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The one millionth Opel Meriva has rolled off the production line in Zaragoza, Spain!!
Since production began in 2003, the Opel Meriva has become a best-seller in western and central Europe, having been sold in more than 25 countries in Europe with Germany, UK, Italy and Spain as its main markets. In addition, the innovative van is offered around the world in places like Hong Kong, South Africa and Singapore. Opel credits the Meriva's success to the innovative FlexSpace seating system.
The FlexSpace system allows optimum freedom for reconfiguring the interior easily and quickly without requiring removal of the seats. With this concept, the five-seat Meriva can be quickly and effortlessly transformed into a spacious four, three, two or one-seater with generous luggage compartment volume.
"(The) Meriva has been beloved by customers - from singles to families to seniors - not only for its practicality, versatility and great looks, but also its reliability. German independent consultants TÜV recognized the Meriva with a ‘Best Quality’.", according to Opel's Vice President, Alain Visser,
Due to the great success of the Opel Meriva, Opel plans to expand Meriva`s innovative and versatile technology on the next generation Meriva next year. The 2010 Meriva will feature a unique rear-hinged FlexDoor system which will allow for improved access to the cabin. This innovation makes access to the car interior much easier and also offers a range of safety benefits over conventional car doors.
The 2010 Opel Meriva MPV has been spotted undergoing testing on Germany's famous Nurburgring. Though fully covered, the spy photos also revealed a streamlined body bearing styling elements shared with its Insignia and Astra stablemates.
Engine options will likely mirror that of those offered on the new Astra. This means we can expect the Meriva will feature a naturally aspirated 1.4-liter engine as well as a turbocharged 1.4-liter with 140PS. On the diesel side, the Mervia will likely offer up to four different Euro5 compliant engines with outputs ranging from 95PS to 160PS.
Based on the Meriva concept revealed at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the production version of the 2010 Opel Meriva looks as though it will share the unique kink featured in the rear passenger window of the concept. The front door’s handle and the general construction of the doors and rubber strips indicate the rear-opening rear doors of the concept are gone. The suicide door configuration makes for better display in a car show booth, but is both inconvenient and hard to get past the legal department in the real world.
The simple and attractive front fascia, minimalist outlines, and overall configuration remain very close to the concept’s design, however. Small detail differences include the addition of a tailpipe (hidden on the concept) and the removal of the rear roof spoiler and addition of an antenna in its place.
The treatment of the rear windows and rear hatch area seem to indicate both the angular upsweep before the C-pillar and the hourglass-shaped rear hatch will carry over into production. The tail lights, though heavily camouflaged, carry a hint of the outline of the concept’s large and stylistic units as well.
The 2010 Opel Meriva will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. And sales are set to begin in European markets before the end of the year.
