New Vauxhall Meriva Review

The first pictures – published this week – reveal rear doors that swing open to 90 degrees, making it easier for children and parents to climb in and out.

Dubbed FlexDoor, the rear-hinged doors create a "parent-friendly" zone when all four passengers doors are open, also making it simpler for parents to lift small children into their seats, claims Vauxhall.

To allay safety fears, Vauxhall says that the rear doors can only be opened by occupants when the car is stationary, with an automatic lock engaging as soon as the car pulls away.

The new Meriva clearly borrows styling cues from the firm's Insignia and Astra models with a more purposeful, sharper nose, a more steeply raked windscreen, and a higher, more evident waistline. The top ES model has a panoramic glass roof.

To highlight the new rear doors and the Meriva's more dynamic look, stylists have incorporated a 'wave' in the window line.

Vauxhall claims two new "groundbreaking" innovations on the newcomer; FlexRail, a modular storage system that runs along the centre of the car's floor, incorporating interchangeable cup-holders, cubbyholes or armrests, and an improved system for folding the rear seats flat and enabling them to be moved forward or aft, individually, to boost boot, leg or shoulder room.

Fuel consumption is claimed to be reduced by 15 per cent across the range with a line-up of six turbocharged engines ranging in power output from 74 to 138bhp. A high mpg/low CO2 ecoFLEX model will also be available.

With a longer wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks than the previous Meriva, ride and handling are claimed to be improved. Built at GM's Spanish Zaragoza plant, the five-seater Meriva will go on sale in the UK in June, with prices slightly above those of the outgoing model.

For details on the new meriva, and prices, contact discountvauxhall@googlemail.com