Spyshots: 2012 Opel Zafira

As the new generation of the Opel Astra has already entered the sales battle in the compact class, its Multi Purpose derivative is now training in order to join the fight.

The latest vehicle to enter our spy photographer’s crosshairs is the 2012 Opel Zafira, an MPV that should make its debut this fall at the 2010 Paris Auto Show.

The third generation of the Zafira is still well hidden by a huge amount of camo, but this doesn’t stop us from noticing that the test vehicle comes with a different shape than the one Opel pictured in a sketch released in April last year. The vehicles seems to use a more generous lower grille and a slightly flatter roof line. Fortunately, some of the bold-designed elements seen in the sketch, like the headlights, might make it into production.

As the Zafira is underpinned by the Astra’s platforms, it should come with almost the same list of engines. This is good news for the future clients, as the current Astra powerplant range offers a choice of four diesel engines and five petrol units.

The entry level engine is a 1.4 liter gasoline one delivering 100 hp, while at the top of the gasoline range we find a 1.6 liter unit that uses turbocharging to develop 180 hp. The oil-burning part of the line-up starts with a 1.3 liter CDTI engine that produces 95 hp. This is followed by two version of the 1.7 liter CDTI unit, with 110 hp and 125 hp respectively, and a 2.0 CDTI powerplant delivering 160 hp.