SCOOP: New Opel Zafira Grows up but Doesn't get FlexDoors

Opel and its sister company Vauxhall are pushing ahead with the development of the next generation Zafira minivan, which was caught here testing by our scoop photographers. The new seven-seat model is expected to grow in dimensions offering improved passenger and luggage space. Unlike the latest Meriva that boasts a pair of suicide doors, the new Zafira will continue to use conventional rear doors.

The sleeker shape of Opel's newcomer can easily be seen beneath the harlequin camouflage, while the pictures suggest that the minivan takes styling cues from both the Insignia and new Astra, including the wing-shaped head lamps.

The interior design will also be more or less inspired by the Astra, while the car's flexibility is reported to have been improved by a revamped three-row flexible seating system providing independent seating for all seven passengers.

The new Zafira will use hardware from the Astra range, so expect a suite of turbocharged diesel and petrol engines, including more eco-friendly and frugal EcoFlex versions and possibly even a sporty OPC / VRX variant.

Look for the next generation of Opel's people mover to make its world premiere at a major international motor show this year with European sales to start in late 2011 or early 2012.

There's no official word about a North American variant, but given that the Zafira is essentially the minivan version of the Astra (which itself forms the base for the new Buick Verano), as well as the fact that Ford is preparing the U.S. launch of the Focus-based C-Max, we wouldn't completely rule out the possibility.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

SPY VIDEO: 2011 Opel Astra GTC and GTC Turbo, Could Rival VW Scirocco

Opel will soon bring the total body count of the new Astra range to three with the presentation of the sporty Astra GTC, also known as the Vauxhall Astra in Britain, that will join the already available five-door hatchback and the recently revealed, Sports Tourer estate.

Even though we'll have to wait for the Paris Motor Show in October for the official unveiling of the GTC, we can give you a glimpse of the sporty looking three-door Astra as two prototype models were caught on film during testing in Germany.

As you can see in the video after the jump, the first camouflaged Astra GTC features a single tail pipe at each corner of the rear bumper and beefy tire/alloy combos, suggesting it's a turbocharged model, quite possibly, the rumored GSi that's said to be fitted with a more potent version of the 1.6-liter turbo delivering a little over 200HP.

Turbocharged or not, the Astra GTC looks far sportier and more dynamic than the current three-door model. And even though it is based on the five-door model, Opel's design team has given the GTC a lower, almost coupe-like roofline as well as sharper profile thanks to the pronounced crease above the rear wheelarches.

The three door model is also expected to get unique tail lights and possibly even a reworked fascia.

Judging by the spy shots and video, we wouldn't be surprised if Opel targeted the Volkswagen Scirocco with the new GTC - let's not forget that VW's "coupe" is in fact a three-door model also.

The basic engine lineup will be shared with the five-door Astra ranging from a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four-pot to a 180HP 1.6-liter turbo petrol and a 160HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel, while as we noted before, there's talk in Germany about a 200HP+ GSI version to close the power-gap with the OPC / VXR variant. The latter will most likely continue with the same or an upgraded version of the 240HP 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four found in the current OPC.

The new Astra GTC will make its way to European showrooms in early 2011. Now, how many of you think that GM ought to bring it as a new Buick over here?

__________________________________________________________________

SCOOP: Opel's Sexy-Looking Three-door Astra GTC Caught out in the Open

The new Astra range continues to expand. Following a series of spy shots and videos of the Sports Tourer model, our man with the long-lens has snapped the dramatically styled replacement to the three-door Opel / Vauxhall Astra GTC while out and about in Germany.

Due to be revealed at the Paris Motor Show in October before arriving in most European markets in early 2011, the new three-door variant of the Astra hatch follows in the footsteps of the outgoing GTC boasting a more rakish appearance than its five-door sibling.

In fact, as you can see in these revealing spy shots, the new Astra GTC appears to be even more aggressively styled that the outgoing three-door model featuring a lower, almost coupe-like roofline. The heavy cladding doesn't allow us to see all the details, but expect to see a pronounced crease above the rear wheelarches as well as unique tail lights, possibly even a reworked fascia.

Changes to the interior -aside from the less spacious rear compartment that has fallen victim to style- are expected to be limited to the dashboard trim.

Underneath the sheetmetal, Opel's engineers will most likely tweak the chassis for a sportier ride, while the basic engine range will be shared with the five-door model and range from a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four-pot to a 180HP 1.6-liter turbo petrol and a 160HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

The range will also grow to include a successor to the Astra OPC / VXR with its 240HP 2.0-liter turbo engine, while we've also heard rumors about a GSi model with a more potent version of GM's 1.6-liter turbo with a little over 200-horsepower.

SCOOP: New Opel Astra Sports Tourer Caught on Film

The estate version of the new Opel / Vauxhall Astra has been spotted doing the rounds at the Nurburgring.

Scheduled to be shown for the first time this summer with a Paris Motor Show debut to follow in autumn 2010, the Astra Sports Tourer looks like a smaller version of the Insignia station wagon boasting a more raked roofline and a less boxy / conservative shape than the current model.

The new Astra Sports Tourer rides on a longer platform than its hatchback brethren, which should translate to a more spacious boot.

Engine options for the station wagon model will mirror those offered on the five door Astra, so expect a petrol range stretching from a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four-pot up to a 180 horsepower 1.6-liter turbo, and a comprehensive diesel lineup topping out with a 160HP 2.0-liter CDTi.

The estate version will be the second model to be added to the new Astra's range. It will be followed by a sportier-looking three-door hatchback, a coupe convertible and a four-sedan model that will also be sold in the States as a Buick.

Video: Youtube/AMS

2011 Opel / Vauxhall Ampera Plug-in Hybrid: Production Version of European Volt Spied Completely Undisguised!

The most enlightening spy photos of the production version of the 2011 Opel Ampera plopped in our inbox today. At first we thought it was just the concept model out testing, but a closer look at the completely undisguised Ampera with the German license plates revealed that this is the actual production model that's due to go on sale in Europe and the UK (as a Vauxhall) in late 2011.

A sister model to the North American Chevrolet Volt, the road-ready Ampera features a few minor styling tweaks and additions over last year's concept model (see pictures here).

At the front-end of the plug-in hybrid, we find a slightly revised front grille, relocated front turning signals, plain black decorative trim on the bumper and the addition of washers on the bonnet.

At the back, the boot lid spoiler has been extended and features a larger third-stop light, while the reflectors on the corners of the bumper have been pushed outwards and the diffuser on the bumper has been redesigned and incorporates center mounted lights.

The new alloy wheel designs, the addition of a fuel cap on the front fender, the larger and more practical exterior mirrors and the body painted rooftop complete the list of changes over the concept car.

A quick recap of the details we already know, the Ampera will use the same plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric drivetrain as the Volt. It mates a powerful electric motor and a 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery pack to a 75HP 1.4-liter gasoline engine.

But unlike conventional hybrids that use gasoline engines to power the wheels when the battery is depleted, the Ampera uses the petrol unit to generate electricity for the electric motor that always drives the (front) wheels.

Owners will be able to charge the battery pack with a home outlet and drive for about 64km or 40 miles before the gasoline engine-generator kicks in to extend the Ampera's range to more than to more than 300 miles or 480 kilometers.

While Opel has said that it will show the Ampera in Geneva, the German automaker did not clarify if it will present the concept or series-production model.

New Opel Meriva MPV Spotted Out in the Open

True, GM's European arm has officially revealed the new Opel Meriva but we couldn't pass the opportunity to share with you these 'real-life' photographs of the small MPV that was bagged by our man with the long lens in Germany. You can read the full story on the 2010 Meriva here, but as a reminder, Opel's Citroen C3 Picasso rival that features rear-hinged back doors will make its first public outing at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

At launch, it will be marketed with six engines offering a power bandwidth from 75 HP to 140 HP and a choice of 5 and 6-speed manual transmissions (depending on the engine) as well as a 6-speed automatic gearbox

According to Opel, fuel consumption has been reduced by an average of 15 percent compared with the current generation Meriva.

Designed and developed at Opel's engineering center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the new Meriva will be built at GM's plant in Zaragoza, Spain and is scheduled to go on sale across Europe this summer.