By Khulekani Dumisa

Opel SA has plunged into the large people mover space with the fourth generation Opel Zafira which is also offered in business application guise. Offered in two flavours, the Opel Zafira Life Edition is targeted at families, empty nesters, outdoor adventurers and more, offering eight seats and the versatility of comfortable cloth interiors. The second and third seating rows each contain three full-size seats on rails with individual seat belts.

Opel Zafira Life Elegance is a more luxurious offering aimed at business customers or those families seeking more comfort rather than outright seating practicality. With full-leather, the second-row seating houses two individual seats with arm-rests and a VIP sliding and folding table in the centre for a truly reconfigurable lounge set-up. The third row meanwhile seats three.

Exterior

In terms of design, the Zafira Life is said to offer muscular, broad proportions combined with body-coloured contact points and chrome accents. The high bonnet with two crisp lines that flows from the windscreen to the grille and distinctive headlights with LED daytime running lights in Opel wing design, are lauded for providing a cohesive face.

The Opel Zafira Life Edition and Elegance models are fitted with halogen headlamps, front fog lamps, and Automatic Headlight function. The Automatic High Beam Function is only available on the Elegance model.

On the side profile, dark-tinted side windows stretch into the back of the third row, giving those inside not only plenty of daylight but also privacy from onlookers and protection against excessive sunlight. The Zafira Life Edition comes standard with a glazed rear tinted tailgate with heated rear windscreen and a single wiper for the rear window.

Interior

The Opel Zafira’s interior offers a functional and elegant cockpit with loads of storage spaces. The Zafira Life Edition offers cupholders and a cooled and lit glove box along with a storage tray for intelligent devices.

The Zafira Life Elegance ups the ante coming with front heated seats for both the driver and passenger, and sunshade curtains on the side windows as a standard feature.

Other creature comforts include, Dual-zone Electronic Climate Control air-conditioning system (ECC) as well as separate rear air-conditioning are controlled by multi-zone sun sensors to adjust the ECC, Keyless Entry and Start (Elagance) and optional front and rear park sensors with a 180° reverse camera (Life Edition).

Zafira models are equipped with sliding doors, with the Elegance model featuring Electric Handsfree sliding doors allowing the driver to open the doors remotely.

On the entertainment front, the new Opel Zafira’s infotainment system is hiused via a 7-inch touchscreen and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and equipped with and USB, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Zafira Life Edition is equipped with six speakers, while the Elegance is fitted with an upgraded sound system comprising 10 speakers.

Specific to the Elegance model is the multimedia Connected Navigation system, providing the driver with information on various destinations, traffic alerts, local weather, and embedded voice control.

Safety

The Opel Zafira Life offers front and side airbags for both driver and passenger as standard. Zafira Life Edition models are also equipped with Driver Attention Alert.

The Zafira Elegance model features a Head-up Display that projects the driver’s speed, Speed Sign Recognition, Forward Collision Alert, Driver Attention Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection and Forward Brake Assist.

Engine, transmission and power

Both Opel Zafira Life Edition and Elegance models come with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine developing 110kW at 4 000 r/min and 70Nm of torque being available from 2 000 r/min. The engine is paired with an eight-speed transmission.

Fuel consumption comes in at a claimed combined 6.3l/100km.

Pricing

Pricing is as follows:

• Opel Zafira Life Edition R749,900
• Opel Zafira Life Elegance R869,900