AN AUTOMATIC transmission version of the Vauxhall Zafira MPV fitted with the 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine will be available this year.

The arrival of the automatic gearbox fulfils a promise Vauxhall made to customers as demand for an automatic diesel-powered model began to grow.

Four-speed automatic transmission is already available on 1.8 and 2.2 litre petrol engines.

The new gearbox is one of a series of updates making the Vauxhall Zafira even more user friendly.

The Flex7 seating system has made it the most accessible MPV on the market - and it is possible to convert Zafira from a full seven-seater to a single-seater within seconds. Now the second row bench can be split 40:20:40 and the back of the centre seat folded.

Other changes include white rear indicator lenses, and a new trim level, called Design, that replaces the Comfort model.

Zafira on-the-road prices range from £14,245 for the 1.6 litre Club, to £20,245 for the Zafira GSi Turbo. Prices of the new Design model include £15,245 for the 1.6 litre model and £16,245 for the 2.0 DTi (automatic transmission is £995).