General Motors’ North American brands are not the only ones receiving a number of new models. Its European Opel brand is also in the middle of a product overhaul, and it appears an all-new Zafira MPV is also on its way. For now, we only have a faint glimpse of the Zafira Tourer Concept, which will debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Using pseudo-augmented reality, Opel has released a photo of a supposed holographic rendering of the Zafira Tourer Concept floating above an Apple iPad. Although dubbed a concept, the Zafira show car is likely a spot-on look at the forthcoming 2012 Zafira production model.
Predictably, the new Zafira retains its one-box form, although the new model looks much more svelte and athletic than the outgoing model. From the teaser, we can only see the Zafira from the front, but it appears the MPV carries a number of design cues used in the all-new Astra. Unlike the new compact Meriva model, which gained a pair of unusual rear-hinged rear doors, the Zafira retains conventional rear doors.
Opel hopes an all-new Zafira will help it succeed in an increasingly competitive compact MPV market in Europe. Abroad, Citroen’s Grand C4 Picasso, Renault’s Grand Scenic, the Mazda 5, and the new Ford Grand C-Max offer some stiff competition to today’s Zafira, which is nearly seven years old. Although some Opel models are ported to America through Buick dealers (witness the Regal), don’t expect this model to necessarily make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Zafira Tourer Concept will debut next month in Geneva, alongside the production-spec Opel Ampera(nee Chevrolet Volt) extended-range electric vehicle, a facelifted Antara SUV, and a revamped Corsa hatchback.-rumors.automobilemag.com
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