These are the best spy pictures yet of the new Vauxhall Meriva, showing its innovative rear-hinged rear doors.
The new five-seat Vauxhall Meriva compact MPV is an all-new design, and these pictures, taken in southern Europe, show the car takes styling cues from both the Insignia and new Astra.
See the Vauxhall Meriva spy picture gallery
These pictures clearly show the wide-opening rear-hinged back doors. The car's flexibility is also reported to have been improved by a redesigned monorail system for the rear seats that allows them to be folded away entirely, or mounted further back for better leg room.
Designers have also worked hard to eliminate the Meriva’s often-criticised blind spot at the base of the windscreen pillar, and have included a ‘kink’ in the rear window sill to allow children a better view.
The new Meriva has a longer wheelbase and wider tracks than its predecessor, as well as a longer front overhang for better crash protection.
It will be available with the Astra’s new engines, including the new 138bhp 1.4-litre turbo petrol with 147lb ft of torque.
The other petrol units are a 1.4 and two 1.6s, one of which is turbocharged. Three diesel engines will be available – a 1.3, a 1.7 and a 2.0-litre – and all feature common-rail fuel injection.
The Vauxhall Meriva is expected to be launched at next March's Geneva motor show, before going on sale in the UK in the summer.
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