Test drive Opel Zafira 2006 - 2008 Minivan

Sport family

The TURBO red nameplate explains what is happening, remaining behind the perplexing drivers. 2 liters, 200 horsepower and 225 maximum kilometers per hour - an excellent set for a charged hatchback. Or even a sports sedan. But I am dealing with passing cars, go on a family compact wan!

 

In truth, some bewilderment when meeting with the new Opel Zafira arose with me. The previous Zafira was considered one of the most driver's representatives of its class. Her successor, running forward, did not spoil the renom. This should delight those who are forced to prefer practicality to romance when choosing a car. But 200 turbocharges - is it not too much for a peaceful single -raised? Will such a combination of cautious and pragmatic families scare away?

 

There are many questions - there is only one answer. I hold in my hands a chubby and convenient 3-spoke steering wheel of the new Zafira. The bagel, like the whole salon, is borrowed from the popular Astra model. Simple, but pretty and understandable devices too. Only the layout of the central console has changed a bit - blocks with a climate installation and a CD -reiver rose higher, and the central blowing deflectors are now located around the information display. For the sake of a more vertical landing. The most significant difference is the beard of the central console on which the gearbox lever is located. Thanks to the beard, it is located almost lightly, but when the even speeds are turned on, it still lays an unusually soap. At first, the bracker’s bracket will also appear unusual.

 

Together with individual elements, Zafira adopted from Astra and the general atmosphere of the interior. Here everything is emphasized minimalist, functional and technological. No hints of bourgeois decor or bourgeois luxury. Perhaps this style will seem too cold to someone (this is a family crew!), But I personally like it. Although some ergonomic difficulties arose - this applies to the management of the audio system and the non -fixed steering wheel pruners. It’s also a pity that the creators of Zafira left the driver without an indicator of the engine temperature. All he needs to know, in their opinion, is the amount of fuel in the tank.

 

The compact wen increased in length by 150 mm, and in width-by 59. The height almost did not change (163 cm), it is still necessary to drive and get out of the car, only slightly bending.

 

The Zafira body at the same time refreshed and retained familiar proportions. The profile has not changed much (with the exception of new doors handles - under the natural grip), and the face is much nicer - a new corporate identity. You can scold the designers for the equalization, but the almond -shaped eyes and bends of the bumper are very sympathetic. But behind everything is strictly, although alive than before.

 

The start of Zafira takes very briskly. 200 horses are, of course, good, but also 1360 kg (200 more than Astra, and 40 - than the previous model) is also not bad. Therefore, nothing supernatural occurs up to 3000 rpm, but then the physiognomy of those who were in the neighborhood in the stream are stretched in surprise. Zafira accelerates so that many athletes will envy. Just have time to wield a gearbox lever, otherwise the turbo engine instantly imprints the speedometer to the speed limiter. Eh, if it were not for the snow on the asphalt, but not the spikes, because of which the yellow triangle of an unknown ESP flashes on the dashboard every now and then

 

The assertive dynamics is poorly knitted with almost bus landing. Instinctively, I want to lower the chair below and take a more horizontal position, but the laws of a single-volume genre, of course, do not provide for such opportunities. And the brake pedal will require addiction - the drive is so sensitive that for working braking it is enough to touch the pedal with your foot. You need to be careful. In general, an ordinary family driver turbocharged Zafira can be surprised and even scared.

 

With less intense accelerations and in motion at a constant speed, the character of the compact van is reliable - Zafira is equally well held by the straight line and stands on the arc. I am glad that the rolls are not at all the same as you expect from a tall car. Only with sharp maneuvers does some ambiguity of reactions arise - it feels that the size of the car is still considerable and turning turns just like a hatchback is difficult for it. An electro -hydraulic amplifier works well - the force on the steering wheel increases adequately, there is no void in the zero zone.

 

Incidentally, the amplifier, shock absorbers and the accelerator drive are interconnected by the IDS Plus system (Interactive Driving System) and work in coordination with ESP. An important link in this chain is the active shock absorbers CDC (Continous Damping Control), thanks to which the high Zafira successfully opposes the rolls and demonstrates enviable running qualities. On the front panel, next to the seats button - Sport key. Its by pressing the IDS Plus components are converted to sports mode. The steering wheel becomes denser, the machine begins to react more acutely to the gas, and the suspension is clamped. As a result, Zafira is even more collected. And this almost does not affect comfort.

 

Zafira, as before, is able to provide seven places. They are not looking for good from good, they decided in Opel - the FLOX7 interior transformation system has not undergone changes. Additional seats are in folded condition under the rear sofa, flush with the floor. To activate them, it is necessary to move the entire sofa forward and pull the handle - the folders fall into place in one appointment.

 

The sofa itself has an unusual folding scheme - the pillow rises up and presses to the back, after which the entire structure moves close to the front chairs. The disadvantage of the scheme is that only the back will be folded in parts, and the pillow remains inexpressible. Therefore, for the passage to the third row, you will have to disturb all the saddles of the second at once. In general, Flex7 confirmed the renom of one of the simplest and most understandable systems.

 

And what did the designers spent additional centimeters of dimensions? Firstly, to the passenger spaciousness - the increase in width at the shoulder level was 25 mm, the space above the head of the riders in all three rows increased. Secondly, the volume of the trunk in a 5-seater configuration increased by 45 liters (up to 645 l), and the maximum possible volume reached 1820 liters (by 120 liters more than before).

 

By the way, in the trunk itself there are a lot of hooks and brackets for securing the cargo, in addition, you can order an incredible number of accessories from the Flexorganizer company kit. Everything for the rational organization of space is so in German. But the Germans also have something to learn, for example, the Americans have a separate glass of the heavy rear door, by the way.

 

The trunk that has grown in volume also means that it has become a little more spacious on the gallery - sitting there is quite convenient for a person of medium height, especially if the back of the sofa is recorded in an intermediate position. But with comfort in other places, of course, cannot be compared. As befits a single -crew, Zafira provides passengers of the main ranks with a lot of space. Severe hard seats with combined upholstery are moderately convenient. And so that even the long road does not seem tiring, Zafira is ready to please everyone with optional glass inserts in the roof.

 

However, this will raise the already not low cost of the car by $ 2000. On the most modest Russian price tag Opel Zafira 2.0 Turbo is $ 31,900. A serious amount for family cars. Surely the bulk of the sales will make up a zafira with a 1.8 liter engine, and 200 strong turbines, perhaps, will find one or two buyers among those for whom the need for seasonal country movements with a family and a belongings is not a reason to abandon the driver’s ambitions.

 

Opel Zafira 2.0 Turbo

 

The cheapest Opel Zafira 2.0 Turbo can be purchased for $ 31,900 - the car performed by COSMO will cost such money. This is almost $ 5000 more than a car with a 1.8 liter engine (136 hp) in the same performance.

Cosmo basic equipment is as follows - ABS, Sport Chassis options (ESP, reduced steering column stroke, Sports mode of the suspension, reduced road clearance), 2 front and 2 side airbags, climate control, leather steering wheel, audio system, audio system, cords, audio systems, An on -board computer with a graphic display, alloy wheel wheels R16 Dynamic, trunk arcs, an electricrope.

From what can be purchased as options, it is worth noting a color display ($ 700), a leather salon ($ 2095), a cruise of the end ($ 300), Flex Organizer ($ 110), a package of trail options (automatic traffic adjustment system, and assistance system for assistance The beginning of the movement on the slope, tire pressure sensor, removable power, $ 1,200), park-tronics ($ 550), inflatable safety curtains ($ 800), Recaro seats ($ 1,400), adaptive headlights ($ 1,500), panoramic roof ($ 2000) and much more) and much more .

 

Model/Modification Opel Zafira 2.0 Turbo

Manufacturer Opel AG

Model year 2005

 

BODY

Type of mini-wen

Construction/Steel

Number of doors/places 5/5 (7)

 

ENGINE

Type gasoline with turbocharged

Working volume (see cubic meter) 1998

Quantity/location of cylinders 4, in a row

Compression degree 8.8

Power (L.S.) 200 (5400 rpm)

Moment (Nm) 262 (4200 rpm)

 

TRANSMISSION

Front drive

Mechanical gearbox 6-speed

 

Dimensions/volumes/weight

Wheel base (mm) 2705

Length/width/height (mm) 4465/1775/1635

The track front/back (mm) 1470/1485

Road clearance (mm) 150

Dry mass (kg) 1480

The volume of the fuel tank (L) 58

 

SUSPENSION

Front Independent, such as Mcpherson, with a stabilizer

The rear half -dependent with longitudinal levers, with a stabilizer

 

STEERING

Type gear rack

The diameter of the turn (m) 11.2

 

Brakes

Front disk, ventilated

The rear disc

 

Dynamic characteristics

Maximum speed (km/h) 225

Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec) 9

 

Economy

Fuel consumption (l/100 km): according to the combined cycle: 9.5

 

Text: Sergey Knowemsky
 
 

 

Source: Motor magazine [February 2006]