Opel Vectra 2.2 16V Elegance

At that time, the leading role was played by low purchase price, reliability and durability, as well as a dense and well-organized service network. And since, in the end, it is not the “customers” of these cars that are usually driven, but their subordinates, these features mean low maintenance costs, as well as the reliability and ease of maintenance of the company's vehicles.

And what does the new Opel Vectra have to do with it? Nothing on the one hand and everything on the other. Opels are on average affordable (barring even cheaper Koreans and the like) and therefore more affordable cars. This is also one of the reasons why we meet so many of them on the road. This brings us very close to the first requirement for Opel.

It is difficult to talk about reliability and durability in fourteen-day tests, but during this time not a single part fell out of the car, and even nothing "died". So we have no comments in this area (this time). As far as the service network is concerned, we have been taken care of relatively well, which means that if your car leaves you in trouble in Koper, you don't have to go to a service station in Ljubljana. With this in mind, potential companies looking for new company vehicles are sure to knock on the doors of Opel dealerships and ask for a new Vectra. But what can real users (not subscribers) of these cars with the new Opel hope for?

In terms of design, the Vectra has taken a step up from its predecessor. Some people like it, some don't, but it's still a matter of taste. They brought design elements into the interior that we already noticed in the (updated) Omega. Lots of perfectly flat and tight surfaces that accentuate the design without being overly versatile. At the same time, the dashboards wanted to breathe a bit of modernity by making flat surfaces touch sharp edges. This is especially noticeable in the perfectly flat center console and square levers on the steering wheel.

The dullness of the form is further emphasized by the excessive use of black or dark gray overlays. They tried to alleviate this with a forged wooden lath, but did not achieve the effect that the designers were probably hoping for.

The basic ergonomics in the cabin are good, the steering wheel and seat adjustability is also great, but the position of the body in the seat is not very comfortable.

Opel is particularly proud of the newly designed front seats, but we've already taken advantage of the redesigned seats that are also rivals and not just the two more expensive cars in this price range. This means that better seats can be made in this price range. The only really commendable feature of the new seats is the ability to fold the front passenger seat back, which allows you to carry objects 2 meters long when the rear (multiple third) of the back is folded down. Definitely a commendable and welcome feature that basically enhances the usability of the spacious trunk (67 liters). It could even be better if the opening obtained by folding the rear seatback was larger and, above all, of a regular (rectangular) shape. The ladder that forms the folded back of the rear seat with the bottom of the trunk also contributes.

Even while driving, the new Vectra turns out to be better than the old one, but its progress is not as great as we initially expected. Thus, the improved driving comfort is still unconvincing. At city speeds, comfort is improved as short bumps swallow much better than before. Good swallowing of short bumps also persists as speed increases, but the comfort or well-being of the passengers begins to suffer from another problem. This way, you will feel the chassis' susceptibility to alarming vibrations of the entire vehicle when driving on long road waves, especially on long journeys. The latter will give you a bit of adrenaline, even on twisty roads, where any dynamic driving combined with uneven surfaces will cause the car to vibrate violently, which can make it very difficult to steer in the right direction when cornering. bad land.

Overall, the Vectra's position is good, the slip limit is set high and the steering is accurate enough with too small a steering gear. When cornering, they are even more worried (in the case of a bad road) body sway and its significant tilt when cornering. However, it is also true that if you lose control, good brakes will still (perhaps) come to your rescue. Quadruple disc (front with forced cooling) and ABS-supported Vectro stops efficiently and reliably. This is once again confirmed by the rather short braking distance from 37 meters from a speed of 5 km per hour to the stopping point, which further enhances the good impression of the brakes.

Despite being reasonably secure on the road, the Vectra still does its best on the motorways. Average speeds can be very high, sound insulation is effective, so travel is comfortable from this point of view. Only the aforementioned susceptibility to body swing due to longitudinal road waves starts to move smoothly. In the test car, the driving task was performed by a 2-liter, four-cylinder, lightweight design with sixteen-valve technology, producing 2 kilowatts or 108 horsepower and 147 Newton meters of maximum torque.

The powertrain also consists of a five-speed transmission that sends the unit's power to the front wheels. The chassis is the part of the power source that feeds the front wheelset, so even quick acceleration out of corners rarely accompanies becoming an empty inner wheel. And even in these cases, the regular installation of the ESP system ensures that the situation calms down, but it cannot be turned off (safety!). Having mentioned the gearbox, we will also describe the gear lever that you operate it. Her movements are precise and quite short, but to the feeling of "emptiness" in her is added increased resistance to faster movement.

Such a motorized Vectra accelerated to 100 kilometers per hour, in test measurements at the plant they promised 10 seconds, and the arrow of its counter stopped at 2 kilometers per hour, even slightly higher than promised at the factory.

On the road, despite a slightly knocked-down torque curve, the unit exhibits useful agility that's not brutal, but still decisive enough to deliver good acceleration from idle onwards. So even occasional laziness with the gear lever shouldn't be confusing. He is also not embarrassed by late gear changes, since at 6500 rpm, the smooth speed limiter (electronics restricts fuel flow) stops further acceleration and thus protects the engine from unwanted damage that can be inappropriately greater than when used correctly. ...

When it comes to using a car, let's focus on its consumption. The test average was a few deciliters below eleven hundred kilometers of unleaded gasoline. Considering a little less than a ton and a half of the car's own weight and a good two liters of engine displacement, this is a perfectly acceptable result, which a version with a diesel engine would certainly mow, but that's another story. Jury rescuers who brake their right foot and decide to shift gear early can expect to consume just under nine liters, and in the worst case, they shouldn't refuel much more than a good 13 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers.

The new Vectra has definitely taken a step up from its predecessor, but the sad side of it all is that Oplovci must take at least two steps forward with their product. Particular attention should be paid to fine-tuning the chassis and improving the transmission (read: gearshift linkage).

In all other respects, the Vectra is a technically sound car, but this is not surprising in any area, and from this point of view it continues to be a “good, old and distinguished Opel”. Opel engineers, attention; you still have room for improvement. With these words in mind, in addition to the company's many more or less satisfied users, Opel executives can also count on more and more enthusiastic Opel fans who will always knock on the door of the Opel dealership. And not with the desire to buy a company car, but your own.

Peter Humar

PHOTO: Aleš Pavletič

Opel Vectra 2.2 16V Elegance

Basic data

Sales:	GM South East Europe
Base model price:	21.759,03 €
Test model cost:	25.329,66 €
Power:	108kW (147 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	10,2 with
Maximum speed:	216 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	8,6l / 100km
Guarantee:	1 year general warranty without mileage limitation

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Technical information

engine:	4-Cylinder - 4-Stroke - Inline - Gasoline - Center Mounted Transversely - Bore & Stroke 86,0 x 94,6mm - Displacement 2198cc - Compression Ratio 3:10,0 - Max Power 1kW (108 hp) at 147 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 5600 m / s - power density 17,7 kW / l (49,1 hp / l) - maximum torque 66,8 Nm at 203 rpm - crankshaft in 4000 bearings - 5 camshafts in the head (chain) - 2 valves per cylinder - block and head made of light metal - electronic multipoint injection and electronic ignition - liquid cooling 4 l - engine oil 7,1, 5,0 l - battery 12 V, 66 Ah - alternator 100 A - variable catalyst
Energy transfer:	front wheel motor drives - single dry clutch - 5-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 3,580; II. 2,020 hours; III. 1,350 hours; IV. 0,980; V. 0,810; reverse 3,380 - differential 3,950 - rims 6,5J × 16 - tires 215/55 R 16 V, rolling range 1,94 speed V. gear at 1000 rpm 36,4 km / h
Capacity:	top speed 216 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 10,2 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 11,9 / 6,7 / 8,6 l / 100 km (unleaded gasoline, elementary school 95)
Transportation and suspension:	sedan - 4 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - Cx = 0,28 - front single suspension, leaf springs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear single suspension, cross rails, longitudinal rails, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - dual circuit brakes , front disc (forced cooling), rear disc, power steering, ABS, EBD, rear mechanical parking brake (lever between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, power steering, 2,8 turns between extreme points
Mass:	empty vehicle 1455 kg - permissible total weight 1930 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake 1500 kg, without brake 725 kg - permissible roof load 100 kg
External dimensions:	length 4596 mm - width 1798 mm - height 1460 mm - wheelbase 2700 mm - front track 1523 mm - rear 1513 mm - minimum ground clearance 150 mm - driving radius 11,6 m
Inner dimensions:	length (dashboard to rear seatback) 1570 mm - width (at the knees) front 1490 mm, rear 1470 mm - height above the seat front 950-1010 mm, rear 940 mm - longitudinal front seat 930-1160 mm, rear seat 880 -640 mm - front seat length 470 mm, rear seat 500 mm - steering wheel diameter 385 mm - fuel tank 61 l
Box:	normal 500 l

Our measurements

T = 22 °C - p = 1010 mbar - rel. vl. = 58% - Mileage: 7455 km - Tires: Bridgestone Turanza ER30
Acceleration 0-100km:	10,2s
1000m from the city:	31,4 years ( 169 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	11,2 (IV.) S
Flexibility 80-120km / h:	17,0 (W) p
Maximum speed:	220km / h (V.)
Minimum consumption:	8,8l / 100km
Maximum consumption:	13,2l / 100km
test consumption:	10,7 l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h:	65,2m
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	37,5m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear	54dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear	53dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear	52dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear	62dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear	59dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear	59dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear	68dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear	64dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear	64dB
Test errors:	unmistakable

Overall rating (323/420)

• The evaluation confirmed once again: the Vectra is technically correct enough, but it simply does not have the nobility that is necessary to soften human feelings. The car does not suffer from underlined shortcomings, but at the same time it does not have shocking good points that would impress in use. Vectra continues to be a real Opel.

• Exterior (13/15)

  Body strokes are discreet and not noticeable enough to generate enthusiasm. The accuracy of execution is at a fairly high level.

• Interior (117/140)

  The ergonomics are good. The only equipment we lack is leather upholstery. The general state of health is good. The folding backrest of the front passenger seat will come in handy.

• Engine, transmission (32
  
  
  / 40)

  The average modern engine is "soft" but stable in acceleration. Sufficiently short and precise, but slightly resisting gear lever movements, do not like fast shifting.

• Driving performance (71
  
  
  / 95)

  The position and handling are good. On longer trips, he is worried about body swaying on longer road waves. The steering gear could be slightly more reversible.

• Performance (29/35)

  Currently, the most powerful engine on offer is not a sprint engine, nor does it protect high cruising speeds.

• Security (19/45)

  Braking is very effective, as evidenced by the short stopping distance. 6 airbags, ESP, xenon headlights and a rain sensor are standard.

• Economy

  A good 6 million tolars is a lot of money. But it is also true that the test machine was loaded with equipment. The limited warranty is a concern, as is the cost reduction.

We praise and reproach

ergonomics

brakes

position and appeal

equipment level

ESP serial

folding backrest of the front passenger seat

expandable trunk

body rocking on long road waves

noticeable tilt when cornering

ESP cannot be turned off

stepped bottom and oval opening of the enlarged barrel

useless front door pockets

too many switches on the driver's door