The Opel Zafira B 1.8i 16V Automatic, produced between 2005 and 2008, represents the second generation of Opel’s popular compact minivan. Designed to compete in the European family vehicle market, the Zafira B offered a flexible seven-seat configuration and a focus on practicality. While not officially sold in the United States, the Zafira line was a significant player in Europe, known for its innovative space management and relatively affordable price point. This particular variant, equipped with a 1.8-liter gasoline engine and an automatic transmission, aimed to provide a balance of performance and convenience for family transportation.
Opel Zafira B: A European Family Vehicle
The Zafira B built upon the success of the original Zafira, introducing a more refined design and improved features. It continued Opel’s tradition of offering versatile vehicles catering to the needs of modern families. The Zafira’s key selling point remained its adaptable interior, capable of accommodating up to seven passengers or providing ample cargo space when seats were folded down. The 1.8i 16V engine option was a common choice, offering a reasonable level of performance for everyday driving.
Engine & Performance
The heart of the Zafira B 1.8i 16V is an inline four-cylinder, naturally aspirated 1.8-liter (1796 cm3 or 109.6 cu. in.) gasoline engine. This engine, designated Z18XER, produces 140 horsepower (Hp) at 6300 rpm and 175 Newton-meters (129.07 lb.-ft.) of torque at 3800 rpm. Power per liter is rated at 78 Hp/l. The engine utilizes multi-port fuel injection and a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) valvetrain with four valves per cylinder. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission. Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration time of 12.9 seconds, and a 0-60 mph time of 12.3 seconds. The Zafira B 1.8i 16V achieves a maximum speed of 197 km/h (122.41 mph). Fuel economy is rated at 7.2 liters per 100 kilometers (32.7 US mpg or 39.2 UK mpg) on a combined cycle, with 9.7 l/100km (24.2 US mpg) in urban conditions and 5.8 l/100km (40.6 US mpg) on the extra-urban cycle.
Design & Features
The Opel Zafira B is a five-door minivan designed to comfortably seat seven passengers. Its body style prioritizes practicality and space efficiency. Key features include a flexible seating arrangement with folding and removable seats, allowing for a variety of configurations to maximize passenger or cargo capacity. The trunk space ranges from a minimum of 140 liters (4.94 cu. ft.) with all seats in place to a maximum of 1820 liters (64.27 cu. ft.) with the rear seats folded. Safety features for the era included Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The Zafira B’s design was a step forward from its predecessor, with a more modern and streamlined appearance. The vehicle’s dimensions are: length 4467 mm (175.87 in.), width 1801 mm (70.91 in.), and height 1645 mm (64.76 in.). The wheelbase measures 2703 mm (106.42 in.). The drag coefficient is 0.31.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Opel |
| Model | Zafira |
| Generation | Zafira B |
| Type (Engine) | 1.8i 16V (140 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production | August, 2005 |
| End of production | 2008 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Minivan |
| Seats | 7 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Fuel consumption (urban) | 9.7 l/100 km (24.2 US mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (extra urban) | 5.8 l/100 km (40.6 US mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 7.2 l/100 km (32.7 US mpg) |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 12.9 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 12.9 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 12.3 sec |
| Maximum speed | 197 km/h (122.41 mph) |
| Emission standard | Euro 4 |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 10.7 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 8.6 kg/Nm |
| Power | 140 Hp @ 6300 rpm |
| Torque | 175 Nm @ 3800 rpm (129.07 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm) |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine Model/Code | Z18XER |
| Engine displacement | 1796 cm3 (109.6 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 80.5 mm (3.17 in.) |
| Piston Stroke | 88.2 mm (3.47 in.) |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity | 4.5 l (4.76 US qt | 3.96 UK qt) |
| Coolant capacity | 6.1 l (6.45 US qt | 5.37 UK qt) |
| Kerb Weight | 1503 kg (3313.55 lbs.) |
| Max. weight | 2080 kg (4585.62 lbs.) |
| Max load | 577 kg (1272.07 lbs.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 140 l (4.94 cu. ft.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – maximum | 1820 l (64.27 cu. ft.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 58 l (15.32 US gal | 12.76 UK gal) |
| Length | 4467 mm (175.87 in.) |
| Width | 1801 mm (70.91 in.) |
| Height | 1645 mm (64.76 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 2703 mm (106.42 in.) |
| Front track | 1488 mm (58.58 in.) |
| Rear track | 1510 mm (59.45 in.) |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | 0.31 |
| Minimum turning circle | 10.9 m (35.76 ft.) |
| Drivetrain Architecture | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Gearbox type | Automatic transmission |
| Front suspension | Spring Strut |
| Rear suspension | Torsion |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Tires size | 205/55 R16 |
| Wheel rims size | 6.5J X 16 |



