Rüsselsheim, Germany – Opel’s people movers stand out for their emotional design, efficiency, and, most importantly, practical, flexible space, whether for families or VIP transport. Currently, the Opel Zafira can accommodate up to eight people, with the Combo seating up to seven. The portfolio will soon expand with the new Opel Frontera, which recently premiered in Istanbul and made its public debut in Rüsselsheim to mark the “125 years of automobile manufacturing at Opel” anniversary. The Frontera, available with optional seating for seven, joins the modern “spacecraft” lineup from the brand.
However, these innovations owe a debt to a very special model celebrating an anniversary this year. In 1999, exactly 25 years ago, the groundbreaking Opel Zafira was launched. With its innovative Flex7 seating system, it revolutionized the compact van segment, setting new standards for interior variability, which earned it numerous awards. At the same time, the Zafira paved the way for today’s hydrogen fuel cell drive of the Vivaro HYDROGEN and the future Movano HYDROGEN, having served as the basis for several HydroGen test fleets.
Pioneering Design:
The revolutionary Opel Zafira pioneered countless automotive solutions that are now commonplace. In the spring of 1999, production began on a model that would make history. The compact van was 4.32 meters long, 1.74 meters wide and 1.68 meters high, and designed with lightweight construction in mind. The first generation weighed just 1,390 kilograms when it was launched. Opel prioritized efficiency, and with a drag coefficient of 0.33, the Zafira boasted top aerodynamic performance in its class. With a clear design and long wheelbase, it combined elegance with functionality. The vehicle’s low center of gravity and the ultra-modern DSA (Dynamic Safety) chassis ensured driving stability and safety.
Flex7 Seating System:
However, the 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 requiring the removal of heavy seats. This was achieved through the intelligent, patented Flex7 seating system. This unique mechanism set new standards for fully integrated onboard flexibility in the interior. In about 15 seconds, the compact van could be transformed from a seven-seater into a two-seater with up to 1,700 liters 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 need to remove and store temporarily unused seats was eliminated. In the second row, the seats 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 allowed the Zafira to accommodate objects up to three meters long while still carrying four passengers.
Awards and Recognition:
Success was immediate. It received the “Golden Steering Wheel” in its launch year. With its second generation in 2005, Opel engineers optimized the handling of the second row by enabling seats to fold down in a 40:20:40 ratio, and adults could sit comfortably on the outer individual seats. The Zafira B, with the further-developed Flex7 seating system, set another benchmark for interior flexibility and once again won the “Golden Steering Wheel.” The Zafira Tourer also won a “Golden Steering Wheel.” In addition to the flexible interior, the newcomer impressed with lounge comfort, a panorama glass sunroof, and innovations such as radar-based speed control and Forward Collision Alert. With this serial success, the Zafira, in its various generations, contributes three times to Opel’s award series at the prestigious “Golden Steering Wheel.”
Fuel Cell and Alternative Propulsion:
In 2001, the Zafira OPC gave a clear answer to the question: “Can a sports car have seven seats, or put another way: Can a compact van have sporty driving characteristics?” The Zafira OPC combined two distinct segments: the practical variability of a compact van with the driving characteristics and performance of a sports car. With a 141 kW (192 hp) 2.0-liter turbo engine, 250 Newton meters of torque, it accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and reached a top speed of 220 km/h, making it the fastest van in Europe at the time. In the same year, a compressed natural gas (CNG) Zafira 1.6 CNG model was also launched to complement the portfolio as a particularly economical and resource-saving vehicle. It significantly reduced emissions compared to conventional petrol engines and retained full interior variability due to the practical packaging of all components. The gas tanks were installed under the floor, and thanks to the “Monovalentplus” concept, the driver could switch to petrol operation when needed.
The compact also pioneered 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 meters of torque. A buffer battery covered power peaks. In 2001, a test fleet of 20 HydroGen3 models was driven by customers. The 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. The range of locally emissions-free commercial vehicles that can be quickly refueled with hydrogen will soon be even larger, with the new Opel Movano HYDROGEN.
Space for Everyone:
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 and the Combo with up to seven. The new Frontera is a compact SUV that the company recently presented which can carry up to seven people. Spacious and comfortable, focused 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 is available to order shortly, comes with 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 offers resource-saving driving pleasure, including locally emissions-free operation, and continues the brand’s electrification offensive.
Contact:
Leif Rohwedder +49 (0) 6142-6927466 [email protected]
Colin Yong +49 (0) 6142-6922084 [email protected]
Carina Elsinger +49 (0) 6142-6927811 [email protected]
