New Opel Zafira Tourer Concept Previewed in iPad Hologram, Debuts in Geneva

Opel chose a rather unique way to inform us about its new concept model that previews the next generation of the Zafira people carrier, and which is scheduled to make its world premiere at the Geneva Salon in March. The company published a short video accompanied by a photograph showing the firm's design boss Mark Adams holding an iPad through which a hologram of the concept car pops out.

The Zafira Tourer Concept will give us a pretty good idea of what the actual production model will look like (see the latest spy shots here) inside and out when it hits European showrooms within the next 12 months. The minivan's front end styling is obviously inspired by the Ampera, or Opel's version of the Chevrolet Volt, while we can also see that the new Zafira won't be getting sliding rear doors.

GM's European subsidiary describes the car as a “Lounge On Wheels” with the company claiming that the concept brings "on-board flexibility to a new level of sophistication and comfort."

“We’ve applied the lounge concept to a motor vehicle,” says Mark Adams, Vice President Opel/Vauxhall Design. “A lounge is a place you want to escape to and relax, a place where you really want to be. We wanted to offer the same feeling in a monocab and make it the lounge you want to spend time in.”

The new Zafira is based on the Astra's hardware and shares its underpinnings with the Chevrolet Orlando. It will feature seating for seven passengers in three rows of individual seats, with power train options to mirror those of the current European market Astra.

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READ MORE - New Opel Zafira Tourer Concept Previewed in iPad Hologram, Debuts in Geneva

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

SPIED: New Opel Zafira 7-Seater MPV

The next-generation of GM Europe's Opel (Vauxhall in Britain) Zafira MPV has been spotted by our man with the long-lens undergoing development testing in Germany.

Opel's traditional harlequin suit of camouflage leaves a lot to the imagination about the Zafira's looks, but expect a sleeker shape incorporating many of the styling cues seen on the Astra, Insignia and the Meriva, including the creased swoop behind the front wheels.

From what we can tell by looking at these photos, it appears that Opel hasn't applied the Meriva's trick suicide doors on the Zafira which gets conventional rear doors.

The spy shots also give us a sneak peak of the dashboard, which shouldn't differ much from the one found in the latest Astra that forms the basis for the Zafira.

Like the current model, Opel's new minivan will get three rows of seats featuring the firm's FlexSpace seating system with room up to seven passengers.

Unsurprisingly, the new Zafira will use hardware from the recently revealed Astra hatchback. Expect to see the same suite of turbocharged and naturally aspirated petrol and turbo diesel engines when the car arrives in late 2011 - early 2012.

READ MORE - SPIED: New Opel Zafira 7-Seater MPV

New Opel Zafira ecoM Powered by 1.6 CNG Turbo Engine Unveiled in Bologna

Opel performed the world debut of its first Compressed Natural Gas compact van with a turbocharger, the Zafira ecoM, at the Bologna motor show. This particular variant of Opel's 7-seater minivan is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo engine designed to run on either natural gas, bio-methane or any mixture of the two. The unit is provided with special pistons, valves and valve seats, plus separate injection systems for natural gas and gasoline. The engine has an output of 150HP offering the Zafira a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) and an average consumption of 5.3 kg of natural gas per 100 km in the MVEG cycle, emitting 144 g/km of CO2.

In gas mode alone, the vehicle can drive up to 370 km (230 miles), while the 14-liter reserve gasoline tank provides an additional range of 150 km (93 miles) for maximum flexibility.

Thanks to the cleverly designed underfloor arrangement of the four gas tanks around the rear axle, the Zafira's interior retains in full all its advantages in terms of variability and space. Just like its sister models, the Zafira ecoM features Opel's Flex7 seating system which enables the interior to be quickly converted from a seven-seater to a two-seater without any complicated procedure of removing the seats.

The new Zafira ecoM will reach European markets in January 2009.

READ MORE - New Opel Zafira ecoM Powered by 1.6 CNG Turbo Engine Unveiled in Bologna

2008 Opel Zafira Facelit Revealed

While we were paying attention to the LA Show, on the other side of the Atlantic, Opel unwrapped the 2008 Zafira facelift which will be officially unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy on December 7, 2007. The revised Zafira features minor cosmetic enhancements like the redesigned bumpers and the new tail-lamps while inside, the cabin trim and upholstery are improved to give a higher-quality feel. -Continued after the jump

The 2008 Zafira’s engine range is upgraded with the addition of the new weight-optimized 115 Hp 1.6-liter Twinport Ecotec petrol unit and two 1.7 CDTI common-rail turbo-diesel units producing 110 Hp and 125 Hp that replace the 1.9 CTDI 100 Hp and 120 Hp versions respectively.

READ MORE - 2008 Opel Zafira Facelit Revealed