This is the facelifted Vauxhall Meriva – honest. Setting what’s possibly the new benchmark for blink-and-you’ll-miss-it design changes, the Meriva has scored new lights and grilles, but kept its backwards-opening ‘FlexDoors’. There are more significant changes under the skin however, in the shape of a new 1.6-litre diesel engine from the Zafira Tourer MPV.
Is the facelifted Vauxhall Meriva’s new engine any good?
The numbers look promising: the 1.6 CDTi powerplant develops 134bhp and 236lb ft from 2000rpm, while fuel economy in the Meriva stands at 64.2mpg. At 116g/km, the new engine coughs out 10% less CO2 per kilometre than the 1.7-litre CDTi unit it replaces – though the downsized engine doesn’t sacrifice any performance.
In fact, the 1.6 Meriva is 0.8sec faster to 62mph, thanks to its extra 5bhp and 15lb ft. It’s no VXR, but any improvement in performance as well as efficiency has to be chalked up as a success. Here’s hoping it’s more refined than the old 1.7 CDTi too.
>> Click here to read CAR’s review of the Vauxhall Mokka 1.7
So what exactly is new visually?
A new front grille, chrome-accented foglights, and sharper-looking headlights designed to give the appearance of an eagle’s eye. On the options list are LED daytime running lights and fully Led taillights, which have a longer operating life than regular halogen lights, and consume less energy.
And that’s it?
Wait for it – there’s the option of 18in alloy wheels now too. The whole refreshed package goes on sale later this year, with first deliveries in January 2014.