The German manufacturer, although already owned by the French concern, is returning to the domestic market. Its lineup includes the Opel Zafira with the Life prefix. The novelty has nothing to do with the car of the same name, produced in the days of General Motors. In fact, it is a redesigned version of a French minivan sold under the names Peugeot Traveler, Citroen SpaceTourer and even Toyota Proace. Strictly speaking, the Vauxhall brand division uses the name Vivaro. All the differences lie in the nameplates, logos and design of the front. The "German" has a slightly enlarged radiator grille with a thin horizontal chrome trim. The headlights have a simpler shape, without the bumper creeping on them. A more significant difference lies in the equipment list. So, the starting equipment of Innovation is more expensive than that of its French counterpart, but it has a richer technical filling. The list of equipment includes: two sliding doors on the sides, front and side airbags, steel stamped 16-inch wheels, stabilization system, cruise control, air conditioning and a separate air conditioning system for rear passengers, Webasto autonomous pre-heater, front parking sensors and a rearview camera, a seven-inch screen entertainment system, and an engine start button. The assembly was set up at the facilities of the Kaluga PCMA plant.
dimensions
Opel Zafira is a passenger minivan that can take on board from six to nine people. In the basic version, it is 4600 mm long, 1920 mm wide, 1905 mm high and 3275 mm between the wheelsets. For an additional fee, you can order a version extended by 350 mm. The wheelbase is retained. The longest version is available outside the domestic market. From bumper to bumper, it measures 5.3 meters. It is worth noting that a van will appear in Russia next year, but it will bear the name Vivaro, like the model of the sub-brand.
Specifications
Only one power unit is available for the Opel Zafira. It is a two-liter inline diesel turbocharged four with a Common Rail fuel system. It develops 150 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 3700 Nm of torque starting from 2000 rpm. As a transmission, an exclusively classic hydromechanical automatic with six operating ranges is offered. At the start of sales, the drive will only be to the front wheels. Later it will be possible to order a plug-in system with a multi-plate clutch. As a result, the car is able to accelerate from zero to one hundred kilometers per hour in 12.3 seconds. The high-speed ceiling is located at around 183 kilometers per hour. Fuel consumption is 7 liters of diesel at a city driving pace, 5.6 liters on the highway and 6.2 liters in the combined cycle.
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Once upon a time, minivans were a class of cars that were predicted to have a brighter future. And now there are just one or two minivans on our market. There are many reasons. There is pressure from the crossover market, and an increase in the consumer characteristics of hatchbacks, but the fact remains: there are very few full-fledged minivans on the Russian market. And, perhaps, the most popular model for a good ten years has been the Opel Zafira B, an "almost full-size" seven-seater minivan. Almost an ideal choice for those for whom the C-class car is cramped, and the size of the parking lot does not allow taking a bigger car.
This is not the first generation of the model. Zafira A appeared back in 1999, immediately gained high popularity in Europe and was in good demand around the world. It's funny that in Japan it was sold as a Subaru Traviq, but otherwise - no exotic, only the native emblems of GM. Vauxhall in England, Holden in Australia, Chevrolet in the US and China. At the same time, the main "generic" features of the model were formed: seven-seater, flexible configuration of the cabin with very small dimensions and excellent, absolutely not "bus" handling. The latter has become almost the main characteristic feature of the model, and there is someone! Specialists from Porsche helped Opel develop the car. The car turned out to be so successful that in some regional markets in Asia, the Zafira A was sold until 2012.
The first Zafira was replaced in 2005 by the second. The concept of the car has not changed: the car is still based on the components and assemblies of the Opel Astra model, has approximately the same dimensions as its predecessor and the same range of motors. The new generation of the model became the basis for the minivan. From a technical point of view, the models are very close, have many identical components and assemblies, but since the minivan is much heavier than hatchbacks, the range of engines and gearboxes is still different. The popularity of the car remained quite high until the release of the successor, the Zafira Tourer model in 2011: even more powerful, larger, with an even greater number of options, and more expensive. But, oddly enough, the older model was not taken out of production, but continued to be released as the Zafira Family after a slight restyling. So do not be surprised - the past Zafira was released in parallel with the new one, not only here near St. Petersburg, but also in Europe.
In outline
Like the base model, the overall Zafira has proven to be very reliable and user-friendly. The handling of the car is traditionally completely light, while driving you feel like in a normal passenger car. Of course, two places in the trunk are not very suitable for large people, but if we are not talking about long journeys, then the car is quite seven-seater. And, of course, if two extra seats are not needed, then they add up perfectly, and other "heels" will eventually envy the free space.Breakdowns and problems in operation
Engines
The motors here are almost the same as on the Astra H, and if you want more details, I recommend contacting. But since the car is still noticeably heavier, a 2.2 liter engine appeared in the range of motors, already familiar from the family. This is a 155-horsepower engine with direct injection Z22YH, it does not belong to the most beloved engines by opelevovers due to the low reliability of the direct fuel injection system, possible timing problems and relatively expensive spare parts. Much more popular are the 1.8 Z18XER motors or the similar A18XER on cars of later years of production. This 140-horsepower engine represents the "golden mean": it is powerful enough for this heavy car and allows you to feel confident not only in the city, but also on the highway. And besides, it has a simple and cheap design. Its 1.6-liter counterpart Z16XER is still rather weak, and if the lack of power is not very noticeable in urban traffic, then every ten horsepower is important on the track. More powerful engines come out significantly more expensive to purchase and maintain. Quite successful and powerful engines of the Z20LET, Z20LER, Z20LEH series with a power of 170, 200 and 240 hp, respectively, are very rare. These turbo engines are based on the old X20XEV series engines, which provides a relatively low cost of spare parts and high reliability in operation. But cars with these engines are expensive and extremely rare, and unlike 2.2 engines, they are not combined with automatic transmissions. Most likely, the point is also that the powerful turbo engine under the hood of a family car is frankly redundant.
Diesel engines 1.7 and 1.9 liters were not officially sold with us, but there are many cars with these engines on the market. These are cars from Europe, where diesel Zafirs are much more popular than gasoline ones. The main incentive to purchase such a car is an automatic transmission. However, the engines themselves are also very good, with a lively character and high reliability. Just do not forget to change the timing belt at least once every 60 thousand kilometers. Otherwise, the problems are the same as in all diesel engines: a jammed EGR valve, a dirty particulate filter on Euro-4 and Euro-5 modifications and the inevitable risk of bad diesel fuel getting into the tank, followed by a bunch of problems in the fuel system and more.
Transmission
Transmission became a big problem for Zafir. Manual gearboxes on 1.6 and 1.8 liter engines are five-speed F17, which I am talking about. Unfortunately, their reliability is frankly low - I strongly recommend that you carefully check the gearbox when buying, and then constantly monitor the level and quality of the oil in the crankcase during operation. On a heavy minivan, the chance of transmission failure is noticeably higher than on lighter hatchbacks, so you shouldn't relax. In combination with two-liter turbo engines, a manual transmission of the M32 series is used. This six-speed gearbox also came with a surprise in the form of failing bearings and shafts. The problems are the same as for the F17, but the maintainability is generally higher and there are good options for a simple replacement for the F16-F20 series gearbox, which reduces the severity of the problem. With automatic gearboxes on Zafira, everything is not very good either. Not in the sense that they are unreliable, they just did not install full-fledged automatic transmissions on the most running engines 1.6 and 1.8. Only the "robot" Izitronic, which, in fact, is a conventional F17 box with electric clutch and gearshift drives. Like all "robots" of the first generation, it is not very suitable for heavy city traffic, and even pleases with a not very high, about 60 thousand kilometers, resource of executive devices. A full-fledged automatic transmission on Zafira can be obtained only in tandem with a 2.2l gasoline engine (in fact, this is probably the main reason for buying such a car), or in combination with a diesel engine. This is all the more annoying because on the Zafira A and on the Astra H, the 1.8 engine is perfectly combined with an automatic transmission, and it is very successful, albeit not very modern. On the new Zafira, the gasoline engine is equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission Aisin AW55-50SN, aka AF33, and a newer and stronger box Aisin Warner AW TF-80SC, aka AF40, for diesel engines. Automatic transmissions are quite reliable, you can read about the nuances of operation in the material about. With a calm movement and an oil change every 60 thousand kilometers or more, they are quite capable of living a long and happy life.
Chassis
The suspension of the car is quite simple in design and perfectly withstands a relatively heavy minivan. The main consumables are the same as on the Astra: these are stabilizer struts, rear wishbone bushings and thrust bearings. With a mileage of about 100 thousand, it is worth checking the silent blocks of the rear beam, they may already crack, especially with worn springs and frequent movement with full load, etc. In general, the suspension resource deserves respect - without serious investments, it allows you to cover a hundred, or even one and a half hundred thousand kilometers.
Body and interior
The quality of the interior is about the same as in the Astra H, adjusted for generally richer configurations. Good quality materials and sound insulation and the absence of frankly poor configurations make the car an extremely attractive option "for every day." But the design is gloomy - unfortunately, this is a generic feature of Opel cars of these years. Not everyone will like the frankly technogenic style of performance, the faceted console and the abundance of gray and silver inserts. The main problems, in general, are the same as those of the Astra: this is the CIM steering column module, fading information displays in inexpensive versions and many small failures of a wide variety of electrics on cars of the first years of production. Specific ones are also added, for example, leaks in the fastening of the roof rails and the rear brake light, the ingress of water into the passenger compartment through the seals during the car wash and vibration of the developed overhead console. In general, with regard to the interior and suspensions, the car belongs to the most practical and convenient devices, perhaps the most economical to operate in its class today.The Zafira Family compact van (this is the second generation of the model) is considered one of the most successful cars among modern compact minivans with seven seats.
Moreover, this car is popular not only in Europe, but also in Russia (where in 2012 it was assembled at the facilities of the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad), as well as in a number of other countries (in whose markets this minivan is known as Zafira B, Chevrolet Zafira, Vauxhall Zafira and Holden Zafira ...).
By the way, this model received the “Family” prefix only when the next generation of this compact minivan, the Zafira Tourer, appeared in Russia.
The exterior of "Zafira Family" evokes only pleasant feelings. This minivan has a neat and at the same time dynamic design with well-thought-out body contours, elegant minimalist decor and stylish rims ... snowy courtyards ".
Now about the dimensions: the Opel Zafira Family is a fairly compact minivan, its length is only 4467 mm, the width fits into the frames of 1801 mm excluding the mirrors and 2025 mm, if we also count them, and the body height rests on the 1635 mm mark. The length of the wheelbase is 2703 mm, the width of the front and rear track is 1488 and 1512 mm, respectively.
The minimum curb weight for this car is 1505 kg.
The main advantage of Zafira Family is its salon ...
And the matter is not at all in the seven available places (especially since only children can comfortably sit in the third row), but in the possibilities of transforming the space and organizing the interior. The interior of the minivan is very ergonomic, it offers comfortable seats, as well as many places for storing small items and fastening various loads. At the same time, the build quality is also "on top" ...
Although there are several drawbacks that may seem critical to some motorists: the cabin of the Zafira B is a little noisy, and the windshield pillars limit visibility.
The trunk of a minivan in its standard state is able to accommodate about 540 liters of cargo, but if you fold the two rear rows of seats, the useful volume will increase to 1820 liters, allowing you to transport even long vehicles.
Specifications. In the Russian market, the Opel Zafira Family minivan is offered with only one power plant option. It is a petrol engine of the Ecotec family with four in-line cylinders with a total displacement of 1.8 liters (1796 cc). The motor is equipped with a 16-valve timing, an injector, a variable valve timing system and is capable of developing up to 140 hp. (103 kW) maximum power at 6300 rpm. Peak engine torque is around 175 Nm, achieved at 3800 rpm.
This engine is quite economical (it consumes about 9.6 liters within the city, about 5.7 liters on the highway and only 7.2 liters in the combined cycle), while CO2 emissions fully comply with the Euro-4 environmental standard.
The only engine for the Zafira Family is aggregated - either with a 5-speed "mechanics" or with a 5-band "robot" Easytronic.
In both cases, the maximum travel speed is about 197 km / h. As for the dynamics of acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h, then with the "mechanics" the minivan will keep within 11.5 seconds, but the "robot" will worsen this indicator to 12.9 seconds.
The Opel Zafira (B) Family is built on the GM Delta platform, also known from the Astra H / C. The front end of the body is supported by an independent suspension with MacPherson struts and a reinforced anti-roll bar. A semi-independent torsion beam is used at the rear. The front axle wheels are equipped with ventilated disc brakes.
The rear wheels got simple disc brakes. Rack and pinion steering is complemented by an electro-hydraulic power steering. We also note that already in the base the car receives the ABS, EBD and ESP systems (in the presence of the "Security" package).
The suspension of Zafira Family is quite well adapted to Russian roads, and the clearance of 160 mm helps to improve cross-country ability in winter or when traveling out of town. True, one cannot fail to mention the only weak point of the suspension - shock absorbers, which, by the way, were not even covered by the warranty.
In terms of safety, this compact MPV does not surprise with anything serious, offering a standard set for its price range in the form of: front and side airbags for the front row of seats, removable rear seat belts, a reinforced body frame and anchorages for child seats ... The second-generation Zafira minivan received a full five stars in the EuroNCAP tests.
Options and prices. In 2018, the Opel Zafira Family in Russia can be purchased only on the secondary market - at a price of 350 ~ 600 thousand rubles (depending on the level of equipment and the condition of a particular instance).
The basic list of equipment usually includes: 16-inch wheels, roof rails, crankcase, front foglights, full power accessories, air conditioning, heated front seats, interior lighting system for each row of seats, FlexOrganizer load securing system, a socket in the trunk and an audio system with 6 -y speakers and support for USB / AUX / mp3.
18.10.2016
Opel zafira) of the second generation - a large and comfortable car at an affordable price, perhaps the best option for a large family. Especially if the budget for buying a car is not large, it is worth noting that Zafira is one of the most affordable ones on the secondary market. There are very few negative reviews about this car, but still, it has drawbacks, but what they are, and what to look for before buying this model, now let's talk.
A bit of history:
For the first time, the Opel Zafira was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the spring of 1997, but in the guise of a prototype, the real history of the minivan began in 1999. The technical properties of the Opel Zafira resemble the Opel Astra, but still, there are some differences. For example, a reinforced rear suspension and a larger bumper with air intake. In 2003, given the emergence of a large number of competitors, the company's management decided to easily update the car, after which the exterior slightly changed, and the list of available options increased. In 2005, a new generation of the model was presented in Geneva, built on a new platform, with a radically changed body design. Thanks to the new platform, the body length has increased by 15 cm, the width - by 4 cm, and the height - by 1 cm. Also, the proprietary feature of the car has been improved - a quick transformation of the interior. Most of the cars sold on the secondary market are assembled in Poland or Russia.
Advantages and disadvantages of Opel Zafira with mileage.
As operating experience has shown, the paintwork is very soft, because of this, chips and scratches appear on the body quite quickly. After 5-6 years of operation, paint begins to swell on the tailgate, wheel arches and rear doors. Despite this, body parts do not rust for a long time.
Power units
The line of Opel Zafira engines is presented in both gasoline and diesel versions. The most widespread are gasoline engines 1.6 (105 and 115 HP), 1.8 (140 HP) and diesel 1.7 (110, 125 HP) and 1.9 (100, 120, 150 HP). There is also an unusual version of the 1.6 engine, which runs on natural gas, but meeting such a car is a great success. For those who like to "light up", there is a 2.2 engine (150 hp), a 2.0 turbo engine (200 hp) and a sports version of the OPC (240 hp).
The timing drive for gasoline and diesel engines is belt-driven, officially, the replacement interval is 150,000 km, but many owners recommend changing it at least once every 100,000, since very often the belt breaks when the mileage is 110-130 thousand km. Gasoline aspirated engines have a common problem with automatic timing control. If the car has this defect, you will understand it immediately: after starting cold engine, the sound of a gasoline engine will be more reminiscent of an old diesel engine. If this problem is not cured, at the most inopportune moment the car will stall and you will not be able to start it.
Often there is a failure of the mechanical synchronization system of the intake camshaft, for the elimination of the problem in the service they will ask for $ 20-50. But if you ignore the operation of a gasoline engine with the sound of a diesel engine, you will soon need to replace the gears and camshaft oil seals. With a mileage of more than 80,000 km, an oil leak appears from under the cylinder head and oil seals, it must be urgently eliminated, otherwise the oil will get on the timing belt, which will result in costly repairs to the power unit. Diesel engines from Opel Zafira are very reliable and economical, but if the previous owner used poor quality fuel, be prepared to repair the fuel system. Replacement of nozzles (400-500 cu), injection pump (300-400 cu). On all cars, closer to 100,000 km, the ignition module begins to fail, floating speed and unstable traction of the car will serve as a signal of a malfunction. Also, this run requires replacement of the coolant temperature sensor and thermostat
Transmission
Opel Zafira is equipped with a mechanical, automatic or robotic transmission Easytronic (Izitronic). Up to 100,000 km there are no complaints about the manual transmission, after that there are jerks when starting off, hum and vibration when shifting gears and driving. This happens due to the wear of the secondary shaft and the roller bearing, the repair will cost about 350 USD. The clutch has a fairly large resource and is capable of serving 120-140 thousand km, replacement will cost 400-500 USD. For many car enthusiasts, Easytronic looks like an automatic transmission, but in terms of its reliability it is very much inferior to an automatic transmission. Therefore, often not honest sellers who sell cars with a problem robot indicate in their ad that the car has an automatic transmission, be extremely careful.
If the car is used only for driving on the highway, then the robotic transmission can last 150,000 km. But if the car is operated in a metropolis, then an expensive gearbox repair will be needed when the mileage is less than 100,000 km. The most common problem is clutch failure, repairs will cost $ 700-900, the same amount will have to be paid for replacing the mechatronics. The best option for purchasing would be an Opel Zafira with a conventional automatic transmission. As operating experience has shown, breakdowns in this transmission are extremely rare. On some cars, there is an underfilling of oil, in which case the gears may change poorly, and you can also feel jerks when shifting. These problems usually go away on their own after adding oil.
Driving performance Opel Zafira
The suspension of this model is quite primitive, an independent MacPherson-type suspension is installed in front, a semi-independent beam at the rear. If you drive this car carefully and do not overload it, then the first serious repair of the suspension will have to be done closer to 80 thousand kilometers. As with most modern cars, the stabilizer struts are considered the weak point of the suspension; they have to be changed, on average, every 30-40 thousand km. Hub bearings, despite their high cost, rarely live up to 60,000 km, replacement will cost 120-180 USD. Support bearings serve 40-50 thousand km, front shock absorbers become unusable after 100,000 km, but only on condition that you do not overload the car. The cost of the original shock absorber is about $ 100-120, for the same money you can buy a pair that is not original.
The rest of the front suspension parts of the Opel Zafira nurture more than 100,000 km. Steering rods and tips have a resource of 100-120 thousand km. The rear suspension is considered not to be killed, the only thing that will have to be replaced in it is the rear beam dampers after 120,000 km (replacement on both sides will cost $ 40). If the steering rack begins to leak, do not rush to go to the service and change it to a new one, for a replacement at the dealer you will have to pay about 1000 USD. Try to find a specialist in the repair of this unit in your city, the repair will cost $ 100-200.
Outcome:
Opel Zafira will appeal to people who are cramped in station wagons, sedans and hatchbacks, as well as those who like to travel in a large company. If we talk about the reliability and cost of car maintenance, then in these components the car will give only positive emotions. The main thing is to find a live specimen! Also, avoid buying a car with a robotic transmission.
Advantages:
- Capacity (7 seats).
- High-quality interior materials.
- Long service life of engines.
- Reliable suspension
Disadvantages:
- Weak paintwork.
- Robotic transmission.
- Not a very comfortable driver's seat.
- Noise isolation.
If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you had to face during the operation of the car. Perhaps it is your feedback that will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.
Best regards, AvtoAvenu editorial staff
So I, finally, was going to write a few words about my car Opel Zafira 1.9 CDTI 150 horsepower 6 manual transmission. Prior to that, I went to a new Meriva, there is a review about it on this site.
I took Zafira not entirely new, 2008 with a range of 22 thousand, but from a friend. I always liked Zafira and wanted it to be a diesel engine. I did not consider engines 1.6, 1.8, after the measure I wanted something faster, 2 liter, painfully gluttonous, taxed, and expensive, but OPC is for psychos)). And the diesel runs comparable to the 200 mare's gasoline engine, with lower consumption and 149 horses in the TCP!
And lo and behold, a friend of mine decided to sell his one-year-old diesel zafirku for personal reasons, not related to the quality of the car. Well, I bought it ... A friend, when ordering a car, stuffed it with the most neboluisya, top equipment, all sorts of quickheats, xenons, 17 disks, body kits, etc., well, actually, I got all this beauty!
In this review, I will be brief - super cars! Pret like an airplane - 320 newtons make themselves felt. It handles perfectly, especially in the summer on 17 discs and low-profile tires. Suspension harsh, but I am for handling! The 150-horsepower diesels have larger diameter brake discs - the brakes are excellent, very clear and informative. The ABS really works somehow not very adequately, there were a couple of situations in which I would prefer that this system did not exist at all. In general, in Opel, it is somehow too intrusive.
Sound insulation is generally good (diesels have it more serious than gasoline versions, according to Opel), but given that diesel is noisier, that's what it does! By the way, in the cabin, the engine rattling is not audible, the vibrations are minimal, but on the other hand, the tractor is outside with a tractor))!
All Hayat the third row of seats on zafirs - I do not agree! For 9 months of ownership, I used them 10 times and if they were not there, then I don't know what I would do. For this, I believe that they have a right to exist! You can't drive them for a long time, but a person of normal size with a bottle of beer in his hand will drive 100-150 km with joy.
Solar fuel consumption: in the city in mega traffic jams and a rather aggressive driving style 10.5-11 liters. Outside the city on the highway 6-7 liters. I was very touched when I was driving 200 km / h in 6 gears along the ring road, the tachometer showed 4000 rpm, and the on-board computer was 6.1 liters per hundred! If you drive calmly and measuredly, then the consumption can be reduced by a liter and a half in both cases.
The engine pulls unrealistically, at first it was even scary. mad acceleration from 80 to 140. As on a 200 mare turbo engine, it is unambiguous (I overtake Zafira A OPC in this interval). I really liked the elasticity of the engine, especially when driving on the highway in 6th gear, you go as if on a machine. After driving a diesel car, I will never sit down on gasoline.
Reliability: pah-pah 3 times. The previous owner changed the steering rods under warranty, painted the 5th door under warranty (there was such a jamb in Zafir), I changed the front brake discs under warranty, it was possible not to change, but since the warranty! (some not very good supplier of disks for the conveyor at Opel was at that time))) and I do MOT on time - that's all!
I don't see any particular disadvantages of the car, I'm 100% satisfied. In winter, I will definitely put Webasto on a diesel engine. It heats up well, very slowly. The current price for it is simply exorbitant. There are so few diesel zafirs, and with such a pricing policy, there will be no more of them.
Thanks to those who have mastered it to the end, good luck to everyone on the road))!
