General Motors Vectra

General Motors Vectra
Vauxhall / Opel / Holden
aka	Vauxhall Vectra Holden Vectra (until Series 2)
Production	1995 - 2009
Class	European D-Segment car
Body Style	Saloon, Hatchback and Estate
Length	4611 mm (Hatchback)
Width	2036 mm
Height	1460 mm
Wheelbase	2700 mm (Hatchback)
Weight
Transmission	5 speed manual; 6 speed manual; 4 speed automatic; 5 speed automatic
Engine	Various petrols and diesels
Power
Similar	Alfa Romeo 155/156/159 BMW 3 Series Citroen BX/Xantia/C5 Ford Sierra/Mondeo Honda Accord Hyundai Sonata Jaguar X-Type Kia Magentis Mazda 626/6 Mercedes-Benz 190/C-Class Nissan Bluebird/Primera Peugeot 405/406/407 Renault 21/Laguna Rover 600/75 Carina/Carina E/Avensis Volkswagen Passat
Designer

The Vauxhall Vectra (virtually identical to the Opel Vectra sold in most European countries other than Great Britain) has been around for some years now. The first mid-size Vauxhall to be sold in Britain with the Vectra name was launched in 1995, and replaced the Cavalier. From launch the car was available as a saloon, hatchback or estate.

The 1995 model was essentially a re-skin of the previous Cavalier, sharing much of the under the skin engineering with its predecessor. The new model launched in 2002 was radically different. Bigger, and better in almost every way, Vauxhall finally had a competitive car in this segment. It received a face lift in Autumn 2005, which further sharpened the car up.

The Vectra was replaced in 2008 by the all-new Insignia, which has a smaller boot, is virtually identical and looks more sporty.

See Autopedia's comprehensive General_Motors_Vectra Review.

Pricing

This is only a selected range so far.

MODEL Trims
1.8i Exclusiv 5dr	1.8i Life 5dr	1.8i Design 5dr	1.8i SRi 5dr	2.8 V6 VXR 5dr
Retail Price
£14,795	£16,250	£17,900	£17,120	£24,395
Invoice

Fuel Consumption

They are as follows:

Engine - Manual(Auto)
1.8i	2.2i	2.0 Turbo	2.8 V6 Auto only	2.8 V6 VXR	1.9 CDTi (120)	1.9 CDTi (150)	3.0 CDTi
MPG
38.6mpg	37.6mpg	32.8mpg	(25.9mpg)	27.1mpg	49.5mpg	48.7mpg	40.9mpg

Reliability

It has to be said that this is not considered to be one of the Vectra's strong points. It has regularly faired poorly in the usual annual car reliability surveys, usually well down in the bottom half.

Photos

Vauxhall Vectra 1.jpg

Main Competitors

Ford Mondeo

Citroen C5

Honda Accord

Volkswagen Passat

Volvo S80

Citroen Xantia

Hybrid Models

Sadly not, though apparently its replacement, the Insignia, will have a hybrid option.

Resale Values

Trim
Trim1	Trim2	Trim3	Trim4
MPG
$	$	$	$

Criticisms

At the start of the car’s Top Gear roadtest in 1995, Jeremy Clarkson called the car a “box on wheels” after getting the order to do a 5 minute roadtest on it.

In 1998, a Top Gear customer satisfaction survey condemned the Vauxhall Vectra as the least satisfying car to own in Britain because it had such a bland interior.

"There is a word to describe this car: it begins with an 's' and ends with 't', and it isn't soot.(Vauxhall Vectra VXR)" Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear

Previous Generations

(Fill in as many as appropriate. Add more if necessary)

Worldwide

The Vectra is available as an Opel in most European countries, including the Republic of Ireland.

Holden had built Vectras in the Elizabeth Park Plant for the Australian market in 1999 but sales were below Holden's expectations and production ceased in 2003. Sedan and wagon versions have been built but hatchbacks were imported.

External Links

• Opel Vectra Official Homepage German