Opel Zafira test drive since 2009 minivan
Slow answer. Opel Zafira
The appearance of Renault Megane Scenic once made a lot of noise: almost everyone realized that the French opened a very promising niche. A niche that no one prevented them from mastering. True, some nevertheless faded: Opel quickly prepared and demonstrated its answer to Zafira Chamberlain. She showed and calmed down A month passed, then a year, then another, and the Germans were all silent. The German company not just pulled time, it was seriously preparing to perform in the new segment. And the years were spent not in vain: in 1999, a few years after the premiere, a very competitive car called Zafira, created on the basis of the popular Astra, was published. Until her last days, the machine remained a worthy representative of the class, even against the background of the CDWs that appeared, which, in theory, should have been more perfect. Now, when the second -generation model samples have been on the roads of Europe for several years, it can be assumed that Zafira and has long been living in recent years created 12 years ago. But this is not entirely true: once it received a fairly strong foundation, moreover, the first Zafira is largely a unique offer in the segment (many compact lines with a full sports modification?). So it makes sense to study this machine in more detail.
Within the framework of such a format as a compact van, a real masterpiece is quite difficult to bring to light. No, the Germans failed to create a breathtaking beauty, but Zafira is not at all a groove car, which is almost every second representative of this class. On the contrary, it turned out to be very dynamic and harmonious. The beautiful case cannot be called completely trouble -free, but the rust attacks mainly completely groomed specimens or cars that have long been running along the roads of the Russian Federation. It is not uncommon and malfunctions in an electrician, but most of the breakdowns are still not chronic. Unless the failures of the generator and the dashboard happen too often. But in terms of Zafira’s body, just a miracle: here the headlights shine perfectly and the doorways are wide
Characteristics
Type of body CD
The number of doors is 5
The number of places 7
Length 4317 mm
Width 1742 mm
Height 1684 mm
Wheel base 2694 mm
Road clearance 150 mm
The type of suspension (lane/back) is independent, with racks like MacPherson/semi -dependent, spring
Type of drive front
Brakes (per./Back.) Discollated/disk disk
Gas tank volume 58 liters
Passive security rating*Defense of adults: ***
Pedestrian protection: **
Acceleration to 100 km/h ** 11.5 s
Maximum speed ** 188 km/h
Fuel consumption, (city/highway) ** 11.4/6.9 liters
* According to EURONCAP.
** Data for a car with a 1.8 liter engine.
Salon is very good. Everyone knows why CDs are buying: people want to get a significant scope with minimal dimensions. In this sense, Opel is exactly what is needed: there are enough spaces in front and in the middle, however, there are still not so many behind it, although, judging by the reviews, the third row is very rare. The luggage compartment is impressive, in general, it is clear that the car was built around the cabin. It is all the more amazing that outwardly the car turned out so balanced. The possibilities for transforming the salon are extremely wide, in addition excellent visibility, including thanks to large mirrors. Of the disadvantages, it is worth noting inexpensive plastic used in the decoration of the interior, the obsolete front panel design and poor equipment, although there is everything necessary. Whatever you say, but the machine is still budget. On the move, Zafira gives continuous positive emotions: handling is excellent in principle, and not just by the standards of this class. The stability on the highway, if it does not affect, it completely satisfies, but the dynamics is hard to say something unambiguous: with a 1.6-liter engine there is not enough it (especially sluggishly the engine pulls on the bottoms), but with more voluminous power units it is already tolerable, And with a 2-liter turbo engine very good. Driving comfort is not too high: the suspension is quite tough, because we are talking about a German car, and everyone knows how it is customary to configure the chassis in this country.
Zafira borrowed the main nodes and assemblies from Opel Astra G, so both machines are very similar in operation. Including motors. Of course, not all of them migrated to a compact lure (a 1.2-liter unit too small for such a carcass), but those that found a place under the hood of Zafira are identical to the golf class model. The least powerful of them has a working volume of 1.6 liters and gives out 100 liters. with. The next in the rank of the engine with a volume of 1.8 liters is already developing 125 liters. with. Further growth occurs, bypassing the 2-liter Astra motor: at the next stage, a 2.2-liter power unit with a capacity of 147 liters is located. with. Above only the OPC version (2 l, 192 pp). There are also several diesel engines with a volume of 2 to 2.2 l with a capacity of 82 to 125 liters. with. Regardless of which motor is chosen in
the service will have to travel in accordance with the same instructions. So, it is supposed to change the filter oil after 7.5 thousand km (official dealers were recommended at one time once every 15 thousand km, but it will not be worse if this period is doubled), and the rest of the filters at every second then. Candles usually come into disrepair, so it is better to stock up on the time of a change in fuel and air filters. The timing belt will have to be changed every 60 thousand km, but no later, since it can break a little earlier than the installed run. Owners of a model with a 2.2-liter gasoline engine will surely be delighted that the valves in it are given by a chain from other problems characteristic of the engine, it should be noted inadequate operation of the electronic drive of the throttle: it is not calculated for use in Russian dust. Like Astra, Zafira gearboxes do not present surprises. It is not customary to change the oil in them, but if you really want to, then you can, worse than the box from this will definitely not be. Experts say that the checkpoint in CDs serve almost forever, even without regular oil renewal.
The suspension is not so durable. Ball supports and racks of reptile stability stabilizers are especially quickly out of order (they will have to be changed about every 50 thousand km). The sore spot of the model, in contrast to the related car, the hull of the hub: there are enough bearings for a short time, they can start howl after 50 thousand km. And it is undesirable to ride with noisy hubs for a long time, since usually after a thousand kilometers the wheel catches a wedge. The benefit of changing the hub assembly is quite easy. The remaining details are more reliable: shock absorbers, springs, steering rods with tips, stabilizers bushings all this with normal operation will last more than 100 thousand km. The brake resource depends on the driving style, which the drivers of such a car are very different: Zafira, although it belongs to the class of compact veins of cars by definition of calm ones, nevertheless incites to active piloting.
The first exit to the arena of the Opel CDs was a success: the model hit very accurately and sensitively on the then few competitors. Over the past years, she held the brand tightly. It keeps it today: among the former use of compact-wen, it is almost the best. No wonder prices are still quite high. And the new Zafira, even at first glance, is more perfect, but not to be as reliable as the predecessor does not promise: small breakdowns are common in the current generation. The advantages and disadvantages of the model
Advantages
Very roomy salon, pleasant running qualities, harmonious appearance
disadvantages
Budget salon, significant age of the model, low passive safety
Approximate prices in Moscow, rub: from 300 (Zafira with a 1.6 liter of 1999 engine) up to 600 thousand rubles. (Zafira with a 2.2 liter engine of the release).
