Ricostruzioni della prossima Zafira da parte di autoexpress, verrà lanciata nel 2018 e dovrebbe avere anche una versione a 7 porte.
New five and seven-seater Vauxhall Astra crossover to lead shake-up as brand taps into SUV boom
Vauxhall will have a five-strong SUV line-up by the end of the decade, including an all-new Astra-sized crossover rival for the Nissan Qashqai, Auto Express can exclusively reveal.
The British brand and its German sister Opel are playing a quick game of catch-up to expand their SUV range, which currently comprises only the recently refreshed Mokka X. The lack of other crossover options in the line-up has left GM Europe’s brands flat-footed in the face of huge rising demand for SUVs and rapidly dropping sales of conventional MPVs such as the Meriva and Zafira.
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The first vehicle to arrive will be a new Corsa-sized model that will join the Mokka in rivalling the Nissan Juke. It’s expected to be unveiled before the end of this year, and it will replace the costly and slow-selling Meriva MPV in Vauxhall’s line-up. The new car will be built in Spain and, as part of GM Europe’s tie-up with PSA Peugeot-Citroen, it will sit on the same platform (PF1) as the current Peugeot 2008 and Citroen C4 Cactus.
Given that the Mokka X will continue to feature, we’d expect the Meriva replacement to be a crossover that leans towards MPV packaging, with the higher seating position of an SUV.
The next generation of the 2008 and Cactus models (plus a new small DS SUV) are set to be make use of new CMP (Common Modular Platform) architecture, co-developed with Chinese partner DongFeng. However, GM’s determination to expand its small SUV range as soon as possible means that it will stick with the older PF1 chassis technology – for its first generation, at least.
An even bigger part of the PSA deal will be the components that underpin a large Astra-sized crossover to rival the Qashqai, Nissan X-Trail and Skoda Kodiaq, and replace the Zafira MPV. This new five and seven-seat crossover – again, a mix between MPV and SUV – will be around 4.5 metres long, and will share PSA’s EMP2 platform tech with the forthcoming 3008 and 5008 models. Indeed, it’s likely to be built alongside those Peugeots in PSA’s factory in Sochaux, France.
The new family crossover is likely to make its public debut at next autumn’s Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales kicking in at the beginning of 2018. It’s likely to benefit from a mix of PSA and GM engines, including small turbocharged petrols for entry-level editions and a 2.0-litre diesel for higher-end versions. As part of its PSA tie-up, it could also get access to the EMP2’s electrification tech, offering a plug-in hybrid version with petrol-driven front wheels and an electric back axle.
Image 2 of 6Vauxhall Astra SUV exclusive image - rear (watermarked)
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Bookending the Juke rival, the Mokka X and the Qashqai competitor will be an Adam X and a new flagship SUV that was confirmed by GM CEO Mary Barra back in 2014. Announcing Vauxhall’s biggest model as part of GM’s investment in its European operations, Barra said that the flagship car will be produced at Opel’s headquarters in Russelsheim by 2020.
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This model is understood to be a large SUV, so it will give Vauxhall a rival for the Land Rover Discovery Sport, while following the brand’s mantra of “premium experience without premium pricing”. It’ll sit above the new Insignia in the Vauxhall line-up and could well sit on an extended version of that car’s new platform. It will also underpin stronger relationships between GM’s European and US operations, with the new model likely to share technology with a new Cadillac and Buick SUV.
The Buick brand, run by ex-Vauxhall MD Duncan Aldred, will also enable GM to take the new large SUV into the lucrative Chinese market, while Aldred has also spoken to Auto Express in the past about greater co-operation between Europe and the US. Indeed, he’s had conversations with his European counterpart, Karl-Thomas Neumann, about the joint development of a coupe, following the excellent reception to Buick’s Avista Concept at this year’s Detroit Motor Show.
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The Adam crossover will be the final piece in Vauxhall’s SUV jigsaw. Based on the next generation of the city car, the new model will rival cars like the planned SEAT Mii X-Perience and focus on funky style and personalisation. It could also include an electric powertrain.
With GM’s investment in Europe including 17 new engines before 2020 – some of which are already finding their way into cars like the Corsa and Astra – the new SUV line-up should be one of the most efficient on the market.
What remains up in the air, though, is the naming of these new models. The Zafira badge is likely to die altogether, while Corsa X is said to have been rejected as a badge for the new small crossover, too.
There are rumours that bosses could delve into the Vauxhall and Opel brands’ pasts, as they did with the Viva. The Monza name, revived for 2013’s Opel coupe concept, has also been linked to the new flagship SUV, while names such as Kadett, Tigra and Manta are all possibles for the other crossovers.
Vauxhall Mokka X
Image 3 of 6Vauxhall Mokka X - front
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On sale: Now
Rivals: Nissan Juke, Citroen C4 Cactus and Renault Captur
Chunky makeover has breathed new life into brand’s smallest current crossover. Cabin has tech such as Vauxhall Onstar and IntelliLink.
Vauxhall Corsa SUV
Image 4 of 6Vauxhall Corsa SUV exclusive image - front (watermarked)
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Due: Early 2017
Rivals: Nissan Juke, Citroen C4 Cactus and Renault Captur
Exclusive image shows SUV-style design of Meriva replacement.
Vauxhall Astra SUV
Image 1 of 6Vauxhall Astra SUV exclusive image - front (watermarked)
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Due: 2018
Rivals: Nissan Qashqai, SEAT Ateca and Renault Kadjar
New crossover is similar in size to Astra, but will share Peugeot 3008 and 5008 platform to take fight to big sellers.
Vauxhall Adam SUV
Image 5 of 6Vauxhall Adam SUV exclusive image - front (watermarked)
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Due: 2019
Rivals: SEAT Mii X-Perience, Fiat Panda Cross and Suzuki Jimny
Smallest SUV will be based on next-generation Adam, and is set to focus on chunky style and personalisation.
Vauxhall Large SUV
Image 6 of 6Vauxhall Large SUV exclusive image - front (watermarked)
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Due: 2020
Rivals: Land Rover Discovery Sport, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento
Stylish seven-seater is set to use next Insignia platform tech and take the brand into new territory.