New Meriva

[GMJoe]

Originally Posted by 2648562

It looks a little odd to me, but I can't say that I hate it. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it did fairly well--probably not in NA though (and definitely not as a Buick! ).

I can't recall any next generation Aveo news right now, other than it's supposed to look good and retain the name... Any clue what the next Aveo might look like???

Do a Google search.

There have been several drawings and spy shots of the new Aveo.

Those who were shown it at GM's press preview of its up coming vehicles said it was light years ahead of the current model and would be real competition for the best cars in its class.

There are no plans to bring the Mariva here.

[SimonDavid]

I like it

But who owns the IP - Opel or GM?

The last Meriva I thought was basically designed by GM Brazil.

[All-Or-Nothing]

Please don't make it a Buick.

[Bravada]

While it shares a platform (Gamma-series) with the Aveo, it is completely different.

The Meriva does NOT share the platform with the Aveo. Today's broadcast is sponsored by the word NOT. Please pay attention to it.

The Meriva is built around the SCCS, the current architecture of the Corsa D (the "current" Corsa in Europe, as other parts of the world didn't get it), co-developed with Fiat (Fiat uses it for the Grande Punto/Punto Evo, Alfa MiTo and the small Fiorino van), that GM calls "Gamma".

Meriva = Corsa

Now, GM stated that the new Aveo will also be on Gamma, but we don't know whether they will use the SCCS Fiat-GM platform, or rather something else and call it "Gamma" and whether they will make Opel use that "something else" or stop calling SCCS "Gamma".

From what we've seen, anything that goes on testing recently that could become the new Aveo seems to be heavily based on the current Aveo's T-body platform. So my bet for the time being is that while the new Aveo might share something with the new Corsa and Meriva, it might also turn out they don't share anything at all.

Meriva >< Aveo

[A.J.]

Originally Posted by Bravada

The Meriva does NOT share the platform with the Aveo. Today's broadcast is sponsored by the word NOT. Please pay attention to it.

The Meriva is built around the SCCS, the current architecture of the Corsa D (the "current" Corsa in Europe, as other parts of the world didn't get it), co-developed with Fiat (Fiat uses it for the Grande Punto/Punto Evo, Alfa MiTo and the small Fiorino van), that GM calls "Gamma".

Meriva = Corsa

Now, GM stated that the new Aveo will also be on Gamma, but we don't know whether they will use the SCCS Fiat-GM platform, or rather something else and call it "Gamma" and whether they will make Opel use that "something else" or stop calling SCCS "Gamma".

From what we've seen, anything that goes on testing recently that could become the new Aveo seems to be heavily based on the current Aveo's T-body platform. So my bet for the time being is that while the new Aveo might share something with the new Corsa and Meriva, it might also turn out they don't share anything at all.

Meriva >< Aveo

I said I could be wrong, too...which apparently I was...

Oh, by the way, jmlee0695, you were pretty much on the money with your render.

[DmitryKo]

Originally Posted by All-Or-Nothing

Is that a glass roof in the top pic.

This IS a glass panoramic roof on BOTH pics.

And what's cool, it's a proper Astra GTC-style roof where the windshield smoothly goes over the head of the driver and the front passenger and there is pullable electric sun shade, and not Peogeout 308-style roof which is just an extended sunroof over the standard windshield.




( sources:
http://www.netcarshow.com/opel/2007-astra_gtc/
http://www.netcarshow.com/opel/2005-...anoramic_roof/
http://www.netcarshow.com/peugeot/2008-308/
http://www.gmeurope.info/MOPIDB/view...g=EN&AAAAbAbhf )

Originally Posted by A.J.

The Meriva is a very unique vehicle. While it shares a platform (Gamma-series) with the Aveo, it is completely different. (Heck, I might be wrong and it could be based on the Delta-series platform!) One obvious difference is the suicide-door layout.

The new Meriva is not based on the Aveo platform, and it's not based on Delta/Delta II either.

The current Aveo (T200/T250) is a derivative of T-Body which also underpins Daewoo Nexia/Cielo and Lanos (T100/T150).

Originally Posted by Bravada

The Meriva is built around the SCCS, the current architecture of the Corsa D... co-developed with Fiat

Yes, but as a side note, the same platform is used for the Fiat Linea sedan, which is technically a compact sedan, substantially longer and wider than any other subcompact car based on SCCS.

GM stated that the new Aveo will also be on Gamma, but we don't know whether they will use the SCCS Fiat-GM platform, or rather something else and call it "Gamma" and whether they will make Opel use that "something else" or stop calling SCCS "Gamma".

While the Corsa D and Grande Punto are nice cars, they are not class-leaders like the Mini and the Fiesta/Mazda2, so there is certainly room for improvement (or simplifying and cutting costs, whatever direction they chose).

I'd say they should make something new and different that is not based on either "SCCS" or Aveo T-platform, and would probably borrow components from Delta II where applicable. They should make it just a set of independent "building blocks" which could be shared between wery different cars, just like Volkswagen/Audi and Renault/Nissan/Samsung have done recently.

Anyway it couldn't take GM Daewoo full 4 years just to upgrade SCCS or T-platform, I'd suggest they perfrormed an ovehaul.

From what we've seen, anything that goes on testing recently that could become the new Aveo seems to be heavily based on the current Aveo's T-body platform.

We have only seen camouflaged test mules, basically the bodies of current Aveos with different optics and some interior parts from the Beat and the Cruze, probably fitted with adhesive tape. That doesn't mean the floorplan and the mechanics are the same as on the current Aveo, it's a known practice to test new components using a current generation car.

The final car, as shown to the press and fans during the August preview trip, should look much like the Beat at least on the exterior, and that version has never been caught in testing.

[desmo9]

Originally Posted by armycam68

That is one ugly P.O.S. Can't the design staff get off their backsides and design something that isn't a copy of a Toyota or a Honda...............we must have the laziest design staff at G.M. Bankrupt baby..............it's coming again!

Lots of truth to that -- too bad what you get for it are comments about trolling and demands for blind loyalty. It's ironic that GM "fans" aren't doling out a little more tough love for their beloved marque. It's quite true that, with rare exception, GM styling has followed the likes of Toyota for many years. Buyers seeking a Toyota will buy the genuine article. Chevy-branded Toyotas aren't much more loved than Honda-branded Harley-Davidsons.

The only exception I'd take to what you wrote is that plenty of GM's designers can still dole out the goods. But there's always been a resistance in management to release the good stuff. The committee-think, beancounter-driven mentality has given us Asian knock-offs for years, caused GM market share to tumble, and pushed it to the precipice of bankruptcy such that external pressures easily pushed it off the cliff. The likes of Bob Lutz were supposed to knock down that culture, but have mostly failed to do so in the mainstream segments (where most of the sales are).

The new Buick Regal is the latest case in point. Buick is arguably one of the most American of American brands, and that new Regal is essentially an amalgam of Nissan and Acura themes. Nothing Buick about it, not at all. Some folks here will ooh and aah because, well, it's not a bad-looking Asian car. But it's a very, very crappy Buick. If buyers want a car that looks like a Nissan, guess what they'll tend to buy?

[Bravada]

Dmitry, do show up more often!

And what's cool, it's a proper Astra GTC-style roof where the windshield smoothly goes over the head of the driver and the front passenger and there is pullable electric sun shade, and not Peogeout 308-style roof which is just an extended sunroof over the standard windshield.

It's a Pug-style "glass roof". Why do you think it goes black all of a sudden? There might be one big glass panel over the entire roof, but there is nothing to indicate the A-beam is gone or moved backwards.

Yes, but as a side note, the same platform is used for the Fiat Linea sedan, which is technically a compact sedan, substantially longer and wider than any other subcompact car based on SCCS.

13 mms wider than the Corsa - SUBSTANTIALLY? Longer OK, it's a half meter longer than either Punto or Corsa.

While the Corsa D and Grande Punto are nice cars, they are not class-leaders like the Mini and the Fiesta/Mazda2, so there is certainly room for improvement (or simplifying and cutting costs, whatever direction they chose).

MINI? It's a class leader in the MINI class because there's only one MINI. The Fiesta perhaps, the Mazda2 remains a sideshow. The class leaders in terms of sales and performance-wise in many ways are the VW small cars (Polo, Ibiza, Fabia).

The Punto got an overhaul, the Corsa still awaits one.

[GMFAN85]

Man, I would love that Panoramic view to be offered in North America. I don't see why it wouldn't meet crash/rollover requirements here if it does in Europe. I would buy a car offering that in a heartbeat.

[stevecmh]

looks like a great FIT competition.. something GM really lacks... Bring it ASAP

[armycam68]

I guess a few people aren't narrow-minded about GM's design ability...........

BTW the dealer in Western PA with a lot of Camaros is Kenny Ross on RT 19 in Cranberry Twp, PA.............there's also many other dealers in my area with new Camaros sitting on the lot. Do a search of Western PA dealers!

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by Bravada

The Meriva does NOT share the platform with the Aveo. Today's broadcast is sponsored by the word NOT. Please pay attention to it.

The Meriva is built around the SCCS, the current architecture of the Corsa D (the "current" Corsa in Europe, as other parts of the world didn't get it), co-developed with Fiat (Fiat uses it for the Grande Punto/Punto Evo, Alfa MiTo and the small Fiorino van), that GM calls "Gamma".

Meriva = Corsa

Now, GM stated that the new Aveo will also be on Gamma, but we don't know whether they will use the SCCS Fiat-GM platform, or rather something else and call it "Gamma" and whether they will make Opel use that "something else" or stop calling SCCS "Gamma".

From what we've seen, anything that goes on testing recently that could become the new Aveo seems to be heavily based on the current Aveo's T-body platform. So my bet for the time being is that while the new Aveo might share something with the new Corsa and Meriva, it might also turn out they don't share anything at all.

Meriva >< Aveo

OK, I was going to ask where this fits in size in relation to the Corsa, but I guess it's the same. Now I guess I'll ask why is there both?

[Crazy4Camaro]

Originally Posted by StormHunter77

I hate that these econocars are becoming so popular. I know in Europe that has always been the case, but here in the States...I don't know, I just don't like them. I fear a highway full of Smart cars. I want substance in a vehicle.

You may be surprised the Smartcar gets a 4 star crash rating. Not that I want one either! But safety shouldn't be a deterant in purchasing a small vehicle anymore.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by Crazy4Camaro

You may be surprised the Smartcar gets a 4 star crash rating. Not that I want one either! But safety shouldn't be a deterant in purchasing a small vehicle anymore.

Balderdash! Sure it gets a 4 star crash rating, but that's because the cockpit stays somewhat intact during a crash. You would be able to walk away IF you survive the impact, which you most likely won't. There is no crumple zone. The frame shape has proven itself to be quite sturdy, however there is a lot of energy generated during a vehicle crash. If it doesn't end up getting dispersed in a crumple zone guess where it goes...into the soft fleshy thing behind the wheel...you!

You Tube

You Tube

Sure it's alright if you're tooling around the city, not getting much above 50km/h (30mph), but anything above that and I wouldn't want be caught dead or end up being caught dead in one.

[alex725]

I love that whole windshield roof thingy but I think it might be a little weird