Test Drive Opel Zafira 2006 - 2008 Minivan

Frau Zafira.

Adam Opel watches his Zafira as a jealous spouse to make cosmetics did not look unnecessary and did not affect reputation, but only helped consolidate secular success. In any case, it was so this time, when Frau was worse, but so thin and skillfully that the look clings, and what exactly, and you will not understand. It is familiar to the face well, but it clearly added decisions. The lattices dressed in a chrome whole, the fog niches spread around the edges of the front bumper, as if under the head of the oncoming wind, the bi-xenon eyes slightly changed the shape and know how to look towards the turn. And it is now expressive from behind: the forms have survived, but the same chrome and stylish transparent blocks appeared in the lanterns. The main thing is, perhaps, the fact that all the promised appearance this Madame is ready to execute. And for reasonable money when buying and subsequent content.
Indiscreet
From the very moment of its appearance in 1999, this model suggested more than any other in the compact WaN segment: seven places and patented and easy-to-use system Flex7. A practical person was difficult to resist the temptation to get a car, which unaccomplished manipulations allow you to instantly turn from the passenger to commercial, and with a smooth floor. This feature turned out to be very popular with both private and corporate clients. It is not surprising that immediately after the debut of Zafira began to lead in its class in the German market and some other European countries.
The second generation of the model appeared without a small three years ago: the car became longer, wider, but just below and obviously sporty. This allowed Opel to release more than 450 thousand Zafira copies and to get 10% of the European Compact Retan Market. However, last year, Astra, on the basis of which Zafira is being built, passed through restyling, and miss the opportunity to refresh the compact Ven was no reason. Untime, it was done as the company announced the release literally the other day of the two millionth Zafira, and invited journalists to familiarize themselves with the updated model in the blessed Switzerland.
I catch myself thinking that in a cloudy and siety Moscow one day to meet a novelty would be little. In the peaceful and delightfully beautiful mountain region, where, it seems, time itself slows down the race is quite enough. Because there are here and impeccable highways, and dizzying serpentines, and there is a transparent, non-stunting air. And on the body in the evening either dust. So it was not difficult for me to strengthen the opinion that Adam Opel made a car truly universal. It is simultaneously practical, it is suitable for many needs, and is able to delight driving. Zafira can be both meek, and very indispensable in the configuration, and truly hot in the OSR version. Only the engines to choose from ten. To Russia, however, will be supplied six, but there are also economical, including diesel, and the most powerful in the gamma.
Temperament by order
Such a wide range of power plants should satisfy every taste. At the same time I can say that, on what kind of motor, the future owner neither opens his choice, he can count on confident movement in any conditions.
In fact, Opel engineers are especially proud of the new 1,7 liter turbodiesels with a capacity of 110 and 125 hp, and a 1,6-liter engine running on gas. But just these aggregates in our country will not be presented. For the simple reason that in Russia it is impossible to refuel the fuel that meets the standards of Euro-5. The situation with environmental standards we have just anecdotic: today there are Euro-3 standards, but only for cars, and as for diesel fuel and gasoline, the corresponding technologies promised to introduce only in 2009.
But there is an opportunity and in Russia to acquire Zafira with a new gasoline 1,6-liter Ecotec with a capacity of 115 hp Very good option for economical citizens. Perhaps a car with such a motor and will not conquer overclocking dynamics, but will please the elasticity that the CAM-PHASE gas distribution phase is provided. Its driving a smooth speed set. However, there is always some possibility to spur the engine by manipulating the lever of a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Zafira with a well-known gasoline engine of 1.8 liters, of course, more thanks. It is offered in versions with the same 5-speed MCP and a semi-automatic Easytronic box, which also has five gears. True, personally, I am not a big Easytronic fan: to ensure smooth, without jerks and dips acceleration, it, in my opinion, requires extra operations, such as gas discharge and imitation of the clutch. But the case of taste and habit.
A 150-strong gasoline engine of 2.2 liters is endowed with enough smooth characteristics. But in the configuration with a 6-speed mechanic, this is completely different Zafira fast, allowing almost at any time to achieve a sharp acceleration, a word capable of pleaseing the active driver. The moves of the IPP lever are short enough and clear, the clutch pedal is quite informative. Modification with a 4-speed ACP is definitely more convenient in urban operating conditions, but it is noticeably calm. Not the most modern automatic automatically levels the potential of the engine, it is able to adapt to the style of driving, but, let's say, without much hunting.
The same 150 forces, but already from 1.9 liter turbodiesel, make the character of the compacttwhere where incent. Torque in 320 nm, available from 2000 revolutions, gives a feeling of sports ride. The special beauty lies in the fact that the gas pedal is responsive, but there is no need to unnecessary to unwind the motor time just to transform the transfer of a 6-speed MCP. Very Driver Settings! Yes, and a car in a pair to this diesel is offered a very distiller, having the same 6 gears. It should, however, notice that Zafira with such Turbodiesel I tried out the official presentation in Switzerland, and there was not too much time. However, the impressions remained very good, so I would very recommended to look at the diesel versions.
Well, for real velocity fans, which are not embarrassed by the combination of an incompatible practical software for the definition of the compactment with the housings of a sports car there are two hot modifications of Zafira. Auxiliary about them was described quite in detail (see Ai No. 12 and No. 22 for 2005, the electronic version is always available on our website). Since then, the 200-strong and 240-strong Zafira has not changed. Both have only 6-speed mechanics, and on both you can ride very quickly, if desired, extremely. Nine seconds to hundreds, and even more so acceleration to the same speedometer less than eight seconds guarantees very sharp feelings. You're driving compacttwan, not a non-rally projectile. Of course, Zafira from ORS (Opel Performance Center) This is something completely special, since all other mechanisms, including brakes and suspension, are seriously modified with the potential of the turbocharged engine.
When it comes to extreme compactners, I am often asked why they are needed at all? This is the family cars. I think such versions are necessary. First, they support the brand's image and indicate large, with a margin, the possibilities laid down in the design of the car. It is on charged versions that feel the lowest center of gravity and the best aerodynamic resistance coefficient in the classroom. Secondly, you can easily ride any of these machines, but if you wish and draw, thumping the portion of adrenaline into the blood. Not every person can afford to keep two cars one for every day, and the other to meet the driver's inclinations.
By and large, any Zafira is sharpened to actively ride. It is endowed with a clear steering and a wonderful IDS Plus system (Interactive Driving System), where IDS abbreviation means an adaptive chassis with a continuous control system of CDC (Continuous Damping Control). Thanks to her, in the steep turns of the roll rolls, we practically do not feel, it seems that the suspension is ready for any turn to any turn. Not a very experienced driver with risky maneuvers will help the UCL system (Understeer Control Logic) when detecting insufficient rotation of this front-wheel drive car, it first slightly reduces the fuel supply, and then slightly slows down the external front wheel. If it interferes, simply click the button in the central console with the Sport Inscription. The suspension will be tougher, the ram of the tight, and the response to work the accelerator pedal is sharper. However, all this is known since the emergence of the second generation Zafira in 2005.
Four options
We are talking about four basic equipment that will be offered on the Russian market Essentia, Enjoi, Cosmo and ORS. Of course, they are very different, even the seats in them are not the same, but, let's say, Cosmo assumes the presence of a panoramic (transparent) roof. But it is better to learn more about this in the Dealer Center. I will just pay attention to the fact that all versions combines.
First of all, it is worth saying about the care of the interior finish, once again demonstrating the quality of the German assembly. Now the interior is somewhat refreshing chromed edging of the climate control and audio control bodies, as well as a slightly modified finishing of the instrument panel and door panels. But here you still feel like at home. Ergonomics above all silence, and the famous system of transformation of the salon is nowhere, fortunately, did not disappear. Considered seconds will be required to turn Zafira from a seven-weemed (thanks to the third row enough convenient seats in the trunk) in six, five, four, three or double vehicles. There is no need to remove the chair from the salon. As an option, the front passenger seat with a folded backrest is offered, which makes it possible to carry loads long to 2.71 meters. If on board seven people, the trunk is small, only 140 liters. But with folded seats of the third row, it increases to 645 liters, and its maximum amount is 1820 liters. As standard equipment on any version, the SAFETEC system is installed with IDS, eight airbags, active head restraints, fasteners of children's chairs, ISOFIX and branded trauma-safe PRS pedal node. By the way, with regard to security: EURO NCAP crash test allowed Zafira to get the maximum five stars.
Prices in the Russian market begin from 549,000 rubles. More expensive than 962,000, of course, Zafira OPC.
Zurich Moscow
 
Oleg Osipov
Photo Opel

 

A source: Magazine Car Izvestia [February-March 2008]