2011 Opel Meriva Review
Now, the second generation Opel Meriva again raises the bar for affordable, on-board flexibility. It also introduces FlexDoors, innovative rear-hinged rear doors that facilitate access to its cabin – a premiere for a volume manufacturer.
The Meriva’s flexibility trademark is enhanced by expressive exterior and interior styling that carries forward Opel’s award-winning new sculptural design language. The rear window graphic features a distinctive wave accentuating the rear-hinged FlexDoors, improving the view for rear seated passengers, particularly children.
“With the Zafira Flex 7 and the Meriva’s FlexSpace seating concepts, we invented a new kind of fully integrated, on-board flexibility,” says Alain Visser, Vice President Sales, Marketing and Aftersales Opel/Vauxhall. Also new for Meriva is the availability of Opel’s unique FlexFix integrated rear bicycle carrier.
Meriva opens up a new dimension in rear seat access with unique rear-hinged rear doors. Unlike the few well-known rear-hinged doors systems available, FlexDoors features full-sized doors which open independently without the need for a clamshell overlap by the front doors.
FlexDoors provide great functionality by making it easy to get into and out of the rear seat. FlexDoors add style to increased functionality.
The widest choice ever offered on an Opel. The new Opel Meriva benefits from a longer wheelbase, wider front and rear tracks, all contributing to improved handling and greater ride comfort.
Opel’s second-generation small monocab has been elegantly styled, with dynamic lines and sculptural shapes.
the newly refined FlexSpace rear seating system. While the system is based on the first Meriva, it now requires fewer, more intuitive motions to move the rear seats and change configurations. With FlexSpace, the rear seating can accommodate one, two or three passengers – and still maintain optimal luggage room. A special “lounge seating” position gives passengers the option to seat two with additional leg and shoulder room.
Called FlexDoors, they are full-sized and open independently from the front doors. Throughout the cabin, storage space has increased largely because of the efficient use of the space in between the two front seats. This is done through the revolutionary FlexRail console system, consisting of exchangeable storage units that slide on aluminum rails between the front seats, at the most accessible place for both front occupants. Optimal combination of expressive design and everyday innovation
The Meriva’s clever rear seating system allows the back to be quickly reconfigured to meet loading and seating requirements. Foremost is the visibility, through the high seating, and roominess, via the FlexSpace system.
Overall, the Opel Meriva offers up to 32 storage opportunities – from back seat pockets to under-seat drawers.The 1.7 liter CDTI engine now introduced in the Opel Meriva is available in two executions – 81 kW/110 hp and 96 kW/130 hp. The 1.7 liter is the first to feature an in-house designed D1 fully integrated diesel engine management system, strongly supporting vehicle dynamics and efficiency. Opel created a new market segment for small, affordable monocabs when it launched the first generation Meriva in 2003.
The Opel Meriva 2011 interior never loses its functionality. The Opel Meriva 2011 clever rear seating system allows the back to be Quickly reconfigured to meet loading and seating requirements