[Toto]

28 Oct, 2014 10:00am James Batchelor

Vauxhall will replace its Meriva and Zafira people carriers with SUV-styled MPVs within the next two years, as well as introducing a luxurious flagship SUV. Our exclusive images show the look of the new trio, which will give Vauxhall direct rivals to Nissan’s highly successful Juke, Qashqai and X-Trail ranges.

Thanks to a partnership with the PSA Peugeot-Citroen Group, the GM brands are forging ahead with plans to replace the Meriva and ageing Zafira MPVs with cars that, they say, are better suited to current market demands.

As our images show, the Meriva and Zafira will ditch their MPV bodies in favour of a high-riding, SUV-style look. Our sources have confirmed that both cars could arrive as soon as 2016.

Source and more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/

 

[mchicha]

Let me guess, The Enclave and the new Encore going to Europe?

 

[Toto]

Let me guess, The Enclave and the new Encore going to Europe?

Are the riding on a PSA platform?

 

[dratnol]

Let me guess, The Enclave and the new Encore going to Europe?

I am pretty sure neither one of those are Peugeot vehicles.

 

[rsbaker]

Those look great! I guess we are seeing what the new SRX, Equinox and Terrain will all eventually be based on as well. It all looks good to me.

 

[Ruperts Trooper]

From this article in March 2014 http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/geneva-motor-show/vauxhallpsa-sharing-deal-extend-new-models it seems like they'll be PSA platforms with PSA engines but with unique Opel/Vauxhall sheet metal.

From this article in December 2013 http://europe.autonews.com/article/...-psa-end-plans-for-shared-subcompact-platform the Zafira will be built by PSA and the Meriva by Opel Spain.

Does anyone know if the GM-PSA alliance agreement allows for Opel versions to be used as Buicks?

 

[sfbreh]

Enjoy.

 

[CaddyLac10]

I've said it for a while now...Opel needs some image boosters, a flagship, something beyond the Opel norm. Struggling brands need image boosters as much as they volume boosters.

This kind of vehicle, and the other more progressive CUVs, will boost Opel's image and give them a more upscale appeal.

 

[autoplaybook]

Isn't the Encore/Mokka pretty much a Meriva CUV already?

 

[ausrutherford]

Let me guess, The Enclave and the new Encore going to Europe?

Encore is already there as the Mokka.

Opel will probably kill off the Meriva name and the Zafira will become the Envision.

 

[cone-A]

Isn't the Encore/Mokka pretty much a Meriva CUV already?

The Meriva has way more interior space.

 

[richmond2000]

I agree with MORE SUVs is good but disappointed in the loss of a far better car that is still part of a successful class of car

 

[RedVee8]

Interested to see how this plays out. I hope PSA build is not a mistake.

 

[Ruperts Trooper]

Interested to see how this plays out. I hope PSA build is not a mistake.

I have to say I don't understand it - current Zafira is built off the Astra-J (Delta II) platform with the Astra-K about to launch - current Meriva is built off the old Gamma platform which goes forward under the Mokka/Trax/Encore despite the new Corsa-E retaining the Fiat SCCS platform from the outgoing Corsa-D.

One of Opel's main issues is space production capacity so I don't see any advantage sharing with PSA when Opel already has suitable platforms and engines which will stay in production for other GM models.

Specifically, it means that Opel/Vauxhall will be selling sub-compacts built on three different platforms - Mokka on Gamma, Corsa on SCCS and Meriva on PSA.

 

[RedVee8]

I have to say I don't understand it - current Zafira is built off the Astra-J (Delta II) platform with the Astra-K about to launch - current Meriva is built off the old Gamma platform which goes forward under the Mokka/Trax/Encore despite the new Corsa-E retaining the Fiat SCCS platform from the outgoing Corsa-D.

One of Opel's main issues is space production capacity so I don't see any advantage sharing with PSA when Opel already has suitable platforms and engines which will stay in production for other GM models.

Specifically, it means that Opel/Vauxhall will be selling sub-compacts built on three different platforms - Mokka on Gamma, Corsa on SCCS and Meriva on PSA.

Yes, it is strange. I assume this deal is the price for breaking off the "marriage".
How long until Corsa comes onto Gamma/II/III?

 

[Ruperts Trooper]

How long until Corsa comes onto Gamma/II/III?

Since the Corsa-E is only now going on sale, we're presumably looking at a full model cycle, so about 8 years, by which time Gamma II will be due for replacement!

 

[lam]

I have to say I don't understand it - current Zafira is built off the Astra-J (Delta II) platform with the Astra-K about to launch - current Meriva is built off the old Gamma platform which goes forward under the Mokka/Trax/Encore despite the new Corsa-E retaining the Fiat SCCS platform from the outgoing Corsa-D.

One of Opel's main issues is space production capacity so I don't see any advantage sharing with PSA when Opel already has suitable platforms and engines which will stay in production for other GM models.

Specifically, it means that Opel/Vauxhall will be selling sub-compacts built on three different platforms - Mokka on Gamma, Corsa on SCCS and Meriva on PSA.

So much of the PSA stuff was scrapped.

 

[Ruperts Trooper]

So much of the PSA stuff was scrapped.

The formal alliance lasted less than two years but the initial platform-sharing and joint build arrangements stayed in place which is what we're seeing now.

It was the joint Insignia replacement plans that didn't proceed

 

[lam]

The formal alliance lasted less than two years but the initial platform-sharing and joint build arrangements stayed in place which is what we're seeing now.

It was the joint Insignia replacement plans that didn't proceed

The future Corsa (one of many changes) was scrap.The Meriva replacement will be made in France by PSA.

 

[SierraGS]

I have to say I don't understand it - current Zafira is built off the Astra-J (Delta II) platform with the Astra-K about to launch - current Meriva is built off the old Gamma platform which goes forward under the Mokka/Trax/Encore despite the new Corsa-E retaining the Fiat SCCS platform from the outgoing Corsa-D.

One of Opel's main issues is space production capacity so I don't see any advantage sharing with PSA when Opel already has suitable platforms and engines which will stay in production for other GM models.

Specifically, it means that Opel/Vauxhall will be selling sub-compacts built on three different platforms - Mokka on Gamma, Corsa on SCCS and Meriva on PSA.

Does not make much sense to me either, thought that the Meriva and Zafira were selling reasonably well, and why make sub-compacts on three different platforms. Sub-Compact segment is not a huge money maker to offset cost of three platforms.

Is this true and I am guessing that both the Zafira Family and Zafira Tour will both be replaced?

Must be why GM cancelled the Granite since it would be "orphaned" when the next gen Meriva was introduced.

Not sure why the Mokka and Next Gen Antara cannot continue alongside the Meriva and Zafira(s).

GM seems really good at wasting a lot of money trying to "Manage" a way to make vehicles opposed to "Designing" them.