New Car: 2011 Opel/Vauxhall Meriva

Vauxhall is flexing its muscles with the all-new Meriva. These are the first official pictures of the supermini-MPV – and the big news is that it will get Rolls-Royce-style rear-hinged back doors.

The FlexDoors were previewed on last year’s Meriva design concept at the Geneva Motor Show. They make access easier and allow parents to put small children into rear-mounted car seats without having to contort themselves around the door. For peace of mind, the FlexDoors can only be opened while the car is stationary – an automatic lock engages as soon as the car pulls away.

But it’s not only the doors that offer extra flexibility – the interior has been designed to provide more storage and adjustability than any of its rivals. Vauxhall has taken a fresh approach to the centre console, creating the FlexRail. This is effectively a base to which owners can fix a variety of storage compartments and armrests, specified separately.

In addition, the current Meriva’s FlexSpace interior layout has been tweaked. The rear seats are now easier to fold down and slide back and forth, to create more boot space or legroom as required. Vauxhall claims the front seats – which take their design from those in the larger Astra and Insignia – are the most adjustable in the class, and are more comfortable, too.

The Meriva’s styling also continues the family theme. Up front is the familiar griffin badge, stylish grille and large, swept-back headlights. Vauxhall’s blade-like shape features on the car’s flanks, while an exaggerated kink in the window line not only creates a distinctive profile, but gives rear passengers a bigger glass area to peer out of. A panoramic roof will be offered to allow more light to flood into the cabin.

Vauxhall has clearly put a lot of effort into the Meriva’s quality and styling, but it hasn’t ignored the driving experience. Thanks to a longer wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks, buyers can expect improved stability in corners and an accomplished ride.

Power will come from a range of six turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, with outputs from 74bhp to 138bhp. An ultra-efficient ecoFLEX model will also appear, featuring low-rolling-resistance tyres and higher gear ratios. And the average emissions of the entire range has been lowered by 15 percent, or 25g/km per model.

We’ll bring you more details on the Meriva ahead of its first public unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express