SCOOP: New Opel Zafira Grows up but Doesn't get FlexDoors

Opel and its sister company Vauxhall are pushing ahead with the development of the next generation Zafira minivan, which was caught here testing by our scoop photographers. The new seven-seat model is expected to grow in dimensions offering improved passenger and luggage space. Unlike the latest Meriva that boasts a pair of suicide doors, the new Zafira will continue to use conventional rear doors.

The sleeker shape of Opel's newcomer can easily be seen beneath the harlequin camouflage, while the pictures suggest that the minivan takes styling cues from both the Insignia and new Astra, including the wing-shaped head lamps.

The interior design will also be more or less inspired by the Astra, while the car's flexibility is reported to have been improved by a revamped three-row flexible seating system providing independent seating for all seven passengers.

The new Zafira will use hardware from the Astra range, so expect a suite of turbocharged diesel and petrol engines, including more eco-friendly and frugal EcoFlex versions and possibly even a sporty OPC / VRX variant.

Look for the next generation of Opel's people mover to make its world premiere at a major international motor show this year with European sales to start in late 2011 or early 2012.

There's no official word about a North American variant, but given that the Zafira is essentially the minivan version of the Astra (which itself forms the base for the new Buick Verano), as well as the fact that Ford is preparing the U.S. launch of the Focus-based C-Max, we wouldn't completely rule out the possibility.

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READ MORE - SCOOP: New Opel Zafira Grows up but Doesn't get FlexDoors

2011 Opel Corsa Facelift Pictures Found and Confirmed on Official Site

A couple of weeks, we told you about a series of photos showing the 2011/2012 Opel Corsa facelift. To recap, according to numerous tipsters including Carscoop reader Javier, the pictures were found momentarily on Opel's German site, but were removed shortly after some users started uploading the images on the firm's Facebook page. Unfortunately, we weren't able to verify the claim then.

But Javier kept on looking and this time, he was able to tip us off in a timely manner about the Corsa facelift making its appearance on Opel's Belgian website. And yes, we can confirm their authenticity. The pictures of the standard 3-door and 5-door Corsa as well as of the OPC hot hatch that you see in our gallery after the jump were downloaded by us.

The only visible change over the current Corsa concerns the refreshed fascia that receives a crispier front grille similar to the one found on the updated 2011 Antara we told about yesterday, reshaped headlamps and a new design for the bumper with a wider lower grille and taller housings for the fog lamps (expect the OPC).

That's all we have for now, but we'll update this story as soon as something pops up on our radar.

Kudos to Javier for the tip!

Link: Opel Belgium

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READ MORE - 2011 Opel Corsa Facelift Pictures Found and Confirmed on Official Site

Is this the 2012 Opel / Vauxhall Corsa Facelift?

We were tipped off this morning by an attentive reader from Chile about images of the facelifted Opel Corsa (Vauxhall in the UK) that were posted by a user on Opel's dedicated Facebook page. The back story is that the refreshed Corsa was found momentarily on the official configurator on Opel's German site, but was abruptly removed shortly after the posting. We checked on the webpage but didn't find anything.

Now, unless we have a photoshop-wiz in our hands, we'd say the images look pretty real. The cosmetic changes over the current model (at least the ones we can see from these angles) are concentrated on the front end that takes styling cues from both the new Meriva and latest Astra, including a crispier front grille, reshaped headlamps and a new design for the bumper with a wider lower grille and taller housings for the fog lamps on either side.

We'll keep an eye on Opel's site to see if these pictures turn out to be real or fake and post an update on any new developments.

Muchas gracias Javier for the tip!

Via: Opel Facebook

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READ MORE - Is this the 2012 Opel / Vauxhall Corsa Facelift?

2011 Opel Zafira MPV Scooped on Video, Doesn't get Trick Rear Doors

Along with the sportier three-door variant of the new Astra, General Motors' Opel division is also developing an MPV version of its C-segment model that will replace the current Zafira. Caught on film out and about at the Nurburgring track in Germany, the camouflaged prototype confirms that the new Opel (Vauxhall in the UK) Zafira won't get the funky FlexDoor system with the rear-hinged back doors of the Meriva, and will continue to use a conventional five-door layout instead.

For the most part, the styling of this disguised test car has been hidden well, however, it's obvious that the new Zafira MPV takes its styling cues from the Astra and Insignia incorporating features such as the creased swoop behind the front wheels and the wing-shaped head lamps.

Inside, expect to find a similar dashboard styling with the Astra and enough space for seven passengers with three rows of seats and Opel's Flexspace seating system.

Since the next Zafira is based on the new Astra, powertrain options will be similar, meaning the range will include 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter turbocharged petrols as well as 1.7-liter and 2.0-liter diesels. Opel's next generation people mover is expected to be launched in Europe sometime next year.

Video via: AMS

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READ MORE - 2011 Opel Zafira MPV Scooped on Video, Doesn't get Trick Rear Doors