Zafira Tourer targets Galaxy 18 | 05 | 2011
SCOTTISH VAUXHALL dealers will be rubbing their hands in anticipation of getting the all-new Zafira Tourer— pictured here officially for the first time — into their showrooms towards the end of the year.
Vauxhall has stuck very closely to the lines of the concept car and Vauxhall's newcomer, which is positioned directly above the current Zafira line-ip, is targeted directly at Ford's premium-priced Galaxy
The new model is heavily based on the Insignia platform and gets a version of that car’s suspension set-up. FlexRide adaptive damping will be optional; it offers three settings that favour ride comfort or body control.
The Tourer will be available with a choice of three versions — 108bhp, 128bhp and 163bhp — of Vauxhall’s 2.0-litre common-rail diesel, plus petrol options including a 138bhp 1.4-litre turbo and a normally aspirated 1.8 with the same output.
Though stop-start will be available, Vauxhall has yet to confirm which powerplants will carry it. A six-speed manual gearbox will be standard across the range, though a five-speeder will be fitted to the larger petrol-engined models.
The Tourer — designed by the team led by Briton Mark Adams — gets what GM calls ‘boomerang’ lines around its headlights and front grille, a pronounced belt line and a version of the side blade that’s appeared on the new Astra, Insignia and Meriva.
Step inside the Zafira Tourer — which has a 57mm longer wheelbase than the regular Zafira — and there’s a revised version of Vauxhall’s Flex7 seating, with three movable seats in the middle row instead of a single bench.
The extra wheelbase allows for more movement in the cabin and with five seats fitted, the Tourer offers 710 litres (65 more than the current Zafira); this figure rises to 1860 litres when all rear seats are down.
As you would expect, there's a clutch of standard fittings and options, including lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with collision avoidance braking, blindspot alert, forward collision alert and park assist. Vauxhall’s clever bicycle mounting system, hidden in the rear bumper, will also be available.
CLICK HERE to see more images of Vauxhall's Zafira Tourer
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Jim McGill