Motoring News

Vauxhall’s new Meriva is set to turn the conventional concept of family-car usability on its head with a combination of clever, rear-hinged back doors which radically improve access/egress, and a raft of unique cabin features that boost interior versatility.

The Meriva’s FlexDoors are rear-hinged back doors which swing open towards the back of the car at an angle of nearly 90 degrees, vastly improving the ease with which occupants enter and leave the cabin – a major benefit for both parents with young children, as well as older people.

But this isn’t the Meriva’s only innovation. FlexRail transforms the conventional centre console into a convenient and adaptable storage area for a wide range of everyday items, from handbags and colouring books to iPods and sunglasses.

Complementing FlexRail is the Meriva’s clever FlexSpace seating system, which offers a range of cabin configurations without having to remove any of the seats. Both its outer rear seats can be moved fore and aft individually, and also slide inwards to provide more shoulder width and leg room.

The Meriva’s flexibility is enhanced by an expressive and dynamic silhouette to its basic cab-forward design. Like the Astra and Insignia, a ‘blade’ features down the side of the body, complementing a window line with a distinct ‘wave’ accentuating the FlexDoors.

Six turbocharged powertrains with outputs ranging from 75-140PS will be available when the Meriva hits UK showrooms in June this year, with a high-mpg/low-CO2 ecoFLEX model joining the range, too. 

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