The Opel Concept M, which later hit the market as the Meriva, was a hit for its blend of sportiness and eco-friendliness. This concept van boasted a compact body with ample room for four passengers, standing at 1.62 meters tall.
Under the hood, it packed a punch with a 1.6-liter, 110 kW/150 hp natural gas turbo engine paired with an automated “Easytronic” manual transmission, promising a compelling driving experience. Inside, the cabin was not just spacious but also ultra-modern, offering potential for innovative and flexible interior solutions.
Opel designers showcased how monovolume vehicles could evolve further with the Concept M. With a base of 2630 mm and a height of 1.62 m, it comfortably accommodated four passengers. The compact exterior dimensions opened up new possibilities for interior styling, according to Opel Chairman Karl-Piter Forster.
Externally, the Concept M borrowed design cues from other Opel models, such as the headlights from the Vectra GTS and certain solutions at the rear from the new Vectra, giving it a dynamic appearance. It rode on 17-inch wheels with 225 R 45 tires, adding to its sporty vibe.
Despite its size - 4.05 m in length and 1.78 m in width - the Concept M was easy to drive and park, thanks to its high driving position and good visibility. Accessing the car was made simple with a button on the door handle.
In terms of performance, it boasted a 1.6-liter 16-valve 150-horsepower Ecotec engine running on compressed natural gas, paired with a semi-automatic 5-speed Easytronic transmission. It could reach a maximum speed of 202 km/h and accelerate to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds. Remarkably, despite being designed for compressed gas, it could also run on conventional fuel, with emissions 30% lower than similar gasoline engines.
Source & Images: General Motors Corp.
