These are leaked official images of the new Meriva MPV, badged here as a UK-spec Vauxhall (Opel in Europe). It appears to have survived the transition from concept to production pretty well, retaining much of the 2008 Geneva show’s Meriva Concept styling cues.
The design headline here is the suicide doors. Called FlexDoors, they can be opened to an angle of almost 90 degrees (only when the vehicle is stationary, of course!). The Meriva’s FlexSpace system has been updated to improve space usage. There is also an innovation called FlexRail – a rail above the centre console where storage bins can slide the length of the cabin.
As with the Astra and Insignia, a signature “blade” runs on the flanks of this MPV. The stepped windowline not only adds distinctiveness to the design, it gives the rear section more glass area for the kids to have a better view out. There’s also a full length panaromic roof. It’s more spacious than before too – wheelbase is longer and tracks are wider. A five-star EuroNCAP crash rating is almost a given.
The Meriva is set for its formal debut at this year’s Geneva show, and should hit the market by mid year. More pictures after the jump!
Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.
no one complaint about the step down on the window site?if proton do sure got bashed.just like step up in savvy…
lawa…bila sampai malaysia?
Why call suicide door?? Do we get this under the brand of Chevrolet from Naza anytime soon? Imo, looks like MB A-Class from certain angles.
cool
esok
will burn my head if comes with sunroof in here..
NO sunroof will consider to buy it ^_^
stepped down windowline made famous by hyundai genesis coupe is now a trend?
Suicide doors should be renamed Upskirt doors giving the paparazzis a good view with their lens when shooting the stars coming out of the car ( check out gutteruncensored.com. enjoy.
its great. but gm cars are a no-no for me until they settle saab.
Is it a 5 or 5 + 2 seater?
Come to Malaysia with RM200k price tag…because of Exora
too Astra la~~looks almost the same~
nomoney said,
January 5, 2010 @ 4:35 pm
will burn my head if comes with sunroof in here..
NO sunroof will consider to buy it ^_^
aiyo, tint it kaw2 la, the jpj law din say u cant tint yur sunroof kaw2 rig??
WHAT it means by "suicide" doors ?????
lawa…mcm maria ozawa
But first they must fark proton up.
HEllo~~ the above uncle who complain about the moon roof or sun roof thing.. must be he dun have enuf money to get a car that comes with moon roof yet!!
moon roof is always a cool thing to have~ and usually its only comes with premium car or with premium feature among the same model of car…
wat's wrong with the sun roof? Never have it b4 and yet already complaining it?? really joker!!
come on.. this is a typical local driver who 'get used to' the 'empty' feature that offer by JAPS dealer.. honda & toyota..
Correct me if i'm wrong!!!
Soon this will be launched in Malaysia as the Chevrolet Meriva… to compete with the B-class Mercs. Looks nicer and definitely cheaper.
Scary term "suicide doors"..creepy..
Suicide doors get its name during 1930s to 1940s….gansterism rulez….because normally in an open fire with the cops, the criminal will use the door as a shield, but the suicide doors open oppositely, so if u use the door as a shield, its suicide for u…thats why they name it suicide door…i got this fact from Discovery Channel…cheers…
suicide is rear doors that opened the opposite of normal doors.just get an RX8 and you'll know.
just now i saw a pic of Maruti-Suzuki RIII. just like the meriva it has stepped down window….WOW. As i remember, when Hyundai Genesis coupe was revealed…everybody bash that particular design. Now it's trend pulak!
yeay to hyundai
I can imagine if park in thight car park, then suddenly got a collumn in middle, both passanger and driver cannot get out on that side. LOL
also known as chevrolet zafira… or is it not anymore?
This mpv size similar as p2 ALZA..
when it comes to malaysia the price will be 200k, just because of ALZA
the rear doors still use that ais kacang to wind up n down windows?
maybe it is called the suicide door because the rear door open backwards and while the car is moving and the door suddenly open, it will blow open… Just imagine if ur kids terbuka the door behind while the car is moving… sure the wind will blow it open wide…
hot car…for hot women…
Suicide-door is nice. It will be nicer if the center pillar is not there without compromising the body shell rigidity & strength.
This should be the chev nabira/opel zafira replacement. The suicide door looks great but in my opinion, rear sliding doors are more practical esp in tight mall's parking lot…..
Really wish my current mpv had a sliding doors instead, soo difficult to put my kids on their car seats whenever there's another car nxt to mine……my nxt mpv will definitely need to have a rear sliding door.
Most of the panoramic roof this days come with the photocrome tint which will darken when the light gets too strong. The Pug 308 Turbo already has it so would any owner care to tell us the effects on the car.
looks like a b class
hi kentut berapi@busuk
The 'dad' in the main photo looks like he's about to catch the football with his, erm… balls.
kimi_ said,
January 5, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
WHAT it means by “suicide” doors ?????
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you get killed if trapped between the closing doors?? LOL
anyway, Opel is Opel (or Vauxhall in UK). Chevrolet small cars will only appear from Daewoo division. i believe laa.. just like Saab will always Saab. or never will…