Opel Meriva Cosmo 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX 95 HP

The Opel Meriva has led the market the novelty of opening doors “fold”, but only to lead and can understand what leap forward has been made ​​over the previous model. The interior roominess, cargo capacity and versatility are qualities that can be discovered little by little, either as drivers or as passengers. The proof of the Opel Meriva Cosmo 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX 95 hp (list price € 20,750) was an opportunity to test a little ‘more about the dynamics of the new German thrust from the small of the latest generation common rail, which on paper offers performance interesting.

At a glance the important dimensions of the new Meriva (429x181x162 cm) are immediately noticeable and make it seem much larger than the average compact MPV category. Climbing aboard the feeling of greatness, with an ample space available at the level of the rear seats . The Meriva can meet the needs of those who want a light car and with the high roof that does not cause problems of habitability. The FlexRail is quite comfortable , with a beautiful deep space provided in the glove box between the front seats that can hold bulky items even as a 1.5 liter bottle of water . Two bottles can fit into the same compartment of each front door and opened el’appoggiabraccio central mobile demonstration convenient and useful. The materials used in coatings and are of good quality and give the feeling of being on a higher class of MPV, as well as the windshield angle and away from passengers in style Citroen C4 Picasso and Peugeot 3008 . The panel of climate is quite clear and intuitive, but too few lights from the buttons become bored during the long night trips.

Moving is now appreciated by the noise on board, the virtual absence of irritating wind noise and operation in a subdued tone of the engine, well soundproofed and that does not filter into the cabin. The small diesel we felt in some ways the best engine available on the Meriva, due to its flexibility, willingness to raise the speed, torque, more than fair and the ease with which moves the new Opel van. On large state at 90 km / h the 1.3 CDTI with 95 hp blender to about 1,700 rpm and also on the highway at 130 km / h traveling and relaxing with the common rail fixed at 2,500 rpm. This also helps to reduce consumption, that during our test of nearly a thousand kilometers with “light foot,” stood on the average of 4.9 l/100 km . Our Opel Meriva 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX 95 HP was able to consume an average of 4.7 l/100 km in the long transfer to 90-110-130 km / h, about 5.6 l/100 km city and 4.5 l/100 km in the brief of town. The announcement was made ​​by the end of 2011 the Start / Stop technology should even improve these valuable consumer values.

Good news from the front of the suspension and that always provides a nice sense of security and a stable cornering . Only citizens of the asphalt pits, took a low speed, causing a response somewhat ‘abrupt suspension, but even at high speeds, the problem becomes less noticeable. The whole body, even the seat cushions and good filter and allow the vibrations to travel in comfort. The brakes have done their job properly, even in down the mountain trails. Taking advantage of the hairpin turns of the winding road and we put a little ‘to test the stability of the Meriva, which seems to always be kept away from the limits, even in wet conditions, the velocity out of the corners and under braking , the new Meriva is not flustered and do not suggest specific weaknesses. The manual transmission 5-speed manual is an honest, fairly fast, but for our tastes (and for the use made ​​of it in the city), the Meriva with the 1.3 diesel automatic deserves a next-generation robotic or double clutch.

The only flaws of note are summarized in a few lines and are limited to minor faults, sometimes solvable fishing accessories from the list . For example, the fact that the version we tested the Cosmos was without Bluetooth connectivity, USB port and navigation can be solved with the Radio Navi500 (850 €) and the Bluetooth kit (350 €). Same goes for ‘ Hill Start Assist, available only after payment (190 €), light and rain sensors (200 €) and parking sensors (500 €). The display in the center of the dashboard, while providing useful information on outside temperature, time, radio station, the sound source, it seems a bit ‘in tone than the rest of the instrumentation. More critical is the problem of the cruise control button , located on the steering wheel in a position to be easy to accidentally off , with the associated risks when you travel with confidence highway and slow down abruptly. In some cases the big pillar is a little ‘obstructing the view , especially when you get into a non-orthogonal in traffic coming from the right.