S-Max Meets VXR

P15 COM takes on VXR

By Garlick / Monday, 18 February 2008 / Loading comments

PistonHeads.com- Speed Matters right? So why do we run an MPV on the PH fleet? It’s a question that is often asked, and checking the child count of our four- strong team reveals precisely zero.

Strangely though, P15 COM is probably the most used car in the car park. It's the number plate attached to our 2.5, 5 cylinder turbocharged S-Max which has the concept kit fitted along with some (ahem) 20 inch wheels. While this addition does not appeal to everyone, it does add a certain aggression to the 'PH Bus' and as it's all Ford approved kit it enhances the look without making us stand out too much.

So why does it appeal then? Well it handles fantastically well for such a large car- even on the 20's, the performance is enough to keep up with much faster machinery when on PH hoons and its interior is a very nice place to be too. More importantly though, we can chuck in our photo gear when heading out to a shoot, we can pack it up with kit for PH events and shows and it swallows everything needed for a weekends racing. That's before you consider how nice it is to be able to throw a few mountain bikes in the back, take mates and family about the place or, as I did, move house.

So maybe there is a place for this sort of car on the PH fleet after all? If you need a big car and want to have some fun when you are driving alone then this is a good option, and after taking it to yesterdays Sunday Service- I really enjoy that way it handles down country lanes- but its average fuel economy of 21.4 mpg is not so exciting..

Vauxhall has seen the S-Max win may accolades, and they aren’t letting it get away with it, they also know we like our S-Max so delivered a Zafira VXR for us to sample.

As per every other fast Vauxhall they have given the Zafira a brash VXR makeover and to give some go to back up the show, they popped in a version of the 2.0 turbocharged 'four' from the Astra VXR. It produces 230bhp giving it a 13bhp head start over the S-Max.

Where the S-Max is subtle, the Zafira is in your face- especially when finished in bright red. Now, I quite like the fact that you can buy a fast S-Max with a completely standard look- but walk into your Vauxhall dealer looking for fast, spacious transport and you'll get spoilers, blue brake calipers, aftermarket looking exhausts and chrome fog lights whether you like it or not. While that kit looks acceptable on an Astra or Vectra, in my opinion it's a bit too much on the Zafira, and looks a little bit stuck on as an afterthought.

After spending a week behind the wheel, the benefits over the S-Max became apparent. It has far better brakes with great feel, hauling it to a stop very quickly indeed. The gearbox feels precise when compared to the S-Max, its power is delivered more smoothly and it certainly feels the faster car. It handled well too - remarkably well for what it is, and it felt much smaller and more involving than the Ford. The Recaro seats are superb and shame those found in much faster sports cars.

As the week went on the initial surprise of its performance subsided and I started to notice its shortcomings. The steering wheel position isn't great, and the ride is on the solid side of firm. More importantly, despite the lairy engine and decent handling it just doesn't feel special, certainly not when you are looking at the dashboard or using the switchgear. To see the look on my girlfriends face as I arrived at her house to take her out in the VXR summed it up....I think you can guess what it was like.

That's where the S-Max clinches it, it looks great, it has masses of space and it feels a class above in terms of interior comfort and exterior styling. Yes P15 COM delivers laughably poor fuel consumption, and it's not as fast as the Zafira, nor does it handle as well, but in this sector it's not all about how fast you can go.

Speed matters? Yeah, of course it does, but in an MPV it needs to be a bit less single minded.