OPEL ZAFIRATiming chain or Belt?

The Opel Zafira is a compact MPV or minivan from the C-segment produced by the German manufacturer Opel. It was born in 1999 and was sold under virtually all General Motors brands (Opel, Vauxhall, Holden, and Chevrolet), all bearing the Zafira surname. In Japan, it was sold as the Subaru Traviq, and in Malaysia as the Chevrolet Nabira. Production of the Opel Zafira ended in 2019, as the PSA group was not interested in continuing the minivan, shifting as much weight as possible to the brand's SUV models. Its natural successor is therefore the Opel Grandland X, although PSA continued to use the Zafira brand on the Opel Zafira Life, which is a vehicle based on the Sevel van.

The Zafira has historically been based on the Opel Astra. The first generation is built on General Motors' T-platform, shared with the Astra G. Interestingly, the development of this MPV was done in conjunction with Porsche. It was also the first compact minivan to offer 7 seats. There was even a sports version, the Zafira OPC, with engines producing up to 200 hp.

The second generation of the Zafira arrived in 2005. It was based on the Astra H, a vehicle with which it shared GM's Delta Platform. This vehicle stood out particularly for its safety, as well as dynamic improvements compared to the previous version.

Regarding the third and final generation, known as the Opel Zafira Tourer, it was based on the Astra J, while incorporating elements from the Opel Insignia. It was produced on the Delta II platform. It hit the market in 2011, coexisting for a few years with the Zafira B. It grew in size, allowing it to fill the gap left by the Opel Sintra minivan years earlier. It achieved 5 stars in the EuroNCAP safety test and acquired Opel's best technology and infotainment to date. However, the rise of SUV vehicles and the sale of the German brand to the French PSA group meant that the Opel Zafira did not continue past 2019. Nevertheless, PSA began marketing the passenger version of the Opel Vivaro as the Opel Zafira Life starting that same year, providing some continuity to the Zafira family.

There have been a total of 3 generations of the Opel Zafira. Among its rivals have been a multitude of minivan vehicles such as the Renault Mégane Scénic, the Citroën Xsara Picasso, the Fiat Multipla, the Volkswagen Touran, and the Ford C-Max, among others.