Opel releases pictures of the new Meriva

The new Meriva boasts a variety of innovations, with only minor changes from the concept car that GM showcased at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. The biggest change from the outgoing model is the new suicide rear doors that open rearwards for better access to the cabin.

The rear-hinged doors, dubbed FlexDoors by Opel, were first seen on the concept car and have made it to the production model. The doors open at an angle of 90-degrees and can only be opened when the car is stationary, as the doors lock automatically when the car is on the move.

Styling-wise, the Meriva is virtually identical to the concept, and also includes influences from other Opel models such as the Astra and Insignia, notably the 'blade’ design feature. The waistline features a kink towards the rear to allow children sitting in the back to see out the window better.

Inside, Opel has improved on its FlexSpace system used in the previous model to allow for greater interior flexibility. The rear seats can be folded away entirely, or pushed further back for better leg room. A new sliding interior storage solution, called FlexRail, incorporates a rail above the centre console along which storage bins can slide, for use by front and rear passengers.

The new Meriva will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and is based on a platform that contains parts from the Corsa, Astra and Zafira. The new Meriva is bigger than the outgoing model, with wider tracks and a longer wheelbase, to improve the car's ride and handling and boost crash protection.

The Meriva will have a series of six turbocharged engines sourced from the Astra, with power outputs ranging from 74bhp to 138bhp. Fuel consumption is reduced by an average of 15 per cent compared with the current range, while Opel will also launch an emissions-friendly Ecoflex version.