clear benefits in environmental compatibility: this type of propulsion produces 80 percent less nitrogen oxide than a diesel, and the exhaust gases contain almost no soot particles. Average CO2 emissions are just 138 g/km – a top value in the compact van segment. With six passengers plus driver, the Zafira 1.6 CNG – available as an Opel ecoFLEX model from spring 2008 – produces just 20 g CO2/km and passenger.
What the Opel executives say about the New Opel Zafira:
"The new Zafira is exactly the right offer at the right time. We know that customers are very satisfied with our bestseller’s functionality and versatility, and now we’ve given the Zafira an even sportier look and equipped it with more economical engines. This maintains the Zafira’s benchmark position in the European compact MPV class."
Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, GM Europe
"Despite greater output from both the 1.6 ECOTEC gasoline engine and 1.7 CDTI units, we were able to reduce consumption and emissions once again. This benefits the environment and drivers’ budgets. Customers also pay less motor vehicle tax thanks to the smaller engine displacements. Opel engines perfectly combine the virtues of driving fun and economy."
Rita Forst, Executive Director Product Engineering, GM Powertrain
"We wanted to give our Icon of flexibility a dynamic, upscale new fresh face and further refine its quality of execution."
Mark Adams, Vice President, GM Design Europe
"A key characteristic of the Opel brand is that we make innovative and useful technology features available to a wide customer base. We call this democratization of high-tech. There have been many impressive examples of this throughout our brand’s history, and the new Zafira is no exception."
William Mott, Marketing Manager Europe – Compact Cars
gmeurope
I read on http://www.carchannel.be that there's a 5-door and a 4-door?