Vauxhall Signum 2.8-Litre
Vauxhall can quite justifiably claim that their Signum inaugurated a completely new market sector when it was launched back in 2003. Unfortunately, demand for executive hatchbacks didnt really materialise in the manner hoped and the other marques scrambling to jump aboard the Signums rather lonely bandwagon have been noticeable by their absence. Soldiering on in its market sector of one, at least the Signum can lay claim to 100% of sales and a certain leftfield appeal to attract buyers disillusioned by the copycat mainstream. With the lusty 2.
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With 2.8-litres of capacity divided between six-cylinders, variable valve control and a twin scroll turbocharger, the Signums range-topping engine is a serious piece of kit. Its the same unit that delivers the 276bhp punch in the Vectra VXR and that has found its way into various range-topping Saabs. In this instance, its producing 250bhp, enough to get the Signum through the 0-60mph time trial in 6.
8s and to bounce the car off its artificial limiter at 155mph. To put this performance into perspective, the Signum 2.8T is quicker than a Volkswagen Golf GTI and on a par with the Honda Civic Type-R. If you want to go faster in one of the German compact executive models that the Signum aims to wrestle sales from, youll need a BMW 330i, an Audi A4 3.
2FSI or a Mercedes C350, all of which command price-tags that pepper the £30K barrier. The 2.8-litre Turbo Vauxhall Signum is available from £23,200.
"Vauxhalls Signum appeals to buyers willing to look beyond the mainstream"
Its unfair to make these kinds of comparisons without mentioning the big D and the theres no doubt that depreciation is a major Achilles heel for the Signum in this company. The German models are significantly better investments over a typical ownership period but company car users who can stomach the fuel consumption and CO2 taxation hit of a big petrol-engined estate car could make a case for the Signum. If youre interested, you can expect an average return of 25mpg and to be taxed on emissions of 260g/km but that boy racer beating performance and creamy V6 growl might be consolation enough. The Signums unorthodoxy stems primarily from its layout.
The flagship model in the Vauxhall range, it aims to offer greater interior flexibility than your common or garden compact executive estate. After years spent pedalling the Omega saloon and largely failing to break into the German-dominated big time, Vauxhall surmised that competing head-on against such products without a prestige badge to break the ice with buyers was a fruitless exercise. This is why the Signum hatchback offers something different. It sits on an extended Vectra estate chassis and features the clever FlexSpace seating concept.
This allows the outer rear pair of seats to slide back and forth, allowing a trade off between legroom and luggage capacity. Whats more, these seats can also recline to a 30-degree angle. Although it makes a big play of its spaciousness, the Signum works best as a four, rather than five seater. The central berth in the back is rather hard and Vauxhall dont recommend it for anyone over 510" tall but it does have its uses. The cushion flips through 180-degrees, revealing cup holders and storage boxes. It can also accommodate the Travel Assistant, another Vauxhall invention thats standard on the range-topping Elite but costs a little extra on other variants. The Travel Assistant offers the two rear seat passengers a pair of folding tables, a fridge, a litter tub, cup holders, a 12v power outlet and a holder for a portable DVD player.
Its all rather civilised, much like flying window seat in Club class. There are even overhead lockers in which to stow oddments, Vauxhall providing five flock-lined, silicon-damped storage compartments up top for small items such as sunglasses and mobile phones. The Vectra platform has actually proved quite a good foundation from which to sprout the Signum. Fundamentally wide, it allows a number of features to be built into the chunky centre console which subsequently means that the buttons dont need to be the size of pinheads, something youll appreciate when trying to adjust the controls.
Vauxhall have helped by mounting a number of controls on the steering wheel, itself infinitely adjustable. Although some of the plastics may disappoint those who expect a genuine premium car, its nevertheless on a par with cars like the Volvo S80 and whisper it modern Mercs. Standard equipment runs to colour screen satellite navigation, 17" alloy wheels, air-conditioning, six airbags and an eight-way adjustable drivers seat. Customers considering the 2.8-litre Turbo engine get the choice of plusher Design or Elite trims. If you opt for the Design model, youll find lowered suspension, platinum interior detailing, part leather trim and dark tinted glass for the back passenger windows.
The range-topping Elite adds the Travel Assistant, full leather and climate control. Vauxhall also offer some intriguing options such as swivelling headlights dubbed Adaptive Forward Lighting. The Design features a six speed manual gearbox and the Elite a six speed automatic but both models feature ESP Plus stability control to help them deploy all that power safely. Definitely not an obvious choice, Vauxhalls Signum appeals to buyers willing to look beyond the mainstream.
Equip it with the 250bhp 2.8 Turbo engine and you have an understated and practical family car with a luxurious feel and a turn of pace that will embarrass many more overtly sporting machines. Vauxhalls executive hatchback is never likely to sell in massive numbers but it will continue to strike a chord with people seeking this unusual blend of qualities.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Vauxhall Signum 2.8-litre Turbo
PRICES: from £23,200-£25,710 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 254g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 155mph / 0-60mph 6.8s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 26mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and roof airbags / ABS / ESP Plus
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4636/1798/1466mm
