The Vauxhall Vectra and Signum get facelifted so as to face such new ambitious rivals as the new VW Passat and Fiat Croma. The Vectra receives a re-styled front end, with a stretched bonnet, new grille and headlamps, and bumpers recalling those of the Astra. On the whole, the new Vectra looks more dynamic. It also receives a new CDTI 1.9 litre engine delivering 100bhp, which is provided by Fiat. We also note a new tuning of the front and rear suspension. More interesting is the IDSPlus chassis fitted with a Continuous Damping Control (CDC), i.e. electronically adaptive shock absorbers.
Inside, the top sections of the facia and doors receive a new trim while the instrument panel and air vents get rounded corners.
Vauxhall/Opel has sold more than 600,000 Vectras since 2002 and hopes to invert declining sales. As for the Signum, even though it’s more of a commercial failure than a success, it is not left aside. It receives new headlamps, stretched upwards, and a new supercharged 2.8 V6 engine delivering 230bhp, with a maximum torque of 330Nm at 1500rpm only. This unit allows the Signum to reach 155mph and accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 7.7 seconds. The evolution of its cabin is very similar to that of the Vectra.
The new Signum and Vectra sales will start next September.
Leave a Reply