Zafira Gets SRi'd
Published: 3rd April 2004
Vauxhall Zafira SRi
- Vauxhall perfects the ‘sporting’ MPV
- Three engines, petrol and diesel
- Sports styling and lots of kit
- On sale now from £18,295
Vauxhall created a first in the segment with the performance 200 hp Zafira GSi two years ago. To continue with the theme of making MPV’s great to drive as well as practical, Vauxhall has identified a gap in the market for a more accessible model but which has many of the same sporting intentions – just a little less power and a few more miles to the gallon.
The Zafira SRi comes with 1.8 16v 125 hp or 2.2 litre 147 hp petrol power or a 2.0 DTi diesel and with a chassis taken straight from its GSi brother. The Zafira SRi has a chassis that delivers excellent balance and the kind of handling and neutral steering that bears comparison with ‘conventional’ sports hatches. It’s fun, in other words.
At the same time, the traditional advantages with Zafira as a versatile family car have been retained. Neither the suspension travel nor the payload have been reduced, and although its settings are firmer, the sport suspension has been tuned to provide a high level of ride comfort and active safety.
Zafira’s innovative design – inside and out – is standing the test of time well and with the addition of a few typical SRi touches, is sure to appeal across the spectrum from adventurous young families to mature buyers.
Styling enhancements include seventeen inch alloy wheels, a sport styling pack (front air dam, side skirts and modified rear bumper), front fog lights, sports seats and aluminium gear knob.
Other standard features include electric windows front and rear, CD player, air conditioning and an alarm.
On the road prices for the three models available are
| Zafira SRi 1.8 16v | £18,295 |
| Zafira SRi 2.2 16v | £19,045 |
| Zafira SRi 2.0 DTi | £18,795 |
The new model is on sale now and for customers who are especially quick off the mark, there is the added benefit of three years, 0% finance - but they must place their order before 7 April.
