First official interior pics of new Meriva highlight FlexDoor’s convenience
Premium quality and design mark sea-change for Meriva’s interior
Cabin’s versatility set to challenge best in class with FlexSpace & FlexRail
Luton – Vauxhall’s first interior pics of its all new Meriva reveal one of the most innovative and stylish cabins in the compact MPV class, and an initial glimpse of the access to the rear of the car offered by its clever and unique-in-class FlexDoors.
Described by Vauxhall/Opel’s British Vice President of Design, Mark Adams, as ‘…an expressive yet functional interior with great roominess and visibility’, the Meriva’s cabin is set to wow media and public when the car receives its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Combining a fresh interpretation of Vauxhall’s interior wing theme, seen in the Insignia and new Astra, the Meriva’s designers have lowered and moved the instrument panel forward, creating more space and comfort for front occupants. The Meriva’s commanding driving position has also been improved, with narrower, realigned A-pillars and larger quarter-lights. In the rear, the lower ‘wave’ window line increases visibility for passengers, especially children.
FlexRail – transforming the conventional centre console
The Meriva’s unique FlexRail system provides convenient and adaptable storage for a wide range of everyday items, from handbags and colouring books to iPods and sunglasses.
Space for the FlexRail between the front seats has been liberated by raising the gearshift location and replacing the traditional handbrake with an easy to use electric park brake button (standard on all models). The result is an uninterrupted storage zone that extends rearward from the base of the centre stack and is accessible from the rear seats.
FlexRail’s floor module comprises two cup holders, Aux-in/USB connections and a 12-volt socket. Above this area, on certain models, twin polished aluminium rails feature, and on the range-topping SE a flip-top armrest module is attached, with a smaller storage/cup holder tray sitting below it. Both can be shifted into a variety of fixed positions along the rails, while rear seat passengers benefit from the option of a rear armrest module, which can be fitted to the centre seat back section when it’s folded down between them.
FlexSpace rear seating system – more intuitive than ever before
The new Meriva’s innovative FlexSpace system offers a range of cabin configurations without having to remove any seats, and is now improved with a one-step action when sliding the rear seat cushions or when lowering the rear seatbacks.
While FlexSpace makes it easy for owners to convert the Meriva from five seats to two, both its outer rear seats can be moved fore and aft individually, and also slide inwards to provide more shoulder width and leg room in a spacious four-seat layout. Additionally, rear seat backs can be fully lowered without having to remove their head restraints.
Rear seatbacks up, the Meriva’s boot has a 400-litre capacity, increasing to 920-litres with the seatbacks folded. But use all the space up to the roof and an impressive 1500-litres capacity is available.
Clever storage where it matters
Taking a leaf out of the new Astra’s book, Vauxhall’s designers have created real-world storage solutions for 20 of the most popular items owners carry in their cars.
An ample glovebox has a space-saving shelf for the owner’s manual, as well as coins and pens. Elsewhere, there’s a mini glovebox on the driver’s side, while door pockets can carry drinks bottles of up to 1.5-litre capacity in the front and up to 1.0-litre in the rear. Above the driver’s door, there’s a flip-down compartment for sunglasses, and on certain models a pull-out draw is available beneath the front passenger seat, suitable for books or valuable items.
In the luggage area, the floor can be set to bumper height for ease of loading and under-floor stowage, while storage compartments are provided in the boot’s sidewalls. The Meriva’s parcel shelf can be removed and stowed neatly away behind the rear seats.
