Opel Releases New Photos of the 2010 Meriva Small MPV Including First Shots of the Interior

It won't be long before we see the new Opel Meriva with its rear suicide doors in the flesh as the 2010 Geneva Salon is just around the corner, but to keep consumer and media interest alike on the boil, Opel went ahead and released a new batch of photographs of the small MPV that include the first shots of the interior.

If you have ever sat in or even seen the cockpit of the new Opel Astra or the Insignia a.k.a. the 2011 Buick Regal in North America, then the Meriva's dashboard styling will look very familiar.

Being a model that is aimed at a somewhat younger crowd, the Meriva does get more trendy color options and upholstery patterns as well as some unique design cues like the styling of the air vents, but other than that, an Astra driver will feel right at home.

Aside from the rear doors that are hinged at the back opening to almost 90 degrees, the second generation of the Meriva also gets an improved Flexspace seating system that allows the rear seats to be mounted back independently to create more boot, leg or shoulder room, or folded down completely optimal cargo-carrying flexibility.

New for the Meriva is the so-called FlexRail lower center console concept between the seats that provides adaptable storage for a variety of everyday items from handbags and magazines to iPods, CDs and tissue boxes for both the front and rear passengers.

Other new features include the optional, full panorama sunroof that's almost two-meters long and the FlexFix bicycle carrier that slides in and out of the rear bumper like a drawer making

The new Meriva will be offered with a total of six turbocharged diesel and gasoline units with outputs ranging from 75 to 140 horsepower.

2011 BMW 3-Series Coupe and Convertible: Euro-Spec Models get Revised Diesels and new Entry-Level 318i Versions

This past weekend BMW took the wraps off its refreshed 3-Series coupe and hardtop convertible models. In brief, the two-door variants of the 3-Series receive revised exterior styling and a new, more responsive and fuel-efficient single-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six for the 335i models.

In addition to these upgrades that we already told you about, the European-spec versions benefit from a tweaked diesel lineup and the presentation of a new-entry level model in the form of the 318i.

Beginning with the diesel range, the updated 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit in the 320d Coupe and Convertible models that complies with the EU 6 emission standards that won't go into force until 2014, now delivers 184HP and 380Nm of torque, up from 177HP and 350Nm.

In the case of the 320d Coupe, this has shortened the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint by 0.4 seconds to 7.5 seconds, while at the same time reducing consumption by 1.0mpg US to 50 mpg US or 4.7 lt/100km and lowering emissions by 3g/km to 125g/km.

The values for the 320d Convertible are 0-100km/h (62mph) in 8.3 seconds, consumption is 46.1 mpg US or 5.1 lt/100km and emissions 135g/km.

BMW says that 320d Coupe is capable of reaching a top speed of 236km/h or 147mph with the Convertible attaining 228km/h or 142mph.

Similar improvements have been performed on the 325d's 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel unit. Engine output is 7HP higher at 204HP, and torque is up from 400 to 430Nm enabling the Coupe to shave 0.4 seconds off its 0-100km/h (62mph) time, that now arrives in 6.9 seconds.

Even though fuel consumption remains the same at 41.3 mpg US or 5.7lt/100km, CO2 emissions are lower by 2g/km at 151g/km. The 325d Convertible's equivalent values are 7.5 seconds, 38.5 mpg US or 6.1lt/100km and 160g/km of CO2.

Finally, the 335d Coupe's diesel has also been tweaked resulting in an improved fuel consumption figure and lower CO2 emissions. It now records 35.6mpg US or 6.6lt/100km on the combined cycle, an improvement of 0.5mpg US, and 174g/km.

Note that the revised four-cylinder and inline-six diesels engines also made their way under the hood of 3-Series sedan and Touring models.

The 2011 model also marks the introduction of a new entry-level version for both the 3-Series Coupe and Convertible, the 318i.

As with most BMW models these days, the last two digits of the name of this model do not represent the displacement of the engine as the 318i is powered by a straight-four 2.0-litre (and not 1.8L as you'd assume) petrol engine.

This power unit produces a maximum output of 143HP at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 190 Nm or 140 lb-ft at 4,250rpm. Coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox, the four-pot accelerates the 318i Coupe from a standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.1 seconds and the 318i Convertible in 10.3 seconds. Top speed in each case is 210 km/h or 130 mph.

In the EU test cycle the 318i Coupé averages 6.3 lt/100 km (equal to 37.3 mpg US) and achieves a CO2 rating of 146 g/km. The respective figures for the 318i Convertible are 6.6 lt (35.7 mpg US) and 154 g/km of CO2.

2011 BMW 3-Series Coupe & Convertible Photo Gallery