Learn About the New Opel Meriva

Narrator: After seven along years, Opel finally sends the new Meriva out on
to the streets. With the first generation, the company from
Russelsheim created an entirely new segment of cars, the mini
vans. The new guys meant to continue in that success and even top
it.

The design is more modern. The disturbing A-pillars been revised,
a revolutionary new door concept device. In short, the new Meriva
is out to do everything better than the previous model. To do that,
they had to grow by 17 centimeters. Unlike its predecessor which
stood on a course of platform, it’s now based on the Zafira

Opel continues using its new designed language of the Meriva. The
focus lies with the Insignia and the Astra being on dynamic
elegance and quality. The design of the car’s tail end reminds us
only vaguely of an Opel. The striking tailgate of glass and the
shiny black covered draws your attention from the roof to the
integrated license plate holder. Main feature is the new FlexDoor
concept. Stefan Arndt explains the details.

Stefan Arndt: We tested various systems. We tried sliding doors and suicide
doors, what we call “FlexDoors.” Their advantage is clear. Let me
demonstrate it here. In one movement, we head back in 1938 with
our cars; you can open the doors real easily and get in and out very
ingeniously. It's a very natural movement. It not only helps getting
in and out but also unloading the car. Take kids for instance, if I
put my kids in children seats, with a normal door I have to wind
myself around like a snake. Now, I just turn around and put
whatever or whomever whether the child’s seat, my leather jacket
or whatever, simply on to the backseat.

Narrator: As for the interior, there are also many new features.

Stefan Arndt: One of the main features is what we have done with the center
console. We want to stop people from putting their things on the
front passenger seat. When the driver brakes, everything lands on
the floor. Here we have two different sliding elements, which can
also be removed completely.

We all are familiar with armrest from different cars. This one you
can slide back and forth, nice for driving and if I need some space
in the morning for my coffee, I make the room I need. But I can
also remove this element completely for passengers on board and
could attach it to the backseat.

And if I actually do have my wife along with her handbag, no need
to panic, it simply vanishes between the two seats.

Narrator: As for storage room, the Meriva is also a highly flexible car. The
backseats can be converted into flat surface simply by using the—
hence, expanding the storage capacity to 1,500 liters.

Rudy Hedfeld: The Meriva is bought mainly by two targets. The one is what we
call the “baby makers,” young families with one or two children.
They buy such a car for one because it's very compact and fits into
the family budget, while also being a greatly variable vehicle with
small dimensions.

The second group are older people who buy the car for its elevated
seating position. These are the old people from the past who
wanted a comfy, cushy armchair to seat and smoke their pipe in.
But those who were to take along friends and family, for them, the
backseats are extremely important along with the fact that the car
is very comfortable.

As for pricing, the vehicle is about the same as the previous model.
We can say we have made a big leap forward as far as what the
costumer gets for his money. Considering all the equipment you
get, the prices are actually better than that with the former model.
The costumer gets a much better equipped car and a completely
new concept.

Narrator: What that translates to in numbers is €15,900.00 for the base
model. At market launch on the 12th of June, the costumer will
have the choice between three versions of the new 1.4-liter
gasoline engine with 100 to 140 horsepower and two diesel
engines with 75 and 100 horsepower.

We will see what the buyer responses to the new Meriva. One
thing is for sure, it has plenty of potential.