VAUXHALL

ONE FOR THE NUCLEAR FAMILY Vauxhall Are Making A Habit Of Bringing Us Indecently Quick Zafiras. The VXR Is The Quickest To Date. By Andy Enright

I have a suspicion that my father viewed children as unwelcome ballast, a view attributed in large part to his choice of car. Every family car up until my teens was a sports coupe of some sort that would entail being crushed into a claustrophobic vinyl hellhole. Try that stunt today and social services would come knocking, but fortunately only the most dysfunctional dad would put their kids through that sort of ordeal, especially when vehicles like the Vauxhall Zafira VXR exist. Here’s a car that’s savagely quick yet which doesn’t breed a future generation of parents who feel the need to practice origami on their offspring.

The VXR badge is rapidly gaining currency among performance enthusiasts, spelling as it does a focus on very high power combined with affordable pricing. Rather than introduce it on their more mundane vehicles first, Vauxhall cleverly built the reputation of this performance badge by affixing it to their top end sports models of the time, the VX220 and the Monaro. Subsequently rolling it out across the Astra, Vectra, Zafira and Meriva ranges ensured that Vauxhall realised a genuine edge over their rivals at Ford. Not that this is the first fast Zafira either. The GSi version of the previous shape Zafira sold modestly but again showed that Vauxhall was a company that could build interesting and desirable family cars. Here was a car that could accelerate through the gears quicker than a Porsche Boxster yet could seat seven. With 190bhp under the bonnet, this car wasn’t anything to be sneezed at. The VXR takes that theme and runs with it, adding 47bhp onto the power output and, as it runs on the far more advanced Zafira Mk2 chassis, it’s better equipped to deploy that to the road.

"The Zafira VXR offers potent performance and peerless practicality"

The figures that mean most to the kids will be a sprint to 60mph in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 144mph which makes it the fastest production MPV in the UK. The best part is that all this additional grunt and sophistication will set you back just £220 more than the old GSi, the VXR weighing in with a sticker price of £22,270. As with all VXRs, this one isn’t just all about horsepower. The chassis has been beefed up to cope with that added capability and the IDS plus system uses latest generation electronic damping control: comparable set-ups are currently only available on a handful of low-volume supercars. This sophisticated system minimises body movements exceptionally quickly with the help of two separate processing modules. The result is claimed to be a noticeable enhancement in body roll prevention and damper control. You’ll appreciate that in a high-sided vehicle like the Zafira. Big brakes with distinctive blue calipers help reign in the car’s power. There are quite a few styling tweaks to differentiate the VXR from its humbler brethren. As well as the VXR honeycomb grille, there’s a bigger front bumper with central air intake and integrated fog lights. Side sills and a modified rear bumper assembly are also fitted and twin trapezoidal exhaust pipes will give the overtaken a clue that this isn’t the usual crew bus. There’s a tailgate spoiler and big 18-inch alloy wheels. Nineteen-inch rims are also offered if you want to make the rest of the school runners jealous. The interior has been bosted to the tune of Recaro sports front seats while the fabric on the instrument and door panels is coordinated with the seating. VXR logos adorn the gear lever and sports steering wheel while options include electronic climate control, front and rear parking sesors and a Bluetooth-compatible mobile kit. Six inches longer, 1.5 inches wider and a shade taller than the outgoing car, the latest Zafira retains the seven-seat configuration, with a middle bench seat offering three berths and two seats in the back that also fold flat into the floor. What has changed is the amount of legroom on offer to the occupants. Whereas the old car would have been hideously cramped with all seven seats in use, the latest model offers a little more breathing space. It’s still not ideally suited to a rugby sevens team and their kit, but for the larger family, it’s close to perfect. As before, the seating system is so versatile that the Zafira can be configured in two, three, four, five, six or seven seat guises in a matter of seconds. Most buyers will run in five-seat format, and in this mode the Vauxhall can cope with 620-litres of luggage – fully 20 more than the old car. Depending on the trim level, the Zafira can also boast up to 30 storage compartments. The ‘Flex Organiser’ luggage bay stowage system that has proved a success with Astra Estate buyers is also available on the Zafira. It is to the Astra that the Zafira owes many of its exterior design cues. Whereas the old Zafira was clearly related to the Astra Mk IV, the current model looks for all the world like a MkV Astra Estate that’s been attached to a garage airline. The VXR’s sporting addenda helps the subterfuge a little, but the Astra is a good looking base to work from, and the Zafira’s stylists have done well to carry over much of that car’s detailing and stance. Although the old Zafira GSi outsold Vauxhall’s modest sales targets, it was always a bit part player in the Zafira success story. The same will doubtless be true of this VXR version. It’s undoubtedly very well executed but most mini-MPV buyers neither care for nor need a vehicle that will scorch the tarmac. For those that do need a car to drop a bunch of kids off at school and enjoy the scenic route back, there’s nothing better.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Vauxhall Zafira VXR PRICE: £22,270 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 16 CO2 EMISSIONS: 228g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 144mph / 0-60mph 7.2s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 31mpg [est] STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4467/1776/1637mm

STEALTH AND EFFICIENCY Vauxhall’s Zafira 2.0T SRi Is A Family Friendly Car With An Unexpected Dose Of Attitude As Standard. Andy Enright Reports

By and large, mini-MPVs don’t offer too much to those who enjoy driving for the sake of it. They excel at the family duties but when the kids are dropped off at school, there are only a handful of models that will encourage you to take the long way home. Most don’t sell very well. Vauxhall think they’ve found a formula that will not only put a glint in the eye of the family motorist who hasn’t totally surrendered to middle aged mediocrity but also makes some sort of sense on the balance sheet. It’s called the Zafira 2.0T SRi.

Weighing in at £20,445, the SRi isn’t at the budget end of things and you’ve really got to be committed to the cause to purchase one of these over, say, a £13,545 Zafira 1.6 Expression and blow the remaining £7,000 on some sort of tasty used sports coupe. A quick trawl through the classifieds will turn up fun items like a Porsche 944 S2, a BMW M3 or, if you’re loyal to Luton, a Vauxhall Astra Coupe Turbo. The trouble comes when you try to justify such indulgences to a sceptical other half, especially when there are family holidays, kids shoes and school expenses to fork out for. Nobody wants to look like they’re in the throes of a mid life crisis. That’s where the Zafira 2.0T SRi works so well. With its long equipment list and sheer practicality, it’s an easy sell. You may want to keep the fact that it packs a 197bhp wallop to yourself, or at least sell it as a feature that makes overtaking safer. Likewise the fact that the SRi runs on lowered and stiffened suspension means that it’s more composed through corners and less body roll means less chance of car sickness, right? This is such a considerate choice.

"With some serious turbocharged power, the Zafira 2.0T SRi is a people mover and a hot hatch rolled into one"

So you’ve seen the kids disappear into classes and you’ve got half an hour to yourself. You know a sweet back route home and with the 2.0T SRi, you have a partner that’s game for a giggle. The first straight will see it jet to 60mph from standstill in just 8.4 seconds. The 197lb/ft of turbocharged torque gives the Zafira some serious muscle in the midrange and the acceleration just keeps coming until over 140mph is showing on the clock. The really neat part is that insurers don’t recognise Zafira SRi owners as headless hoons, rating the car at Group 13. That’s quite a bargain for a model that develops almost as much torque as a Porsche Boxster. Another thing the SRi isn’t shy of is standard equipment. It’s a step down from the flagship sporting model, the VXR, but it may well be a better buy overall. ESP stability control comes as part of the deal, as do sports front seats and chromed instrument surrounds. A leather-trimmed sports steering wheel and a matte-chrome effect centre console lift the cabin while aluminium door sill covers and pedals are a nice touch. A sports suspension system is also offered with a button to switch between comfort and sports modes. 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 225/45 low profile tyres give the SRi a bit of attitude. The tale of the tape reveals that this generation Zafira has succumbed, if not to middle age spread, then at least a little loosening of the belt. This is perhaps understandable given the fact that with utility vehicles like the Meriva mopping up sales in the supermini-MPV class and no recognised full-sized MPV contender, there was a vacuum into which the Zafira would be drawn. Six inches longer, 1.5 inches wider and a shade taller than the outgoing car, the latest Zafira retains the seven-seat configuration, with a middle bench seat offering three berths and two seats in the back that also fold flat into the floor. What has changed is the amount of legroom on offer to the occupants. Whereas the old car would have been hideously cramped with all seven seats in use, the latest model offers a little more breathing space. It’s still not ideally suited to a rugby sevens team and their kit, but for the larger family, it’s close to perfect. As before, the seating system is so versatile that the Zafira can be configured in two, three, four, five, six or seven seat guises in a matter of seconds. Most buyers will run in five-seat format, and in this mode the Vauxhall can cope with 620-litres of luggage – fully 20 more than the old car. Depending on the trim level, the Zafira can also boast up to 30 storage compartments. The ‘Flex Organiser’ luggage bay stowage system that has proved a success with Astra Estate buyers is also available on the Zafira. It is to the Astra that the Zafira owes many of its exterior design cues. Whereas the old Zafira was clearly related to the Astra Mk IV, the current model looks for all the world like a MkV Astra Estate that’s been attached to a garage airline. A particularly interesting feature is the optional panorama roof. With four large glass panels, this system offers passengers a light, airy atmosphere in the back, while tinted glass and a powered shade protect against dazzle. A centre console running the length of the ceiling has a number of overhead compartments. The Zafira 2.0T may not be the most honest vehicle ever built but it’s a model that earns a lot of respect. Being a parent can be tough. Let’s not begrudge harassed mothers and fathers a little quality time.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Vauxhall Zafira 2.0T SRi PRICE: £20,445 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 13 CO2 EMISSIONS: 228g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 140mph / 0-60mph 8.4s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 29.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4467/1776/1637mm

BACK FROM THE Z Vauxhall’s enormously successful Zafira is impressive in second generation guise. Andy Enright assesses its chances…

Some cars offer a lot of scope for improvement. Vauxhall’s Zafira, however, was never one of them. It fulfilled its brief brilliantly in offering seven seat family transport that was safe, affordable, reliable and enjoyable. Vauxhall subsequently reaped the rewards, the Zafira being the biggest seller of all European mini-MPVs, eclipsing the Renault Scenic in a market the French company once called their own. Replacing the Zafira was never going to be easy, but Vauxhall have got the MK2 model just right.

The one thing you can never have enough of in an MPV-style vehicle is space and sure enough, the tale of the tape reveals that the Zafira has succumbed, if not to middle age spread, then at least a little loosening of the belt. This is perhaps understandable given the fact that with utility vehicles like the Meriva mopping up sales in the supermini-MPV class and no recognised full-sized MPV contender, there was a vacuum into which the Zafira would be drawn. Six inches longer, 1.5 inches wider and a shade taller than the outgoing car, the latest Zafira retains the seven-seat configuration, with a middle bench seat offering three berths and two seats in the back that also fold flat into the floor. What has changed is the amount of legroom on offer to the occupants. Whereas the old car would have been hideously cramped with all seven seats in use, the latest model offers a little more breathing space. It’s still not ideally suited to a rugby sevens team and their kit, but for the larger family, it’s close to perfect. As before, the seating system is so versatile that the Zafira can be configured in two, three, four, five, six or seven seat guises in a matter of seconds. Most buyers will run in five-seat format, and in this mode the Vauxhall can cope with 620-litres of luggage – fully 20 more than the old car. Depending on the trim level, the Zafira can also boast up to 30 storage compartments. The ‘Flex Organiser’ luggage bay stowage system that has proved a success with Astra Estate buyers is also available on the Zafira.

"The Zafira looks set to dominate the sales charts again"

It is to the Astra that the Zafira owes many of its exterior design cues. Whereas the old Zafira was clearly related to the Astra Mk IV, the current model looks for all the world like a MkV Astra Estate that’s been attached to a garage airline. A particularly interesting feature is the optional panorama roof. With four large glass panels, this system offers passengers a light, airy atmosphere in the back, while tinted glass and a powered shade protect against dazzle. A centre console running the length of the ceiling has a number of overhead compartments. A wide range of engines are offered and the Zafira marks the debut of Vauxhall’s 140bhp 1.8-litre ECOTEC powerplant. Sure to be a mainstay of their petrol powered engine selection, compared to the outgoing model’s 1.8 unit, the replacement has 14 per cent more power, consumes four per cent less fuel, has improved flexibility and is a good deal more refined. The 140bhp power output means the new 1.8-litre engine is one of the most powerful in this class, but it’s far from being a highly-stressed race engine with peaky power delivery. Thanks to advanced valve and cam phasing technology, 90 per cent of the 175Nm maximum torque is available from 2200 to 6200 rpm. This wide range ensures lively performance and exceptional pulling power even at low engine speeds, making everyday driving more relaxed with less need to change gear. Vauxhall pioneered the concept of the performance mini-MPV with the GSi Turbo version of the last Zafira and filling that niche even more emphatically is the Zafira VXR. From the VXR sub brand of high performance vehicles, this model can call upon a 240bhp powerplant that will rocket the car to 60mph in 7 seconds flat and on to a top speed of 144mph. With 320Nm of torque in reserve, this Zafira has as much muscle as a Porsche Boxster S. If the growing family means that you’ve had to shelve plans for a sporty car, here’s the perfect antidote. With a honeycomb grille, a larger front bumper (with a central air intake) and fog lights, the VXR has serious rear-view mirror presence. Deep sill extensions, twin tailpipes and 18-inch alloy wheels ensure that bystanders know what they’re looking at. The interior features Recaro sports seats and a sports steering wheel and gear lever. With prices starting at £12,995 for the 1.6-litre Expression model, Vauxhall aims to put a big hole in the hopes of the budget contenders. Model for model, the Zafira looks to be around £350 cheaper than its predecessor at the lower end of the scale. Vauxhall even claim that a Zafira 1.6-litre Life works out at around £1,000 cheaper than an equivalently specified Renault Grand Scenic. That’s not to be sniffed at. Trim levels run through Expression, Life, Club, Design, SRi, Elite and VXR and aside from the engines previously touched upon, there’s also a 2.2-litre direct injection petrol, a 200bhp 2.0-litre turbo and 1.9-litre common rail diesel powerplants of 120bhp and 150bhp outputs. Expect to pay just under £20,000 for the Zafira1.9 CDTi 150 in SRi trim. It’s hard to see how Vauxhall can get this one wrong. The last Zafira made a lot of sense but was only really deficient in terms of visual pizzazz and interior wow factor. The Mk V Astra has these qualities in spades and lending them to the latest Zafira isn’t the work of a genius. Expect to see Vauxhall remain at the top of the mini-MPV sales charts.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Vauxhall Zafira range PRICES: £12,995-£22,270 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 5-15 CO2 EMISSIONS: 165-228g/km PERFORMANCE: [VXR] Max Speed 144mph / 0-60mph 7s FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.8] (average) 34mpg [est] STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4467/1776/1637mm

FLEX ADDICT Vauxhall’s Zafira has long campaigned in terms of value for money and the 1.6-litre models best exemplify this. Andy Enright reports

If you’d resigned yourself to a second rate mini-MPV from a budget manufacturer, this might come as good news. Prices for the latest Vauxhall Zafira range kick off at around £13,000 and you’re not about to get saddled with an engine that would struggle to punch its way out of a wet paper bag. In fact, the 1.6-litre petrol Zafira models are well worth further investigation. If you were about to settle for second best, put down that pen, step away from that dotted line and read on.

Let’s face facts. Much as Vauxhall have tried to convince us to the contrary, mini-MPVs in general and the Zafira in particular are not about tyre-shredding power and performance. They’re bought for other reasons such as practicality, safety and ease of ownership. This is why for most people, the 1.6-litre entry-level model is, in fact, a better car than the 240bhp ripsnorting Zafira VXR. Less, in this instance, is most definitely more. You probably won’t care that it takes 13.9 seconds to get to 60mph and that the top speed of 109mph isn’t going to make you the Obergruppenfuhrer of the autobahn. No, what’s more germane is the almost diesel-like fuel consumption figure of 38.7mpg and a CO2 emissions figure of just 175g/km. The engine is a benign unit that revs sweetly and only really feels its capacity when you’ve loaded the vehicle to capacity or are attempting to set a stiff target time for Lance Armstrong on a Category III climb. Three basic trim levels are offered, opening with the Expression, the model that features the headline-grabbing £12,995 price tag. Move up to the Life model and you’re still netting quite a bargain. Despite adding side airbags and roof rails to the old model, at £14,800 the latest car is £350 cheaper. The reason why I mentioned there are three ‘basic’ trim levels in the line up is that there are effectively two versions of the Life offered; the standard car and model with air conditioning that tacks on another £500. With a vehicle with this much glass, that may well prove a sound investment. At the top of the totem pole is the 1.6-litre Club, fitted with air-conditioning, alloy wheels and curtain airbags. This is some £650 cheaper than the old model. Paying less and getting more sounds a good deal in anybody’s language.

"The Zafira 1.6-litre may not be thrilling but it is thrifty"

Steering feel has improved noticeably over the old Zafira and other aspects such as the gearchange have been finessed. Ride quality and body control have improved dramatically from the old Zafira, thanks in no small part to a completely redesigned suspension system. The torsion beam rear axle also helps packaging, being especially compact, and allowing for a flat floor with no suspension intrusion. The one thing you can never have enough of in an MPV-style vehicle is space and sure enough, the tale of the tape reveals that the Zafira has succumbed, if not to middle age spread, then at least to a little loosening of the belt. This is perhaps understandable given the fact that with utility vehicles like the Meriva mopping up sales in the supermini-MPV class and no recognised full-sized MPV contender, there was a vacuum into which the Zafira would be drawn. Six inches longer, 1.5 inches wider and a shade taller than the outgoing car, the latest Zafira retains the seven-seat configuration, with a middle bench seat offering three berths and two seats in the back that also fold flat into the floor. What has changed is the amount of legroom on offer to the occupants. Whereas the old car would have been hideously cramped with all seven seats in use, the latest model offers a little more breathing space. It’s still not ideally suited to a rugby sevens team and their kit, but for the larger family, it’s close to perfect. As before, the seating system is so versatile that the Zafira can be configured in two, three, four, five, six or seven seat guises in a matter of seconds. Most buyers will run in five-seat format, and in this mode the Vauxhall can cope with 620-litres of luggage – fully 20 more than the old car. Depending on the trim level, the Zafira can also boast up to 30 storage compartments. The ‘Flex Organiser’ luggage bay stowage system that has proved a success with Astra Estate buyers is also available on the Zafira. Don’t believe the hype that the Flex7 system is instantly intuitive. Some reference to the manual and a certain degree of practice is required before you can say you’ve mastered the seating system. It is to the Astra that the Zafira owes many of its exterior design cues. Whereas the old Zafira was clearly related to the Astra Mk IV, the current model looks for all the world like a MkV Astra Estate that’s been attached to a garage air line. A particularly interesting feature is the optional panorama roof. With four large glass panels, this system offers passengers a light, airy atmosphere in the back, while tinted glass and a powered shade protect against dazzle. A centre console running the length of the ceiling has a number of overhead compartments. Built in a £300 million state-of-the-art facility in Bochum, Germany, the latest Zafira is built to a zero defect principle and the results are apparent inside the cabin. Although it doesn’t feel quite as bulletproof as the Astra inside, it’s still a very impressive effort. The 1.6-litre versions of the Zafira are probably pipped by the diesel models as the best buy in the range, but if funds won’t permit you to stretch to one of the CDTi engines, the 1.6-litre petrol is no sorry substitute. It’s a tough and willing powerplant wrapped in one of the best mini-MPVs money can buy. Vauxhall hit the mother lode with the last Zafira and look set to do so again.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 range PRICES: £12,995-£15,525 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 7E CO2 EMISSIONS: 175g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 109mph / 0-60mph 13.9s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 38.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4467/1776/1637mm