First photo: Opel Meriva MPV

May 23, 2002 - Opel has released first details of the smaller brother to the seven-seater Zafira. The Meriva will go into production early next year and will be first seen in public at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Based on the Corsa range, the Meriva offers a large cabin space within compact overall dimensions. With very short overhangs, the Meriva has a robust and sporty appearance. The exterior design shares themes such as high-set taillamps with the Corsa, while picking up the new corporate front end treatment seen on the Vectra.

While the larger Zafira - with its innovative 'Flex7' seating system - can carry seven passengers in three rows, the Meriva seats five in two rows. The rear seats can be adjusted individually to make the fullest use of passenger space and comfort. When used as a four-seater, all passengers enjoy as much leg and shoulder room as in a midsize saloon. When more load space is needed the rear seats can either be pushed forward individually, or folded away completely. The middle seat is simply tucked away out of sight.

Foundation for the Meriva's flexibility is a wheelbase which, at 2630 mm (103.5 in), is almost as long as the Zafira's (2694 mm/106 in). The overall vehicle length difference is more significant: at 4042 mm/159 in, Meriva is 27.5 cm/10.8 in shorter than Zafira. The new Meriva will be offered initially with diesel and petrol engines ranging from 1.6 to 1.8 litres.

"With the Meriva we've come an important step closer to our goal of increasing the share of innovative car concepts in our model range to 40 per cent," said Opel chief executive Carl-Peter Forster. "Like the Zafira, Meriva will define a new market segment for Opel, demonstrating the freshness and creative strength of our brand." At the same time, this new model closes the gap between the Agila and Zafira, both market leaders in their segment in Germany.

Opel Engineering Director Hans Demant adds "The Meriva adds a new accent to the current Opel design language, extending the first-class interior quality seen in the Vectra, and demonstrates our development team's leading role in vehicle packaging for optimal space utilization."

The Meriva was developed at the Opel/Vauxhall International Technical Development Centre (ITDC) in Germany and the design and engineering centre of GM Brazil in Sao Paulo. The two models address the requirements of their respective markets, differing in powertrains, seating and features such as interior trim and equipment.

Meriva will be built at the General Motors Europe plant in Zaragoza, Spain. A Chevrolet version, produced in the Brazilian Sao Jose dos Campos plant, will be launched in August this year.

	First photo: Opel Meriva MPV
	Opel Meriva Click for larger images The Meriva was shown in concept form as 'Concept M' at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show Concept M	May 23, 2002 - Opel has released first details of the smaller brother to the seven-seater Zafira. The Meriva will go into production early next year and will be first seen in public at the Paris Motor Show in September. Based on the Corsa range, the Meriva offers a large cabin space within compact overall dimensions. With very short overhangs, the Meriva has a robust and sporty appearance. The exterior design shares themes such as high-set taillamps with the Corsa, while picking up the new corporate front end treatment seen on the Vectra. While the larger Zafira - with its innovative 'Flex7' seating system - can carry seven passengers in three rows, the Meriva seats five in two rows. The rear seats can be adjusted individually to make the fullest use of passenger space and comfort. When used as a four-seater, all passengers enjoy as much leg and shoulder room as in a midsize saloon. When more load space is needed the rear seats can either be pushed forward individually, or folded away completely. The middle seat is simply tucked away out of sight. Foundation for the Meriva's flexibility is a wheelbase which, at 2630 mm (103.5 in), is almost as long as the Zafira's (2694 mm/106 in). The overall vehicle length difference is more significant: at 4042 mm/159 in, Meriva is 27.5 cm/10.8 in shorter than Zafira. The new Meriva will be offered initially with diesel and petrol engines ranging from 1.6 to 1.8 litres. "With the Meriva we've come an important step closer to our goal of increasing the share of innovative car concepts in our model range to 40 per cent," said Opel chief executive Carl-Peter Forster. "Like the Zafira, Meriva will define a new market segment for Opel, demonstrating the freshness and creative strength of our brand." At the same time, this new model closes the gap between the Agila and Zafira, both market leaders in their segment in Germany. Opel Engineering Director Hans Demant adds "The Meriva adds a new accent to the current Opel design language, extending the first-class interior quality seen in the Vectra, and demonstrates our development team's leading role in vehicle packaging for optimal space utilization." The Meriva was developed at the Opel/Vauxhall International Technical Development Centre (ITDC) in Germany and the design and engineering centre of GM Brazil in Sao Paulo. The two models address the requirements of their respective markets, differing in powertrains, seating and features such as interior trim and equipment. Meriva will be built at the General Motors Europe plant in Zaragoza, Spain. A Chevrolet version, produced in the Brazilian Sao Jose dos Campos plant, will be launched in August this year.