Sneak preview ahead of Geneva

These are the first official pictures of the new Vauxhall Meriva mini-MPV.

The new Meriva – which will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March – is the first Vauxhall to feature the innovative rear-hinged FlexDoors as seen on the 2008 design concept.

The FlexDoors open at an angle of almost 90 degrees, improving access to the rear seats and making the car more family-friendly. The doors can only be opened whilst the car is stationary, thanks to an automatic lock which is activated as soon as the car pulls away.

Taking its design cues from siblings the Insignia and new Astra, the new Meriva has a more dynamic silhouette and features the “blade” window-line – with its sharp curve down the side of the body – intended to allow children to see more clearly through the rear-windows.

On the inside, the FlexSpace system has been evolved to offer greater practicality – the rear seats can now be folded-down completely or mounted further back to create more boot or leg room.

The new Meriva benefits from a longer wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks, which improves the car’s ride and handling as well as crash protection.

The new Vauxhall Meriva will be available in a choice of six turbocharged engines, with power ranging from 75bhp to 140bhp. Fuel consumption is expected to improve by an average of 15 per cent, compared to the current range, and a greener ecoFLEX version will also be available.

Prices for a new Vauxhall Meriva look set to be marginally more expensive than the previous models, which proved popular with over 107,000 sold in the UK since its launch in 2003.

The new car goes on sale in June.

By Rhian Angharad Jones