Spy Shots: Opel Meriva mule caught brandishing suicide doors
by Jonathon Ramsey on Mar 20th 2009 at 5:34PM 
The Opel Meriva concept shown at last year's Geneva Motor Show had a nifty set of rear doors that employ that less-than-nifty epithet: suicide doors. According to all the spy shots that have surfaced, the production model won't exchange the concept's novelty for more sedate, rear-hinged doors at the rear. The latest prototype caught out has a fake set of door handles at the back of the rear door. However, there are shots of the sheetmetal from the inside, and you can plainly see the recessed hinge mounting areas at the rear of the panels. General Motors calls the arrangement FlexDoors, and evidently unlike other such setups, the rear doors will be able to open independently of one another (most such setups require that the front door be opened first). GM says the design will make the new Meriva safer and more convenient.
Gallery: Opel Meriva Concept
[Source: Carscoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick 6:05PM (3/20/2009)
Opel cars are awesome, I think the brand is worth saving.
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Kumar 9:45AM (3/21/2009)
I wasn't aware they were any worse off than the rest of the Euro brands. Definitely have to be doing better than Saturn.
Definitely think Saturn should just be renamed Opel. It would at least save a few bucks in rebadgin the things. ;)
artandcolour 5:56PM (3/20/2009)
looking at the 'body in white' or whatever the untrimmed prototypes are called, the beltline has the concept's dip also, very Genesis coupe-like. i think the Meriva will be very stylish. Smallest Buick crossover perhaps?
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Korben Dallas 6:07PM (3/20/2009)
What is "more sedate, rear-hinged doors"? I thought that all rear-hinged doors are called "suicide doors". What do you mean by "more sedate" in this case? Is there a "more sedate" version of suicide door?
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P.V. 7:33PM (3/20/2009)
Good question. That whole sentence is awkwardly phrased. Anyway, from those shots, the rear door look like pretty conventional doors (think Bentley Continental doors, not Rolls-Royce RR4 doors).
Anyway, I'm glad it hasn't strayed far from the concept, though the camouflage is off-putting (I know that's the point, but I can complain, can't I?).
ed 7:00PM (3/20/2009)
GM should bring Opel cars as Opels. Not Saturn, Americans don't buy American cars anymore.
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Swede 8:55AM (3/21/2009)
Tiny dent on the front left door.
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Swede 8:56AM (3/21/2009)
Err... left, right, same thing really.
LGM 12:01AM (3/23/2009)
In almost all countries where GM is, they sold Opels as Chevrolet until "Daewoolize" everthing, I think GM NA could use their skills in those markets to do the same thing in USA, so behind Impala, Corvette, Camaro and US-sized minivans, the Opels from Corsa to Insignia would be excellents Chevrolets. No many brands, no many clones, just a wide range of Opel/Holden-based Chevrolets...
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