OPEL Zafira 2008-2014 Photos, engines & full specs

Opel was caught on the wrong foot when it introduced the Zafira in 2008. GM, the parent company, already knew that the world economic crisis would hit the automotive industry hard. Yet, even though the new generation was just two years old, it tried its luck and introduced a facelift for it.

Minivans were almost a dead option for most carmakers. On the other hand, Opel was keen on producing them in two sizes: the Corsa-based Meriva and the Astra-based Zafira. But customers started to dig deep in their pockets for many things, but not cars. As a result, the car industry suffered, and Opel was on the brink of extinction. A Russian company tried to buy Opel from GM, but the American carmaker dropped that offer at the last moment.

Opel added a new pair of headlights and a revised grille with the facelifted version that showed the chromed badge in the middle. Above it, a chromed horizontal slat adorned and completed the front-fascia image. Some additional chromed trims adorned the car's exterior depending on the trim level. At the same time, the clear-lenses taillights provided a better image for the minivan at the back.

As expected, the 2008 Zafira provided more than enough room for five passengers inside. The raised seating position for all five occupants gave them more legroom, and thanks to the tall greenhouse, the headroom was not an issue either. Yet the dashboard and the instrument panel were somehow carried over from the Astra.

Under the hood, the carmaker had to cope with new emission regulations standards in Europe. That means that most of them were highly fuel-efficient. In addition, a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit that provided 200 ponies was added to the spec's list for those who were in a hurry.