There is nothing quite like the Zafira VXR on the market a car that offers performance and driving dynamics combined with the family friendly flexibility of a seven seat MPV. It uses the same 240bhp turbocharged engine as the Astra VXR, and corners flat - or at least flatter than any MPV deserves to and will sprint from 0-60mph in just 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 144mph the Zafira VXR is the fastest MPV on sale in the UK.There are quite a few styling tweaks to differentiate the VXR from its humbler brethren. Big brakes with distinctive blue callipers help reign in the cars power. As well as the VXR honeycomb grille, there’s a bigger front bumper with central air intake and integrated fog lights. Side sills and a modified rear bumper assembly are also fitted and twin exhaust pipes will give the overtaken a clue that this isn’t the usual people carrier. There’s a tailgate spoiler and big 18-inch alloy wheels. Nineteen-inch rims are also offered if you want to make the rest of the school runners jealous.
The interior has been boosted to the tune of Recaro sports front seats while the fabric on the instrument and door panels is coordinated with the seating. VXR logos adorn the gear lever and sports steering wheel while options include electronic climate control, front and rear parking sensors and a Bluetooth-compatible mobile kit.
Apart from the cosmetic VXR changes the driving position is pretty much standard Zafira, which means an excellent car-like driving position, reach and height adjustable steering wheel, gearstick sited conveniently on the dashboard and good overall visibility. The ratios of the six-speed manual gearbox are quite well judged, which means you get meaningful response just about anywhere in the speed range. Overtaking is laughably easy. The only problem is that other road users are sometimes taken by surprise at the Zafira's ridiculous fast pace. All Zafira VXRs come with electronic controls that look after damper settings, electronic stability programmes and braking systems in a way that allows fast, stable progress.
This sporty environment might not be what you’d expect from an MPV, but it doesn’t mean Zafira VXR loses any of its versatility. The current model is six inches longer, 1.5 inches wider and a shade taller than the outgoing model, and retains the seven-seat configuration. Now go take one for a test drive you wont be disappointed.
