The patented FlexDoors system adopted on the Meriva Concept features rear-hinged rear doors on both sides, which can open independently from the front doors thanks to the presence of the B-pillar, which also enhances safety in case of side impacts. Passengers can also enter and exit the vehicle through the rear door.

Design

The Meriva Concept’s design is by the distinctive window line, arched roof, wide track and sculpted body which "give a good indication of what is to be expected from future Opel/Vauxhall production monocabs."

“The Meriva Concept clearly illustrates how our new Opel/Vauxhall design language can be adapted to create bold, fresh design solutions for the monocab segment,” says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design, General Motors Europe.

An original design element is the dynamic ‘wave’ of the window line just behind the B-pillars, which provides an excellent all-round view for rear passengers. This also enabled designers to create a dynamic and unique silhouette and still provide good visibility for children in the rear.

The body also boasts the distinctive “blade” bodyside form, which was a design element of the GTC Coupé and Flextreme. Another feature is the U-shaped windshield, which stretches up and back over the rear passengers’ heads.

Rear section elements – in particular the rear lights – echo the Insignia, Opel/Vauxhall’s new upper mid-size class car due to be unveiled in the summer.

The monocab’s roof slopes gently downward towards the rear, underlining its dynamic character.

About the FlexDoors System

The FlexDoors System debuted on the Flextreme unveiled at Frankfurt 2007

“The FlexDoors concept is a logical enhancement of our monocabs’ flexibility,” explains Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors Europe. “With the Zafira’s Flex7® seating system and the Meriva’s FlexSpace concept, we took on a similar pioneering role in interior flexibility.”

While the front doors are conventionally designed with front hinges, the rear doors swing open towards the back of the car. The concept car also has B-pillars not only for independent opening but also for side-impact safety reasons.

A unique feature is that the front and rear doors can open independently of each other. Rear-hinged rear doors already on the market can only be opened after the front door has been opened, which severely limits their practicality.

GM’s patented FlexDoors features include:

• Greater functionality: entering and exiting the vehicle is more convenient as the rear doors open to a 90-degree angle, creating a much wider aperture than standard car doors.
  
  Thanks to the high roofline, rear passengers also have more headroom when getting in and out of the car. The interior is much more accessible, so stowing a briefcase behind the front seat, for instance, is considerably easier.

• Higher level of safety: securing children in the back seats is much easier. The rear-hinged rear doors also improve control over children exiting the car, as they can be better seen from the different seating positions.
  
  The “safety zone” created between both doors also makes it much more difficult for them to step out into traffic than with conventional doors.

• More style: entering and exiting the rear of the vehicle not only looks cool and elegant, but also feels much more natural.

FlexDoors’ smooth operation is backed up by an array of patented innovations: a safety system ensures the doors can only be opened from the inside or outside when there is no risk to the passengers; an automatic electronic child lock supplements the conventional mechanical system.

(Source: Opel)