SPIED: New Opel Zafira 7-Seater MPV


The next-generation of GM Europe's Opel (Vauxhall in Britain) Zafira MPV has been spotted by our man with the long-lens undergoing development testing in Germany.

Opel's traditional harlequin suit of camouflage leaves a lot to the imagination about the Zafira's looks, but expect a sleeker shape incorporating many of the styling cues seen on the Astra, Insignia and the Meriva, including the creased swoop behind the front wheels.

From what we can tell by looking at these photos, it appears that Opel hasn't applied the Meriva's trick suicide doors on the Zafira which gets conventional rear doors.

The spy shots also give us a sneak peak of the dashboard, which shouldn't differ much from the one found in the latest Astra that forms the basis for the Zafira.

Like the current model, Opel's new minivan will get three rows of seats featuring the firm's FlexSpace seating system with room up to seven passengers.

Unsurprisingly, the new Zafira will use hardware from the recently revealed Astra hatchback. Expect to see the same suite of turbocharged and naturally aspirated petrol and turbo diesel engines when the car arrives in late 2011 - early 2012.