2010 Opel Meriva Revealed In Leaked Images, Australian Availability Unclear

FOLLOWING SPY PHOTOS captured early last year, new official images of the upcoming 2010 Opel Meriva have surfaced online today.

While the production Meriva appears to have retained much of the 2008 concept's styling, most surprising is the rear-hinged rear passenger door layout - a feature last year's spy photos cleverly disguised.

Despite simplified headlight and taillight housings and the more conventional door handles, the production Meriva's look is largely unchanged from the stylish concept first revealed at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

Originally scheduled to debut at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Meriva is likely to bow at Geneva in March, with European sales to begin shortly after.

Opel has yet to reveal specific technical details, but small turbo-charged petrol and diesel engines producing between 55kW to 105kW are expected.

The Meriva is built on an extended version of the platform used by the Opel Corsa - a model that could have been sold locally as the next generation Barina, if not for Holden's move to a line-up lead largely by models sourced from Daewoo.

Similarly, the Meriva is unlikely to appear on Australian roads, however TMR is awaiting comment from Holden today.