Despite the General Motors – PSA Peugeot-Citroen tie being mostly dissolved, the two automakers are coming together to produce two new crossovers. One, the Opel-Vauxhall Zafira, the second, the Opel-Vauxhall Meriva.
Currently, both the Zafira and Meriva are decidedly MPV in nature, but that’s quickly changing judging by these latest spy shots. The upcoming Vauxhall Meriva has been spied during some winter testing by Auto Express, and it’s looking decidedly more crossover in nature.
The more upright seating position and raised ride height should help introduce the Meriva to a new consumer, and not the shrinking market of MPV buyers. Though, the rear hatch and taillamp placement suggests cargo room will still be bountiful in the next Meriva.
The Meriva and Zafira will join a new Mokka and range-topping Antara replacement to round out a four-prong crossover strategy. GM and PSA are spliting development costs 50/50, and will bring the vehicles to production sometime in 2017.
Comment
I’m in the minority in terms of supporting a GM and PSA partnership; however, I hope that this cooperation doesn’t eliminate Envision or any other Buick SUV from the European market.
Opel has the potential to be a BIG BRAND, full-service in it’s offerings and a true VW rival.