Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTi SE first drive

This is the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, the seven-seat Ford S-Max-rivalling MPV, with a new 1.6-litre diesel engine.

It’s the first model in Vauxhall’s line-up to receive the new all-aluminium diesel engine, as part of a major powertrain development programme which will see 80 per cent of the engine range renewed by 2016.

The new engine produces a useful 134bhp and 236lb ft and is claimed to be capable of averaging 68.9mpg, impressive given the Zafira Tourer’s dimensions and 1626kg kerb weight.

More notably, its CO2 emissions are rated at 109g/km, meaning road tax costs just £20 a year allied to appealing benefit-in-kind company car tax rates for business users.

Developed entirely within GM, the 1.6-litre diesel is equipped with high pressure common-rail fuel injection, a single variable geometry turbocharger, start/stop and an exhaust gas treatment system. These work together to improve efficiency while retaining drivability.

The engine features ‘sound engineering’ measures, including multiple injection cycles designed to smooth the combustion process and reduce the stereotypical diesel clatter, acoustic shielding and quiet scissor gear drives for the engine’s timing systems.

Vauxhall has also revised its six-speed manual gearbox, with new internals and gearchange mechanisms. These upgrades are claimed to reduce shift travel and effort. An automatic transmission will be offered in the future.

Besides marking the introduction of a new 1.6-litre engine into a diesel line-up that previously consisted of solely 2.0-litre units, other updates include a newly developed Flex7 seating system and a choice of two new infotainment systems.

The Zafira Tourer's new engine is a remarkably smooth and quiet affair, despite its modest displacement and - for its size - relatively high output.

Its power delivery is linear, despite a quoted peak torque of 2000-2250rpm, and even in top gear it will - admittedly slowly - accelerate without bucking or hesitation.

Drop in to a more appropriate gear and it transpires to be suitably willing and eager up to around 4000rpm, and capable of propelling the Zafira Tourer along with ease. It's not as muscular as the equivalent 2.0-litre perhaps, but it doesn't leave you wanting.

Even at higher engine speeds it remains free from the typical diesel harshness that you might expect, although it does predictably become louder - but not to an intrusive extent.

It's still not as quiet under load as equivalent petrol units, but its degree of refinement and flexibility is impressive nonetheless. Consequently it'd be a suitable option for those considering lots of motorway or cross-country driving, thanks to its refined manners.

Acceleration could hardly be described as rapid, but the Zafira Tourer will get from 0-62mph in an acceptable 11.2sec. If necessary, it's claimed to reach a top speed of 125mph.

The six-speed transmission benefits from well-spaced ratios and a long-legged top gear, but its action is slightly balky and hampered by an ungainly gearlever. Not only does it feel uncomfortable to hold, but it has an awkward and unnatural-feeling action due to its angle and travel, both in the vertical and horizontal planes. A shorter, more precise throw with a slicker feel would be a significant improvement for later versions.