The Opel Zafira is a car manufactured and marketed across three generations between 1999 and 2019 by Opel. Based on the Opel Astra platform, it is developed to occupy the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment.[1]

Opel Zafira
Overview
ManufacturerOpel (General Motors)
Also calledVauxhall Zafira
ProductionJanuary 1999 – 2019 (Europe)
Body and chassis
ClassCompact MPV (C)
Body style5-door MPV
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
PredecessorOpel Sintra
SuccessorOpel Zafira-e Life
Opel Grandland

The Zafira was also marketed under the Vauxhall marque in the United Kingdom until June 2018,[2] the Holden marque in Australia until June 2005, and under a number of other market-specific brands and names.

The name "Zafira" derives from the Arabic word meaning to succeed. Since 2011, it received an additional moniker as the Zafira Tourer.[3]

Zafira A (1999)

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Zafira
 
Overview
Model codeT98
Also calledOpel Zafira (EU)
Vauxhall Zafira (UK)
Chevrolet Zafira (BR/LATAM)
Chevrolet Nabira (Malaysia)
Holden Zafira (Australia and New Zealand)
Subaru Traviq (Japan)
ProductionJanuary 1999 – 2005 (Germany)
2000–2005 (Thailand)
2001–2012 (Brazil)
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassCompact MPV
PlatformT-body platform
RelatedOpel Astra G
Powertrain
EnginePetrol:
1.6 L Family 1 I4
1.8 L Family 1 I4[4]
2.0 L Family II I4 turbo
2.2 L Ecotec I4
Diesel:
2.0 L X20DTL/Y20DTH I4
2.2 L Y22DTR I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,694 mm (106.1 in)
Length4,317 mm (170.0 in)
Width1,742 mm (68.6 in)
Height1,684 mm (66.3 in)
Curb weight1,320–1,560 kg (2,910–3,439 lb)
Chronology
SuccessorChevrolet Spin (South America)[5]
Subaru Exiga (for Subaru Traviq, Japan)

The first generation Zafira was internally designated as the Zafira A. Co-developed with Porsche,[6] it debuted in concept form at the 1997 Frankfurt Auto Show and entered series production in January 1999, with sales beginning in April of that year.[7]

The Zafira shared the T platform with the 1998 Astra G, sharing much commonality with that car. The Zafira seated seven passengers in three rows. Using a system marketed as Flex 7, the split back seat could fold into the floor to increase cargo space, without requiring removal.

Offered with a series of petrol engines and initially a single diesel offering, the "X" engines were replaced by the newer "Z" engine generation in 2000.[7] These featured variable intake manifolds and were able to meet Euro 3 emissions standards. The 2.0-litre turbodiesels were complemented by a 125 PS (92 kW) 2.2-litre option in January 2002.[6]

The Zafira A body was used in GM/Opel's concept hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle the GM HydroGen3.

A facelift was launched in February 2003 at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Zafira ranked third in the European Car of the Year for 2000, behind only the Fiat Multipla and Toyota Yaris. In TüV's ranking of the quality of three year old cars, the Zafira was by far the best Opel; only slightly behind the winning Ford Focus.[6]

Zafira A production ended on 25 May 2005, in Bochum. It was replaced by Zafira B in Europe, but was still sold in most other markets until 2012 (albeit that its cousin the Chevrolet Astra was discontinued in 2011), except for Australia and New Zealand, where the model was cancelled altogether.

Zafira OPC

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Introduced at Geneva in February 2001, the turbocharged Zafira OPC went on sale in October 2001. With 192 PS (141 kW), this was the fastest minivan on sale in Europe.[8] Only available with a five speed manual transmission, 0–100 km/h (62 mph) can be reached in 8.2 seconds and the top speed is 220 km/h (137 mph).[4]

Markets

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The Zafira was marketed in the Philippines from 2001 to 2005, as the last Europe-based Opel marketed in the Philippines after they stopped selling the Opel Astra in 2003. Although sold as the Chevrolet Zafira, it was sold alongside other Opel vehicles until it the Opel name was pulled out of the Philippine-market by its distributor, GM Philippines.

The Zafira was produced and sold in the Thailand from 2000 to 2005. it was sold alongside other Opel vehicles until it the Opel name was pulled out of the Thai-market by its distributor, GM Thailand. Thailand’s domestic family wagon segment with 3,946 units sold.

The Zafira A was sold in Malaysia as the Chevrolet Nabira.[9]

Subaru Traviq

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The Zafira was sold in Japan from August 2001 through to November 2004 as the Subaru Traviq alongside the standard Opel vehicle. In exchange, Subaru supplied the Subaru Forester as the Chevrolet Forester in India since 2003.[10]

According to Subaru, the Traviq name was a combination of the words "travel" and "quick".[11] Imported from Thailand,[12] the Traviq was originally only available with the bigger 2.2 litre engine, although a 1.8 L, lower priced alternative was added in July 2003.[11] The engines used were not Subaru supplied boxer engines, but were conventional in line units that were uncharacteristic to market recognised Subaru products, and all-wheel drive was also not available.

The sale of the Zafira as a Subaru created a conflict with previously established Yanase Co., Ltd. retail dealerships, in that Yanase was already selling Opel products, like the Zafira. When production of the Traviq ended, Yanase continued to import Opel products into Japan until 2006.[citation needed] It was replaced later in 2008 by the Subaru Exiga – developed from the Subaru Legacy platform.

Zafira B (2005)

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Zafira B
 
Opel Zafira B (2005–2009)
Overview
Model codeA05
Also calledVauxhall Zafira (UK)
Chevrolet Zafira
Opel Zafira Family (2011–2014)
Production2005–2014
2012–2014 (Russia)[13]
Model years2006–2014
AssemblyGermany: Bochum
Poland: Gliwice
Russia: Kaliningrad
Body and chassis
ClassCompact MPV
PlatformT platform[14][15]
RelatedOpel Astra H
Opel Meriva B
Powertrain
EnginePetrol:
1.6 L Family 1 I4
1.8 L Family 1 I4
2.0 L Ecotec I4 turbo
2.2 L Ecotec I4
Diesel:
1.7 L CDTi I4
1.9 L CDTi I4
Transmission5-speed manual
6-speed manual[nb 1]
4-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,703 mm (106.4 in)
Length4,468 mm (175.9 in)
Width1,801 mm (70.9 in)
Height1,801 mm (70.9 in) (2006–2008)
1,636 mm (64.4 in) (2009–present)
Chronology
SuccessorChevrolet HHR (Mexico)
Chevrolet Orlando (Chile)

The second generation Zafira, internally designated Zafira B, debuted in Europe on 12 February 2005, with sales starting on 9 June 2005. It shared the platform and mechanical parts with the Opel Astra H. In February 2007, the Zafira B was launched in Singapore. By March 2007, the model had only been introduced in Europe and Singapore.

It went on sale in Mexico in April 2006, and Chile in September 2007. In both countries, it was branded as the Chevrolet Zafira. Although this generation was replaced in the end of 2011 by the Zafira C, this model remained in production until May 2014 as the Zafira Family. This name change occurred in markets including Germany.[16]

Names and markets

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  • Vauxhall Zafira – United Kingdom
  • Chevrolet Zafira – Chile and Mexico
  • Opel Zafira – Europe (except for United Kingdom), Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan & South Africa

In Mexico the Chevrolet Zafira was discontinued after the 2006 model year, and replaced by the five-passenger Chevrolet HHR.

Engines

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The Zafira B's engine line was partly carried over from the previous Astra/Zafira generation. Opel replaced the 2.0 and 2.2 turbodiesel I4 engines with 1.9 L common rail turbodiesels developed by Fiat (Multijet). Opel Performance Center developed a turbocharged 240 hp (180 kW) 2.0 L performance version of the Zafira B as well. A CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) version of the new Zafira with a 1.6 L engine is also available.

Petrol engine
Model Engine Displacement Power Torque CO2 emission (g/km) Years Notes
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
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
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
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) 230 (2005–10)
Diesel engine
Model Engine Displacement Power Torque CO2 emission (g/km) Years Notes
1.7 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
125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) at 4,000 rpm 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–3,500 rpm 2010–11
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
280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 1,700–2,550 rpm 159 2005–10 EU4
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
315 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–2,500 rpm 159 2005–10 EU4

Fire issues and recalls

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In November 2015, the London Fire Brigade issued an alert in response to a "spike" in reports of fires with the model.[17]

In December 2015, safety officials in the United Kingdom asked Vauxhall to initiate a full safety recall of the model Zafira B, due to a worrying level of car fires apparently or alleged to have been caused by 'Improper Repairs'.[18]

The fires continued, even those recalled, and a second full safety recall was announced in May 2016, with all owners advised not to use the fan in speeds regulated by the "resistor pack" which contained a solder based unreliable safety critical thermal fuse, until the second recall, starting August 2016, had been carried out.[19]

On 3 May 2018, a criminal investigation into Vauxhall's handling of the fires of the Zafira B and recalls was launched in the United Kingdom.[20]

On 31 August 2019, major damage occurred in a parking garage in Cork, Ireland when an Opel Zafira caught fire.[21]

On 7 January 2020, there was a spontaneous fire in an Opel Zafira, which caused over 200 to 300 cars in a parking garage at Stavanger Airport, Sola to be destroyed. No people were harmed.[22]

Zafira C/Zafira Tourer (2011)

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Zafira C/Zafira Tourer
 
Overview
Model codeA11
Also calledOpel Zafira Tourer (Europe)
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (UK)
Production2011–2019 (Opel)
2011–2018 (Vauxhall)
Assembly
DesignerQuentin Huber (FL, exterior)[25]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact MPV
PlatformDelta II platform
RelatedOpel Astra J
Opel Cascada
Chevrolet Orlando (first generation)
Powertrain
EnginePetrol:
1.4 L A14NEL (LUH)/U14NFT I4 turbo
1.6 L A16XHT (LVP) / A16SHT/B16SHT (LWC) I4
1.8 L VVT I4
Petrol CNG:
1.6 L GM Opel A16XNT I4
Petrol LPG:
1.4 L A14NET I4
Diesel:
1.6 L CDTI I4
2.0 L CDTI/CDTI ecoFLEX/CDTI Bi-Turbo I4
Transmission5-speed manual
6-speed manual[3]
6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,760 mm (108.7 in)
Length4,660 mm (183.5 in)
Width1,820 mm (71.7 in)
Height1,690 mm (66.5 in)

The third generation of the Zafira, called the Zafira Tourer, was previewed in concept form at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, as the 'Zafira Tourer Concept'.

It was largely based on the Opel Astra J, and when the Zafira Tourer C went on sale, the Zafira B remained on sale from 2011 up to 2014, albeit in facelifted form as the "Zafira Family", to act as a smaller and cheaper version, as the Zafira Tourer C increased in size, to act as a proper rival to the Ford S-Max.[26]

A hybrid/electric version was expected to follow during 2012. This car indirectly replaced the Opel Sintra, the only previous full sized Vauxhall/Opel MPV in Europe, which was discontinued in May 1999 after just three years on sale, as a slow selling product built in the United States. The production version debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and went on sale November 2011.[27]

A natural gas version of the Zafira Tourer was announced in December 2011. A dual fuel vehicle, its CNG tank driving the car 530 kilometres, and a 14-litre petrol tank provided additional range or operation when a CNG filling station was not available.[28]

In June 2016, a facelift was unveiled for 2017 (with sales starting at the end of 2016), dropping 'Tourer' from the name when sold as an Opel. As part of the upgrade, new front and rear bumpers and new interior brought styling in line with the Opel Astra K. OnStar navigation was also introduced as part of an updated IntelliLink infotainment system, complete with 4G LTE hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Other new options for MY2017 included adaptive LED headlights, "Opel Eye" front camera, high beam assist, traffic sign assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.[29]

In June 2018, the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer was discontinued from the United Kingdom, citing the rise of SUV and crossover vehicles.[2]

In 2019, it was replaced by LCV-based Zafira Life.[30]

Engines

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All engines had a six speed manual gearbox as standard, bar the 1.8 petrol, which had a five speed manual gearbox as standard. An automatic gearbox was available as an option on the 1.4T and 2.0 CDTI (165 PS), both without S/S.

An EcoFLEX version went on sale in 2012, equipped with the 2.0 CDTI (130PS) engine and it gained a Start/Stop system to make it more economical, emitting 119g/km of CO2, as for petrol variants they were 1.4T ecoFLEX with a Start/Stop system with same amount of power (120 and 140 PS) like standard versions but with lower CO2 emissions – 144g/km and better fuel efficiency.[31]

In 2013, two all new engines were introduced: 1.6 SIDI Turbo petrol engine with 170 PS and 200 PS, and newly developed 1.6 CDTI diesel engine with 136 PS. In September 2014, Opel introduced its all new generation of engines – Large Diesel engines, starting with 2.0 CDTI engine with 170 PS and 400 Nm, which is a part of new strategy in which Opel will introduce seventeen new engines, in a period from 2014–2018.[32]

Petrol engine
Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Note CO2 emission (g/km) Year
1.4 Turbo S/S I4 1364 cc 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4,900–6000 rpm 200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1,850–4,900 rpm N/A in UK 154
140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 4,900–6000 rpm 200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1,850–4,900 rpm 154
1.6 Turbo SIDI 1598 cc 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 6000 (4250) rpm 260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) (overboost 280 (207)) at 1650–3200 (4250) rpm 144 2013–
200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) at 5500 rpm 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) (overboost 300 (221)) at 1650–3500 rpm 154 2014–
1.8 VVT 1796 cc 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) at 5,600 rpm 175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm 169
140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6,300 rpm 175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm 169
LPG/CNG engine
Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Note CO2 emission (g/km) Year
1.4 Turbo ecoFLEX I4 1364 cc 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 4,900–6000 rpm 200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1,850–4,900 rpm LPG 139
1.6 Turbo ecoFLEX I4 1598 cc 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 5,000 rpm 210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) at 2,300–5,000 rpm CNG 129
Diesel engine
Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Note CO2 emission (g/km) Year
1.6 CDTI I4 1598 cc 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4,000 rpm 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm N/A in UK 119 2014–2019
136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) at 3,500–4,000 rpm 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm 109 2013–2019
2.0 CDTI 1956 cc 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) at 4,000 rpm 260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm N/A in UK 137 2011–2014
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S 130 PS (96 kW; 130 hp) at 4,000 rpm 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm from 2013 only with AT 119; 154 with AT 2012–2019
2.0 CDTI S/S 165 PS (121 kW; 163 hp) at 4,000 rpm 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm 137 2012–2014
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 3,750 rpm 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm 129 2015–2019
2.0 CDTI Bi-Turbo S/S 195 PS (143 kW; 192 hp) at 4,000 rpm 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm 144 2012–2019

Awards

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  • The Zafira Tourer was awarded "Best Estate" at the German Car of the Year awards of 2012.
  • The Zafira Tourer scored a five star rating in Euro NCAP.
  • The Opel Zafira Tourer won the "Golden Steering Wheel 2012" award from German publications Auto Bild, Bild am Sonntag and twenty six European partner magazines.[33]

Notes

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  1. ^ OPC version only.
  2. ^ Until 2014.[23]
  3. ^ From 2014.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "Opel moves mobility forward from Ampera to Zafira Tourer Concept". Opel Ireland. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2013. The Zafira Tourer Concept brings Insignia ambition, quality and innovative technologies to the large MPV segment.
  2. ^ a b "Vauxhall Zafira Tourer and GTC axed due to rise of SUVs".
  3. ^ a b "Configurator". Opel. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  4. ^ a b Nötzli, Max, ed. (7 March 2002). Automobil Revue 2002 (in German and French). Vol. 97. Berne, Switzerland: Büchler Grafino AG. p. 455. ISBN 3-905386-02-X.
  5. ^ Mora, Rodrigo (27 June 2012). "Chevrolet apresenta a Spin, substituta de Meriva e Zafira" [Chevrolet introduces Spin, replacement for Meriva and Zafira]. Auto Esporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Gebrauchtwagentest: Opels Bester" [Used car assessment: Opel's best one], AutoBild (in German), Hamburg, Germany: Axel Springer Auto Verlag, 25 February 2002
  7. ^ a b Automobil Revue 2002, p. 454
  8. ^ "Zafira: Facts and Figure". ramp-it.net. 24 January 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  9. ^ "Test Driving the Chevrolet Nabira". 5 January 2005.
  10. ^ Stopford, William (21 November 2018). "Obscure Rebadges From Around The World: Part 6". Curbside Classic. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  11. ^ a b "検索結果: 2001年 スバル トラヴィック Sパッケージ" [Great Car Pavilion: 2001 Subaru Traviq S-package] (in Japanese). Gazoo.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  12. ^ "JAPAN: Subaru plans 4WD next-generation Opel Zafira-based Traviq". Just Auto. 20 December 2001. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  13. ^ "At home in Europe and the world". Opel. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014.
  14. ^ "Not global: Opel out of GM Delta". Automotive News. 11 February 2002.
  15. ^ Ciferri, Luca (20 June 2002). "Fiat, General Motors developing joint Stilo-Astra platform". autoweek.com. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  16. ^ Wolkenstein, Peter (4 August 2012). "Opel Zafira Family gegen Opel Zafira Tourer: Welcher Van ist der bessere Kauf?". auto motor und sport (in German). Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Vauxhall Zafira B: London fire callouts 'spike'". BBC News. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  18. ^ Chris Choi (19 November 2015). "Vauxhall Zafira upgraded to full safety recall status". itv.com. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  19. ^ "Vauxhall Zafira recall: What you need to know". ITV. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  20. ^ "Vauxhall Zafira fires face criminal investigation". BBC News. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  21. ^ English, Eoin (26 October 2019). "Car which caused Cork shopping centre car-park fire removed for specialist examination". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  22. ^ Holter, Mikael (8 January 2020). "Hundreds of cars destroyed by fire at Norway airport". Automotive News Europe. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  23. ^ a b "Opel Zafira Tourer Production To Remain In Germany". 15 May 2013.
  24. ^ "Opel Zafira". Wroom.ru (in English and Russian). Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  25. ^ "Mondial de Paris 2016 : Rencontre avec l'Opel Karl Rocks et son designer Quentin Huber - Le Nouvel Automobiliste". lenouvelautomobiliste.fr/. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  26. ^ McIlroy, John (1 March 2011). "Geneva motor show: Vauxhall Zafira". Auto.cz. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  27. ^ Phillips, Tom (8 February 2011). "Vauxhall's next Zafira previewed as Tourer Concept". Auto Express. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  28. ^ "New CNG Zafira Tourer with Best-in-Class 530 km Natural Gas Range" (Press release). Opel. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  29. ^ Wong, James (June 2016). "2017 Opel Zafira facelift unveiled". CarAdvice. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  30. ^ "Opel Zafira Life : Changement de cap". L'Automobile Magazine (in French). 9 January 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  31. ^ "Opel Reveals New Zafira Tourer Before Frankfurt Show". GM Authority. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  32. ^ "All-new Opel 2.0 CDTI: New Generation Large Diesel Debuts in Paris". Media Opel. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  33. ^ "Opel Zafira Tourer wins 'Golden Steering Wheel 2012' award". Opel Media Europe. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
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