Opel Zafira Tourer: World Premiere for New Master of Versatility
09/13/2011
Opel
The Opel Zafira Tourer makes its world premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt (September 15 - 25). For the first time, the public can see the automotive blend of functionality and wellness, with which Opel transports the Insignia values to the monocab segment - premium qualities, innovative technologies and sculptural, dynamic design. Opel established the seven-seat compact van segment in 1999. With an extensively re-designed Flex7 seating system, the new Zafira Tourer now sets novel standards in interior flexibility and atmosphere.
But the third-generation Zafira's innovations go well beyond this newly developed, flexible seating configuration. The Zafira Tourer as a whole demonstrates a big step forward and expresses new ambitions. It is the ideal flexible companion, not only for families. Its elegant design, spacious lounge atmosphere, upgraded chassis and new technologies enable relaxed driving with maximum comfort and safety. The second generation of the Opel Eye front camera builds the basis for a range of innovative assistance systems, and Opel is the first automaker to offer a compact van with adaptive, radar-based speed control.
The engine range on offer for the new Zafira Tourer will initially consist of highly efficient diesel and gasoline engines with output from 81 kW/110 hp to 121 kW/165 hp. Shortly after the start of sales, an especially low-consumption ecoFLEX model with a 2.0 CDTI common-rail turbo diesel and standard Start/Stop technology will join the Zafira Tourer family. The Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX, which Opel is also showing for the first time at the IAA in Frankfurt, boasts one of the values in the compact monocab class with just 119 g/km CO2. And this comes with spirited performance of 96 kW/130 hp and maximum torque of 320 Newton meters (with overboost function).
Also debuting in Frankfurt is the especially economical natural gas variant of the new Zafira Tourer. The Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG turbo ecoFLEX (110 kW/150 hp) will be on the market early next year.
Benchmark for flexibility: Second-row passengers enjoy first-class feeling
Just like in the first two Zafira generations, maximum flexibility without seat removal is the Zafira Tourer's underlying principle. Opel engineers have substantially upgraded the clever Flex7 seating concept. While the third row seats can still be folded down flush with the floor of the luggage compartment, the second row has been completely re-designed. No longer a bench, it now consists of three individual seats that can be folded flat, thus creating an even load floor. The three seats can slide longitudinally by 210 mm independently of each other.
Passengers in the second row can enjoy the unique, optional Lounge Seating system that provides generous seating space and comfort like in an upper-class sedan. Thanks to a clever folding mechanism, the back of the middle seat in the second row folds down and rotates to offer comfortable armrests for the passengers in the outer seats. The longitudinal movement of the outer seats is a best-in-class 280 mm - 70 mm more than in the standard version, and 80 mm more than in the current Zafira. The outer seats also slide 50 mm towards the center of the cabin and thus create more shoulder room, a true novelty in the segment.
The combination of both longitudinal and lateral movements ensures first-class comfort and the unique feeling of travelling in a "lounge on wheels", with maximum individual space and ergonomics. This emphasis on personal comfort makes the Zafira Tourer much more than just a family vehicle. Opel designers turned the flexible interior into a place to relax and enjoy the spacious atmosphere - be it on a business trip or a long vacation.
Unique features further enhance Zafira Tourer's flexibility
Thanks to its generous cabin layout and flexible seating system, the Zafira Tourer offers 710 liters load volume in the five-seat configuration (65 liters more than the current Zafira). When the second row of seats is folded down, the maximum load volume increases to 1,860 liters (+ 40 liters).
The Zafira Tourer also provides over 30 storage compartments including the multi-functional FlexRail center console. The new system is just one more example of high flexibility in the Zafira Tourer. The armrest including a large storage box as well as the cup holders both slide on aluminum rails to the desired position, enabling flexible use of the generous storage space between the front seats - exactly where it is most accessible and useful.
The second generation of Opel's exclusive integrated FlexFix bicycle carrier system also premieres in the new Zafira Tourer. The upgraded system is now even easier to use and offers more functionality. Instead of the previous two, now up to four bicycles can be transported with the help of a special adaptor and locked to the carrier. And it is now possible to tilt the loaded bicycle carrier to such an angle that the tailgate can be opened, making the Zafira Tourer luggage compartment accessible from the outside.
Sporty, dynamic look and premium feel
"The Zafira is Opel's flexibility icon, and we've packed even more emotion and premium qualities into its third generation," says Mark Adams, Vice President Opel Design. "The Opel Zafira Tourer makes a statement with its sporty, dynamic look and premium feel."
The distinctive front is defined by bold boomerang graphics in the lighting units that sweep from the headlights to the fog lamps. Together with the characteristic Opel center crease on the hood and strong trapezoidal grille, this creates a dynamic, progressive look - unusual for a monocab. Like in other Opel models, the wing-shaped daytime running lights are integrated in the top of the lighting unit.
With its streamlined, aerodynamic body design, the Zafira Tourer's silhouette is reminiscent of a high-speed train. The side swage line sweeps upwards towards the back, visually propelling the vehicle forward and giving the monocab the appearance of powerful forward movement.
The wing-shaped graphic is repeated in the taillights, which are optionally available in LED technology. The horizontal chrome bar carrying the Opel logo stretches far into the lighting elements, giving the Zafira Tourer an elegant, sporty look in the rear and underlining its sophisticated character.
The driver's visibility has been greatly improved thanks to a completely re-designed front with slim A-pillars, large side windows and side rear-view mirrors mounted on the doors. The light, high quality interior with materials and a look like the Opel flagship Insignia is dominated by dynamic, sculptural shapes, creating a feeling of spacious comfort. The bright, airy lounge atmosphere in the Zafira Tourer can be enhanced by the optionally available panorama windscreen that seamlessly flows into a generous panorama glass sunroof which extends all the way to the back of the vehicle.
Adaptive FlexRide chassis control enhances driving comfort and safety
The Zafira Tourer's chassis provides outstanding comfort and safety reserves. Compared to the current Zafira, the wheelbase and tracks have increased substantially to the benefit of ride comfort and dynamic stability: The wheelbase is now 2,760 mm (+ 57 mm), while the tracks are 1,584 mm in front (+ 96 mm) and 1,588 in the rear (+ 78 mm).
The Zafira Tourer features the front axle of the Insignia, with an isolated sub-frame and a McPherson strut. The layout of the rear axle is unique in the monocab segment. Like in the new Astra, it combines a compound crank with a Watt's link. This construction is lighter and more compact than a multi-link axle and provides outstanding driving stability with reduced body roll, exceptional comfort and high noise insulation. It also allows enough space to fit the integrated FlexFix bicycle carrier.
The intelligent, mechatronic FlexRide chassis optionally available in the Zafira Tourer offers even higher comfort, safety and driving dynamics. The adaptive chassis control automatically adapts to prevailing road conditions, cornering speed, vehicle movements and individual driving style. FlexRide offers a choice of three settings: the balanced Standard mode, the comfort-oriented Tour mode and the more active Sport mode.
Greater driving safety thanks to intelligent assistant systems
Innovative driver assistant systems together with the second generation of the Opel Eye front camera and optional front radar make driving in the new Zafira Tourer safer and even more relaxed:
The Following Distance Indication helps to prevent collisions, and also to avoid possible fines for not maintaining the correct safety distance to the car in front. The central driver display shows the corresponding distance value in seconds.
If the Zafira Tourer gets into a critical situation where a collision with the preceding vehicle is imminent, its Forward Collision Alert warns the driver with a loud audible alarm as well as visual warning. The driver can adjust the sensitivity of the feature over a control switch on the steering wheel. If the driver does not react to the visual and audible FCA warnings, Collision Imminent Braking automatically decelerates the vehicle with up to 0.3 g to lessen the effects of a collision. As soon as the preceding vehicle's speed is greatly reduced, the system acoustically and visually signals the driver to take over control of acceleration and braking.
Radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control - available for the first time in a compact van -
helps the driver to maintain the pre-selected speed, taking into account the distance to the car ahead. In addition to speed, the desired distance to the vehicle ahead can also be selected from three safety distances (far, average, close).
The Advanced Forward Lighting system AFL+ now comes with up to ten functions. In combination with the new Opel front camera it also features Intelligent Light Ranging (ILR) to measure the distance to the vehicle ahead or to oncoming traffic, and adapts the range of the low beam headlights accordingly. This ensures maximum forward lighting without blinding other road users.
The Traffic Sign Recognition identifies even more of the road signs commonly used in the EU. In addition to round signs, the new front camera now also recognizes rectangular signs like autobahn, expressway and traffic-restricted zone signs. Due to multiple exposure technology, the camera also detects dynamic LED signs, for instance on traffic control systems.
The Side Blind Spot Alert warns the driver of an imminent collision when changing lanes. Ultrasonic sensors with a range of four meters at the front and back on both sides of the vehicle constantly monitor the driver's blind spots. As soon as another vehicle comes within the range of the sensors, an LED lights up on the outer edge of the respective rear-view mirror. If the driver still attempts to change lanes, the LED starts to flash and an acoustic warning signal sounds.
Advanced Park Assist guides the driver safely into a suitable parking slot, offering even greater comfort than the park pilot. Ultrasonic sensors are connected to a central computer processor which identifies a sufficiently large parking slot when slowly driving by, calculates the optimal path and guides the driver into the slot giving directions and steering advice. Graphic instructions for direction and steering on the central display guide the driver safely into the parking slot. The optional rearview camera makes even the most difficult parking maneuvers child's play by showing the vehicle's trajectory path on the color display.
Highly efficient diesel and gasoline engines available at launch
The Opel Zafira Tourer will initially be available with three versions of the 2.0 CDTI common-rail turbo diesel engine familiar from the Astra and Insignia. Outputs are
81 kW/110 hp and 96 kW/130 hp, while the top unit has been reworked to deliver 121 kW/165 hp. The gasoline range comprises two downsized, highly efficient
1.4 turbo-charged gasoline units, with 88 kW/120 hp and 103 kW/140 hp. Six-speed automatic transmissions are available for the 1.4-liter unit with 140 hp and the 2.0 CDTI with 165 hp. Both the 1.4-liter gasoline and 2.0-liter diesel powertrains are equipped with the new Start/Stop technology developed by Opel that brings further fuel savings, particularly in urban stop-and-go traffic.
Soon after the start of sales, the Zafira Tourer offer will be expanded with a super fuel-efficient ecoFLEX model with a 96 kW/130 hp 2.0 CDTI common-rail turbo diesel engine and as well as variants powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). A few months later, powertrains on the upper end of the performance scale will also be introduced.
Opel Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX with just 119g/km CO2
Together with the world premiere of the new Zafira Tourer, Opel presents an especially economical ecoFLEX version of the newcomer at the IAA. The Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX comes standard with Start/Stop and other efficiency-increasing technologies such as an optimized engine management system, a new variable geometry turbocharger, an active aeroshutter in the radiator grille and low-rolling-resistance tires. With fuel consumption of just 4.5 liters diesel per 100 km and CO2 emissions only 119 g/km, the Opel Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX is at the top of the compact monocab class - without making any compromises in performance. The 2.0-liter common-rail turbo diesel provides 96 kW/130 hp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm (with overboost function).
Two Zafira models in Opel's monocab portfolio
Opel now has more irons in the fire of the compact monocab segment, which has resumed its growth since the beginning of 2010. Next to the new Zafira Tourer, the current Zafira will remain on offer with substantially more standard equipment. So customers continue to benefit from the features of the functional, flexible seven-seater at an affordable price. Both Zafira models will be built exclusively in Opel's Bochum plant in Germany.