VAUXHALL'S Renault Scenic rival - the Zafira - will go on sale in the UK early next year, it was revealed at the show. While the new Astra dominated the Vauxhall/Opel stand at the show, it was the emergence of more details on Zafira which proved the bigger attraction.

Built on the Astra platform, the vehicle was seen in public for the first time at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Powered by a range of engines similar to the new Astra and with identical trim levels, the Zafira offers seating for seven people and converts in about 15 seconds - without taking out any seats - from a people-mover to a two-seater with luggage capacity of more than 1,700 litres. The floor is then completely flat and measures 2.8 metres long.

Full details of the Zafira range have still to be announced, but there will be a choice of three engines - 1.6 16v 100bhp, 1.8 16v 115bhp and 2.0 DI 16v 82bhp.