Test Drive Opel Meriva since 2010 Minivan

A ray of light

Even in the framework of the current concept of a compact minivan, you can always come up with something new. An example of this is Opel Meriva.
Finally! New models of recent years were able to save Opel from the reputation of the most boring from German brands. What is interesting, this happened while maintaining the traditional brand values: cars with lightning on the radiator still remain very practical vehicles for every day. Well, with the exception of the image melk-sector Astra Coupe or Speedster. And Meriva is one of the most vivid examples of the Opel of the new generation.
At first glance, there is nothing special in the new model: the fashion for minivans is smoothly spreads to different classes, so Meriva, which has written between Zafira and Agila, looks so logical continuation of the model range, which even does not seem fundamentally new - it seems like always here And stood. Well, minivan, what can be new here? So you can think to a close acquaintance with Meriva.
Less means more. To judge the appearance is a matter of personal taste. In my opinion, comparatively minor dimensions and a semi-abnormal layout, designers coped perfectly with the task. In any case, the car turned out more expressive than her older sister Zafira. The instrument panel and console look even better. The latter, however, is clearly borrowed from Vectra - what can only be welcomed. The salon looks very modern, but without excessive enthusiasm modern fashion. Perhaps you can only find face to the climate control that is too low: it is normally visible only when the look leaves away from the road.
The most main feature of Meriva is the back seat. Opel calls this FlexSpace system, and it can be considered in a sense the heiress Flexseven applied to Zafira. However, in relation to Meriva, there can be no speech about the seminal salon - with a length of 4024 mm and a half-door layout it is unrealistic. But the promised flexibility of space is provided. The idea used by many airlines in the near hospital aircraft is based on, where the block of three chairs (economic class) is shifted and turns into two wider armchairs (business class). In Meriva, part of the rear seat can be omitted, and the side move together and a little back. So there is a choice: planting behind three in some tight or two - comfort. In the second case, the seat can be pulled by 70 mm back - it just fits between the wheel arches. As a result, the space for the legs increases due to the volume of the trunk, but here everyone chooses depending on the situation.
   
The backs of the back seats can be adjusted over the angle of inclination. What is interesting, the spaces for the rear passengers turned out even more than in the middle row from Zafira! In part, it is necessary to thank a rather long base - 2630 mm, or only 64 mm shorter than that of Zafira, the overall length of which is more than 275 mm.
Interestingly, at the same time, a similar system of shifting chairs has also suggested Ford, but on Focus C-MAX, that is, for the model class above.
Fashionable and sporty. For the presentation of the new model, Mallorca was chosen - the largest of the Balearic Islands. But not so he is great. Chapter ADAM Opel AG Karl-Peter Forster even made an analogy: Saying how this compact island offers many diverse ways of time and landscapes and our relatively small Meriva provides an extensive selection of internal space organization options.
However, this is not the only part of the Meriva concept: following fashion on practical minivans, Opel does not forget about the relevance of a youth-sports style. Now the formulation of Driver's CAR is considered no compliment, but almost mandatory characteristic for the model of almost any class and type. Externally, this is reflected in a dynamic silhouette, but not only: according to the characteristics all possible within the price category. This, in fact, urban and practical car will not force an ambitious driver to miss. It is not by chance that almost all test drive routes at least partially captured mountain roads. Their narrow allowed to assess the compactness of Meriva, and the abundance of turns is handling.
   
First quality I still underestimated: the truck turned to meet the truck made clinging to the slope of the mountain. The front right wheel did not postpone the meeting with sharp stones, and had to test the jack, key and spare parts. By the way, in Meriva, it is standard size, so after the replacement it was possible to go quite normal.
But the advantages of the suspension and steering is difficult not to notice. A sufficient hard setting allows you to feel quite confident, despite the high location of the center of gravity. A electric amplifier that changes its characteristics depending on the speed, you just do not notice: the reaction on the steering wheel is exactly what you need to feel the car. True, at high speeds, the steering wheel seems excessively tight, although this is due to the insufficient rotation of the car. This is not quite a sporty style, but in terms of safety is so better.
Injection geometry. In total, Meriva has five engines, even the most modest, eight-lipped 1.6-liter (87 hp), satisfies the promising EURO-4 standards. The optimal choice for many will be its 16-valve version: 100 hp And even just a little less fuel consumption (7.5 l / 100 km versus 7,8). Opel expects that this option will be a favorite and will choose a quarter of buyers. I managed to drive on a more powerful version - 1.8 l / 125 hp, whose characteristics put Meriva in a row with conventional passenger models - 11.3 seconds to a hundred quite acceptable result, although most future owners win in two seconds Compared with a 1.6-liter motor not particularly and needed.
Opel expects 25 percent of European buyers to choose a 100-strong turbodiesel with a new COMMON Rail system and a variable turbine geometry. This motor gives the biggest moment from the proposed, which turned out to be more than appropriate on mountain roads. But on the track, he does not make it particularly shy. The second diesel is the same volume, but without Common Rail and with a regular turbocharger develops only 75 hp.
As an option with a 1.6-liter 16-valve motor, EasyTronic is offered: an electronic clutch control system and KP. Translations can be switched to yourself, and you can trust this case by electronics. True, the latter is focused more and more economical than on the dynamics. Yes, and to trigger the clutch drive and evaluating the correctness of the driver's choice takes time. In autumn, this system will be available with a 1.8-liter engine, as well as with a more powerful diesel.
Text Valery Chusov, photo Adam Opel AG
 

A source: "Autopilot"