Opel will bring one of his best horses freshly strengthened from the stable: the new Zafira is to put pressure on the endless horde of Familienvans. His focus: The main competitors of Touran, Sharan and Galaxy.

The Sabertooth has succeeded in mass production. After the Ampera, the Zafira is the second model with the new face of Opel brand. However, the new space shuttle has bite of plenty of not only visually. With a total length of 4.66 metres, he wants to here and it’s main competitors, VW Touran, Sharan and Ford Galaxy under fire take between the worlds. And the whole thing with known strengths and new qualities. Especially in the case of the variability of Familienvan with the Flash logo has can rise significantly. It is only today no longer done with five to seven seats. So, the Zafira, which carries the redundant name fridge “Tourer” in its third generation, in the second row is a cozy chair environment. “No one else provides our lounge seats for the second series”, explains Andreas Häfele, located of the Zafira. Unfortunately, this is standard only in the top model.

In the normal state, three people have on the Zafira rear seat. Because most customers have two children, the middle seat in the lounge package with three handles can be used to the lush Central arm rest. Häfele “our outdoor seats can be moved 28 centimetres in length”, shows with a handle under the seat, “The seats glide also inches towards the Centre of the vehicle and allow such a larger shoulder room.” “More convenient as it gets.”

The four single seats in the operation are not enough for whom, can back build the arm rest unceremoniously back to the full seat. There are two additional seats, where even medium-sized adults find their place – passage included in series three. The capacity of Familienvans lies between 152 and 1,860 litres depending on the seating configuration. The maximum payload; 702 kg. The flat cargo area when the seats close is pleasant. Opel engineers have goofed, however, in the trunk lid. This can be not even charge electrically operated. Most competitors such as also the insignia sports tourer group brother have this comfort feature. Pleasant you can also sit in the second row of the Zafira, so a few advanced features are the local inmates available. Heated seats, a separate air conditioning, DVD entertainment or a 220 volt power supply the Zafira offers nothing of all this. Also the lounge chair can not conceal.

Even with the standard equipment, there are many gaps. Power Windows, rear or a Clima there sport or innovation from the factory as well as seven seats only models. This persuades the safety features of the families Zafira. There are ESP, numerous airbags and ABS as standard. On request, you can equip the Opel with details such as parking attendant, Abstandstempomat, and wizards for traffic sign recognition, lane keeping and blind spot.

Most customers will satisfy the range from 115 to 165 HP from three diesels, three gasoline units, and a gas model. Especially the two larger diesel versions with 130 and 165 HP should enjoy the greatest popularity. Especially the 121 KW / 165 HP strong two-litre diesel of the Zafira 2.0 CDTI offers his driver good performance at low power. So the 1.7-tonne maneuverability with 5.2 liters diesel per 100 kilometers is to be satisfied. Automatic start stop feature is series. 0 to 100 km/h creates the Opel in 9.8 seconds and the maximum speed is located at 208 km/h. A clutch-transmission is not in the program; the optional automatic transmission increases travel comfort; increases consumption but to six litres. Who on the way will be more economical, should choose 130-HP diesel on the. He creates still 193 km/h and is satisfied with 4.5 liters diesel per 100 kilometers.

Technically, the 4.66 metres long Zafira is related to the Opel Insignia and Astra models. The larger insignia are large parts of the front axle. Rear, it must do the Astra. Therefore, the Zafira also not with an optional all-wheel drive is to get. “For the demand for us is just too small,” Andreas Häfele admits knowing that the competition here in the Alpine region can collected many of our clients. The chassis is one of the strengths of the Zafira as well as the variability. The comfort is neat and 980 euros expensive electronic damper setting the riders between three different modes can choose. The steering is precise, could deliver little more feedback from the road.

Price starts at the Opel Zafira 1.8 at 22.950 euros. But hardly anyone for the little attractive base engine with 115 HP and manual five-speed transmission is likely interested in. The two lower trim levels of selection and Edition offer little more than automobile home cooking at all. So it should be at least the Zafira sport or be better equal the Zafira innovation. As a high-performance petrol engine is missing, the 140 HP strong Opel Zafira is 1.4 Turbo sport for 28.250 euros. Diesel engines recommend stronger both with 130 and 165 HORSEPOWER, which cost at least 31.150 or 33.505 euro as innovation. Then there is the small navigation system, comfort seats, Xenon light, seven seats as well as rain sensor and abblendbare rear-view mirrors as standard. But even with the top model controlled luggage storage through cargo and organizer package 345 euros, parking aid, and seat heating cost 690 euro and a Bluetooth interface 300 euro.