Vauxhall Announces New Zafira ecoFLEX Model (UK)

2010 Vauxhall Zafira ecoFLEX

By Thami Masemola
March 16, 2009 6:05 PM
Filed Under: Diesel, European, Opel, Vauxhall

As part of its commitment to the eco-drive campaign, General Motors is introducing its ecoFLEX technology to the UK market through the Vauxhall Zafira. Using a new 1.7-litre turbo diesel motor, the Zafira ecoFLEX emits an average 139g/km of C02 gases.

In the UK this means it falls within the Band C for Vehicle Excise Duty and its BIK tax for company car drivers drops by four levels to 18%. This is the lowest taxation class for a 7-seater MPV in the UK. It should cost the customer £120 per year.

The 1.7 CDTi engine produces 110PS (81kW) and 260Nm of maximum torque. That gives it an acceleration time of 12.6 seconds from 0 - 60mph and a top speed of 112mph (180km/h). An average fuel consumption figure of 53.3mpg can be theoretically achieved which translates to a range of about 680 miles (1,094km).

The Zafira ecoFLEX is priced at £17,310 which is £100 more than the 1.9 CDTi model. It comes with the Opel/ Vauxhall Flex7 seating system, ABS and radio/CD player among other features.

 

Press Release

NEW ECOFLEX ZAFIRA GETS GREEN LIGHT WITH NEW ENGINE

Using a new-to-range 1.7-litre advanced diesel engine emitting combined emissions of just 139g/km, Vauxhall's latest addition to the Zafira line-up has all the right credentials to become the first ecoFLEX model in the range.

This ultra-low emissions figure also means that it's one of the greenest and most fuel efficient seven-seat compact MPVs on the market.

And with its lower emissions, the ecoFLEX is the first Zafira to enter Band C for Vehicle Excise Duty - costing just £120 per year - while its BIK tax for company car drivers drops four levels to 18 per cent, the lowest taxation class for a seven-seater car in the UK.

The ecoFLEX also gains a significant improvement in fuel consumption compared with other models in the range. With a Combined figure of 53.3mpg (47.1mpg for the 1.9 CDTi), this Zafira now has a theoretical range of 680 miles, meaning fewer trips to the pumps and less damage to drivers' wallets.

But as with Vauxhall's other ecoFLEX models, turning greener hasn't impacted on its performance. The 1.7 CDTi engine - which can also be found in the recent Astra ecoFLEX - produces 110PS and 260Nm of torque, giving acceleration of 0-60mph in 12.6 seconds and a top speed of 112mph. A different final drive ratio also raises the gearing, improving both fuel economy and offering a more relaxed cruising gait.

With a starting price of £17,310 for the Zafira Exclusiv ecoFLEX, buyers will pay a mere £100 premium over the equivalent 1.9 CDTi 120PS model. But since all Zafiras are available with Vauxhall's ‘You Pay, We Pay' deal, buyers benefit from zero per cent interest from two to four years (with no deposit to pay on the two year package) while also collecting a cheque equivalent to five per cent of the amount financed.

As well as Vauxhall's clever Flex7 seating, allowing the ecoFLEX to be transformed from a capacious load -lugger to seven-seat people carrier in a matter of seconds, six full-size airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and radio/CD player are standard on all of its five trim levels.