Opel Meriva

The Opel Meriva is a compact MPV engineered and produced by the German automaker Opel. The car is sold under the Opel brand on all of the European markets with the exception of the United Kingdom, where it is called the Vauxhall Meriva, and Latin America, where it carried the Chevrolet badge. It is built in Figueruelas, Spain by Opel. It first appeared in late 2002. The Meriva B appeared in 2010. The new model is 4,288mm in length, up from the 4,052mm of the old version which was based on the Corsa. The new model uses revised suspension layout from the former version but with a floorpan associated with the Vauxhall seven seat Zafira MPV. Inside the design and layout of the controls, instruments and overall the higher quality reflects the theme offered by the new Astra and Insignia ranges.^[1]

Like its bigger sibling, the Zafira Tourer, the Meriva has a flexible interior, named FlexSpace. Although it only has five seats in two rows, the second row can be moved forward and backwards, or pushed into the floor, making a straight platform for increased boot space. The second row can accommodate two or three passengers. In the two-passenger mode, the seats are separated from the doors and from each other much like the front seats. In three-passenger mode the back seat looks like a regular one piece seat. The front seat can be pushed fully backwards while the rear passengers can still get more than a decent amount of leg room.

Meriva A

The Meriva A is based on the third-generation Opel Corsa C. It went on sale in late 2002.

Engines

From launch, there were 3 petrol engines and 1 diesel engine. In 2005, the 1.6 8v petrol engine was replaced with a more powerful 1.4 engine. The 1.6 Turbo was available with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, and the other engines had a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. The 1.6(16v) and 1.8 petrols were available with a 5-speed 'Easytronic' gearbox as an option.

Petrol

• 1.4 TWINPORT, with 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) (from 2005)
• 1.6, with 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp)
• 1.8, with 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp)

Both 1.4 and 1.8 are available as flexfuel in Brazil.

Diesel

• 1.7 CDTI, with 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp)

2006 Facelift

When the Meriva was facelifted in 2006,the front and rear ends were revised, and 3 new/revised engines came along as well as an extra trim level - the OPC.

Engines

Petrol

• 1.4 TWINPORT, with 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp)
• 1.6 TWINPORT (105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp)
• 1.8, with 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp)
• 1.6 Turbo, with 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) (OPC/VXR model only)

Diesel

• 1.3 CDTI, with 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)
• 1.7 CDTI, with 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp)

Meriva B

The second generation Opel Meriva B is monocab^[3] or Compact MPV.

The bigger sibling Opel Zafira Tourer that debuted at the 2011 is in the same shape and look like Meriva B.^[4]

The new Meriva has adopted a more expressive and dynamic silhouette to its basic cab-forward MPV design. Like the Insignia and Astra, a ‘blade’ features down the side of the body, complementing a window line with a distinct ‘wave’ accentuating the FlexDoors, allowing panoramic views for rear passengers.

The design theme continues in the Meriva’s cabin, with cues taken from the Insignia and Astra enhancing the perceived quality of the materials.

The new Meriva’s seat comfort has also advanced, with the adoption of front seat technology from the Insignia and Astra. Like these cars, the Meriva offers the biggest range of seat adjustment in class, extending to 240mm in length and 65mm in height. A new generation of front seats, based on those in the Insignia and new Astra, make their debut in the Meriva. Generously proportioned and supportive, with a class-leading range of adjustment, they offer a level of comfort typical of vehicles in a larger segment.

The increased footprint contributes to more stable handling and inherently better road-holding capability. The front and rear axle are derived from the Zafira, which is well established as one of the best handling vehicles in the compact MPV sector.

The Meriva B debuted at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March, and went into production in June 2010. The Meriva is the first (and only) car in the MPV class to have rear-hinged rear doors, which Opel call 'FlexDoors'. A panoramic roof is also available as standard on the top spec versions.[5][6] Available in most Merivas is an all-new 'FlexRail'. Located in the middle of the car, it 'provides convenient and adaptable storage for a wide range of everyday items and is an uninterrupted storage zone that extends rearward from the base of the centre stack and is accessible from the rear seats'. This means, however, that the gear lever is raised and an electronic parking brake is standard.[7][8]

Engines

From launch, the Meriva was available with 5 engines (3 petrol, 2 diesel). The 1.7 diesel is only available with a 6-speed automatic gearbox and the 1.4 turbo (140PS) and 1.7 (130 hp) are only available with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The rest are only available with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Since September 2010, 2 more engines have been available, both diesel - the 1.3 (95 hp) and the 1.7(130 hp).^[9] All engines are Ecotec.

From 2011, Stop/Start was added to certain engines [Engines with (S/S) are bold in CO2 column], a cleaner, more powerful 1.7 CDTI auto was added, and the petrol engines became slightly more efficient.

References

External links

• Opel Meriva Webspecial
• MERIVA 2010 IN DETAIL
• New Vauxhall Meriva review