Opel has just announced today that they unveil the Meriva Concept at the Geneva Motor Show, and AutoExpress revealed a few renderings of the next generation Meriva, a model that will come to compete with Volkswagen Golf Plus, the MINI Clubman and Ford’s upcoming Fiesta-based MPV.

The 2009 Meriva will be inspired by the Flextreme concept unveiled last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. At the front, the model has the same pronounced grille, faired-in headlights and raised bonnet edges – a look that will also appear on the Vectra-replacing Insignia.

It will borrow the suspensions from the new Corsa and under the hood there will be a range of engines including the 1.3-litre and 1.7-litre CDTI diesels and a 1.6-litre turbo petrol. All models will be offered with stop-start technology to help to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions.

Sales will begin in early 2009.

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