Delta has launched a new offering in the compact MPV class with the Opel Meriva, smaller brother to the Zafira. The Meriva uses the crafty FlexSpace seating system to rapidly configure its interior without removing any seats. The five-seat layout can be quickly and easily converted into a spacious four, three, or two-seater with a generous cargo area.
With all five seats in use, the Meriva’s load area ‒ depending on the position of the rear seats ‒ still holds between 350 to 560 litres, far more than a conventional compact hatch back. And if more space is required, the Meriva can be rapidly transformed into transporter with a capacity of 1410 litres and a cargo-area length of 1.70 meters. With the front passenger’s seat folded down, a load length of 2.40 meters and more than 2000 litres storage space is available.
While the Meriva’s 2630 millimeter wheelbase almost matches that of the larger Zafira (2694 mm) the difference in overall length is more marked: the new model is 4042 mm long and therefore precisely 275 mm shorter than its “big brother”. In terms of width (1694 mm) and height (1624 mm) the differences between Meriva and Zafira are 48 and 56 mm respectively.
Additional features include a 60-litre, three-compartment storage box under the load-area floor panels and a multifunctional “Travel Assistant” that can be attached to the back of the center seat after it has been folded down. This feature, standard on the Comfort model, incorporates an armrest that can be moved forwards or backwards by 70 mm, two cup holders and an interior storage box that provides more than five litres of additional space. The rear-seat Twin Audio system, standard equipment on the Comfort, consists of a module in the center of the rear console with controls for program selection and volume adjustment, and sockets for two headsets. These permit rear passengers to listen to a CD while those in the front listen to the radio ‒ or vice versa. For lively and economical performance, Delta has chosen the 1.6 ECOTEC (74 kW/100 hp) which is one of the Opel Astra family of engines.
The new Spanish built Opel minivan, available in Club (R156 500) and Comfort (R168 500) specifications, will roll into dealer’s showrooms at the end of September 2003.