Holden Zafira
| Company type | Automobile model series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Bochum , Germany |
| Products | Compact MPV cars (Zafira A, Zafira B, Zafira C/Tourer) |
Zafira A (1999)
The initial Zafira generation, known internally as the Zafira A, was developed in collaboration with Porsche and officially launched in January 1999 following its concept unveiling in 1997. Constructed on the GM T platform shared with the Opel Astra G, it was designed for the compact MPV market segment. The vehicle featured a versatile seven-seat configuration called Flex 7, enabling the rear seats to fold flat into the floor to enhance cargo capacity.
This model was available with a variety of petrol engines and initially offered a single diesel option, which was upgraded in 2000 to comply with Euro 3 emission regulations through the addition of variable intake manifolds. In 2002, the diesel lineup was expanded to include a more powerful 2.2-litre turbocharged engine.
Significantly, the Zafira A’s body was utilized for GM’s hydrogen fuel cell prototype, the HydroGen3. A refreshed version of the model debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2003.
The Zafira secured third place in the European Car of the Year contest for 2000 and received high marks in quality surveys for vehicles aged three years, surpassing other models from Opel.
Production ceased in May 2005 at the Bochum plant in Germany, where it was replaced by the Zafira B for European markets. Nevertheless, sales of the original Zafira continued in various other regions until 2012, except for Australia and New Zealand where it was withdrawn earlier.
Zafira OPC
Introduced at the Geneva event in February 2001 and available from October that year, the turbocharged Zafira OPC produced , establishing it as Europe’s quickest minivan at that time. It came solely with a five-speed manual gearbox, achieving acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.2 seconds and reaching a maximum speed of .
Markets
In the Philippines, the Zafira was sold from 2001 to 2005 as the Chevrolet Zafira. This marked the final Europe-sourced Opel model offered there after discontinuation of the Opel Astra in 2003. It was marketed alongside other Opel vehicles until GM Philippines phased out the Opel brand.
Thailand saw production and sales of the Zafira under the Opel nameplate between 2000 and 2005. During this period, 3,946 units were sold within the local family wagon category before GM Thailand ceased distributing Opels.
In Malaysia, this generation was branded as the Chevrolet Nabira.
Subaru Traviq
Between August 2001 and November 2004, the Zafira was rebadged and retailed in Japan as the Subaru Traviq, alongside standard Opel offerings. In return, Subaru provided a rebadged Chevrolet version of its Subaru Forester for sale in India starting in 2003.
The name Traviq is derived from blending "travel" and "quick". Imported from Thailand, it initially featured a 2.2-litre engine; a more affordable 1.8-litre variant became available in July 2003. Contrary to typical Subaru models, these versions employed conventional inline engines without all-wheel drive systems.
This rebadging arrangement caused distribution conflicts with Yanase Co., Ltd., which already handled Opel sales including the Zafira model. After production of the Traviq ended, Yanase continued importing Opel vehicles until 2006. The Traviq was eventually replaced by the Subaru Exiga in 2008, which is based on the Subaru Legacy platform.
Zafira B (2005)
The second iteration of the Zafira, known internally as the Zafira B, was unveiled in Europe on 12 February 2005, with commercial availability commencing on 9 June 2005. This generation utilized the same platform and mechanical architecture as the Opel Astra H. The vehicle was later introduced to the Singaporean market in February 2007, followed by launches in Mexico in April 2006 and Chile in September 2007, where it was sold under the Chevrolet Zafira name.
Despite being succeeded by the Zafira C at the close of 2011, production of the Zafira B persisted until May 2014, marketed as the Zafira Family. This extended production notably served markets such as Germany, where it remained a viable compact MPV choice.
Market names
- Vauxhall Zafira – United Kingdom
- Chevrolet Zafira – Chile and Mexico
- Opel Zafira – Europe (excluding the UK), Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Africa
In Mexico, the Chevrolet Zafira ceased production after 2006 and was succeeded by the five-seat Chevrolet HHR.
Powertrains
Several engines from the previous Astra/Zafira generation were retained in the Zafira B. Opel replaced its earlier 2.0 and 2.2 turbodiesel units with Fiat’s 1.9 L common rail turbodiesel engines (Multijet). A high-performance turbocharged 2.0 L engine delivering 240 hp was developed by the Opel Performance Center. Additionally, a compressed natural gas (CNG) variant powered by a 1.6 L engine was offered.
| Petrol engines | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Engine type | Displacement | Output | Torque | CO2 emissions (g/km) | Production years | Remarks | |
| 1.6 TwinPort | I4 | 1,598 cc | 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 6,000 rpm | 150 N⋅m (111 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm | 172 | (2005–08) | EU4 compliant | |
| 1.6 TwinPort | 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) at 6,000 rpm | 155 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm | 157 | (2008–11) | EU5 standard | |||
| 1.8 VVT | 1,796 cc | 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6,300 rpm | 175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm | 168 | (2005–11) | |||
| 2.2 VVT | 2,198 cc | 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 6,000 rpm | 215 N⋅m (159 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm | 197 | (2005–10) | EU4 compliant | ||
| 2.0 Turbo | 1,998 cc | 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) at 4,900–6,000 rpm | 262 N⋅m (193 lb⋅ft) at 1,850–4,900 rpm | 228 | (2005–09) | |||
| 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) at 6,000 rpm | 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) torque | 230 | (2005–10) | |||||
|
Diesel engines | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Engine type | Displacement | Output | Torque | CO2 emissions (g/km) | Production years | Remarks | |
| 1.7 Circle L engine CDTI Ecotec | I4 | 1,686 cc | 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) at 4,000 rpm | 260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm | 134 | 2009–11 | EU5 certified | |
| 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) at 4,000 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–3,500 rpm | 2010–11 | ||||||
| JTD engine#JTD Ecoflex Diesel Engine 1.9 CDTI Ecotec | 1,910 cc | 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4,000 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–2,500 rpm | 167 | 2005 | EU3 compliant | ||
| 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 1,700–2,550 rpm | 159 | 2005–10 | EU4 standard | |||||
| rowspan="2"|150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 4,000 rpm | 315 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–2,500 rpm | 167 | 2005 | EU3 certified | ||||
| 315 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–2,500 rpm | 159 | 2005–10 | EU4 compliant | |||||
Fire incidents and recall actions
In November 2015, the London Fire Brigade issued a warning after observing an increase in fire cases linked to this model.
By December 2015, UK safety authorities urged Vauxhall to carry out a comprehensive safety recall of the Zafira B following multiple vehicle fires reportedly triggered by 'Improper Repairs'.
Despite the initial recall, fire occurrences continued, leading to a second comprehensive safety recall in May 2016. Vehicle owners were instructed to refrain from using fan speeds regulated by the defective "resistor pack," which contained an unreliable thermal fuse, until repairs commenced in August 2016.
On 3 May 2018, UK authorities initiated a criminal inquiry into Vauxhall’s management of these fire incidents and the associated recalls.
Noteworthy events include a significant blaze in a parking facility in Cork, Ireland, in August 2019 caused by an Opel Zafira, and an unexpected fire at Stavanger Airport, Norway, in January 2020 that destroyed more than 200 cars without causing injuries.
Third Generation: Zafira C/Zafira Tourer (2011)
The third iteration of the Zafira, branded as the Zafira Tourer, was first introduced as a concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Built primarily on the Opel Astra J platform, its production version debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and was launched later that year. Meanwhile, the Zafira B remained available as the smaller "Zafira Family" until 2014, positioning the larger Tourer C to compete with rivals such as the Ford S-Max.
A hybrid or electric model was expected around 2012. The Tourer served as an indirect successor to the discontinued Opel Sintra MPV. In December 2011, a dual-fuel variant running on natural gas was introduced, providing a driving range of approximately 530 km using CNG with petrol as backup for extended trips.
For the 2017 model year, a facelift dropped 'Tourer' from its name in Opel markets and featured redesigned bumpers and interior elements aligned with the Opel Astra K. Updates included OnStar navigation integrated with IntelliLink infotainment supporting 4G LTE hotspot functionality, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. Safety and driver assistance improvements encompassed adaptive LED headlights, a front camera system known as "Opel Eye," high beam assist, traffic sign recognition, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
The Vauxhall Zafira Tourer was discontinued in the UK by June 2018 due to growing consumer preference for SUVs and crossovers. It was succeeded in 2019 by the LCV-based Zafira Life.
Powertrain options
All engines were paired with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, except for the 1.8 petrol variant which featured a five-speed manual gearbox. Automatic transmissions were available as an option on both the 1.4T and 2.0 CDTI (165 PS) models; however, neither of these versions incorporated Start/Stop technology.
The 2012 EcoFLEX edition included the 2.0 CDTI engine rated at 130 PS equipped with Start/Stop functionality, achieving CO₂ emissions as low as 119 g/km. Petrol engines such as the 1.4T EcoFLEX also adopted Start/Stop systems while maintaining output levels (120 and 140 PS), reducing emissions to 144 g/km and enhancing fuel economy.
In 2013, Opel introduced two new power units: a 1.6 SIDI Turbo petrol available with outputs of 170 PS and 200 PS, alongside a 1.6 CDTI diesel producing 136 PS. By September 2014, Opel launched its new generation of Large Diesel engines beginning with a 2.0 CDTI delivering 170 PS and torque of 400 Nm—part of an initiative to release seventeen new engines between 2014 and 2018.
rowspan="2"|'\'\'\'1.6 CDTI\'\'\' || rowspan="7" | I4 || rowspan="2" |1598 cc || at 4,000 rpm || at 2,000 rpm || Not available in UK ||119 ||2014–2019 at 3,500–4,000 rpm || at 2,000 rpm || ||109 ||2013–2019| Petrol engines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Engine type | Displacement | Power output | Torque | Remarks | CO2 emissions (g/km) | Production years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.4 Turbo S/S | I4 | 1364 cc | at 4,900–6000 rpm | at 1,850–4,900 rpm | Not available in UK | 154 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| at 4,900–6000 rpm | at 1,850–4,900 rpm | 154 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.6 Turbo SIDI | 1598 cc | at 6000 (4250) rpm | (overboost ) at 1650–3200 (4250) rpm | 144 | 2013– | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| at 5500 rpm | (overboost ) at 1650–3500 rpm | 154 | 2014– | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.8 VVT | 1796 cc | at 5,600 rpm | at 3,800 rpm | 169 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| at 6,300 rpm | at 3,800 rpm | 169 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LPG/CNG engines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Model | Engine type | Displacement | Power output | Torque | Remarks | CO2 emissions (g/km) | Production years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| '\'\'\'1.4 Turbo ecoFLEX\'\'\' | I4 | 1364 cc | at 4,900–6000 rpm | at 1,850–4,900 rpm | LPG | 139 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| '\'\'\'1.6 Turbo ecoFLEX\'\'\' | I4 | 1598 cc | at 5,000 rpm | at 2,300–5,000 rpm | CNG | 129 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Diesel engines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Model | Engine type | Displacement | Power output | Torque | Remarks | CO2 emissions (g/km) | Production years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| '\'\'\'2.0 CDTI\'\'\' | 1956 cc | at 4,000 rpm | at 1,750–2,500 rpm | Not available in UK | 137 | 2011–2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| '\'\'\'2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S\'\'\' | at 4,000 rpm | at 1,750–2,500 rpm | from 2013 only with Automatic transmission | 119;154 with Automatic transmission | 2012–2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| '\'\'\'2.0 CDTI S/S\'\'\' | at 4,000 rpm | at 1,750–2,500 rpm | 137 | 2012–2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| '\'\'\'2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S\'\'\' | at 3,750 rpm | 400 |Nm |lbft |0 }|} at 1,750–2,500 rpm | 129 | 2015–2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| '\'\'\'2.0 CDTI Bi-Turbo S/S'’'’'’'’'’'’'’'’'’'’'’'’'’'’'’'’'’' | {{convert 195 PS kW hp abbr=on} }at 40000rpm)
Awards
Chevrolet Zafira
External links |
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