Now I don't doubt for a minute that those people at GM do their research, but is there really a market for a Meriva VXR at £16.5k!!
From my experience, it is a certain type of buyer who will buy a Meriva, maybe not wanting full size Zafira type, but still wanting the flexibility. Perhaps for young kids, motability etc. But I really can't think of anyone who would want to go on twisty roads etc in such a car!
I believe there is about a grand difference between it and the Focus ST?
Is it maybe a case of GM have done this for the European equivalent model and so are, in reality, not investing much in doing the same to the Meriva?
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Working at the largest Vauxhall dealers in the Southwest I would have to say, erm, no. One sold so far.
Don't think there will be much of a market in Europe either to be fair.
The Meriva is a good car in normal form, but you're spot on BobbyG. I think it's Vauxhall wanting to offer VXR formats across the range although even they're not going to VXR the Agila!
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Is a Meriva VXR any more improbable than a Zafira VXR - or don't you sell many of those either?
Thinking about it, there's been a 'sport' option on most Vauxhalls from the days of the VX 4/90 in the 60s. Before World War 2 Vauxhalls had a much more sporting image than the family-repmobile image that they seem to have now (I'm not saying necessarily rightly, or I will be pilloried by all Vauxhallists on the forum from Dynamic Dave downwards!). The bonnets all had rather graceful 'fins' on each side.
Where I come from originally, near Farnham on the Surrey-Hants border, there were several eccentric old people who each quite independently drove those huge old 6-cylinder 30s Vauxhalls - someone will probably know what the model name was.
So maybe Vauxhall are continuing an old tradition as well as a marketing ploy.
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I have driven a 1.8 petrol Meriva and with 125 bhp is it really quite a sporty car with reasonable steering/handling bearing in mind its high C of G, reckon the 1.6 turbo 160bhp VXR would be quite fun though I agree it is over priced if it comes close to a Focus ST with its 225 bhp 2.4 5 cyl engine. Oh for a Focus ST estate or perhaps a C-Max ST!
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I agree with cheddar. Yes, there is a market, albeit not a big one. And I suppose I must be that market, because it appeals to me - as does the thought of a C-Max ST (or ST TDCi!)
But yes, it is overpriced. And while I like power and handling ability, I don't care for bling (e.g. the spoiler). So I won't be getting one.
What I really fancy though is a Berlingo VTS - at a Berlingo value-for-money price!
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What I really fancy though is a Berlingo VTS - at a Berlingo value-for-money price!
Citroen did a C3 VTR, which i would put in the same category as a Meriva VXR. Dunno if they're at Berlingo prices though.
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The problem with the C3 VTR is it's not exactly quick - it's only a 1.6 so wouldn't really be up there with a meriva VXR.
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The problem with the C3 VTR is it's not exactly quick - it's only a 1.6
The Meriva VXR is also only a 1.6 - with an added turbo though.
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I reckon they just do these cars to get in magazines for road tests etc.
Friend on mine tried to get a road test in the top of the range 3 litre Laguna a few yrs ago. Renault didn't have any in the UK. So he went to the Motor Show and button-holed a Renault Exec - the Exec told him that the car wasn't really meant to sell, it was simply a range-topping flagship.
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The problem with the C3 VTR is it's not exactly quick - it's only a 1.6 so wouldn't really be up there with a meriva VXR.
Sorry, should have qualified that: the category labelled "small car, aspirationally sporty". No-one's going to rave these things are they?
Meriva, yuk! Polishing a dogs mess IMO
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Yes yes, I agree. Lowered, big wide alloys, blacked out windows, and a "No Fear ... of running out of luggage space" sticker in the back.
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In reply to Avant, no not many Zafira VXRs either, though considerable interest and the cracking and popular Zafira GSi shows there's a market for the performance 7 seater.
I've driven the Zafira VXR and can confirm it's great. The extra weight tames the torquesteer a bit from the 240 BHP lump, but it's there if you want it. I'd liken it to a big Civic type R.
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