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

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.

by Opel

Opel Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo: First Turbo-charged CNG Van

• Outstanding driving dynamics with 150 hp

• Low CO2 emissions because of natural gas fuel

• High flexibility thanks to Flex7 seat system

The most powerful natural gas-propelled vehicle premieres in December when Opel presents its first Compressed Natural Gas compact van with a turbo-charger at the Bologna motor show (December 5 to 14, 2008).

The new Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo has an output of 150 hp and a top speed of 200 km/h but consumes only 5.3 kg of natural gas per 100 km in the MVEG cycle, emitting just 144 g/km of CO2. That means 60 percent more horsepower for a difference of only 6 grams in emissions than the naturally aspirated model. The new Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo will reach markets starting in January 2009.

With this latest model, Opel once again offers eco-friendly driving without compromising performance. Nor does driving a seven-seater have to be expensive. CNG is a clean fuel that is inexpensive to drive: Only 5.3 euros per 100 kilometers in Germany.

On average, the cost of driving 100 kilometers with a CNG vehicle is roughly 50 percent lower than a comparable car running on petrol. The cost of driving CNG will also remain inexpensive in the long-run, compared with other fuels because many European governments are committed to further promote CNG vehicles through tax support systems.

In 2001 Opel pioneered the CNG propulsion with the innovative monovalentplus technology, in which the motor is optimized to primarily operate on natural gas, but could also run on gasoline. The Zafira CNG Turbo 1.6-liter engine is designed to run on either natural gas, bio-methane or any mixture of the two. The unit is provided with special pistons, valves and valve seats, plus separate injection systems for natural gas and gasoline. In gas mode alone, the vehicle can drive up to 370 km, while the 14-liter reserve gasoline tank provides an additional range of 150 km for maximum flexibility. A maximum torque of 210 Nm at only 2.300 rpm will ensure plenty of power in all situations.

Thanks to the intelligently designed underfloor arrangement of the four gas tanks around the rear axle, the Zafira's interior fully retains all its advantages in terms of variability and space. Like its sister models, the 1.6 CNG Turbo boasts the unique Flex7 seating system, enabling the interior to be quickly converted from a seven-seater to a two-seater without any complicated procedure of removing the seats.

CNG is one of many alternative propulsion strategies being pursued by Opel and its parent company General Motors as part of a wider move to reduce CO2 emissions and diversify world fuel supplies.

More than 75,000 natural gas-propelled vehicles have been sold on the five largest CNG markets (Germany, Italy, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland) in Europe in the first nine months of this year – nearly as many as in all of 2007, in which 82,000 CNG vehicles were sold. In total, Opel has built more than 58,000 natural gas vehicles, making the brand the second largest producer of CNG models in Europe.

Some 26 percent of all CNG vehicles registered in Europe the first nine months of this year are compact vans. Opel expects its share in that market to increase because the turbo variant is geared not only to individual buyers, but taxi and commercial fleets as well.

At present, Opel's CNG model range includes the Zafira 1.6 CNG ecoFLEX with 94 hp and the Combo 1.6 CNG ecoFLEX also with 94 hp. In Italy, the largest single market for CNG vehicles, an especially high number of Zafira CNGs are on the road. In 2007 alone, more than 6,600 units of the CNG compact vans were sold there.

by Opel

People's Choice: Opel Zafira voted most attractive compact van

Readers award this trendsetter the Autonis design prize for fifth time

More than 14,000 readers from the automobile magazine 'auto motor und sport' (ams) can't be wrong: The newest Opel Zafira is not only the most flexible van in the compact class, but the most attractive as well.

With this latest poll, the Zafira firmly cements its leading position among compact vans: This is the fifth time the German trendsetter has been honored with the highly coveted design prize, 'Autonis' from ams magazine.

Mark Adams, Vice President Design for GM Europe, knows what it is about the Zafira that excited the Autonis voters. 'The flexible Zafira embodies Opel's competence in monocabs and we will continue to bring new design accents to this segment, as we have already indicated with our Meriva and Flextreme concept cars,' Adams said.

The Zafira's exterior has a confident and sporty look. Its special characteristic a V-form arrow and typical Opel crease in the hood give it a powerful body shoulder and a sleek aerodynamic roofline.

After an array of discrete design modifications, the second generation Zafira still looks modern and fresh even in its fourth year of sales. Thanks to a long wheel base, wide track and intelligent packaging, the Zafira seats seven passengers in three rows. The unique Flex7 system guarantees maximal variability: With only a few smooth moves, the car can be changed to seat seven, six, five, four, three or two passengers. As a two-seater, the Zafira has a maximum 1,820 liters of storage space. Configured as a five-seater, the car has 645 liters of storage room – making it the best in its class.

Adams accepted the award at the Paris auto show from 'auto motor und sport' chief editor, Bernd Ostmann.

by Opel

Opel Adds New Turbo CNG Unit To Pro-Environmental Engine Range

Higher output and torque with lower consumption and emissions

In 2009, Opel will introduce one new 1.6-liter turbo CNG engine (Compressed Natural Gas) with around 110 kW/150 hp and 210 Nm of torque. Developed by GM Powertrain in Turin, the new unit joins Opel's current aspirated CNG engine, which has the same displacement and an output of 69 kW/94 hp. 'Environmental awareness and driving fun are no longer mutually exclusive,' says Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, GM Europe. 'With this newly developed turbocharged CNG engine, we continue pursuing our strategy of turbocharging engines to increase efficiency – meaning lower consumption and emissions – without making any concessions in performance.'

Key features of the new CNG engine include a turbocharger integrated into the exhaust manifold, an intake manifold with gasoline and CNG fuel pipes, an oil cooler and piston cooling. By virtue of their propulsion units, natural gas-powered Opel vehicles produce 80 percent less nitrogen oxide than a diesel, and almost 20 percent less CO2 than a gasoline model (nearly 10 percent less CO2 than diesel). Furthermore, the exhaust gases contain almost no soot particles.

As a pioneer in natural gas vehicles, Opel broke new ground over seven years ago with the launch of the first Zafira CNG. With its monovalentplus concept, the car showcased the brand's focus on excellent efficiency combined with unrestricted everyday suitability. Thanks to this concept, Opel became the first automaker to optimize an engine for both natural gas and gasoline operation.

Opel currently offers the Combo high-roof van and highly successful Zafira compact monocab with the 1.6 CNG aspirated engine. With CO2 emissions of just 138 g/km, the Opel Zafira CNG is the most environmentally friendly seven-seater available: in 2007/2008, it was named 'Best Seven-seater' in the German Motor Club Environmental Car List – a title it has now held for five years in a row.

Opel is a leading German producer of natural gas-powered series production vehicles in Europe. A few days ago, the 50,000th CNG model left the OSV assembly lines in Rüsselsheim – seven years after production began in 2001. Last year also saw a new record with more than 12,000 Combo CNG and Zafira CNG models registered – a jump of 50 percent over the previous year. CNG vehicles continue to enjoy growing popularity, particularly in Germany and Italy.

by Opel

New Zafira: Variability With Improved Economy and Dynamics

• Three new engines offer more power combined with reduced fuel consumption

• Sporty design, technological highlights and exemplary safety

After its world premiere last December in Bologna and its first few days at dealerships, the new Opel Zafira is now one of the highlights at the Geneva Motor Show. The fully variable compact MPV cuts a distinctive, powerful figure with its sporty design accents. New model variants and three more powerful engines with reduced fuel consumption make the bestseller even more attractive and offer greater value for money. The innovative Flex7 seating system, which has made the Zafira the epitome of flexible seven-seaters, is of course also on board ex works. With its unrivalled variability, it enables a transformation of the car's interior in seconds without cumbersome removal of the seats.

New engines offer greater output with lower consumption

The Zafira's engine range is expanded by three new units, which offer customers a double benefit: lower fuel consumption – and thereby reduced CO2 emissions – combined with greater output. The new, refined 1.6 ECOTEC gasoline engine with seamlessly adjustable intake and exhaust camshafts (Cam-Phase) produces 85 kW/115 hp. It replaces the 1.6-liter four-cylinder unit with 77 kW/105 hp as the Zafira's new entry-level gasoline engine. Opel continues to pursue its engine downsizing strategy with two highly economical 1.7-liter CDTI common-rail turbo-diesel engines (81 kW/110 hp and 92 kW/125 hp). The new diesels replace the 1.9-liter with 74 kW/100 hp and 1.9-liter with 88 kW/120 hp and manual transmission.

The new 1.6-liter gasoline unit with five-speed manual transmission requires an average of 7.1 liters of fuel per 100 km, which is a 4.3 percent reduction compared to the predecessor engine. The new engine also boasts improved elasticity, smoothness and 155 Nm of torque (3.3 percent higher).

With an average consumption of 5.7 liters per 100 km, both new diesel units are around five percent more economical than the 1.9 CDTI engines they replace. Both come with six-speed manual transmission and – like all Zafira diesels – a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter as standard. The 1.7 CDTI engines feature common-rail direct injection and four-valve technology with swirl control for pronounced refinement, high responsiveness and exemplary fuel efficiency.

The new Zafira is available with a range of ten engine variants: five gasoline, four turbo-diesels, plus the especially environmentally friendly 1.6 CNG engine optimized for natural gas operation for the most economical Zafira. A 240 hp turbo engine makes the OPC variant the fastest van in the world.

Pronounced design elements for dynamic look

The new Zafira is characterized by pronounced front and rear design elements. The wide chrome beam with integrated Opel logo and fully chromed two-part radiator grille fins give the Zafira a confident look. The distinctive lines around the fog lamp recesses also integrate the bumper into the dynamic V-styling; headlamp housings are in chrome-look. Other new eye-catching features include two transparent 3-D cells in the red tail lamps. The design enhancement is rounded off by the rear lamps' silvery white strip, which crosses over into the rear chrome beam. The interior boasts glossy chrome-ringed climate and radio control elements, new decorative trim on the instrument panel and doors, as well as piano lacquer trim for the Cosmo variant. The infotainment systems with navigation, CD, DVD and MP3 functions also have stereo inputs for external audio equipment, such as an iPod.

Technological excellence and high safety standards

The new-edition Zafira also offers innovative technological highlights unique in this vehicle class.

These include the adaptive IDSPlus chassis system (Interactive Driving System) with electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC) and further improved Trailer Stability Assist (TSA). Another highlight is the AFL bi-xenon headlamp system (Adaptive Forward Lighting) with dynamic curve light, which Opel introduced to the compact MPV segment with the Zafira. Also unique is the panorama roof, whose four tinted glass panels give the car's design an even more elegant and dynamic look from the outside. In strong sunlight, the panorama roof's power-operated shading system covers all panels simultaneously and in perfect synchronization (with one shade per panel). Hill Start Assist (HSA), Open & Start keyless entry system and high-quality infotainment systems round off the Zafira's technological features.

The Zafira's standard SAFETEC system ensures maximum safety. It ranges from the Interactive Driving System (IDS) with McPherson front axle, patented torsion-beam rear axle and electronic assistance systems to the numerous occupant protection elements. The Zafira comes ex works with eight airbags, active head restraints, ISOFIX child seat mountings and the Pedal Release System (PRS), which decouples the pedals in the event of a frontal collision.

by Opel

Opel Zafira 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX: The cleanest diesel seven-seater compact van

• Best-in-class fuel consumption, with only 5.3 l/100 km

• Below tax bracket in many European countries with 139 g/km CO2

• Available now

Opel has improved the efficiency of its 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX model, reducing the carbon footprint on the Zafira seven-seater compact van by nearly nine percent to 139 g/km.

This ultra-low emissions figure also means that it's the most fuel efficient diesel seven-seat compact van on the market. Breaking the 140 g/km barrier also places the Zafira 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX below the tax bracket in many European states, such as France, the U.K. and the Nordic countries.

The 1.7 liter diesel with 81 kW/110 hp is fitted with a maintenance-free particulate filter and a six-speed manual transmission as standard. It now sips just 5.3 liters of diesel per 100 km. The reduced CO2 value of 139 g/km CO2 compares with 152 g/km on the previous model for a reduction of nearly nine percent.

'Getting the CO2 below 140g for a seven-seater van is a proud achievement. This is just one example of our commitment to continually improve the efficiency of our vehicles,' said Hans Demant, Managing Director Adam Opel GmbH.

The 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX with its 260 Nm of torque available from 2000 to 2300 rpm – the same engine as featured on the Astra ecoFLEX – reaches a top speed of 180 km/h and accelerates to 100 km/h in 13.5 sec.

Moreover, the price, starting at 22,555 euros in Germany, stays unchanged. It is available from April 6.

Opel engineers improved the fuel efficiency by modifying the Zafira 1.7 CDTI in a number of ways: They selected a longer axle ratio (3.35: 1 compared to 3.65) and a shorter gear set in first and second gear to compensate for the longer axle ratio. In addition, they reduced the friction of the water pump, optimized the engine management system, lowered the engine idle speed and reduced the power steering pump idle speed.

There are five ecoFLEX models in the Zafira family: A gasoline version (1.6; 115 hp), two diesels (1.7 CDTI; 110 and 125 hp) and two Compressed Natural Gas-powered variants. The two CNG versions include the well-known 1.6 naturally aspirated variant (94 hp; 138 g/km CO2) and a new 1.6 Turbo (150 hp; 139 g/km CO2).

The Zafira is one of Europe's most popular compact vans, favored for its ability to be transformed from a spacious load–lugger to seven-seat people carrier in a matter of seconds. Opel vehicles carrying the ecoFLEX badge offer the brand's greenest and fuel efficient engines.

by Opel