Multi-purpose Meriva marvel

WITH trim level names such as Life, Enjoy and Design, Vauxhall's latest compact people carrier, the five-seater Meriva, surely has to be on track for some sort of award.

If it doesn't turn out to be a best seller, then whatever model does head the race will have to be amazingly exceptional.

The Meriva is a multi-purpose vehicle which takes all-round practicality to a previously unseen level in its class.

There are plenty of five-seaters around, in fact they are proving indispensable to most families having to cope with school runs, shopping trips, holidays and general runabouts.

But what helps the Meriva to break the mould is the use of FlexSpace which can turn the five-seater into a single-seater bulk luggage carrier with unbelievable ease.

The hugely versatile Meriva gets its space through the fusing together of a long wheelbase and high roof on a new compact car platform. And it still looks smart!

From outside, Meriva follows the design lines of its big brother people carrier, the Zafira. For people not familiar with this model, it was the first carrier of its type to provide a seating system that meant there was no need to remove any seats to make way for bulky luggage.

Seats can be folded into the floor leaving a flat carrying area behind the driver. The Meriva, at 4042mm (159in) long, is a shade shorter than the Astra, but its height of 1624mm (63.9in) makes it as tall as the Zafira. The true spaciousness comes from the fullest use of the wheelbase of 2630mm (103.5in) which is close to that of the Zafira.

In fact, the all-new platform cleverly combines elements from the Corsa, Astra and Vectra.

The use of the FlexSpace concept has created a passenger cabin like no other.

The back seat is, in effect, three separate units, split 40/20/40, with the middle section able to fold away to allow the creation of two very generous outer seats. Those two seats can recline, slide together, or forwards, and even slide back to go inside the rear wheel arches.

Movement backwards and forwards is as much as 200mm (eight inches), while the sideways shift is 70mm (3.5 inches)

With the middle seat folded, there is a useful travel box which doubles as an armrest, too, which also provides cup holders.

Whichever way you want to relax, there's still lots of luggage room left, but if you are travelling solo and want to really load up, the seats will fold flat to produce 2,005 litres of load space.

Initially, Vauxhall is putting out the Meriva on June 2 with three petrol engines, an eight and a 16-valve 1.6, and a 1.8. A 1.7 litre common-rail diesel unit will be added to the line-up in late summer.

With trim levels Life, Enjoy, and top-spec Design to choose from, the kit with each becomes important.

Common to all are electric windows, remote control central locking, dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, theatre-style interior lights and electric door mirrors.

The front seat backs have airline-style fold-down trays with seat-back net storage and there is also the option of under-seat storage.

Continuing the space theme, the bulkhead has been moved forward as close as possible to the front axle to gain yet more space, and the windscreen extended into the roof so that all the passengers have a good view ahead. High seating positions also help with the sight-seeing.

For fresh air fans, the Meriva offers an option of two electric sunroofs. The front is sliding and can also be tilted, while the rear sunroof is tilt-use only.

Rear floor ducts provide heating, or cooling, for those in the back. The standard air conditioning unit includes a pollen filter and there is an optional climate control or electronic climate control system.

Other options include xenon headlamps and audible rear parking sensor.

For the driver there are four sports-style circular dials for fuel, rpm, speed and temperature, and a triple-information display sits in the centre of the instrument panel. The steering column is adjustable for rake.

More space savers include a 60 litre, three-compartment storage box under the load area floor panels and special space for two umbrellas, a warning triangle and first aid kit.

For those who need them, there are extra storage options, including shelving, other compartments and bins including a hefty 4.5 litre glove box. A compartment on the fascia panel in place of the ashtray can store cassettes, CDs or a mobile phone.

Settling family age-gap arguments in musical taste is the unique twin audio system, which allows rear passengers to listen to radio and CD independently from front passengers.

And there's an optional DVD entertainment system to let those in the back watch films or connect games consoles.

With so much style and interior flexibility on offer, it's easy to become a Meriva believer.

Prices will be announced nearer to the June 2 launch date, but expect them to sit between the £11,000 to £15,000 mark. At the very least, they'll look attractive alongside seven-seat stablemate the Zafira, which is spread across the £14,000-£17,000 range.

Sales in its first year are forecast to reach 10,000 and are expected to more than double to 25,000 next year, thanks in part to the introduction of other engines and transmission choices, as well as added interest from fleet buyers.

Insurance groups are among the lowest for compact people carriers.

Updated: 09:49 Friday, April 04, 2003