Opel Zafira

The Opel Zafira, also known as the Zafira Tourer since 2011,[1] is a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) produced by the German car manufacturer Opel from 1999 to 2019.[2] It was also marketed under the marque Vauxhall in the United Kingdom until June 2018,[3] the Holden marque in Australia until June 2005, and under a number of other market specific brands and names. It is the model of the Opel brand based on the chassis of the Astra small family car.

Opel Zafira
Overview
Manufacturer	Opel (General Motors)
Also called	Vauxhall Zafira
Production	1999–2019
Body and chassis
Class	Compact MPV
Body style	5-door MPV
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
Successor	Opel Zafira Life/Vauxhall Vivaro Life Opel Grandland X

Zafira A (1999–2005)

Zafira A (T98)
Overview
Also called	Chevrolet Nabira Chevrolet Zafira Holden Zafira Subaru Traviq Vauxhall Zafira
Production	1998–2005 (Germany) 2001–2012 (Brazil)
Assembly	Germany: Bochum Thailand: Rayong (GM Thailand) Brazil: São José dos Campos (GM Brazil)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact MPV
Platform	T-body platform
Related	Opel Astra G
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L Family 1 I4 (petrol) 1.8 L Family 1 I4 (petrol)[4] 2.0 L Family II turbo I4 (petrol) 2.2 L Ecotec I4 (petrol) 2.0 L X20DTL/Y20DTH I4 (diesel) 2.2 L Y22DTR I4 (diesel)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,694 mm (106.1 in)
Length	4,317 mm (170.0 in)
Width	1,742 mm (68.6 in)
Height	1,684 mm (66.3 in)
Curb weight	1,320–1,560 kg (2,910–3,439 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Subaru Exiga (for Subaru Traviq, Japan)

The first generation of the Zafira was usually referred to as Zafira A, as was customary for Opel models. Developed with the aid of Porsche,[5] the Zafira was first shown in concept form at the 1997 Frankfurt Auto Show, and entered series production in January 1999, with sales beginning in April.[6] The Zafira achieved third place in the European Car of the Year for 2000, behind only the Fiat Multipla and Toyota Yaris.

The car was based on the same T platform as the 1998 Astra G, and shared much in common with that car. The Zafira A body was used in GM/Opel's concept hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle the HydroGen3. Offered with a series of petrol engines and initially a single diesel offering, the "X" engines were replaced by the newer "Z" engine generation in 2000.[6]

These featured variable intake manifolds and were able to meet Euro 3 emissions standards. A facelift was launched in February 2003.

The Opel Zafira had seven seats arranged in three rows, the back row of which could be folded into the floor, individually or together to create more space, rather than requiring that the extra seats be physically removed from the vehicle. The system was named Flex 7. In TüV's ranking of the quality of three year old cars, the Zafira was by far the best Opel; only slightly behind the winning Ford Focus.[5]

Introduced at Geneva in February 2001, the turbocharged Zafira OPC went on sale in October 2001. With 192 PS (141 kW), this was the fastest minivan on sale in Europe.[7] Only available with a five speed manual transmission, 0–100 km/h (62 mph) can be reached in 8.2 seconds and the top speed is 220 km/h (137 mph).[4]

The popular two litre turbodiesels were complemented by a 125 PS (92 kW) 2.2 litre option in January 2002.[5] The Opel Zafira A was replaced by Zafira B in Europe, but was still sold in most other markets until 2012 (albeit that its cousin the Chevrolet Astra was discontinued in 2011), except for Australia and New Zealand, where the model was cancelled altogether.

The Zafira was sold in the Philippines from 2001 to 2005. It was the last European based Opel car to be sold in the Philippines after they stopped selling the Opel Astra in 2003. Although being sold as the Chevrolet Zafira, it was sold alongside other Opel vehicles until it the Opel name was pulled out of the Philippine-market by its distributor, GM Philippines. Zafira A production ended on 25 May 2005, in Bochum.

The Zafira was sold in Japan from August 2001 through to November 2004 as the Subaru Traviq alongside the standard Opel vehicle, where it was cancelled, and replaced later in 2008 by the Subaru Exiga – developed from the Subaru Legacy platform. According to Subaru, the name was a combination of the words "travel" and "quick",[8] however, the word more closely resembles the English word "traffic".

Due to the exterior dimensions exceeding Japanese government regulations for vehicles defined as "compact", Japanese buyers were liable for additional taxes. The Traviq was originally only available with the bigger 2.2 litre engine, although a 1.8 L, lower priced alternative was added in July 2003.[8]

The engines used were not Subaru supplied boxer engines, but were conventional in line units that were uncharacteristic to market recognised Subaru products, and all wheel drive technology was also not available.

The sale of the Zafira as a Subaru created a conflict with previously established Yanase Co., Ltd. retail dealerships, in that Yanase was already selling Opel products, like the Zafira. When production of the Traviq ended, Yanase continued to import Opel products into Japan until 2006.

The Zafira was sold in Malaysia as the Chevrolet Nabira.[9]

In June 1999, soon after the release of the Zafira, Griff Rhys Jones starred in adverts for the Vauxhall Zafira, in which he played a professor who was fascinated about the car.[10] He was dismissed by Vauxhall in April 2001, after an embarrassing advert for the Vauxhall VX220.[11]

• 
  Opel Zafira A
• 
  Opel Zafira A OPC
• 
  Vauxhall Zafira pre facelift (United Kingdom)
• 
  Vauxhall Zafira post facelift (United Kingdom)
• 
  Chevrolet Zafira (Brazil)
• 
  Holden Zafira (Australia)
• 
  Subaru Traviq (Japan)

Zafira B (2005–2014)

Zafira B (A05)
Opel Zafira B (2005–2009)
Overview
Also called	Chevrolet Zafira Opel Zafira Family (2011–2014) Vauxhall Zafira
Production	2005–2011 2012–2014 (Russia)[12]
Assembly	Germany: Bochum Poland: Gliwice Russia: Kaliningrad
Body and chassis
Class	Compact MPV
Platform	Delta platform[13]
Related	Opel Astra H Opel Meriva B
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L Family 1 I4 (petrol) 1.8 L Family 1 I4 (petrol) 2.0 L Ecotec turbo I4 (petrol) 2.2 L Ecotec I4 (petrol) 1.9 L CDTi I4 (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual[nb 1] 4-speed automatic 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,703 mm (106.4 in)
Length	4,468 mm (175.9 in)
Width	1,801 mm (70.9 in)
Height	1,801 mm (70.9 in) (2006–2008) 1,636 mm (64.4 in) (2009–present)
Chronology
Successor	Chevrolet HHR (Mexico) Chevrolet Orlando (Chile)

The second generation of the Zafira, called the Zafira B, debuted in Europe in June 2005, with sales starting on 9 July 2005. It shared the platform and mechanical parts with the Opel Astra H. In February 2007, the Zafira B was launched in Singapore. By March 2007, the model had only been introduced in Europe and Singapore.

It went on sale in Mexico in April 2006, and Chile in September 2007. In both countries, it was branded as a Chevrolet Zafira. Although this generation was replaced in the end of 2011 by the Zafira C, this model remained in production until May 2014, retailing as the Zafira Family.

Names and markets

• Vauxhall Zafira – United Kingdom
• Chevrolet Zafira – Chile and Mexico
• Opel Zafira – Europe (except for United Kingdom), Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan & South Africa

In Mexico the Opel Zafira was discontinued after the 2006MY, and replaced by the five passenger Chevrolet HHR (discontinued in Mexico since 2009).

However, by 2010, reflecting both its status as a run out model, and adverse consumer reaction to uncertainty over Opel's future, the car was outsold by the more recently facelifted Volkswagen Touran on the market in Germany, with 2,568 Zafiras sold in the first two months of the year, against 7,270 Tourans.[14]

• 
  Opel Zafira B (2005–2009)
• 
  Opel Zafira B (2009–2014)
• 
  Rear view (2009–2014)
• 
  Dashboard (Opel Zafira B 2006)
• 
  Opel Zafira OPC
  (2009–2011)
• 
  Vauxhall Zafira (United Kingdom) (2005–2009)
• 
  Vauxhall Zafira VXR (United Kingdom) (2005–2009)
• 
  Vauxhall Zafira (United Kingdom) (2009–2014)
• 
  Vauxhall Zafira (With new badge design) (United Kingdom)
• 
  Chevrolet Zafira B (2005-2009)
• 
  Chevrolet Zafira B (2009-2014)

Engines

The Zafira B's engine line up is partly carried over from the previous Astra/Zafira generation, but Opel replaced the old 2.0 and 2.2 turbodiesel I4 engines with 1.9 L common rail turbodiesels developed by Fiat (Multijet). Opel Performance Center developed a turbocharged 240 hp (180 kW) 2.0 L performance version of the Zafira B as well. A CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) version of the new Zafira with a 1.6 L engine is also available.

Petrol engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	CO2 emission (g/km)	Years	Notes
1.6 TwinPort	I4	1,598 cc	105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 6,000 rpm	150 N⋅m (111 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm	172	(2005–08)	EU4
1.6 TwinPort			115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) at 6,000 rpm	155 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm	157	(2008–11)	EU5
1.8 VVT		1,796 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6,300 rpm	175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm	168	(2005–11)
2.2 VVT		2,198 cc	150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 6,000 rpm	215 N⋅m (159 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm	197	(2005–10)	EU4
2.0 Turbo		1,998 cc	200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) at 4,900–6,000 rpm	262 N⋅m (193 lb⋅ft) at 1,850–4,900 rpm	228	(2005–09)
			240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) at 6,000 rpm	320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft)	230	(2005–10)
Diesel engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	CO2 emission (g/km)	Years	Notes
1.7 CDTI Ecotec	I4	1,686 cc	110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) at 4,000 rpm	260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm	134	2009–11	EU5
			125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) at 4,000 rpm	280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–3,500 rpm		2010–11
1.9 CDTI Ecotec		1,910 cc	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4,000 rpm	280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–2,500 rpm	167	2005	EU3
				280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 1,700–2,550 rpm	159	2005–10	EU4
			150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 4,000 rpm	315 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–2,500 rpm	167	2005	EU3
				315 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–2,500 rpm	159	2005–10	EU4

Known issues

In December 2015, safety officials in the United Kingdom asked Vauxhall to initiate a full safety recall of the model Zafira B, due to a worrying level of car fires apparently or alleged to have been caused by 'Improper Repairs'.[15]

The fires continued, even those recalled, and a second full safety recall was announced in May 2016, with all owners advised not to use the fan in speeds regulated by the "resistor pack" which contained a solder based unreliable safety critical thermal fuse, until the second recall, starting August 2016, had been carried out.[16]

On 3 May 2018, a criminal investigation into Vauxhall's handling of the fires of the Zafira B and recalls was launched in the United Kingdom.[17]

On 7 January 2020, there was a spontaneous fire in an Opel Zafira, which caused over 200 to 300 cars in a parking garage at Stavanger Airport, Sola to be destroyed. No people were harmed.[18]

Zafira Tourer C (2011-2019)

Zafira Tourer C
Overview
Also called	Opel Zafira Tourer (Europe) Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (United Kingdom)
Production	2011–2019 (LHD) 2011–2018 (RHD)
Assembly	Germany: Bochum[nb 2] Germany: Rüsselsheim[nb 3] Russia: Kaliningrad (2012–2015)[20]
Body and chassis
Class	Compact MPV
Platform	Delta II platform
Related	Opel Astra J Opel Cascada Chevrolet Orlando (first generation)
Powertrain
Engine	1.4 L A14NEL (LUH)/U14NFT I4 (petrol) 1.4 L A14NET I4 (petrol, LPG) 1.6 L A16XHT (LVP) / A16SHT/B16SHT (LWC) I4 (petrol) 1.6 L GM Opel A16XNT I4 (petrol, CNG) 1.8 L VVT I4 (petrol) 1.6 L CDTI I4 (diesel) 2.0 L CDTI/CDTI ecoFLEX/CDTI Bi-Turbo I4 (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual[1] 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,760 mm (108.7 in)
Length	4,660 mm (183.5 in)
Width	1,820 mm (71.7 in)
Height	1,690 mm (66.5 in)

The third generation of the Zafira, called the Zafira Tourer, was previewed in concept form at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, as the 'Zafira Tourer Concept'.

It was largely based on the Opel Astra J, and when the Zafira Tourer C went on sale, the Zafira B remained on sale from 2011 up to 2014, albeit in facelifted form as the "Zafira Family", to act as a smaller and cheaper version, as the Zafira Tourer C increased in size, to act as a proper rival to the Ford C-Max.[21]

A hybrid/electric version was expected to follow during 2012. This car indirectly replaced the Opel Sintra, the only previous full sized Vauxhall/Opel MPV in Europe, which was discontinued in May 1999 after just three years on sale, as a slow selling product built in the United States. The production version debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and went on sale November 2011.[22]

A natural gas version of the Zafira Tourer was announced in December 2011. A dual fuel vehicle, its CNG tank driving the car 530 kilometres, and a 14-litre petrol tank provided additional range or operation when a CNG filling station was not available.[23]

In June 2016, a facelift was unveiled for 2017 (with sales starting at the end of 2016), dropping 'Tourer' from the name when sold as an Opel. As part of the upgrade, new front and rear bumpers and new interior brought styling in line with the Opel Astra K. OnStar navigation was also introduced as part of an updated IntelliLink infotainment system, complete with 4G LTE hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Other new options for MY2017 included adaptive LED headlights, "Opel Eye" front camera, high beam assist, traffic sign assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.[24]

In June 2018, the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer was discontinued from the United Kingdom, citing the rise of SUV and crossover vehicles.[3]

• 
  Opel Zafira Tourer 1.4 Turbo
• 
  Facelift Opel Zafira (Belgium)
• 
  Opel Zafira Tourer C CNG
• 
  Opel Zafira Tourer Concept
• 
  Dashboard
• 
  Vauxhall Zafira Tourer
• 
  Facelifted Vauxhall Zafira Tourer

Engines

All engines had a six speed manual gearbox as standard, bar the 1.8 petrol, which had a five speed manual gearbox as standard. An automatic gearbox was available as an option on the 1.4T and 2.0 CDTI (165 PS), both without S/S.

An EcoFLEX version went on sale in 2012, equipped with the 2.0 CDTI (130PS) engine and it gained a Start/Stop system to make it more economical, emitting 119g/km of CO2, as for petrol variants they were 1.4T ecoFLEX with a Start/Stop system with same amount of power (120 and 140 PS) like standard versions but with lower CO2 emissions – 144g/km and better fuel efficiency.[25]

In 2013, two all new engines were introduced: 1.6 SIDI Turbo petrol engine with 170 PS and 200 PS, and newly developed 1.6 CDTI diesel engine with 136 PS. In September 2014, Opel introduced its all new generation of engines – Large Diesel engines, starting with 2.0 CDTI engine with 170 PS and 400 Nm, which is a part of new strategy in which Opel will introduce seventeen new engines, in a period from 2014–2018.[26]

Petrol engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note	CO2 emission (g/km)	Year
1.4 Turbo S/S	I4	1,364 cc	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4,900–6000 rpm	200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1,850–4,900 rpm	N/A in UK	154
			140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 4,900–6000 rpm	200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1,850–4,900 rpm		154
1.6 Turbo SIDI		1598cc	170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 6000 (4250) rpm	260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) (overboost 280 (207)) at 1650–3200 (4250) rpm		144	2013–
			200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) at 5500 rpm	280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) (overboost 300 (221)) at 1650–3500 rpm		154	2014–
1.8 VVT		1,796 cc	115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) at 5,600 rpm	175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm		169
			140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6,300 rpm	175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm		169
LPG/CNG engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note	CO2 emission (g/km)	Year
1.4 Turbo ecoFLEX	I4	1,364 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 4,900–6000 rpm	200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1,850–4,900 rpm	LPG	139
1.6 Turbo ecoFLEX	I4	1,598 cc	150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 5,000 rpm	210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) at 2,300–5,000 rpm	CNG	129
Diesel engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note	CO2 emission (g/km)	Year
1.6 CDTI	I4	1,598 cc	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4,000 rpm	320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm	N/A in UK	119	2014–2019
			136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) at 3,500–4,000 rpm	320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm		109	2013–2019
2.0 CDTI		1,956 cc	110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) at 4,000 rpm	260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm	N/A in UK	137	2011–2014
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S		1,956 cc	130 PS (96 kW; 130 hp) at 4,000 rpm	300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm	from 2013 only with AT	119; 154 with AT	2012–2019
2.0 CDTI S/S		1,956 cc	165 PS (121 kW; 163 hp) at 4,000 rpm	350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm		137	2012–2014
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S		1,956 cc	170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 3,750 rpm	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm		129	2015–2019
2.0 CDTI Bi-Turbo S/S		1,956 cc	195 PS (143 kW; 192 hp) at 4,000 rpm	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm		144	2012–2019

Awards

• The Zafira Tourer was awarded "Best Estate" at the German Car of the Year awards of 2012.
• The Zafira Tourer scored a five star rating in EuroNCAP.
• The Opel Zafira Tourer won the prestigious "Golden Steering Wheel 2012" award from German publications Auto Bild, Bild am Sonntag and twenty six European partner magazines.[27]

Notes

1. OPC version only.
2. Until 2014.[19]
3. From 2014.[19]

References

1. "Configurator". Opel.ie. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
2. "Opel moves mobility forward from Ampera to Zafira Tourer Concept". Opel Ireland. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2013. The Zafira Tourer Concept brings Insignia ambition, quality and innovative technologies to the large MPV segment.
3. "Vauxhall Zafira Tourer and GTC axed due to rise of SUVs".
4. Nötzli, Max, ed. (7 March 2002). Automobil Revue 2002 (in German and French). 97. Berne, Switzerland: Büchler Grafino AG. p. 455. ISBN 3-905386-02-X.
5. "Gebrauchtwagentest: Opels Bester" [Used car assessment: Opel's best one], AutoBild (in German), Hamburg, Germany: Axel Springer Auto Verlag, 25 February 2002
6. Automobil Revue 2002, p. 454
7. "Zafira: Facts and Figure". ramp-it.net. 24 January 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
8. "検索結果: 2001年　スバル　トラヴィック　Sパッケージ" [Great Car Pavilion: 2001 Subaru Traviq S-package] (in Japanese). Gazoo.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
9. http://autoworld.com.my/news/2005/01/05/Test-Driving-the-Chevrolet-Nabira/
10. "Rhys Jones to star in 12.5m Vauxhall Zafira launch". www.marketingweek.com. 20 May 1999. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
11. Roland Gribben (13 April 2001). "Vauxhall gives comedian the boot". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
12. "At home in Europe and the world". Opel. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014.
13. GM Delta platform
14. Ostmann, Bernd, ed. (11 March 2010). "Kräftig im Minus". Auto, Motor und Sport. 2010–07: 14.
15. Chris Choi (14 December 2015). "Vauxhall Zafira upgraded to full safety recall status". itv.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
16. "Vauxhall Zafira recall: What you need to know". ITV. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
17. "Vauxhall Zafira fires face criminal investigation". BBC News. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
18. Holter, Mikael (8 January 2020). "Hundreds of cars destroyed by fire at Norway airport". Automotive News Europe. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
19. "Opel Zafira Tourer Production To Remain In Germany". 15 May 2013.
20. "Opel Zafira". Wroom.ru (in English and Russian). Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
21. McIlroy, John (1 March 2011). "Geneva motor show: Vauxhall Zafira". Auto.cz. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
22. Phillips, Tom (8 February 2011). "Vauxhall's next Zafira previewed as Tourer Concept". Auto Express. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
23. "New CNG Zafira Tourer with Best-in-Class 530 km Natural Gas Range" (Press release). Opel. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
24. Wong, James (June 2016). "2017 Opel Zafira facelift unveiled". CarAdvice. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
25. "Opel Reveals New Zafira Tourer Before Frankfurt Show". GM Authority. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
26. "All-new Opel 2.0 CDTI: New Generation Large Diesel Debuts in Paris". Media Opel. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
27. "Opel Zafira Tourer wins 'Golden Steering Wheel 2012' award". Opel Media Europe. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.

External links

• Official Opel Zafira Tourer website (Ireland)