Here are images of Vauxhall’s new Zafira concept that has made its public debut at the Geneva motor show.
The Zafira Tourer Concept is ostensibly a show car - but as with last year’s GTC Paris, it’s likely to give a strong indication of the final production model. It shows how Vauxhall is moving the car upmarket to become a rival for the S-Max - leaving the current Zafira to continue, in facelifted form.
See the official pics of the new Vauxhall Zafira plus pics from the show
Vauxhall’s vice-president of design Mark Adams has described the concept’s cabin as “an automobile oasis”. “We have transferred the idea of a relaxing lounge to a vehicle,” he said. “The exterior design also makes a bold statement with its sleek, flowing lines and premium feel.”
The concept sits on GM’s Delta II platform and its styling takes a mix of cues from the most recent Astra Sports Tourer and, at the front, the Insignia. It features a glass roof and LED edge lighting, and a belt line that sweeps upwards; Vauxhall likens the profile to that of a high-speed train.
Inside there’s a new generation of GM Europe’s Flex7 seating system. It offers seven seats as standard, but with two rows in place, the middle seat in the rear pews can fold down to give more shoulder room and central armrests for the outer two passengers. The seating system also offers extended footrests.
Read more on the new Vauxhall Zafira
But as expected, the Zafira does without the innovative FlexDoor system that was first seen on its smaller brother, the Meriva.
The fascia is dominated by a large touch-screen display, and includes a covered storage compartment that can accommodate a tablet computer like an iPad. The connectivity is enhanced further for rear passengers, who can access the internet and watch movies on PCs mounted in the front seat backs.
Vauxhall has yet to release any details of powerplants in the new Zafira’s line-up. But the concept is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged motor with stop-start - and this set-up is almost certain to represent the entry-level model in the range when it goes on sale in the autumn.
John McIlroy
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