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VAUXHALL’S GTC CONCEPT HEADS UP ARRAY OF NEW MODELS AT PARIS

• World Debut: GTC Paris,  Vauxhall’s new concept hints at stunning new Astra 3-dr
• World Premiere: Astra Sports Tourer, Vauxhall’s sleek and practical load carrier
• New Meriva: Expanded diesel line-up for groundbreaking compact MPV
• New Start/Stop model receives motor show debut
• Ampera: Extended-Range Electric Vehicle on track for 2011 production

Luton - With two world premieres and a host of new exciting models, the Vauxhall stand is one of the star attractions at this year’s Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris (October 2 – 17), the most visited motor show in the world.

Some 1.5 million visitors will get a chance to see the GTC Paris – a stunning new concept car - the new Astra Sports Tourer, the latest new Meriva diesel models, as well as the recently announced Start/Stop Corsa ecoFLEX model. There will also be the very Ampera show car on display, as its on-sale date in the UK draws ever closer.

World Debut: The GTC Paris

Vauxhall is giving its strongest hint yet of what buyers might expect from the next Astra 3-door with a stunning concept, known as the GTC, to be unveiled at its press conference at 7.30am local time, on September 30th.

Designed by Brit, Mark Adams’ design team, the concept’s lines are radical and svelte, yet restrained enough to suggest that the car is tantalizingly close to a production offering. Mark has described the concept as, ‘bold, pure and iconic’ in its appearance, yet it will still offer ample space for five people and their luggage.

World Premiere: British-built Astra Sports Tourer

The Sports Tourer will be the second model to join the new Astra range, which has now sold over 40,000 units in the UK (to end of August) since its launch last December, and has helped the Astra become Britain’s best-selling retail range in the first five months of this year.

Combining high levels of practicality, clothed in a typically sleek and rakish body from Brit Mark Adams’ design team, the Sports Tourer is available to order now and will arrive in UK showrooms at the end of November.

Illustrating the depth of Vauxhall’s engineering and manufacturing excellence in the UK, the Sports Tourer will be assembled solely at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, while its new upper-body structure has been 100 per cent engineered at Vauxhall Engineering Centre in Bedfordshire. And like the recently launched Astra hatch, the Sports Tourer will feature key dynamic elements tuned for UK roads.

Packed with clever features, the Astra Sports Tourer maintains the hatch’s wheelbase (2685mm), yet its superior packaging has allowed the maximum load length to be increased by 28mm to 1835mm, and its load volume by 30 litres to *500 litres with the rear seats up.

As well as boasting a cargo area with flat wall linings to fully optimise available space, a new FlexFold feature (standard or optional depending on trim level) allows each section of the 60:40 split-fold rear seatbacks to be lowered at the press of a button housed in the walls of the cargo compartment. In addition, with the rear seat cushions folded up against the front seat-backs, the Sports Tourer has a completely flat load floor and a maximum load capacity of up to **1550 litres.  A further new addition is the Easy-Access Cargo Cover which effortlessly slides upwards and away at the touch of a button.

* with delete space saver spare wheel option

**with rear seat cushion removed and delete space saver spare wheel option

New Meriva: Expanded diesel line-up

Also starring at Paris are the latest new Meriva diesel models, which complete the engine line-up for this groundbreaking car. The two ultra-efficient units together boost the range’s green credentials and offer yet more performance than before. This brings the total number of engines in the Meriva range to seven, comprising three petrol and four diesel units.

The first new addition is a 95PS 1.3 CDTi engine, which will power all Meriva ecoFLEX models. Featuring closed-loop combustion control, the 1.3 CDTi (95PS) uses a variable geometry turbocharger and is mated to a gearbox with taller ratios. As a result, the Meriva ecoFLEX’s emissions drop to 119g/km and it achieves fuel consumption on the combined cycle of 62.8mpg – a 9 per cent improvement over the 1.3 CDTi engine in the Meriva’s previous range. The 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX joins the 1.3 CDTi (75PS), which was available from launch.

For those Meriva buyers after more performance, but who still require the efficiency and economy expected from a modern diesel, the new 1.7 CDTi (130PS) has all the answers. With up to 300Nm of torque available from 2000-2500rpm, the Meriva’s most powerful diesel takes just 9.9 seconds to accelerate from 0-62mph and will hit a top speed of 121mph.

But brisk performance hasn’t come at the expense of economy. On the combined cycle, the 1.7 CDTi (130PS) still achieves 54.3mpg and C02 emissions of just 138g/km, made possible by a comprehensive package of efficiency upgrades.

All 1.7 CDTi (130PS) Merivas have six speed manual gearboxes as standard and provide a more performance-focused alternative to the existing 1.7 CDTi (100PS), which is available as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.

New Corsa Start/Stop showcases Vauxhall’s commitment to reducing C02 emissions

The new Corsa ecoFLEX is the first Vauxhall to feature Start/Stop technology, enabling the new Euro 5-compliant 1.3 CDTi (75PS) models to achieve 70.6mpg – a near 5mpg, or more than 7 per cent improvement - on the combined cycle.

Compared with the outgoing Euro 4, 1.3 CDTi (75PS) engine, the addition of Start/Stop technology and Euro 5 emissions compliance has brought a 9g/km reduction in C02 emissions, down to 105g, as well as a 20Nm increase in torque to 190Nm. All Start/Stop cars are also fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), which traps harmful particulates.

The principle of Start/Stop is simple: instead of the engine idling at traffic lights or at a level crossing, the engine will automatically stop when the driver engages neutral and releases the clutch pedal. When the traffic lights turn green, the driver simply presses the clutch pedal to re-start the engine, engage first and move away. Naturally, the car’s ventilation, power steering and braking system performance is maintained while the engine is temporarily off.

Vauxhall Ampera: Extended-Range Electric Vehicle drives anywhere, anytime

Vauxhall is set to offer the first extended-range electric vehicle in Europe. And the latest Ampera show car on Vauxhall’s Paris show stand is a timely reminder that the brand is on schedule to launch this revolutionary car in early 2012.

The Ampera extended-range electric vehicle will be the first electrically driven car in the UK suitable for everyday driving that has the potential to be emissions-free. With its unique electric propulsion system providing lively acceleration and high levels of refinement, the five-door Ampera seats four passengers, offers a useful boot for their luggage, and features an extended range of around 350 miles. The Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving schedule of most European customers. For example, approximately 80 percent of UK drivers travel less than 40 miles per day.

The Ampera’s wheels are driven by electricity at all times and speeds. For trips up to 40 miles, power is supplied by the electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. While driving on electricity delivered by the battery, the Ampera emits zero CO2. When the battery’s energy is depleted, a petrol-fuelled engine-generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the total range to approximately 350 miles, until the battery can be recharged (in about three hours at 240v) by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard household outlet. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Ampera eliminates range anxiety. It gives drivers the confidence and peace of mind that a depleted battery will not leave them stranded.

More than 280 lithium-ion cells in the T-shaped battery pack provide ample power. The nearly silent electric drive unit delivers 370Nm of instant torque, the equivalent of 150PS, zero to 60mph acceleration in around nine seconds, and a top speed of 100mph.

GTC PARIS CONCEPT MARKS VAUXHALL’S NEXT BOLD DESIGN MOVE

• Three door Astra-based concept stars on Vauxhall’s Paris Show Stand
• Dynamic, sweeping lines make bold statement about Vauxhall’s design evolution
• Innovative suspension and drivetrain features hint at performance remit

Vauxhall’s GTC Paris Concept gives the strongest hint yet to the Astra Sport Hatch’s successor and is set to cause a stir when it receives its debut at the Paris Motor Show.

Mark Adams, Vauxhall/Opel’s Vice President of Design, has described the GTC Paris as, ‘bold, pure and iconic’ in its appearance. Vauxhall has hinted that a production version will not stray far from the rakish lines of the concept, and if the GTC moniker were to be adopted, it would be the first time that a Vauxhall has been so named.

Exterior Design

At 4.46 metres, the GTC Paris offers ample space for five people, yet still maintains a svelte and sporting appearance. Adams’ team has maximised ‘tension’ in the design by limiting the amount of lines in the car’s profile, and leaving the impression that the car’s highlights and surfacing are ‘pressed’ on to the concept’s 21-inch wheels. The wheels themselves have been designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind and feature carbon fibre inserts which enclose the centre caps.

Vauxhall’s signature blade mimics that on the Insignia and creates a fine, tense crease along the rocker panel. This combines with a second line running from the door handle to the rear of the car, emphasising both a fine undercut and broad shoulder. A third line following the silhouette of the roof is finished in fine brushed aluminium accentuating the window graphic and leads to a sharply accented integrated spoiler.

Slim, eagle-eye shaped headlamps, flanked by LED running lights with chrome surrounds dominate the front of the GTC Paris. A sharp centreline crease runs down the bonnet (a trademark styling cue from Vauxhalls of yore) and leads to a dramatically low trapezoidal grille incorporating a chrome emblem bar.

At the rear, the imposing features of the concept are enhanced with LED tail lights, showcasing a long, stretched ‘wing’ night time graphic.

Interior Design

The GTC Paris’s interior echoes the pure and iconic design of the exterior, with sweeping lines and shapes and bold use of fabric. Creating a ‘positive/negative’ effect across the front of the cabin, the driver’s seat is trimmed in red with black highlights, while the front passenger’s seat has black trim with red highlights.

Each of the front bucket seats is bespoke to the GTC Paris and has aggressively shaped contours to complement the car’s sporting intent.  The GTC logo appears on each seat-back facing, along with titanium inserts that mirror the design cue seen on the front wheels’ carbon fibre inserts.

The small black leather racing steering wheel features metal inserts, while on the dashboard Vauxhall’s recurring ‘wing’ and ‘blade’ motifs can be seen. In this application, the blade appears in details like the polished chrome door grabs and the gearshift moulding. The wing design cue is evident in the wraparound instrument panel that embraces front seat occupants and arcs across the cabin into the tops of the door mouldings.

Vauxhall’s design team has used micro-fibres and leather for the seats, a textured black material for the instrument panel and plush carpeting throughout the cabin’s flooring.

Chassis & Powertrain

Underpinning the GTC Paris is a specially designed chassis with an extra-wide stance. Hinting at the car’s power potential is an updated version of Vauxhall’s FlexRide damping system, which adapts to driving styles and speeds. The new Astra’s unique compound crank / Watt’s link rear suspension is fitted to the GTC Paris, providing excellent packaging and secure, driver-focused dynamics.

The GTC Paris is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine producing 290PS. Hinting at the power that may be achievable in a top line model, such as a VXR-badged car, the engine will be fitted with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection, along with double cam-phasing and twin balancer shafts. Start/Stop technology, which has just started to appear on other Vauxhall models, enhances economy and emissions without compromising performance

Power is directed to the GTC’s front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox, with an electronic limited slip differential ensuring that power is deployed efficiently for optimum traction.

NEW ASTRA SPORTS TOURER IS TRULY AN ESTATE OF THE NATION

• Brit-built Astra Sports Tourer set to hit UK showrooms end of November, 2010.
• Versatile and capacious cargo area combines with sleek design, inside and out
• Extended powertrain line-up enhanced by Start/Stop tech
• Major contribution by Vauxhall Engineering Centre to  car’s development

The new Astra Sports Tourer, which receives its debut today at the Paris Motor Show, promises to boost the appeal of the new Astra range still further. Since December last year, the new Astra Hatch has sold over 40,000 units in the UK (to end of August), making the Astra range a retail best-seller in the first five months of the year.

Combining high levels of practicality, clothed in a typically sleek and rakish body from Brit, Mark Adams’ design team, the Sports Tourer will be available to order from the start of October.

Crucially, the Astra Sports Tourer and its hatch sibling will also be among the first Vauxhall models to adopt Start/Stop technology, reducing emissions and fuel consumptions.

Illustrating the depth of Vauxhall’s engineering and manufacturing excellence in the UK, the Sports Tourer will be assembled solely at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, while its new upper-body structure has been 100 per cent engineered at Vauxhall Engineering Centre in Bedfordshire. And like the recently launched Astra hatch, the Sports Tourer will feature key dynamic elements tuned for UK roads.

Practicality & Equipment

Packed with clever features, the Astra Sports Tourer maintains the hatch’s wheelbase (2685mm), yet its superior packaging has allowed the maximum load length to be increased by 28mm to 1835mm, and its load volume by 30 litres to 500 litres with the rear seats up.

As well as boasting a cargo area with flat wall linings to fully optimise available space, a new FlexFold feature (standard or optional depending on trim level) allows each section of the 60:40 split-fold rear seatbacks to be lowered at the press of a button housed in the walls of the cargo compartment. In addition, with the rear seat cushions folded up against the front seat-backs, the Sports Tourer has a completely flat load floor and a maximum load capacity of up to 1550 litres.

Completing the functionality of the rear cargo area is a two-touch luggage compartment cover. This easy access cover slides upwards and out of the way with a simple tap to load or remove smaller items. But for larger loads the cover retracts completely into a cassette, coming to a soft stop. When not needed, the complete assembly can be removed and stored below the load floor of the cargo space.

But improved interior practicality doesn’t stop there. Compared with the current Astra estate, the Sports Tourer has an additional 25 litres of storage space in the cabin, 50 per cent more than before. And like its hatch sibling, the Sports Tourer also benefits from the option of Vauxhall’s award winning Ergonomic Sports Seats, providing front occupants with best-in-class comfort.

In keeping with Vauxhall’s commitment to bringing premium features to the compact segment, the Astra Sports Tourer will also adopt the option of Intelligent Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), which has eight different bi-xenon settings and automatically adapts the headlights according to weather and road conditions.

Options to enhance the Sports Tourer’s versatility still further include:

• A tailored, multi-fold Luggage Compartment Liner, which protects the cargo floor carpeting, the tailgate opening, the rear bumper and the lowered seat backs.
• Vauxhall’s FlexOrganiser storage system, comprising nets and dividers that owners can use to re-configure the cargo space.
• A new generation of Vauxhall’s integrated FlexFix bicycle carrier (available from 2011)

Design

The Astra Sports Tourer’s exterior design aims to raise the bar in the compact-estate market, bringing a touch of class and dynamism, without compromising the car’s high levels of practicality. The tapered profile, falling roofline and prominent ‘blades’ set into the sides of the car are complemented by a muscular shoulder line, which leads gracefully into eye-catching sculpted rear light units.

Inside, occupants will benefit from the same embracing, premium cabin as in the new Astra hatch, with features like the wraparound wing front fascia and unique ambient lighting.

Powertrains

From launch, Astra Sports Tourer buyers will have a choice of six frugal, yet lively engines, with an ultra-low emissions, Start/Stop-equipped ecoFLEX model available soon afterwards.

The petrol line-up starts with the 100PS 1.4i ECOTEC-4 with variable valve timing and sequential fuel injection, while a 1.6i ECOTEC-4 with 115PS is also available. The Sports Tourer’s most powerful petrol engine will be the smooth and punchy 1.4i Turbo which produces 140PS, yet achieves a combined fuel consumption of 45.6mpg and C02 emissions of 145g/km.

A new ecoFLEX model will be available soon after launch and will be one of the first Vauxhall models to get Start/Stop technology. Based on the 1.3 CDTi 95PS engine, the ecoFLEX features a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and variable geometry turbocharger.

Two 1.7-litre CDTis, with either 110 or 125PS, and a 160PS 2.0 CDTi, which combines high performance with 55.4mpg combined economy and emissions of just 134g/km, complete the Sports Tourer’s diesel engine range.*

*All figures quoted are provisional

Chassis

From the start of the Astra Sports Tourer’s development, Vauxhall’s target was to maintain current levels of ride and handling enjoyed by the five-door hatch. As a consequence, its wheelbase remains the same at 2685mm, as do its front and rear tracks (1544 and 1588mm respectively).

Also carried over is the hatch’s innovative compound crank/Watt’s link rear suspension, which combines exceptional body control and ride characteristics and is unique to Vauxhall/Opel. For the Sports Tourer, the compound crank’s settings have been revised, as have damper calibrations, to cater for the model’s higher load capabilities without compromising the hatch’s dynamics.

Vauxhall has also carried over the steering settings from the hatch, which are bespoke to all new UK Astras. This programme offers drivers a more natural feel, thanks to careful tuning of the car’s electronic power steering system.

FlexRide, Vauxhall’s adaptive suspension system, is also available as an option on the Sports Tourer. The system continuously adapts to changes in driving style and cornering speed. In Standard mode, FlexRide offers the whole bandwidth of settings available and adjusts to suit the driver’s behaviour. In Tour mode, damper settings are relaxed to optimise ride quality, while in Sport mode, throttle and steering responses are sharpened, in addition to the adoption of stiffer damper settings.

For customers who tow, the Sports Tourer will be available with Vauxhall’s electronic Trailer Stability Assist system, which subtly brakes individual wheels to maintain control of the trailer/caravan in emergency situations.

Pricing

The new Astra Sports Tourer will enter the UK market later this year priced at just £16,575, over £500 less than the current entry-level Astra Estate, yet incorporating a long list of additional standard kit.

The  Astra Sports Tourer range starts with the 1.4 (100PS) ES model, which gains an extra 10PS of power over the equivalent 1.4 Astra Estate. It also adds: air conditioning, curtain airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESP), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), an aux-in socket and Active Safety Front Head Restraints, all as standard.

Better still, the Sports Tourer’s premium over the 5-door hatch model starts from just £995, for which customers benefit from a larger cargo area (500 versus 470 litres, with rear seats up), despite retaining the same wheelbase as the new hatch.

Diesel pricing is equally aggressive, with the entry-level 110PS 1.7 CDTi ES Sports Tourer costing less than the outgoing 90PS 1.3 CDTi Astra Estate Life, yet packing more power and benefiting from sub-120g/km C02 emissions.

The Sports Tourer range comprises four trim levels: ES, Exclusiv, SE and SRi, but adds a variety of standard and optional equipment, including FlexFold, which allows each section of the 60:40 split-fold rear seatbacks to be lowered at the press of a button housed in the walls of the cargo compartment.

START SAVING, STOP BURNING WITH VAUXHALL’S NEW LOW-C02 CORSA

• Start/Stop technology features for first time in a Vauxhall model
• Improvement in torque, reduced C02 emissions and over 12.5% increase in urban mpg

On sale now, the new Corsa ecoFLEX is the first Vauxhall to feature Start/Stop technology, enabling the new Euro 5-compliant 1.3 CDTi (75PS) models to achieve 70.6mpg – a near 5mpg, or more than 7 per cent improvement - on the combined cycle*.

Compared with the outgoing Euro 4, 1.3 CDTi (75PS) engine, the addition of Start/Stop technology and Euro 5 emissions compliance has brought a 9g/km reduction in C02 emissions, down to 105g, as well as a 20Nm increase in torque to 190Nm. All Start/Stop cars are also fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), which traps harmful particulates.

The principle of Start/Stop is simple: instead of the engine idling at traffic lights or at a level crossing, the engine will automatically stop when the driver engages neutral and releases the clutch pedal. When the traffic lights turn green, the driver simply presses the clutch pedal to re-start the engine, engage first and move away. Naturally, the car’s ventilation, power steering and braking system performance is maintained while the engine is temporarily off.

Drivers who use their cars frequently in town driving, where the Corsa’s Start/Stop function will come in to its own,  will see the biggest gains in fuel consumption. With an official urban mpg figure of 58.9mpg, the Corsa EcoFLEX 1.3 CDTi (75PS) Start/Stop is more than 12.5 per cent more economical than the outgoing Euro 4 car without the new technology.

But the package of improvements to Corsa ecoFLEX’s doesn’t end there. To ensure Start/Stop is reliable during the car’s life, an enhanced starter motor is used, along with a high performance battery and Electric Power Management system, for efficient re-starts. An additional water pump keeps the cabin warm in cool weather during the stop phase, and owners have the ability to turn off Start/Stop completely via a dashboard button.

Drivers can even select the level of air conditioning in the cabin while the engine is temporarily turned off. Using technology unique in the industry, drivers can configure the ventilation system to remain off when the engine’s in stop mode, or can pre-set the engine and air conditioning to start when the in-cabin temperature reaches a given point.

The Corsa ecoFLEX 1.3 CDTi (75PS) Start/Stop range is available in all current trims, from S to SXi, with latest prices shown below. Corsa ecoFLEX Start/Stop models add just £260 to the price of a current Euro 5 Corsa ecoFLEX 1.3 CDTi (75PS).

*Urban MPG on govt-cycle: 58.9, Extra Urban MPG on govt-cycle: 80.

 

Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX range goes from strength to strength

Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX range of cars is growing continually, and with the recent addition of the Corsa ecoFLEX Start/Stop – as well as the recently launched new Meriva and new Astra ecoFLEX models – has bolstered its prominence in the UK market still further.

Crucially, Vauxhall does not compromise the performance of its greenest models when they adopt an ecoFLEX badge. A good example is the new Meriva 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX which joins the Corsa Start Stop on the Paris stand, and combines 21 per cent more power (now at 95PS) with 11.2 per cent lower emissions (119g/km) compared with its ecoFLEX predecessor.

Allied to the Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX strategy is its policy of engine right-sizing, whereby larger powertrains are replaced by smaller, turbocharged engines. For instance, for the first time a 1.4 Turbo engine (120    PS + 175Nm of torque) was made available in the new Meriva at its recent launch. This engine replaced the 1.6-litre, 105PS unit from the outgoing model, yet reduced emissions and fuel consumption by 10 per cent and increased power by 15 per cent.

Vauxhall is committed to lowering emissions and fuel consumption still further in the future, while gradually displacing our dependency on oil and creating more diverse energy sources. To that end, Vauxhall has set in motion a green strategy that will carry it forward into the next decade, including the following highlights:

• Small battery electric vehicles for people who drive short distances or who mainly drive in cities and heavily congested urban environments

• Extended-range vehicles for families who want a car they can drive anytime, anywhere, with no range anxiety. Europe’s first E-REV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle), the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera is scheduled to hit UK dealerships in just over a year.

• In the long-term, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles for driving long distances with zero emissions and no limitation on vehicle size or function. The fourth generation Hydrogen4 vehicle is currently on trial in Europe and received positive reviews when it was driven by media in the UK earlier this year.

NEW MERIVA NOW EMBRACES FULL DIESEL LINE-UP

• Four efficient diesels from 75-130PS now available in new Meriva range
• Choice of auto and manual transmissions on 1.7 CDTi models
• ecoFLEX version shaves a further 10g/km off range’s lowest current emissions

Vauxhall has completed the new Meriva’s diesel engine line up with the addition of two ultra-efficient units that together boost the range’s green credentials and offer yet more performance than before. This brings the total number of engines in the Meriva range to seven, comprising three petrol and four diesel units.

The first new addition is a 95PS 1.3 CDTi engine, which will power all Meriva ecoFLEX models. Featuring closed-loop combustion control, the 1.3 CDTi (95PS) uses a variable geometry turbocharger and is mated to a gearbox with taller ratios. As a result, the Meriva ecoFLEX’s emissions drop to 119g/km and it achieves fuel consumption on the combined cycle of 62.8mpg – a 9 per cent improvement over the 1.3 CDTi engine in the Meriva’s previous range. The 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX joins the 1.3 CDTi (75PS), which was available from launch.

For those Meriva buyers after more performance, but who still require the efficiency and economy expected from a modern diesel, the new 1.7 CDTi (130PS) has all the answers. With up to 300Nm of torque available from 2000-2500rpm, the Meriva’s most powerful diesel takes just 9.9 seconds to accelerate from 0-62mph and will hit a top speed of 121mph.

But brisk performance hasn’t come at the expense of economy. On the combined cycle, the 1.7 CDTi (130PS) still achieves 54.3mpg and C02 emissions of just 138g/km, made possible by a comprehensive package of efficiency upgrades. A variable geometry turbocharger has been fitted with position feedback sensor for more precise control of boost pressure. In addition, a new intake manifold reduces weight and an electrically controlled variable swirl system optimises combustion.

All 1.7 CDTi (130PS) Merivas have six speed manual gearboxes as standard and provide a more performance-focused alternative to the existing 1.7 CDTi (100PS), which is available as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.

With its unique rear-hinged back doors (FlexDoors), FlexSpace seating and FlexRail storage systems the new Vauxhall Meriva has raised the bar in its class for accessibility , versatility and in-car stowage, while offering customers new levels of perceived quality and driveability in the compact MPV segment.

Pricing for Meriva’s diesel models starts at £16,875 for the Meriva S 1.3 CDTi (75PS).