VAUXHALL'S much awaited new Zafira Tourer will cost from £21,000 - more than £1,200 less than key rival the Ford S-Max - when it hits the streets next year.

The seven-seater made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show and even the entry grade Zafira Tourer ES 1.8 140PS model will come with standard kit like air conditioning, DAB, cruise control, MP3/Aux In connections, six airbags, seven-speaker sound system, active headrests, and Flex7 seating.

Zafira Tourer will be positioned above the current Zafira model in Vauxhall's line-up and is charged with raising the bar for design, luxury, flexibility and innovation among multi-purpose vehicles.

The production car's design has deviated very little from the Geneva concept, illustrating design-chief Mark Adams' influence on the look of all new Vauxhall products.

While the Zafira Tourer will continue to use Flex7 seating, which set new standards in the original 1999 Zafira, the system has evolved in the new car to offer greater flexibility and comfort.

Improved material quality, more cabin space and a more airy cabin mark clear differences between the tourer and its compact Zafira stablemate.

It will also boast more driver appeal - a new chassis using components from the Insignia, a longer wheelbase and wider tracks, providing better dynamics and ride comfort.

Vauxhall's FlexRide adaptive damping system, a rarity in this class, will also be available as an option.

A raft of driver-assist systems make a first appearance in the new model, traffic sign recognition, side blind spot alert and advance park assist among the options.

Two new engines - a 1.4 turbo petrol and 2.0 CDTi diesel with three outputs including a 119g ecoFLEX version, join a 1.8-litre petrol unit to offer a spread of power options from 110PS to 165PS.

UK order books open on November 1.