Motoring

‘Whisper diesel’, the Opel Zafira Tourer

By Euro Weekly News Media • Published: 15 Aug 2014 • 14:22

ANOTHER economical choice for the Zafira Tourer: the versatile Opel seven-seater is now available in a second 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX version with a power output of 88kW/120hp.

This joins the 100kW/136hp turbo diesel which made its debut in the compact van last year.

Both are members of Opel’s new diesel generation and distinguished by exceptionally economical fuel consumption with first-class running smoothness as well as minimal noise generation, which has prompted the motoring press to hail Opel’s 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX engine as the ‘whisper diesel’.

It is part of Opel’s large model and engine offensive, which will see 27 new models and 17 new engines introduced between 2014 and 2018.

The new base version of the Zafira Tourer diesel is now on sale for a very attractive €26,850 (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

A clear focus on minimising engine noise, vibration and harshness characterised the engine’s entire concept, design and development process.

This resulted in a very quiet and silky smooth engine operation.

The new engine generation is also first class in other areas; it has been further optimised in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The Zafira Tourer with the 88kW/120hp 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX comes with Start/Stop fitted as standard, and is also available with a low friction six-speed manual transmission and a braking energy recuperation system.

To ensure optimum electrical energy management, this system recovers a part of the kinetic energy via the generator in engine overrun mode, converting this to electrical energy and feeding it into the battery. This happens automatically whenever the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator pedal or presses the brake pedal.

When the battery is sufficiently charged, the generator output is greatly reduced and electrical components are powered in a fuel saving manner by the buffered electrical energy.

This means that the engine is not required to drive the generator when accelerating, which helps reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.