2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
According to Opel's marketing strategists, the new Zafira should be a “lounge on wheels”. At the Geneva Motor Show, the Rüsselsheim-based company presented the concept car for their family van.
By Markus Henrichs ´
A few days before the symbolic lifting of the cloth at the Geneva Motor Show (March 3 to 13), Opel has now revealed details of its "Zafira Tourer Concept" study presented there. The first pictures give an outlook on what the next generation of the seven-seater family van might look like. The photos show a classic family van placed on beefy 20-inch double-spoke aluminum wheels, which looks thirsty for action thanks to the bi-xenon headlights and arrow-shaped daytime running lights that are typical for Opel.
High functionality in the interior
The main focus, however, is undoubtedly on the interior concept of the Zafira study. According to its creators, as a "lounge on wheels" it should offer a symbiosis of functionality and a high comfort factor. "We have created an automotive wellness oasis, a place of relaxation and recreation," says Rüsselsheim chief designer Mark Adams with conviction.
The use of a lot of glass ensures light therapy over long distances: A glass sky connects seamlessly to the panorama windshield, which, similar to the current Meriva, extends to the rear. A second disc made of plastic is illuminated at the edges by LEDs. Metal particles contained in it reflect preferentially warm light tones, which can be varied by shades of yellow.
The well-known "Flex7" seating concept, which has been technically optimized for the study, creates a feeling of airy space. As before, the third row of seats can be completely lowered into the floor. The highlight of the new edition: At the push of a button, the standard five-part seat arrangement should automatically become a four-seater with upper-class dimensions. Thanks to the innovative folding mechanism, the armrests for the passengers in the two outer seats are created from the backrest of the middle seat.
Seats slide backwards at an angle
The caramel-colored leather seats extend at the user's command towards the center of the vehicle. In combination with adjustable footrests, they should ensure relaxing travel in an optimal body position.
The passengers in the second row have swiveling tablet computers on the backrests of the front seats, which can be used to surf the Internet or play games. Highly polished aluminum applications on the outside mirrors, the side windows and the roof rails are intended to underline the high-quality character of the "space glider" from the outside.
Propulsion, at least in the concept vehicle shown in Geneva, is provided by a new variant of the 1.4-liter turbo gasoline engine, which is praised as particularly economical thanks to the automatic start-stop system. A technical feature that the current models with the flash have so far been completely missing. According to unconfirmed media reports, the new series Zafira could come on the market as early as the end of 2011 and cost less than 20,000 euros. (mid)
