2002 Vectra

GM Europe today revealed details of the 2002 Vectra. The new Vectra debuts next March at the Geneva Motor Show, with production beginning in January at Opel's Rüsselsheim plant. Production of the hatchback model begins at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant in April.

The Vectra will be launched as a four-door sedan and five door hatchback and with two four-cylinder ECOTEC petrol engines producing 90 kW/124 PS and 108 kW/147 PS, and diesels producing 74 kW/100 PS and 92 kW/125 PS. New to the Vectra is a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift function. Additional body-styles, engines and gearboxes will be added over the next two years.

Design of the new Vectra follows GM's new international styling theme introduced progressively with the Astra, Corsa and the recent Signum² concept. With a longer wheelbase (+ 60mm), wider track (+ 52mm front and + 48mm rear) and a higher roof (+ 36mm), the new model offers significantly more interior space than its predecessor, while efficient aerodynamics and sophisticated sound suppression make the new Vectra particularly quiet, both inside and out.

Under the skin Vectra features a new integrated electronics system, intelligent Electronic Climate Control with air quality sensor, a wide range of communication and entertainment systems, eight-way adjustable front seats, rain sensor and park-pilot.

Passive safety equipment includes — as standard — front, side and full-size Curtain Airbags, patented Pedal Release System and further improved Active Head Restraints for protection from whiplash injuries.

GM has spent 800 million Euros upgrading the Rüsselsheim plant in preparation for Vectra production, and a further £200 million investment at Ellesmere Port. GM Europe is optimistic that the progressive increase in production capacity at Ellesmere Port and Rüsselsheim will pave the way for the Vectra's return to the top of the European midsize segment, but the new model faces tough competition from the new Ford Mondeo, VW Passat and Renault Laguna.

GM Europe today revealed further details of the 2002 Vectra. The Vectra will be launched with five engine options listed below. The 155 kW 3.2 L ECOTEC V6, as featured in the Cadillac CTS, will be exclusive to the Vectra GTS hatch, described by Opel as a coupé-like sports sedan. Base models will offer the 1.8 L ECOTEC I4 with 90 kW/122 PS. The new five-speed auto is offered with both gasoline and diesel 2.2 L engines and the 3.2 L V6, and features a Tiptronic-style gear selection in a second gate Opel calls "Active SELECT." There are actually two new five-speed autos — the AF 23-5 matched with the 2.2 L gasoline engine and the 330 Nm AF 33-5 matched with the 2.2 L direct-injection turbodiesel and the 3.2 L V6. From September 2002 1.8 L gasoline-engined Vectras will be available with an optional CVT produced by Fiat-GM Powertrain, the same unit used in the Saturn Vue. The CVT unit is suitable for engines up to 180Nm, and can operate in three different modes — infinitely variable, 6-speed auto and 6-speed Active SELECT.

A great deal of attention has been paid to the vehicle dynamics and body structure with this new platform. The use of light-weight alloys and specialty steels has been greatly increased, combined with a detailed structural analysis to increase stiffness without adding greatly to the vehicle's weight. The result is a body structure with a torsional rigidity 74% higher, and bending rigidity 62% higher than the current model, already a fairly solid car.