Zafira Elegance born out of feedback
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Collecting and analyzing customer feedback is indeed a way to remain afloat amid tight competition. Prior to releasing the latest model of its multipurpose van (MPV), PT General Motors Indonesia (GMI) did just that.
The company, which distributes Chevrolet cars, recently launched the new seven-seater Chevrolet Zafira Elegance to answer customers' demand for an up-market vehicle with practical features.
The Zafira Elegance is more luxurious than earlier models of the five-seater Zafira GL and seven-seater Zafira CD, which are already available on the market.
The interior features full leather upholstery, with seat and door trims matching the original Irmscher accessories.
Externally, the Zafira Elegance boasts stylish two-tone side body molding.
The new model come in two versions. The five-speed manual transmission is tagged at Rp 203,300,000 (US$23,900) while the four-speed automatic transmission version is priced at Rp 217,500,000. (figures still being checked)
The Zafira GL comes at a price of some Rp 180 million, while Zafira CD is offered at between Rp 212 million and Rp 230 million.
The Zafira Elegance builds on the success of its predecessors, retaining outstanding features such as the 1,800 cc Z18 XE Ecotec engine, which is able to unleash maximum power of 125 horsepower (hp) at 5,400 revolutions per minute (rpm), and a maximum torque of 170 Newton meter at 3,600 rpm.
All Zafira models have similar physical dimensions of 4.3 meters long, 1.7 meters wide and 1.6 meters high.
"The new Zafira Elegance has been designed to make the Zafira model even more luxurious and modern so that owners can enjoy the smart, up-market lifestyle that they desire," the president director of PT GMI said.
"Customer feedback told us that motorists who already enjoyed the convenience and flexibility of Zafira's unique seating system wanted some extra touches that would make the experience of driving a Zafira truly memorable," he said.
Zafira Elegance has an integrated seat adjustment system, "the Flex 7 seating system", which allows one person to transform the Zafira from a seven-seater to a two-seater in less than 15 seconds -- without removing a single seat.
Its safety features include an antilock braking system (ABS), airbags, and fog lamps for improved vision and driving safety during long journeys.
To ensure passengers' comfort, independent air-conditioning controls for the front and rear seats, as well as a 6-speaker audio system are built in.
Among the competitors are 1,800 cc KIA Carens, which is offered at about Rp 149 million to 159 million, or the 2,500 cc KIA Sedona priced from Rp 242 million to Rp 262 million.
Also from Korea are variants of Hyundai Trajet available with 2,000 cc diesel or gasoline engines, or a 2,700 V6 gasoline engine offered from Rp 186 million to Rp 235 million.
Meanwhile, Japanese carmakers offer the 1,500 cc Suzuki Aerio from Rp 140 million to Rp 150 million and the Honda Stream, which is powered by either a 1,500 cc or a 2,000 cc engine, and tagged from Rp 175 million to Rp 217 million.
Toyota offers a wider range of options with Toyota Kijang priced from Rp 109 million to Rp 198 million.