When Europeans think of speed, the Opel/Vauxhall Zafira Tourer is perhaps one of the last things to come to mind. Next to glaciers, and London traffic. But things are changing, as the Zafira Tourer has just been announced to offer a new 2.0L twin-turbo diesel engine with 195 horsepower, and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque.
This punchy little engine is claimed to rocket the 2013 Zafira Tourer BiTurbo from 0-100 kph (62 mph) in 8.9 seconds, and will pull all the way to 218 kph (135 mph). Sure, it’s no Camaro, but as far as seven-seat diesel compact MPV models go, it’s now one of the fastest on the market. All while using a mere combined 5.6 l/100 km of diesel fuel according the the European fuel economy scale. That also translates to 50.4mpg in the English cycle, while producing CO2 emissions of 149g/km.
Deliveries are expected to begin in April, but interested buyers can now order the Zafira Tourer BiTurbo for €35,405  (including VAT) in Germany, and £27,685 in Great Britain.
Comments
That engine needs to come to the US. 50mph!? Can u imagine that in a Cruze Eco SS? Almost every GM car and crossover should offer this. Great engine, great work GM
50mpg*
Euro-cycle MPG and EPA MPG is different.
The euro highway rating is called “extra urban” and is higher than EPA hwy rating by about 30%, so that 50mpg is more like 35-40mpg
If i remember right, Imperial gallons are about 4.5 liters and U.S. gallons are 3.8 liters. 4.5 / 3.8 = 1.2, 50 / 1.2 = 42 MPG. 42 MPG in U.S. gallons isn’t that bad, especially for something that can seat 7.
I recently got a good look at a Chevy Orlando and had to wonder why more MPV’s aren’t sold here in the states. Most of the major manufactures produce them for the European market and I believe the Orlando is even sold in Canada. I know they don’t want it cutting into Equinox sales, but Ford has two small crossovers that sell very well.. Seems to me there would be a market for a small fuel efficient 7 passenger vehicle in the U.S. not to mention I thought the Orlando was pretty slick looking in person.
I recently got a good look at a Chevy Orlando and had to wonder why more MPV’s aren’t sold here in the states. Most of the major manufactures produce them for the European market and I believe the Orlando is even sold in Canada. I know they don’t want it cutting into Equinox sales, but Ford has two small crossovers that sell very well. Seems to me there would be a market for a small fuel efficient 7 passenger vehicle in the U.S. not to mention I thought the Orlando was pretty slick looking in person.
that there is little harm Zafira biturbo biturbo Astra looks like
Why not a new version of the Zafira OPC
Why
Astra Biturbo appearance
old zafira opc
Outstanding design , money in the bank . The many negative comments about Opel , I feel are unfounded . Certainly they are losing money but is it NET LOSE ?? We forget that consumer confidence in Europe have been seriously affected by Euro countries in financial difficulties France , Spain , Portugal , Italy and of course , big bailout to Greece . Consumers have cut back on spending bigtime . Opel produces the Astra and Insignia both best sellers and their engines are top notch . USA will be getting the 1.6 turbo and it can’t come soon enough . Also remember it was Germany that introduced the VET program that has become the 21st century model for education of students in high school / trades program . So successful , it has spread through Europe and several states in the US have started variations of it , even includes California . Read about it in the Harvard business report , about 68 pages , an outstanding compilation. .
Because the students grad high school there with only a couple of more years of industry supported apprenticeship , they have the inside track to possibly take advanced trade courses which will give them as fine an education and high paying job prospects as any university graduate . German manufacturers have some of the best highly trained trades people in the world and I can see why they are reluctant to let them go . A lot of time and money has gone into their apprenticeship . GM had better go slow in closing plants there , customer confidence will return in Europe . GM’s record in totally mismanaging its company and devastating not just factories but US cities in the process , with their godforsaken bankruptcy , are not yet competent to do the job , best they sit down and get the Germans intelligent input . This country , has single handedly bailed out Greece huge loans and have run their country with an incredibly strong economy . they might have taught the USA everything they needed to know about avoiding trillions of dollars in debt that will encumber the unborn and children for generations to come !. Instead of GM closing factories there , why not write your congressman to request Germany’s government to send over their people to show the US how to run a stable rich economy . On second thought , they won’t come , not after witnessing like the rest of us the disgusting political interference that gave the people the sub prime mortages and fuelled the financial companies and institutions enormous greed in expanding the debt financed schemes into the trillions of dollars …. fell apart like a house of cards and the american people have to pick up the pieces and to pay the piper . Sad , really sad . In war or peacetime its always the common people who pay the price ! Oops , I think I’m off the topic a bit , cheers , JC
I read the above and I keep thinking about all the GM vehicles here in NA that this engine should find its way into. Pretty much any compact car and crossover could work. Cruze, Equinox, and Encore come immediately to mind. Not sure about the Verano or Malibu. This would be a good subject for its own discussion here, Manoli and Alex. 🙂
Place a new ZAFIRA OPC
It always fascinates/depresses me that Europe has great cars, but for some reason, GM doesn’t bring them hear. It would be the best of both worlds, if the machinery and designs were universal. In other words, manufacture here, the same design, and engines. Would be a cost saver.
Manoli… You present great cars to us. This engine is one more example of what can be.
If we didn’t have an archaic tax penalizing great clean diesels, the US auto world. be a heck of a lot different.
Rich, the truth is none of the carmakers bring their best here. I was in Europe a few years back, and saw so many great things that should be here. One I recall was a neat-looking Ford convertible, smaller and lighter than a Mustang. But I guess over here we wouldn’t want an alternative to the Miata. I could go on and on, but I’ll just say I hear what you are saying.