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Vauxhall Media Watch ISSUE 49 JUNE 2016 Given the wide critical acclaim for the Astra, it’s encouraging to see that the media has noticed the similarities with the new Zafira Tourer, which has been immediately described as ‘cool’ and ‘stylish’. The Astra itself has been called ‘endlessly remarkable’ by Autocar after proving its tech credentials to be class-leading. Meanwhile, the Corsa is the perfect “sporty but affordable” supermini for young enthusiasts. Denis Chick, Director, Communications Wraps come off new Zafira Tourer The new Vauxhall Zafira Tourer has been unveiled with “Astra-inspired looks” and a host of new technology options, Auto Express reports. “At the front, the MPV gets new headlamps with Vauxhall’s ‘double wing’ daytime running lights. There’s an updated grille, plus more muscular wheelarches” so that the car looks “wider and squatter”. But the “biggest changes” are inside. “There’s a new dash with a neat integrated screen replacing the old top-mounted system. It loses the plethora of buttons, too, cleaning up the facia to make it easier to use on the move. The Tourer gets Vauxhall’s latest IntelliLink infotainment with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and OnStar – the brand’s innovative concierge system that can download destinations to the satnav, and even call the emergency services after an accident. There’s a 4G WiFi hotspot, too. “A front camera system helps with safety, allowing for forward collision alert, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. Vauxhall will be hoping for a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. “The facelifted Zafira Tourer retains Flex7 seating, plus practical solutions like the Flex-Fix bicycle carrier and FlexRide adaptive damping. As before, the boot has a 710-litre capacity with the third row of seats folded flat. That can expand to 1,860 litres with the second row folded – trumping the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso.” (Link: Auto Express, 31 May) Astra proves endurance as quality refuses to slip Fleet News’ long-term Astra has passed the 7,000-mile mark, “and it has done little to dent the positive impression it made in its first couple of months with us”, writes Andrew Ryan. “Its interior build quality has continued to meet our initial high expectations, with no squeaks or rattles developing, while the materials used continue to appear durable. “Since my last report, our web producer Christopher Smith has borrowed the car for a week, and his impressions backed mine up: it’s a vastly improved car in every aspect compared to its predecessor. “Christopher used the OnStar call centre facility to have a couple of destinations sent remotely to the car’s satnav, which he said worked well. “I’ve preferred to use the My Vauxhall app which means I can find a location on my smartphone and send this directly to the car wherever I am, so it is ready to begin navigation when I get in it. “Either way is effective, while it is also straightforward to programme a destination directly into the satnav system.” (Link: Fleet News, 7 June) ZAFIRA TOURER DRAWS ON ASTRA’S COOL INSPIRATION The Astra served as the “inspiration” for the Zafira Tourer’s midlife makeover, and that makes for “a cool look”, says the Manchester Evening News. “Inside it’s as big as ever, and really can take seven occupants. Fold down the second row of seats and you now have 1,860 litres of stowage space. This remains a large and adaptable space. It also gains the company’s OnStar connectivity services so all seven occupants can use the WiFi hotspot. Add in two versions of the IntelliLink infotainment software for the seveninch screen and you have enough flexibility for all the family and friends. “There are more systems for both safety and comfort, including lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition as well as the option of FlexRide adaptive dampers and adaptive cruise control.” With prices starting at around £18,500, the Zafira Tourer is “very competitive against other seven-seater MPVs like the Ford S-Max and Citroën Grand C4 Picasso, both of which cost over £20,000”. (Link: Manchester Evening News, 3 June)
Astra Sports Tourer makes huge leap forward “The estate version of Vauxhall’s latest Astra – the 2016 European Car of the Year – offers sleek looks, a competitive load bay and a range of new engines,” says the Telegraph. “As with the hatchback, rigorous weight-saving means that the Sports Tourer is an average of 130kg – or almost two average adults – lighter than the previous model. “Although the new one is similar in overall size, there’s greater room for front and rear passengers. “There are now slimmer windscreen pillars, which helps the view out no end, while the new centre console has undergone some serious decluttering. It’s more intuitive to use, with fewer buttons, and the infotainment system is placed at the same level as the main instrument dials for comfort and safety. “Not only does it look sharp, it feels good in terms of construction and quality, with a host of soft-touch surfaces including the tops of the doors. “There’s plenty of room in the rear seats, too, which split and fold 40/20/40 to enable longer loads as well as rear-seat passengers.” Testing the new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, “the whole car has a general feeling of sharpness lacking in its predecessor, especially the steering. The engine is smooth and pulls respectably from low revs”. “The ride is less harsh than that of the previous Astra, too. It flows through a succession of bends well – it’s more involving than a Golf and you won’t be disappointed. It’s a refined cruiser, too. “Brisk A-road driving delivered 52mpg, not a bad real-world figure when compared with the official EU Combined consumption of 62.8mpg. “The Astra Sports Tourer is a huge leap forward over the previous version in all areas, while its large and practical load bay makes it a strong contender for families who need to shift large loads or a mountain of paraphernalia.” (Link: Telegraph, 7 June) Astra Sports Tourer boasts long-legged quality “With almost 3,000 miles on the clock, the Astra’s fuel economy is settling down to more than 55mpg, with almost 60mpg on a long run at the speed limit,” writes the Telegraph’s Andrew English, who is a fan of the “classy blue” colour of his car. “I’m really liking the refinement and long-legged quality of the estate. The seats are comfortable and the ride is plush, but not at the cost of handling, which feels sharp. “The engine develops 134bhp at 3,500rpm, with a useful 236lb ft of torque from 2,000rpm. That gives a top speed of 127mph and 0-62mph in 9.5sec. With CO 2 emissions of 104g/km, it’s in Band B for VED purposes. This is a potentially excellent business car.” (Link: Telegraph, 31 May) Technology test Jim Holder decided to give his long-term Astra a “technology test” after the car’s ability to interpret a dictated text message at 70mph proved to be a revelation. “The words that came out of my mouth went into my phone and emerged on the other side of the satellite just as I’d said them,” he writes in Autocar. “Maybe it’s my age showing, but I’m used to voice recognition systems being utterly hopeless. Repeated use of the system has proved that it works no matter how much cabin noise there is. “My success has prompted me to investigate Vauxhall’s unique Onstar system, which offers wi-fi, a concierge service and a system that contacts the emergency services automatically if you have an accident. “Turns out dictating text messages is just the start of what the endlessly remarkable Astra can do – but more on that next time.” (Link: Autocar, 29 May) ROONEY WINS VAUXHALL PRIZE Wayne Rooney has won the Vauxhall England Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, Mail Online reports. The England captain received the prize at from Vauxhall Head of Sponsorship & Events Andrew Curley. Some 37 per cent of England supporters club members voted for Rooney, who surpassed Bobby Charlton’s record of 49 this season to became the country’s greatest ever goalscorer. (Link: Mail Online, 1 June) SHARP, SPACIOUS, GREAT In June’s What Car?, the mag describes the Vauxhall Astra 1.6 200 SRi as part of “a breed of hatchback that’s mildly sporty to drive and look at but doesn’t cost the earth to run. Welcome, everyone, to the ‘warm’ hatch.” The 200bhp turbocharged Astra “combines all the things we like about the company’s strong-selling hatchback – sharp looks, a spacious interior and a great price – with seriously gutsy performance”. The engine impresses the What Car? team: “Vauxhall has done a fantastic job with the Astra’s 1.6-litre petrol engine”. The engine “feels eager over a wide enough range of revs” and proved itself to be “impressively strong against the stopwatch, too, recording a 6.8 second 0-60 time”. The only indication of this happening, the magazine notes, is a small light that illuminates on the dashboard; “there’s no change in engine noise or vibration”. The engine is “hushed” at motorway speeds, and “there’s very little wind and road noise in the cabin”. Comfort is another strong point for the Astra: “Even tall adults should be able to find a comfortable driving position in the Astra, thanks to a good range of seat and steering wheel adjustment.” (Source: What Car?, June)
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