The most important feature of the new Meriva, which is offered first with Diesel and petrol engines between 1.6 and 1.8 liters capacity and a power spectrum by 55 kW/75 PS to 92 kW/125 PS, is its completely new rear seat system. In the normal five-seat arrangement the little brother of the Zafira offers three seat positions in the rear. The configuration with two single rear seats is particularly comfortable: then the Meriva — like the "Concept M" study shown as a forerunner in March at the Geneva Auto Salon — is an unusually roomy four seater, which in all places in leg and shoulder room does not have to shy from comparison with automobiles of the mid-size class. If more baggage room is required, it allows with a few simple movements for the two rear seats to be shifted forward individually or completely folded down. The middle seat area in this arrangement is simply folded away.
The smart concept enables an optimum freedom in the configuration of the interior and carries the calculation that compact automobiles today are occupied frequently with only one or two persons and seldom with more than four. The basis of this flexibility is a wheelbase which at 2.630 mm (103.5") comes close to that of the Zafira (2,694 mm / 106"). With the external length the difference is clearer: The newcomer at 4.042 mm (159") is 27.5 cm (10.8") shorter than the larger brother.
"With the Meriva we come an important step nearer to our goal, to build in the future around 40 per cent of our models on new, innovative vehicle concepts," Opel chief executive Carl-Peter Forster is happy to say. "After the Zafira the Meriva will again define a new market segment for Opel and thus set a sign for the fresh and creative force of our marque." At the same time the new model closes the gap between Agila and Zafira, which in the German market are leaders in their respective segments and earn in Europe a firm place in the top field of their class.
Opel technical executive Hans H. Demant continued: "The Meriva adds to the current design language of Opel a new accent, continues the first-class quality feel in the interior that the Vectra realised with success and shows that our engineers, in optimum space utilization, the so-named 'packaging', have a leading role in the world."
The vehicle concept of the Meriva was developed jointly by the International Technical Development Center (ITEZ) of Opel at Rüsselsheim and the development center of GM do Brasil in São Paulo. The Opel Meriva, which is especially aligned to the needs of European customers, and the Chevrolet Meriva for the South American market differ for example in the powertrain, the seating and items like the interior configuration and the supply of equipment options.
São Paulo … The Chevrolet Meriva arrives in the Brazilian market in August 2002. Production is scheduled to begin next month at the São José dos Campos industrial complex, on the same line where the Zafira and new Corsa are already being produced. The new model will be offered initially with 8 and 16 valve 1.8 L engines derived from the Family 1 series, with 101 and 122 hp respectively.
For the vice-president of the GMB, José Carlos Pinheiro Neto, the Meriva "will still more strengthen the prominent position of the Chevrolet marque in the country, that offers to the Brazilian consumers the most modern and complete line of vehicles. We are certain that this new model will be more of a sales success in Brazil and in the world market".