Opel's junior MPV, the Meriva, has a new face and new engines. But does this clever space-versatile package really need a high-performing OPC version? A lot of people think not, and Opel knows that.
"Yes, we know that not everybody is going to see the sense in it, but we see it as the ultimate expression of the Meriva," remarked David Pugh, brand manager for small and compact cars at the international launch last week.
Opel grandiosely claims it's creating a new segment, the first sporty minivan. At the heart of the matter is a newly developed 1.6 litre turbo petrol engine with 180bhp that is said to be capable of 222km/h (137mph) with acceleration from zero to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
While it may not set the world alight in sales, there's no doubting of the car's performance capabilities. Key to enthusiastic appreciation has to be the wide torque band, extending from 2,200 to 5,500rpm.
That's helped further by an "overboost" system that can extract another 15 per cent torque when there are challenging situations like overtaking. This extra power is available for a maximum of five seconds: thereafter the control unit seamlessly regulates the torque back to its normal maximum level of 230Nm.
Meriva OPC comes with all the trappings of its higher performance calling, like a revised suspension through a lower chassis. The decorous bits marking it out as something special include 17-inch wheels in OPC six-spoke design, a front bumper with large air intakes and the OPC honeycomb grille and a roof spoiler.
What about Irish sales? Emily Holland for Opel Ireland won't put a figure on it while admitting that they will be very small. She is projecting a price of around €29,000 for the Meriva OPC.
Perhaps more relevant news for Meriva-type customers is the availability of two other new engines, a 1.3CDTi common-rail diesel and a 1.6 litre petrol. The revised Meriva range goes on sale here shortly. The pre-facelift prices have been retained with the entry-level 1.4i petrol Expression model coming in here at €16,900. Petrol versions are likely to dominate Irish sales, given that the new 1.3 diesel is €21,500 or €4,600 more.