Compact Van Pioneer: Opel Zafira Celebrated its World Premiere 25 Years Ago

• Revolutionary: Flex7 seat concept set new standards for interior variability in 1999
• Award winning: Opel Zafira receives prestigious “Golden Steering Wheel” several times
• Fuel cell pioneer: Locally emissions-free HydroGen vehicles based on Opel Zafira
• Modern, flexible “spacecraft”: Opel Zafira, Combo and soon new Frontera

Emotional, efficient and, above all, highly practical, with lots of flexible space for the whole family or for use as a VIP shuttle – these are the qualities that make Opel's people movers stand out. The current Opel Zafira can accommodate up to eight people, while the Combo can carry up to seven passengers. This portfolio will soon be complemented by the new Opel Frontera, which recently celebrated its world premiere in Istanbul and made its public debut in Rüsselsheim to mark the anniversary “125 years of automobile manufacturing at Opel”. Opel Frontera will also have space for up to seven people as an option.

However, these modern “spacecraft” from the brand with the Blitz would hardly be conceivable without a very special model that is also celebrating an anniversary this year – in 1999, exactly 25 years ago, the groundbreaking Opel Zafira was launched. With its innovative Flex7 seating system, it revolutionised the compact van segment and set new standards for interior variability, for which it subsequently received numerous awards. At the same time, it paved the way for today's hydrogen fuel cell drive of the Vivaro HYDROGEN and the future Movano HYDROGEN, by serving as the basis for several HydroGen test fleets. Opel Zafira was a pioneer in numerous respects and brought automotive solutions to the fore that are now taken for granted.

Practical, space-saving, easy: Pioneering Opel Zafira onboard seat system

In the spring of 1999, production of a model that would make history began: the first examples of the new Opel Zafira rolled off the production line. The 4.32 metre long, 1.74 metre wide and 1.68 metre high compact van was designed for lightweight construction. The first generation weighed just 1,390 kilogrammes when it was launched. Efficiency was as important to Opel then as it is today. With a drag coefficient of 0.33, the Zafira offered top aerodynamic performance in its class. With its clear design and long wheelbase, it combined elegance with functionality. The vehicle's low centre of gravity and the ultra-modern DSA (Dynamic SAfety) chassis ensured driving stability and the best possible safety.

But Opel Zafira made headlines 25 years ago for another reason: it was the first compact van to offer flexible space for up to seven people without the need to laboriously remove heavy seats. This was made possible by the intelligent, patented Flex7 seating system. With this unique mechanism, Opel set new standards for fully integrated onboard flexibility in the interior. In just around 15 seconds, the compact van could be transformed from a seven-seater into a two-seater with up to 1,700 litres of luggage volume. After unlocking and retracting the headrests, the seats in the third row could be easily folded up and stowed in appropriately shaped recesses in the vehicle floor, creating a completely flat loading area. The annoying removal from the vehicle and storage of temporarily unused seats were now a thing of the past.

Same applied to the second row: it could be folded up, pushed forward and secured behind the front seats to save space. The front passenger seat could also be folded into a horizontal position. This meant that objects up to three meters long could be loaded into the Zafira and four passengers could be accommodated at the same time.

Award-winning concept: Opel Zafira wins “Golden Steering Wheel” three times

Success was not long in coming. In the year of its launch, the trendsetter received the “Golden Steering Wheel” for the first time. This was just a taste of what was to come. With the second generation of the Zafira in 2005, Opel engineers optimised the handling of the second row. The seats could be folded down in a 40:20:40 ratio, so that adults could also sit comfortably on the outer individual seats. The reward for the effort: with the further developed Flex7 seating system, the Zafira B was set another benchmark for interior flexibility – and once again won the “Golden Steering Wheel”.

Opel Zafira was accompanied by a premium partner in Opel Zafira Tourer and immediately won another “Golden Steering Wheel”. In addition to the flexible interior, the newcomer impressed with lounge comfort, panorama glass sunroof and innovations such as radar-based speed control and Forward Collision Alert. With this serial success, Opel Zafira alone, in its various generations, has contributed three times to Opel’s award series at the prestigious “Golden Steering Wheel”.

Opel Zafira for all occasions: From top athlete to locally emissions-free pioneer

In 2001 – two years after the introduction of the first generation Zafira – Opel asked: “Can a sports car have seven seats, or put another way: Can a compact van have sporty driving characteristics?” The Zafira OPC gave a clear answer. It combined two ostensibly different segments: the practical variability of a compact van with the driving characteristics and performance of a sports car. In figures, this means a 141 kW (192 hp) 2.0-litre turbo engine, 250 Newton metres of torque, zero to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h. This made Opel Zafira OPC, which was launched in autumn 2001, the fastest van in Europe at the time.

Combining emotions with maximum efficiency – this is the motto that Opel followed then and still follows today. In the same year as the sporty Opel Zafira OPC, a completely different drivetrain also made its debut. In addition to fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines, the compressed natural gas Opel Zafira 1.6 CNG complemented the portfolio as a particularly economical and resource-saving vehicle. It significantly reduced emissions compared to conventional petrol engines and retained full interior variability thanks to the practical packaging of all components. The gas tanks were installed under the floor and thanks to the “Monovalentplus” concept, the driver could simply switch to petrol operation when required.

Compact van is also a pioneer in locally emissions-free hydrogen fuel cell drive. In 2000, Opel’s fuel-cell development took to the streets with the Zafira-based HydroGen1. Its hydrogen fuel cell supplied electricity for a three-phase asynchronous motor giving 55 kW (75 hp) and 251 Newton metres of torque. A buffer battery covered power peaks. In 2001, a fleet of 20 HydroGen3 models was driven by test customers. Power was increased to 60 kW (82 hp), giving a top speed of 160 km/h. In the 2004 Fuel Cell Marathon, two HydroGen3 vehicles covered nearly 10,000 km across Europe, from Hammerfest in Norway to Lisbon in Portugal. At the wheel of a HydroGen3, F1 and Opel DTM driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen also won the 2005 Monte Carlo Rally for cars with alternative propulsion. The Zafira-based HydroGen vehicles paved the way for today's Opel Vivaro HYDROGEN van. Soon the range of locally emissions-free commercial vehicles that can be quickly refuelled with hydrogen will be even larger, with the new Opel Movano HYDROGEN.

Space for family, team and colleagues: Opel Zafira, Combo and new Frontera

While the first-generation Zafira from 1999 is considered a pioneer of interior flexibility with space for the whole family, Opel today offers a wide range of spacious vehicles for comfortable shuttle services as well as for relaxed vacation trips. These include the current Zafira with eight seats as well as the Combo with up to seven. And the next multi-seater will follow this year: with the recently presented new Frontera, Opel has for the first time a compact SUV that can carry up to seven people. Spacious and comfortable, focussed on the essentials and electrified in every variant, the Frontera with its characteristic, robust design is the ideal car for outdoor fans and families. The attractive newcomer, which will be available to order shortly, comes with many practical solutions, including an innovative smartphone station and a comfortable Intelli-Seat feature for the front seats. It is available either as a hybrid with 48-volt technology or all-electric. The new Opel Frontera thus offers resource-saving driving pleasure including locally emissions-free operation and continues the brand's electrification offensive.

Electric, Innovative, Efficient: New Opel Movano Sets Standards

• Powerful: New electric motor with 200 kW/270 hp and 400 Nm torque
• Energised: New 110 kWh battery, 420 km range (WLTP 1), 150 kW fast charging
• Advanced: New assistance systems enable level 2 automated driving
• Ergonomic: New cockpit with up to 10-inch colour touchscreens
• Characteristic: Opel-typical front and rear design
• Diverse: 30 variants, up to 17 m3 cargo volume and 2 tons payload
• Practical: “Keyless Entry & Go”, inductive smartphone charging, “Eat & Work” bench seat

Ready for the heavy duties of working life that lie ahead – that is the new Opel Movano. With its diverse range of body styles, up to 17 m3 of cargo volume and a payload of up to 2 tons, the largest light commercial vehicle (LCV) from the brand with the Blitz has always been impressive. The new Movano retains all of the class-leading qualities and adds new ones on top, such as advanced driver assistance systems that enable level 2 automated driving for the first time. Above all, with the locally emissions-free new Movano Electric, Opel continues its electrification strategy – with higher power and a longer driving range. The new electric transporter is powered by an especially strong electric motor with 200 kW/270 hp and 400 Newton metres of torque. Thanks to the new 110 kWh battery, the new Movano Electric can cover up to 420 kilometres (WLTP 1) without a charging stop, making it a capable, reliable partner, even on longer journeys. Additional versatility is provided by the new 230 V dashboard socket that enables electrical devices to be powered or recharged.

In the interior, the focus is on connectivity, ergonomics and comfort. The redesigned cockpit offers infotainment systems with up to 10-inch colour touchscreens. Wireless smartphone charging is possible, as is keyless entry and starting. An optional versatile “Eat & Work” bench seat can also be used as a work surface. Opel Movano underlines its new, modern and future-oriented character when viewed from the outside, featuring a refreshed design at the front and rear that is typical of the brand, as well as optional LED headlights.

Patrick Dinger, head of Opel in Germany: “New Opel Movano is the perfect addition to the fleet and can master heavy duties. New Opel Movano Electric demands no compromises, offering even more power and a longer driving range than before. In addition, the new Movano is available with level 2 automated driving, a real highlight in this segment. With strengths such as these, the new Movano makes fleets future-proof.”

New Opel Movano Electric: Up to 420 km range (WLTP 1) and 150 kW fast charging

New Opel Movano offers the appropriate drivetrain for every user-profile. As the locally emissions-free Movano Electric it sets standards, from the motor to the battery. While the electric motor in the Movano previously had an output of 90 kW/122 hp, the new one now produces 200 kW/270 hp. The maximum torque available from the first squeeze of the accelerator has increased from 260 to 400 Newton metres – this means that the Movano Electric can accelerate strongly from a standstill even when fully laden, and can cover distances quickly at speeds up to 130 km/h. The previous 37 and 70 kWh batteries have been replaced by a 110 kWh battery that enables a driving range of up to 420 km (according to WLTP 1). Movano Electric drivers can therefore travel up to 170 km further than before on one charge of the battery.

Depending on preferences, drivers of Opel Movano Electric can choose from three driving modes to make optimal use of the performance and range: “Normal” (limited to 160 kW power output), “Eco” for range optimisation (120 kW) and “Power” for maximum performance (200 kW). Drivers can also set four levels of recuperation under braking using paddles behind the steering wheel.

New Opel Movano Electric is equipped as standard with a 3-phase 11 kW onboard charger for AC charging. It is also the first Opel to offer the option of charging with up to 150 kW DC. At a public fast charging station, it only takes 55 minutes to recharge to 80 per cent of the battery capacity.

Additional practicality is provided by the new, optional 230V socket option. It helps to easily charge electric devices such as laptops, electric tool batteries, tablets and other low power appliances that require electricity up to 150 Watts. The socket is positioned conveniently on the dashboard in a central place and is easily accessible for front seat occupants.

Class-leading choice: Battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell or diesel

New Opel Movano also plays a pioneering role with another drivetrain alternative: in 2024, the Opel’s largest LCV will be available for the first time as the Movano HYDROGEN for those who want to travel long distances locally emissions-free and also need to refuel quickly. The innovative hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will offer a range of up to 400 km (WLTP 1) and can be refuelled with hydrogen in only around five minutes.

Three highly efficient turbo-diesel units complete the drivetrain line-up. The engines offer outputs of 88 kW/120 hp 103 kW/140 hp and 132 kW/180 hp and – depending on the power output – can be combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Together with aerodynamic improvements to the body, the drivetrains reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 per cent compared to the previous engines, which also makes the Movano a top player in the segment in terms of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

Pioneer: New assistance systems enable level 2 automated driving

New Opel Movano also displays pioneering achievements among the numerous driver assistance systems. The electric power steering automatically adjusts the assistance to the speed of the vehicle. This increases driving comfort at higher speeds and makes manoeuvring in the city more comfortable. The electric parking brake is activated via a switch on the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.

In addition to traffic sign recognition, forward collision alert with emergency braking and side blind-spot alert, there are now new systems such as drowsiness alert, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with “Stop & Go” function, 360-degree parking sensors, parking assist and a digital rear view mirror that further improves all-round visibility. A total of 22 assistance systems and electronic helpers make driving and manoeuvring easier.

The combination of adaptive cruise control with “Stop & Go” function, lane keep assist and traffic jam assist enables the Movano to steer, brake and accelerate itself at speeds up to 30 km/h – for example in slow traffic – provided that the driver‘s hands remain on the steering wheel. This means that automated driving at level 2 is possible with the new Movano for the first time in its successful career.

Connected, organised, versatile: New state-of-the-art Opel Movano cockpit

Opel Movano drivers can now work in a state-of-the-art, versatile and at the same time comfortable environment. The cockpit of Opel's largest LCV has been comprehensively redesigned, making it more ergonomic and, above all, more connected. As an option, the most important information can now be displayed in a fully digital, configurable 7-inch colour driver information centre. A 3D map from the navigation system can also be displayed there.

The new infotainment and navigation system can be easily operated via the 10-inch colour touchscreen located centrally at the top of the centre console. Compatible smartphones connect wirelessly to the infotainment system via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation is possible using TomTom navigation maps in 3D. The most important functions can be controlled via natural speech recognition. Particularly practical for delivery services and professionals who often have to use a mobile phone at work is a shelf in the centre console for charging smartphones inductively.

Versatility is a highlight of the new Movano, not only in the variety of variants and the range of cargo-carrying options, but also in the interior. The optional “Eat & Work” bench-seat turns the cockpit into an ergonomic control centre. In just a few simple steps, the seat next to the driver can be transformed into a movable, practical work surface, e.g. for a laptop, turning the Movano into a mobile office. Alternatively, the seat can be converted into a small table with a cup holder – ideal when the time comes for a short break. And with the keyless locking and starting system (“Keyless Entry & Go”), the driver no longer even needs to take the key out of his pocket to open, start or lock the Movano.

Ready for everything: Unrivalled variety of body style options

New Opel Movano also scores points with its wide range of body styles. Four vehicle lengths, three wheelbases and three heights, as well as panel van, platform chassis, double cab, flatbed and tipper versions allow countless configuration options to suit the respective user-profile. At the same time, the Opel’s largest LCV makes no compromises in terms of payload or cargo volume. The Movano Electric can carry a payload of up to 1,500 kg, and the diesel version can carry up to 2 tons. Thanks to the practical underbody location of the battery, the cargo volume of up to 17 m3 is fully retained. The Movano Electric is also suitable for numerous conversions. New Opel Movano, Movano Electric and, in the future, the Movano HYDROGEN, will become ideal, highly efficient and resource-saving partners for heavy duties. Opel will open the order books for the Movano and the Movano Electric soon.

[1] Range values determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). The actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning. Vehicle not available yet.

Opel & Vauxhall Vivaro-e Tops Sales Charts in Germany and United Kingdom

• Opel Vivaro-e bestselling electric van in its segment in Germany in first quarter
• Vauxhall Vivaro-e bestselling e-LCV overall in UK in first quarter
• Significant market share growth in both home markets

Vivaro-e is continuing to be hugely popular with customers looking for an emissions-free electric commercial vehicle. Opel Vivaro-e was the bestselling medium electric van in Germany in the first quarter of 2022. Its sales helped Opel to grow its market share in the increasingly important electric light commercial vehicle market to almost 19% in the first three months of the year. In the UK, the Vauxhall Vivaro-e was the best-selling e-LCV in March and remains the overall highest-selling e-LCV for the year. Year-on-year, Vauxhall has seen its UK e-LCV market share grow from 19% to 22.7%. Opel and Vauxhall are part of a small group of manufacturers already able to offer electric variants across the entire LCV portfolio.

“Electric light commercial vehicle segment is a rapidly growing and vitally important sector for the industry. As more businesses look to reduce their running costs and emissions, e-LCV sales will keep growing in the future. It’s fantastic to see the award-winning Vivaro-e leading the way and shows that offering battery-electric models like the Combo-e, Vivaro-e and Movano-e at an early stage was the right choice to make,” said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz.

With a WLTP range of up to 328 kilometres1and a maximum payload of up to 1,163 kilogrammes, the Vivaro-e is at the forefront of Opel’s and Vauxhall’s commitment to electrification, as the German and British brand continue their electric vehicle expansion with the goal of offering an electrified variant of every model by 2024, and to offer only fully electric cars and vans in Europe by 2028.

In addition, Opel is already preparing the next step in the success of the Vivaro by pushing ahead with production of the Vivaro-e HYDROGEN. It is based on the existing battery electric Opel Vivaro-e, the “2021 International Van of the Year”. With full tanks of hydrogen, the driving range is more than 400 kilometres (WLTP1). 45 kW fuel cell is capable of generating enough power for continuous highway driving. It takes only three minutes to refuel with hydrogen – about the same time needed to fill up a conventional diesel or petrol vehicle. Thanks to smart packaging, Vivaro-e HYDROGEN demands no compromises on space compared to the combustion engine versions, offering up to 5.3 or 6.1 cubic metres of cargo volume. Fuel cell electric LCV is available in lengths M and L (4.95 and 5.30 metres) with up to 1,000 kilogrammes of payload.

[1] Range determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). The actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.