Photo: Opel
Most of the projects Opel and PSA Peugeot-Citroen wanted to co-develop are not going to happen. For example, the Germans have decided to make their own city car, the Karl, because it's easier to implement new tech that way. However, the new Zafira project is still on track and will actually be built by the French.
According to L'Automobile, Opel's MPV came in a dismal 14th in its class when 2014 sales were counted for the French market. By contrast, it was the 4th best seller a decade ago in 2004.
Because the MPV segment has also shrunk considerably, Opel is saving money by developing the next Zafira with Peugeot. Production will start in 2016 at the Sochaux factory that will also continue to assemble the Peugeot 3008.
According to the same source, quite a few things are going to change. The current model, the Zafira Tourer C, is one of the biggest cars in its segment at 4.66 meters long. That will have to be shrunk down to just 4.55 meters without actually reducing the habitat volume. Peugeot is one of the few companies in Europe that pulled one of these Aladdin's Cave tricks, with the 208 supermini.
In terms of design, the Zafira will take the appearance of a crossover. Buyer preference has shifted from the family-oriented look of the MPV to the adventurous crossover and Opel is forced to follow this trend. Of course, it won't actually come with standard 4x4, especially when the French-developed EMP2 platform is expected to be used.
The current generation of the Zafira Tourer has not seen its last days though, as it will continue to be in production until 2018, offering slightly outdated technology at a more affordable price.
Because the MPV segment has also shrunk considerably, Opel is saving money by developing the next Zafira with Peugeot. Production will start in 2016 at the Sochaux factory that will also continue to assemble the Peugeot 3008.
According to the same source, quite a few things are going to change. The current model, the Zafira Tourer C, is one of the biggest cars in its segment at 4.66 meters long. That will have to be shrunk down to just 4.55 meters without actually reducing the habitat volume. Peugeot is one of the few companies in Europe that pulled one of these Aladdin's Cave tricks, with the 208 supermini.
In terms of design, the Zafira will take the appearance of a crossover. Buyer preference has shifted from the family-oriented look of the MPV to the adventurous crossover and Opel is forced to follow this trend. Of course, it won't actually come with standard 4x4, especially when the French-developed EMP2 platform is expected to be used.
The current generation of the Zafira Tourer has not seen its last days though, as it will continue to be in production until 2018, offering slightly outdated technology at a more affordable price.
Google News