irishcar.com

28 May 2002: Opel has released first details of its versatile little brother to the highly successful seven-seater Zafira.

The car, named Meriva, will go into production early next year and will be first seen in public at the Paris Motor Show.

The newcomer is set to repeat the success of the Zafira in the segment just below that of the best-selling Opel MPV.

Both cars offer best-possible conversion choices between passenger and cargo capacity without removing the seats. While the larger Zafira – with its Flex7 seating system – can carry seven passengers in three rows, the Opel Meriva can seat five in two rows.

An all-new seating system means the rear seats can be adjusted individually to make the fullest use of passenger space and comfort.

The new Meriva will be offered initially with diesel and petrol engines ranging from 1.6 to 1.8 litres (75PS to 125PS).

Its most distinguishing feature is the revolutionary new rear seating system. As a five-seater, Zafira’s little brother provides three seats in the rear. Meriva can also when necessary become an exceptionally spacious four-seater in which all passengers enjoy as much leg and shoulder room as in a midsize saloon.

In a few simple movements, anyone needing more load space can either push the rear seats forward individually, or fold them away completely. The middle seat is simply tucked away out of sight.

Foundation for the Meriva’s exceptional 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 Meriva concept was developed by the Opel 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. The Chevrolet version, produced in the Brazilian Sao Jose dos Campos plant, is launched in August this year.