Body style: Van
Segment: Small MPV
Production years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
General Motors decided to give its small-segment minivan Meriva a boost on the European market and the UK version, named Vauxhall Meriva VXR, received a turbocharged engine under the hood.
Based on the same platform as the Vauxhall Corsa, the Meriva family was the kind of vehicle able to carry a whole family around with enough room for everything. It could take four adults inside and provide a spacious trunk to store the family's groceries for a week. But when the carmaker decided to upgrade it with a more powerful engine, the Meriva VXR became a fast grocery-getter.
The exterior design for the 2003 Meriva VXR benefited from a few styling upgrades. Its grille got a new mesh design with a hexagonal pattern, inspired by sports cars, while the front bumper received a lower apron with an integrated, reversed trapezoidal air intake flanked by a pair of fog lights. In addition, since there was a more powerful engine, the carmaker had to install bigger light-alloy wheels, shod with wider, stickier tires than on the rest of the range.
Inside, the high-mounted seats specific for a minivan didn't offer that sporty driving position, but the high-bolstered areas were a promise for adequate side support during high-speed cornering maneuvers. Vauxhall enhanced the driver's area with a VXR-badged sporty steering wheel and red circles around the speedometer and tachometer. Yet, it offered the same rubber-covered pedals.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6i 6MT (180 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1598 cm3 |
Power: | 132 KW @ 5500 RPM 180 HP @ 5500 RPM 177 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 170 lb-ft @ 3850 RPM 230 Nm @ 3850 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 137 mph (220 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205/45R17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 159.1 in (4041 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 63.9 in (1623 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.1/57.5 in (1,450/1,461 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 103.5 in (2629 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.6 cuFT (357 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2921.1 lbs (1325 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3935.9 lbs (1785 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 22.6 mpg US (10.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 37.3 mpg US (6.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 30.1 mpg US (7.8 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 187 g/km |