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Opel's 'lounge on wheels' revealed

Geneva/Luton – Following months of spy images, the first official images and details have been released on Opels new  Zafira Tourer Concept.

According to Opel the Zafrica Tourer concept will be a proverbial “lounge on wheels” with the emphasis on interior space and design. Judging from the interior, the concept shows a rather spacious cabin with loads of leg room for passengers.
 
“We have transferred the idea of a relaxing lounge to a vehicle and created an automobile oasis, a place to relax and enjoy,” said Mark Adams, Vauxhall’s Vice President of Design.

At the front of the car, wing-shaped LED daytime running lights, bi-xenon AFL and fog lamps are all contained behind a single Plexiglass cover. The new model also sports Opel’s characteristic centre-crease on the hood.

Borrowing elements from the Astra Sports Tourer, the new model conveys the impression of moving forward while designers state that the outline resembles that of a high-speed train.

BOLD DESIGN: Opel has taken a radical approach in terms of design for its new Zafira Tourer calling it a "lounge on wheels"


The Zafira Tourer Concept sports a panoramic windscreen and a glass roof which extends to the rear of the vehicle. A second pane of high-tech composite material is edge-lit by LEDs, while tiny metallic particles embedded in interior reflects light.

According to Opel this light cab be varied in different shades of yellow presumably to give off a “warm glow”.

The concept features an evolved version of the Flex7 seating, with two rows in place, providing five-seat capacity, the interior can be transformed into a four-seater  with the push of a button.

A new folding mechanism allows the centre section of the second row to fold down, revealing two armrests for occupants in the outer seats. These seats can then slide back and towards each other, creating even more space for passengers.

TECH SAVY: The Zafira Tourer concept sports a detachable tablet PC on the centre console, as well two consoles affixed to the rear of the front seats.


The concept features electronic head restraints cable of being tilted though they will remain in a vertical position while the vehicle is in motion. In the ‘lounge’ setting, with the exception of the driver’s head restraint, each is capable of swivel 90 degrees horizontally…we assume they could be rather handy when you're dosing off in the passenger seats.

Taking design cues from Apple’s Ipad the touch screen display dominates the centre console and can be detached and held like a tablet PC. Many functions such as the air conditioning can be controlled via touch-buttons.

Passenger will have access to their own pivot-mounted tablet PC, with internet connectivity, affixed to rear of the front seats.

The Zafira Tourer Concept is powered by a new version of the downsized 1.4 Turbo engine featuring Start/Stop technology. To aid performance the new model will feature the carmakers FlexRide adaptive damping system.

The Zafira Tourer Concept will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011.

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