New Opel Meriva small monospace at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show

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Premiere in Geneva and in the market this summer
Second generation Opel Meriva brings clever doors
Flexible storage with attractive body and cabin design

New Opel Meriva (2nd generation): front-side.

New Meriva: longer wheelbase with wider front and rear tracks .

20 Jan. 2010 - As the small minivan (monospace) segment continues to grow (in both offer and demand terms), especially where space optimisation and consumption reduction are becoming of paramount importance, the all-new Opel Meriva will arrive for this summer with many attractive and clever solutions in design and practicality terms.

The most evident signs of distinction can be quickly seen in the FlexDoors, the rear-hinged rear doors which offer many comfort and safety advantages over the regular front-hinged ones (more details).

Yet, the strong points of this new Meriva spread much wider with Opel's "Flex" terminology: FlexDoors, FlexSpace, FlexRail and FlexFix.

New Opel Meriva (2nd generation): rear-side.

The full-sized, rear-hinged rear doors open independently.

After the first Meriva generation started in 2003 (more than 1 million units sold in Europe), as a small and affordable monocab, the second generation Meriva will have its world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show (04 to 14 March).

Designed and developed at Opel’s engineering centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the new Meriva will be built in Zaragoza, Spain, with sales beginning this summer.

The new Meriva will be launched with six engines. The range features turbocharged engines offering a power bandwidth from 75 to 140 hp. A particularly economical ecoFLEX version will also be offered. A choice of 5- and 6-speed manual transmissions will be available, as well as a 6-speed automatic gearbox. More detailed specifications will be announced later.

FlexDoors

Panoramic roof option: almost two meters long.

Unlike many rear-hinged doors systems, FlexDoors feature full-sized doors which open independently without the need for a clamshell overlap by the front doors. A conventional B-pillar makes this independent opening possible, while ensuring good body rigidity and side impact protection. In addition, a handle further facilitates entry and exit (more on the Meriva FlexDoors and the previous Opel models with rear-hinged rear doors).

FlexRail

Throughout the cabin, storage space is increased with convenient locations provided for items commonly carried inside a car. The FlexRail console system consists of exchangeable storage units that can slide on rails between the front seats, for many kinds of use - from handbags, colouring books and magazines to iPods, CDs and tissue boxes.

Extra space has been obtained between the front seats by raising the gearshift location and replacing the traditional handbrake with an easy to use electric park brake button (standard on all models). The result is an uninterrupted storage zone that extends from the base of the centre stack, and is accessible from the rear seats.

New Opel Meriva (2nd generation): steering wheel, instruments cluster, console, navigation screen and manual gearbox stick.

The centre stack has been made more user-friendly, by angling it forward, improving the view of displays and the ergonomic use of the controls. The separate, flat-screen navigation display is positioned high up, close to the driver's natural eye-line.

The modular, three-tier FlexRail system optimizes the use of this space in many ways:

· The floor level storage consists of a fixed tray with two cup holders and two recesses with AUX/USB connections and a 12-volt socket (large enough to accommodate mobile devices).

· Above this area, twin rails in polished aluminium have upper and lower tracks on their inner face (on Enjoy and Cosmo versions). A flip-top armrest module clips into the top track and a smaller storage/cup holder tray slots in below it. Both can be shifted to several fixed positions to enable a secure personal console arrangement. The armrest module - big enough to hold CDs - can overlap the tray. Either or both can be easily moved and removed at any time as required. With an adapter plate, both modules can also be fixed to the centre seatback section when it is folded down between the rear passengers. Alternatively, Meriva customers can order additional modules for full-time use in the rear.

· More storage flexibility can be provided by an organizer pouch. This is a deep, nylon bag that can be easily fitted or removed from the top track of the FlexRail. It is A4-sized in length and wide enough to store a range of items, such as newspapers, documents, purses and various personal effects.

New Opel Meriva (2nd generation): wave design window (rear door).

Wave belt-line: increases the depth of the rear windows by 5cm, improving visibility for rear seat occupants, especially children.

The floor tray is fitted as standard in Essentia specification. The FlexRail and additional tray comes with Enjoy and Cosmo and the armrest module is added for Cosmo interiors (optional on Enjoy). A second 12V socket can be ordered for the back seat with the FlexRail feature.

FlexSpace

At the rear, Meriva's FlexSpace concept offers a range of cabin configurations without having to remove any seats. Introduced in the first Meriva, the FlexSpace rear seating system has been further developed: it requires less effort to move the seats in their different positions or to fold them down. It is now improved with a one-step action when sliding the rear seat cushions or when lowering the seatbacks.

The cabin can be easily transformed between five and two-seats accommodation. Both outer rear seats can be moved fore and aft and also slide inwards to provide more shoulder-width and leg-room in a spacious four-seat layout. Additionally, rear seatbacks can be fully lowered. This versatility is achieved without having to remove any head restraints or seats.

Load volume

New Opel Meriva (2nd generation): B-pillar protections.

The cabin: 5-, 4-, 3- or 2-seat accommodation.

With the rear seatbacks up, the Meriva's cargo deck offers a load capacity of 400 litres, which increases to 920 litres with the seat-backs folded. Using all available space up to the roof, capacity increases up to 1500 litres.

In the cargo area, the floor can be raised to bumper height for ease of loading and under-floor stowage. A shopping back hook also provides a hold open function for the floor. Storage compartments are provided in the sidewalls. The parcel shelf can be stowed away behind the rear seats.

FlexFix

New for Meriva is the optional FlexFix bicycle carrier. This Opel innovation slides in and out of the rear bumper like a drawer, making bicycle transportation easy and convenient as no special tools or fittings - or storage space in a garage - are required. The carrier can accommodate two bicycles and, when not in use, slides back invisibly into the Meriva's rear bumper.

Interior

The cabin of the new Meriva combines a fresh expression of Opel's interior wing theme with a wide colour trim choice. Designers lowered and moved the instrument panel forward by 80 mm, while optimizing the command driving position. Visibility for the driver is also improved by narrower, realigned A-pillars and larger quarter-lights. In the rear, the lower wave window line increases visibility for passengers, especially children.

New Opel Meriva (2nd generation): dashboard, front doors, seat and panoramic roof.

The instrument panel is lowered and moved forward by 80 mm. The FlexRail console system consists of exchangeable storage units that can slide on rails between the front seats.

The glove box has a space-saving pocket, as well as built-in coin- and pen-holders. A channel above the lid is designed to carry small odds and ends. Elsewhere, there is a mini glove box on the driver's side that's big enough to hold a wallet, a mobile phone and other items. The door pockets can hold 1.5-liter drink bottles up front and 1.0-liter sizes in the rear. Above the driver's door, there's a flip-down compartment for sunglasses or other small items. A little clip at the lower A-pillar provides a ticket holder.

The legally required emergency vest and the first-aid kit are below the driver seat, fixed by straps. With the optional floorbox this feature can even be enlarged to also take a compact umbrella, gloves and the ice scraper. A pull-out drawer can be specified under the front passenger seat which is big enough to carry a spare pair of shoes, a netbook or books.

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The centre stack, too, has been made more user-friendly, by angling it forward, improving the view of displays and the ergonomic use of the controls. The separate, flat-screen navigation display is positioned high up, close to the driver's natural eye-line.

The chrome-bevelled main instrument dials are accommodated under a neat hood. Decor finishes to the air vents, gearshift and centre stack controls contribute to the feeling of enhanced quality.

Versions

The new Meriva is available with six different levels of colour and trim. Across all trim levels, Opel has added exterior colour choice. Four colours - Silver Lake, Technical Grey metallic, Pepper Dust metallic and Oriental Blue mica-metallic - are new to the product line. These are offered in addition to the current Casablanca White, Magma Red, Star Silver and Black Sapphire.

Entry-level Essentia specification features the wing panel and seat upholstery in muted black, complemented by a high gloss black finish for the centre stack and air vent trims.

Enjoy offers a choice of three colours, together with an enhanced, woven seat fabric and chrome accents for the steering wheel, the centre stack trim, air vents and controls. The wing elements and seat upholstery can be specified in Jet Black, Red Curry (orange/red hue) or Cocoa in combination with light Cocoa (a beige finish for the wing, complemented by red for the upholstery).

Top-of-the-line Cosmo specification adds rich, embossed seat upholstery trimmed with black Morrocana and contrasting stitching. Two colour combinations are offered: anthracite for the wing and black for the seat upholstery, or cocoa with light grey for both.

New for the Meriva is the optional, full-length panorama sunroof. Almost two meters long and equipped with an electrically-powered blind, it adds to the airy feel of the cabin

Seats

The seats in the Meriva are new. Up front, the seats are similar to those of the new (bigger) Astra and (much bigger) Insignia. They offer a range of adjustment: 240 mm forwards/backwards and 65 mm in height.

Ergonomic Sport seats, with tilting function, powered lumbar adjustment 4-way headrest adjustment and an extendable seat cushion for front occupants, are offered as an option for Enjoy and Cosmo trim levels. Those seats have received a seal of approval from Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.(Action for Healthy Backs, known as AGR), an independent panel of ergonomics experts and doctors in Germany. Opel says that no other car in the Meriva's segment has earned this certification for its seats.

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For the children in the second row, the backs of the front seats provide (optional) seatback tables.

Top Tec

For easy-to-clean upholstery, the Meriva benefits from Top Tec fabric treatment on its light-collared fabric. Top Tec uses nano-technology to help resist staining from drinks spillages or other substances, such as melted chocolate, ketchup, mustard and even oil. It is a must for families with children who eat in the car.

In appearance, feel and breathability, the Top Tec fabric is identical to the standard, un-treated textile. Permanent staining is minimized by simply dabbing off any mess with a damp cloth.

Design

The new Meriva benefits from a longer wheelbase, wider front and rear tracks contributing to improved handling and greater ride comfort.

A lower, sweeping roof-line combined with Opel’s signature blade side-body motif and the wave rear window line give the new model a distinctive character and look.

New Opel Meriva (2nd generation): headlight.

The Adaptive Forward Lighting system includes Dynamic Curve Light and Static Cornering Light.

Opel's new design language is expressed through the blade motif pressed into the front side body, conveying a sense of movement and athleticism that is similar, but different in execution, to that already seen on the Astra and Insignia. Another signature feature is the Meriva's centralized door handles located close together on either side of the B-pillar, denoting the installation of the rear FlexDoors.

At the front, all elements are integrated in a sweeping V-graphic. The deep grille, with its chrome top bar carrying a prominent Opel badge, is flanked by large, eagle-eye headlamp units similar to those of the new generation Astra. These extend up towards the A-pillar and incorporate Opel's signature wing-shaped daytime running lights.

Driving safety can be enhanced by the Adaptive Forward Lighting system, which includes Dynamic Curve Light and Static Cornering Light.

In profile, the new Meriva features an innovative wave belt-line, which increases the depth of the rear windows by five cm, improving visibility for rear seat occupants, particularly children.

New Opel Meriva (2nd generation): tail light.

Large sculpted rear light units incorporate Opel's signature wing-shaped daytime running lights.

The rear styling continues the V-graphic design theme. As a single form, the rear window narrows down from the roofline, through a blacked-out section, into the license plate recess in the lower tailgate. This shape is balanced by shoulders in the rear bodywork that add a hint of muscularity.

The large, sculpted rear light units also echo those of the Astra and incorporate Opel's signature wing-shaped daytime running lights. They are all-red, except for narrow, clear reverse light fields - which are neatly aligned with a chrome trim panel that adds further visual width.

Specifications, prices and additional details will be announced soon.

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