Opel Zafira Reviews

The Opel Insignia Tourer aimed directly at the likes of Peugeot's 508, Passat wagon, Citroen C5 Tourer, Mondeo wagon, even the Hyundai i40 wagon. Not forgetting the new generation Mazda6 wagon due early next year. So what has Opel done to lure buyers?Opel's Aussie line-up tops out with this medium size car -- the diesel Insignia Select wagon called Sports Tourer. It sells for $48,990 but if you don't want all the luxury kit, there is another, same under the skin for $41,990.Select grade brings a generous level of features including a set of striking 19-inch alloys, leather upholstery with extendable front seat squabs (also heated and ventilated), adaptive bi-xenon lighting with auto dim and satnav, the latter being optional on all other Opels sold here.Inside you'll also find Bluetooth phone, seven speaker audio, cruise, dual zone climate control, electric park brake and sports pedals. Obviously, there's plenty more.Insignia scores a five star Euro NCAP rating with all that brings including six air bags and stability control. It also has seats designed to comply with the German Healthy Backs Association. They're excellent. Exterior styling is distinctive with handsome frontal treatment and really attractive rear styling featuring a large tailgate and integrated tail lights.They've even fitted supplementary safety lights at the rear for when the tailgate is up.Load carrying capacity is generous in a car that isn't quite as large externally as some of the competition. Fold the rear seats and you can chuck just about anything in there. We like the LED daytime driving lights and the dark privacy glass from the rear windows back. The space saver we don't like.They've really made it sporty with firm suspension, lower ride height and quick steering response and the turbo diesel engine has plenty of kick pretty much from idle.It's good for 118kW/350Nm output and sips fuel at the rate of 6.0-litres/100km. The engine isn't the smoothest or quietest diesel we've driven recently but it certainly delivers in the get-go department as well as passing Euro 5 emissions regulations.The six-speed auto transmission provides appropriate gearing for the engine and makes slick changes up and down the range, but there's no paddle shift.Insignia stacks up well on all counts: performance, safety, features, style, drive feel though some might think it's too stiff in the suspension.

Opel is pitching itself as a "premium" brand, but you don't have to be very old to remember earlier Opel products sold here as 'garden variety' Holdens; Barina and Astra. So what changed between then and now. Not much really if you look at the Opel Corsa.PREMIUM?We got hold of a Corsa Enjoy five door auto last week and it's pretty much like all the other cars in the segment, a little behind the times in some areas, a bit bigger in some areas, a little different. Premium? We think not. Our car had wind up rear windows, something we thought had been consigned into car history. It misses out on a centre console arm rest, has an overwhelmingly hard plastic dash and a four-speed auto.VALUEThe Enjoy model brings with it plenty of kit including climate control, trip computer, piano black dash trim, steering wheel controls, cruise, keyless entry, seven speaker audio and other goodies.Our car had the $2000 tech pack that included adaptive headlights, rear park assist, auto dim rear view mirror and auto lights and wipers all what you'd consider premium features. The striking light blue metallic paint costs an extra $600 on the Enjoy auto's ticket price of $20,990.TECHNOLOGYThe Corsa’s engine is a twin cam 1.4-litre petrol four cylinder with variable valve timing lifted from the Cruze (without the turbo) Barina and other GM products and is good for 74kW/130Nm. The best fuel economy we saw was 7.4-litres/100km. It passes Euro 5 emissions regulations.DESIGNIt looks cheeky with a pert rear end and eagle-eye headlights -- in this case fitted with the optional adaptive see-around-corners system. The interior is roomy for the light class and there's a decent load space with a cunning two-tier floor for hiding stuff. The seats were comfortable with some side bolster support for fast cornering and the handling itself isn't too bad to a point.SAFETYIt gets a five star crash rating with six air bags and stability control among safety features.DRIVINGInitial steering turn-in is sharp with a sporty feel but push harder and the Corsa struggles. It loads up the front outside wheel and lifts the inside rear so the limits are clearly defined. Ride comfort is good from the strut front and torsion beam suspension but the rear drum brakes were a bit of a shock.We found the four-speed auto annoying particularly on highway uphills where it hunts from third to fourth to maintain a given speed. Performance can best be described as adequate. It might be different in the manual. We drove the Corsa for about 600km on the highway and urban roads and found it pleasant enough. The ride is comfortable but the trip computer and other electronic controls such as the air conditioning are difficult to master. It has a space saver spare.VERDICTCorsa is in against a swag of really good light cars: Ford's Fiesta, Holden Barina, Hyundai Accent and the Kia Rio to name a few. Against competition such as this, the more than four-year-old Corsa struggles a bit.Opel CorsaPrice: from $18,990 (manual) and $20,990 (auto)Warranty: Three years/100,000kmResale: N/AEngine: 1.4-litre four cylinder, 74kW/130NmTransmission: Five-speed manual, four-speed auto; FWDSafety: Six airbags, ABS, ESC, TCCrash rating: Five starsBody: 3999mm (L), 1944mm (W), 1488mm (H)Weight: 1092kg (manual) 1077kg (auto)Thirst: 5.8L/100km, 136g/km CO2 (manual; 6.3L/100m 145g/km CO2 (auto)

New import Opel has unveiled its mid-size Cascada convertible in the lead up to European sales in early 2013 and likely for Australia at the end of 2013. While it effectively replaces - though is bigger than - the Opel Astra TwinTop, it doesn't have that model's metal folding roof.  Instead, the Cascada - to be sold under the Vauxhall and Opel nameplates and be clones into a Buick version - has a taut fabric roof that can be opened in 17 seconds up to 50km/h.The two-door, four-seat is nearly 4.7m long - bigger than an Audi A5 Convertible - and Opel says it positions it in a sector it hasn't occupied since the 1930s. The Cascada sits on an Astra platform and shares its drivetrain. It is 26mm longer than the Astra sedan but shares its wheelbase. But it's not all Astra - the front suspension and the HiPerStrut geometry that reduces torque steer are borrowed from the Insignia.This system separates damping and steering functions, reducing torque steer, while also improving steering feel and cornering control. Opel is pushing the Cascada's safety credentials, claiming it to be an exceptionally rigid open-top with 43 per cent more rigidity than the smaller, steel-roofed TwinTop.Safety technology for Europe that is likely to drain down to Australia - either standard or optional - includes adaptive forward lighting, a front camera system with traffic-sign recognition, lane departure warning, a following-distance indicator, blind-side monitor and forward collision alert.Opel Australia hasn't committed itself to the car but it's on the wish list. The A-pillars supporting the windscreen are made from press-hardened steel while in the event of a roll-over, pyrotechnically activated, spring-loaded high strength bars automatically deploy behind the rear seats. These rollbars are also triggered during other severe impacts, for example, when airbags are deployed. With the roof raised, boot capacity is 350 litres - only 80 litres less than the Astra sedan - and when the roof is down, drops to 280 litres.But for extra room, Opel has an optional FlexFold system that electrically releases and folds down the 50/50 split rear seats, allowing longer objects to be stored. As announced last night, the European-spec Cascada initially will be sold with the choice of three four-cylinder engines. One is the 121kW/380Nm 2.0 CDTi turbo-diesel engine - also in the Insignia - with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. But the highlight of Cascada's engine line-up will be the all-new 125kW/280Nm 1.6 SIDI Ecotec turbo-petrol engine. This is the first of Opel's new MGE (Mid-Size Gasoline Engine) family. The other engine is Opel's 103kW/220Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol. It may not make the boat to Australia given Opel's endeavour to lift the car closer to the prestige market. Opel originally planned to launch the Cascada as a convertible and coupe however it's delicate financial position in Europe has put the steel-top on hold. 

The Euro-built hatch - previewing at the Australian International Motor Show - will compete with Volkswagen's Scirocco R and the RenaultSport Megane RS265 for the premium performance hatch role and Opel is promising a high level of specification in the car to justify an expected mid-$40,000 price.The car has been widely expected as the hero model in the Opel range and with a class-leading 206kW/400Nm from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it shouldn't disappoint. Opel is stating a 0-100km/h time of six seconds flat for the two-door coupe, which is based on the sportily styled Opel Astra GTC.Beyond the engine, exterior changes include side skirts and deeper front and rear bumpers, a pair of trapezoidal exhausts, 19-inch alloy wheels and a limited-slip diff that helps the "HiPerStrut" front suspension improve roadholding for the front-wheel drive car A bespoke Brembo braking system, headlined by ventilated 355mm front discs help slow the hatch down. The system was tested in a 10,000km high-speed endurance run on the Nurburgring track in Germany, so it should survive the worst Australian drivers can throw at it.Opel says the Astra OPC will lap the ‘Ring in a staggering 8 minutes and 35 seconds. That time is within 30 seconds for the record 8min08sec time set by the recently launched Megane RS265, but the Renault doesn't have the same level of creature comforts as European-spec OPCs, giving the Opel an edge in the luxury stakes.The OPC also uses a variable three-mode "FlexRide" damper system, running Standard, Sport and OPC settings. Sport stiffens the dampers to improve control, but it is the OPC mode that gets interesting. Here, the system improves throttle response, sets the dampers to their maximum level and reduces improves roll. The instrument lighting changes from white to red in OPC mode to remind the driver they've truly entered hot hatch territory.Opel will release pricing and specification closer to next year's launch, but those at the motor show should take a long, hard look at the display car. 

This month’s Australian International Motor Show will be the host of two new marques in the Australian automotive industry. European manufacturer Opel will be utilising the Motor Show as part of its official launch strategy into the Australian automotive industry, where the Australian public will be able to see and experience its entire range. A wide number of variants from Opel’s three-model strong range of vehicles will be on display, consisting of the eagerly anticipated Astra, the medium-sized Insignia and the Corsa city car. Opel also has an extra surprise in store for the Australian public, with details to be announced closer to the Show. Also making its official Australian International Motor Show debut and offering local motorists a new choice in performance luxury will be Japanese manufacturer, Infiniti. Just over a month ago, Infiniti officially re-entered the Australian automotive market with the release of its first two model ranges, the FX performance crossover variants and the Infiniti M sports sedan. These will also be joined on stand by the Infiniti G37 coupe and convertible, giving the Australian public their first look at these two vehicles ahead of their official on-sale in December. “It is always a momentous occasion in Australian automotive history when a new manufacturer makes its debut and this year, we have not only one, but two, giving Australian motorists more choice and options,” said Russ Tyrie, Event Director. “I feel very proud that both Opel and Infiniti will be exhibiting at the Australian International Motor Show as part of their launch strategies in Australia which demonstrates not only their commitment and recognition of our local automotive industry, but as well, the importance and significance of the Motor Show to this industry.”  The 2012 Australian International Motor Show will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour and will open daily at 10am from October 19 to 28.  

Factory closures are becoming increasingly probable after European car registrations fell to their lowest level in 22 years last month. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) notes the sales slowdown is accelerating and now predicts a slump of up to 10 per cent for the year.In all, just 688,168 new vehicles were registered in August, the lowest total for the month since the EU data was first compiled in 1990. With some factories already running at 50 per cent of capacity, there is talk of Fiat, Ford and Opel closing the doors on some of their most unprofitable production lines.“Something needs to give,” Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said last week, adding that Fiat will outline a blueprint for the “European challenge” when it releases third quarter results later this year. Ford was the biggest loser in August with sales down by almost a third on the previous year, a fact it attributes to a decision not to match rivals discounts during what is traditionally the slowest car sales month on the EU calendar. “There was a lot of short-cycle business and heavy incentives that we decided largely to refrain from, Ford of Europe's marketing chief Roelant de Waard says. The Volkswagen Group's massive product portfolio made it one of the few carmakers to increase sales, led by Audi increasing its share of the luxury car segment. In contrast, Opel/Vauxhall saw a 19 per cent fall in registrations, Fiat was down 18 per cent and both Renault and Peugeot/Citroen were hit with 13 per cent drops. Registrations by country largely reflect those hurting worst from the sovereign debt crisis. Greece and Portugal lead the way with falls of 40 per cent year-to-date, Italy is down by almost 20 per cent and Spanish registrations fell by 8.5 per cent. Ominously for France, registrations this year are down 13.4 per cent, while Germany, which accounts for one in three of all cars sold in Europe, has seen its market contract by 0.6 per cent. The French Government has fiercely resisted factory closures on its turf and criticised Peugeot last month when it announced it would shed up to 10,000 jobs and close a factory in the north of the country. That's not an option for Renault, with the government holding a controlling stake in the French carmaker. 

Turning up to the party in old clothes rarely makes a good first impression but the Opel Corsa has no choice. The brand has arrived in Australia and has to launch with the cars already on sale in Europe.The Corsa is a car that first rolled off the production line in 2006 and despite a nose job and suspension update in late 2010, the interior is right down there with the Nissan Almera. Except it's $2000 more. And that does few favours to the pretender to VW's throne as an aspirational mainstream brand.VALUEThe Corsa starts at $18,990 with a five-speed manual mated to a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine. The four-speed auto adds $2000 and a tech pack, that adds adaptive and automatic halogen headlamps, rear park sensors, a self-dimming rearview mirror and rain-sensing wipers is another $1250.Standard gear includes cruise control, keyless entry and 16-inch alloys, along with Bluetooth connectivity. USB/iPod inputs have also been added to model year 2013 cars, in another sign the Corsa is playing catch-up with the VW Polo 77TSI and Ford Fiesta LX, both of which kick off at the same $18,990 price and come with more modern interiors. Opel does include fixed fee scheduled servicing ($249 a hit) for the first three years or 45,000km, though.TECHNOLOGYWhen you're trying to kick goals in the light car class, age does weary you. The Corsa's chassis is solid enough and the "FlexFloor" boot is a smart piece of kit but that's about it for the baby Opel. The Bluetooth system doesn't stream audio and the infotainment display, while it has plenty of features, is presented in an orange monochrome that certainly won't be highlighted by the sales staff.DESIGNThe exterior is conservative, especially when parked alongside newer vehicles. The lines are simple but effective - functionality is at the fore in what is a smartly packaged light hatch. Rear seat leg and headroom is good enough for occasional adult use and more than up to the task of transporting young teens. There aren't enough storage spaces in the interior compared to its more modern rivals ... but there's a new Corsa on the way in 2014, at which point it should jump back to near the top of the heap.SAFETYEuroNCAP gave the Corsa a five-star rating for adult protection when it was tested in 2006, though it hasn't been crashed locally. European engineering ensures the basic structure is well designed and put together. The brakes - front discs and rear drums - are competent and linked to the ABS software with traction and stability control. Six airbags soften the blow if things go wrong.DRIVINGAs basic transport the Corsa doesn't disappoint... but it doesn't excite, either. Sprinting from rest to 100km/h takes a lethargic 13.9 seconds in the manual, reflecting the lack of torque from the 1.4-litre engine. Carsguide can't see the $2000-dearer four-speed auto version doing any better. The electric steering is direct, though it favours lightness over feedback.And that doesn't inspire confidence to push through corners, despite the chassis and suspension keeping the car tidy even on roughed-up roads. The false-floor hatch set-up is a smart addition, but it isn't going to put bums in seats. In short, you'd really have to want the Opel badge to consider the Corsa. It's not Opel Australia's fault - they had to launch with the products in the range, but I'd be holding off for the new car which will be much more representative of the brand.VERDICT A solid car that was up there with the class leaders when it launched. Times have changed and others - the Polo, Fiesta and Mazda2 - reflect the advances in technology and represent better value.Opel Corsa EnjoyPrice: $18,990Warranty: Three years/100,000kmResale: N/AService Intervals: 12 months/15,000kmEngine: 1.4-litre four cylinder, 74kW/130NmTransmission: Five-speed manual, four-speed autoSafety: Six airbags, ABS, ESC, TCCrash rating: Five starsBody: 4m (L), 1.94m (W), 1.48m (H)Weight: 1092kg (manual) 1077kg (auto)Thirst: 5.8L/100km, 136g/km CO2Spare: Space-saver

The new Cabrio is testing at the Nurburgring ahead of its 2013 motor show preview, but sales in Australia are unlikely before early in 2014.The big different for the Astra Cabrio, says Carparazzi, is a two-part retractable hardtop rather than a conventional canvas roof. Here some time in 2014 at around $50,000.

...to ensure it's more than just a city runabout. The Adam is intended to create a 'sub-brand' for Australia's newest import badge, going up against the Mini and Fiat 500.

It has a two-part retractable hardtop, not the canvas roof seen in the earlier Holden Astra droptop in Australia, to give it a showroom advantage over the Volkswagen Golf. There is no confirmation yet that the fresh-air favourite will return down under but it looks highly likely.