UK Car Release Dates

Newly redesigned for 2012, the venerable Vauxhall Zafira is now available for sale in the UK where it has made a mark as a favorite among soccer moms and fleet car companies alike. The 2012 Vauxhall Zafira, classified as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), has been updated from previous model years to give other automotive brands in its segment a run for their money. The changes are not just in aesthetics alone but also underneath the bonnet as well as upgrades to the interior. The Zafira has also retained its build quality which the UK motoring show Top Gear has described as “solidly bolted… which is just as well given the attack it will come under from tiny hands."

The Vauxhall Zafira will be powered by three petrol and two diesel engines. For the petrol versions, buyers can choose from the following: a 1.6i 16-valve four pot with VVT, two 140hp 1.8i 16-valve VVT (manual 5-speed and Easytronic). The diesel engine will come in only one spec but with two different horsepower outputs: 1.7CDTi 16v ecoFLEX engine with manual 6-speed in 110hp and 125hp respectively.

There are six available Zafira models and trims buyers can choose from, namely: the Expression and Life (£13,995), the Exclusiv (£18,560), the Excite (£20,800), the top of the line Elite (£24,245), and the Design trim which is actually the only Zafira model that buyers can customize. There are also non-air conditioned models made available only for the 1.6i Expression trim with the 5-speed manual transmission.

Among the basic standard features and amnities includes the following: air conditioning (starting with Life models), CD player/stereo radio, 12-volt auxiliary power socket, power-assisted steering with ABS, Electronic Stability Programme-plus with traction control, dual front and seat side-impact airbags, full-size curtain airbags, electric door mirrors and front windows, remote controlled central deadlocking, adjustable steering wheel, the Flex7® seating system, and a lot more.

It has also been announced that the new Zafira Tourer, which was previewed at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, will hit UK showrooms by early 2012. Along with it comes two new engines, a 1.4 Turbo petrol and a 2.0 CDTi diesel with three various horsepower ratings rumoured to be between the 110 to 165 range. This incoming 2012 Zafira Tourer model will also raise the bar for design, luxury, flexibility and innovation in the MPV sector, as per the Vauxhall press release. Now that is something to look forward to.

Vauxhall Zafira, MPV, multi-purpose vehicle

Known as the Opel brand in other parts of the world, the Vauxhall name has been part of the UK automotive industry for years. The brand is known for producing otherwise average vehicles for the UK market. But since the onset of automotive globalization the company has started to produce well-built vehicles, and one of those is the all-new for 2012 Vauxhall Corsa which is sold as a 3-door or 5-door hatchback in UK as of the moment. For new car buyers, here are some new features of the 2012 Vauxhall Corsa which you might strongly consider for your next vehicle purchase.

For starters, there’s an all new range of Vauxhall ECOTEC® engines to choose from beginning with the petrol engines. The 2012 Corsa models are now powered by three new Euro 5-compliant ECOTEC petrol engines – the lightweight 1.0 litre 12v engine that delivers 65PS; and the 1.2 and 1.4 litre units which feature 16 valves and variable valve timing (VVT) technology allowing both to produce 85PS and 100PS respectively. Both engine technology specs also provide most of the maximum torque across a wide rev band making for easy overtaking or cruising on the highway.

Next up are the Corsa’s new range of turbo inter-cooled diesel engine range which feature a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that gives a good combination of performance, refinement and efficiency in one package. The new range-topping 1.7CDTi 16v ecoFLEX (130PS) joins three variations of the 1.3CDTi 16v: the 75PS ecoFLEX, a 95PS ecoFLEX unit with Start/Stop as standard and a 1.3 95PS ecoFLEX engine available on the upper trim levels. Most of the 2012 Vauxhall Corsa models will come with a five or six-speed manual gearbox while the rest of the range comes with an available sophisticated four-speed automatic (1.4i 16v) and five-speed Easytronic (1.2i 16v) transmissions.

There are also various model trims to be had with the 2012 Corsa of which are listed as the following: the base model Expression (£8,995), the upgraded S (£11,625), the Exclusiv (£12,530), the Excite (£13,010), the SXi (£13,520), the SE (£14,865), the sporty Limited Edition (£15,080) and SRi (£15,600), and the top of the line VXR (£18,900). Included as standard amenities and safety features starting from the base model and above are as follows: Speed-sensitive power-assisted steering; electrically operated front windows and adjustable door mirrors; Remote-controlled central deadlocking; Mobile phone system with Bluetooth®; Air conditioning; Multi-function trip computer; Leather-covered sports steering wheel with audio controls; CD player with MP3 format/auxiliary-in socket/stereo radio; Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers; Anti-lock braking system with brake assistance; Electronic engine deadlock immobilizer; Driver’s and front passenger’s dual-stage airbags; Front seat side-impact and full-size curtain airbags among many others.

For all those loyal owners of the Vauxhall/Opel Corsa model who have been waiting to upgrade their old ones, now would be the perfect time to get your hands on a new one.

Vauxhall Corsa

The Vauxhall Vectra is also known as the Chevrolet Vectra in North America, the Holden Vectra in Australia and as the Opel Vectra in other parts of the world. It is classified and sold a large four-door family saloon, estate or as a 5-door hatchback powered by various choices of petrol or diesel engines mated to a five or six-speed manual gearbox. We start with the petrol in choices of the following: a 140bhp 1.8-litre ECOTEC with VVT, a 172bhp 2.0 turbo, a 155bhp 2.2-litre inline-4, and a 2.8-litre 250bhp V6 turbo. For the diesels there’s a 1.9-litre CDTi diesel with 120bhp or 150bhp, a 175bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4, and an available 181bhp 3.0 turbocharged V6 CDTi.

Among the amenities and safety features included in the Vauxhall Vectra includes leather and aluminum inserts and trimming, AM/FM radio with CD, electric windows and mirrors, air conditioning, power assisted steering with cruise control, front fog lights, 17” aluminum wheels with ABS, driver and front passenger airbags, among many other. Prices start at £14,750 for the 1.8 Vectra Exclusiv hatchback, £15,750 for the Estate, and £17,995 for the Signum Exclusiv.

Vauxhall has followed the recipe of not changing anything that is working well and the current Vectra model is testament to this for it has indeed seemingly worked well for the company, so much so as not to merit a makeover for the time being. The 2012 Vauxhall Vectra currently available for sale in the UK market is actually a carryover from the previous model year and is virtually unchanged. Since there are no redesign in the horizon for the Vectra (although there’s a rumoured replacement), loyal fans of this vehicle may still get to own the different models and trims that British families and even UK fleet car companies have found serviceable though the years

Vauxhall Vauxhall Vectra

Vauxhall, an automotive division of General Motors, has recently released for 2012 their newly redesigned Astra model lineup. It is being offered as a 5-door hatchback to compete in the suddenly crowded European compact vehicle category with the UK as its primary target market. There will be a variety of new revolutionary petrol and diesel engines made available to power the Astra starting with three ECOTEC petrol engines– two different specs of 1.4i inline-4 with outputs of 87hp and 100hp, and a 1.6i producing a modest 115hp.

The ECOTEC diesel engines on the other hand will come in two all-new inline-4 specifications with common rail multi-injection and variable geometry turbocharger: a 4-cylinder 1.4i producing 140hp and the proven 1.6i with a 180 horsepower rating. As if those are not enough, Vauxhall has also introduced their lineup of all-new ecoFLEX diesel units: a 1.3CDTi engine good for 95hp, a pair of 1.7CDTi versions producing 110hp and 125hp respectively, and the range topping 2.0CDTi that gives out a torque filled 165hp for smooth acceleration. All engine variations will come with 16-valves and variable valve timing (VVT) technology to produce better fuel economy and mileage.

Those engines will then find a place under the bonnet of any of the nine model trims for the new Vauxhall Astra. The base models Expression and ES will start at a reasonably priced £12,995. The other trims and its expected starting prices are as follows: Exclusiv (£16,670), Excite (£17,435), SRi (£18,635), ES Tech (£19,035), SE (£20,100), SRi VX Line (£20,825), and the aptly named top of the line Elite (£21,125).

Since the Vauxhall Astra has a lot of competition in its class, it has been given a host of the usual standard goodies, and then some, of which are listed next. Some cabin amenities include aircon, radio CD player with MP3 and aux-in socket, electric front windows, seat height adjuster, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, adjustable steering column, steering wheel mounted audio controls (from mid-tier trims), mobile phone system with Bluetooth®, satellite navigation system with 7” colour monitor, USB connection with iPod control, among many others.

Safety equipments includes Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with ABS, driver/ front passenger/ curtain airbags, remote controlled alarm system with central locking, cruise control, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, automatic lighting control, anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, to name a few. There is also the revolutionary Start/Stop System which comes standard with the 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX and the more powerful (165PS) 2.0CDTi 16v engines. If you want to tick the option box, go for the Sportive Pack comprising of unique front bumper, side sills, rear lower skirt, rear spoiler and body colour grille bar. You will discover that you can never go wrong in making the Vauxhall Astra hatchback sportier than it already looks.

Vauxhall Astra, hatchback

The Antara is a design that was developed between Opel, General Motors and GM Daewoo. It is based off the Theta platform, it shares its chassis and powertrain with the Chevrolet Captiva, but its interior and exterior design are completely different. In the UK is sold as the Vauxhall Antara.

For the 2011 year model a facelift was done, both front and rear lights were redesigned, the new Vauxhall badge was added. A shift-up indicator has been included to optimize fuel economy in the vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. Electric parking brake and a hill assistance system has also been added.

The 2011 Vauxhall Antara is Euro 5 compliant with its new 2.2 CDTi ECOTEC diesel engine with a choice of 120 kW or 135 kW, a 6-speed manual transmission is standard equipment, but you have the option of a 6-speed ActiveSelect automatic transmission. Combined fuel consumption is estimated at 36.2 mpg.

The 2011 Vauxhall Antara with a starting OTR of £19,995.00 is available in three trims the Antara E with intelligent four-wheel drive, 17-inch alloy wheels and Switchable Electronic stability Programme (ESP), the Antara S features Electronic Climate Control (ECC), cruise control and 18-inch alloy wheels and the Antara SE with satellite navigation, parking distance sensors and leather seats and door facings.

The Antara can be equipped as well with an electronically controlled AWD system that delivers power to each tyre depending on road and driving conditions. To increase occupant’s safety it is equipped with the CBC (cornering brake control) to improve stability when braking in curves, the HBA (hydraulic brake assistance) it increases braking pressure to reduce braking distance. There is also the Descent Control System (DCS); this allows the vehicle to maintain preselected speed during steep descents.

Overall the New 2011 Vauxhall Antara is an elegant all-wheel-drive crossover that delivers performance and safety at a reasonable price tag.

Vauxhall Vauxhall Antara, 4X4