New Zafira’s moving up

The wraps have come off Vauxhall’s facelifted Zafira – and Auto Express can bring you the first official pictures.

The compact MPV benefits from a whole host of exterior and interior revisions, and the fresh look is set to make it more popular than ever.

In the past 12 months, updates to rivals including the Ford C-MAX and Volkswagen Touran, plus the launch of all-new people carriers such as the Citroen C4 Picasso, have left the big Vauxhall trailing. And bosses are itching for another turn in the limelight.

When it goes on sale early next year, the Zafira will feature a range of improvements to cement its position as one of the UK’s best-selling family cars. As the pictures show, the fresh model gets a tweaked front end with a new chrome grille, plus chrome trim around the revamped headlights. There is also a restyled lower grille, which sits proud of the bumper.

Revised foglights and sporty side skirts help to give the car a more distinctive look. At the rear, the tail-lamps are completely redesigned, and now get bright red plastic, while a deeper rear bumper adds a finishing touch.

Inside, Design, Elite and VXR models have a centre console with classy piano black trim inserts – a feature that was first seen on the latest Corsa – while all Zafiras get curtain airbags. A new Exclusiv model replaces the Club version and brings air-con, a CD stereo and 16-inch alloy wheels as standard. Breeze trim adds tinted glass, a leather steering wheel and a trip computer to that list. Under the skin, the changes are kept to a minimum. That’s no real sur­prise, as the Zafira already delivers a taut driving experience with a decent blend of comfort and refinement. UK models will continue with the current line-up of petrol and diesel powerplants, which includes two 1.9-litre CDTI oil-burners and a 237bhp 2.0-litre turbo­ engine for the flagship VXR.

A price rise is unlikely, with the range starting at just under £13,000 when it hits showrooms in March.