Vauxhall Signum CDTi150
If automotive history has taught us anything, its that playing safe pays. Bold, challenging designs like the original Fiat Multipla, the Renault Avantime and the Subaru SVX all fell flat on their faces while cars like the Toyota Corolla sold like hot cakes. Vauxhall have traditionally been held as one of the more conservative manufacturers but they too have built brilliant cars that have failed to take the market by storm the VX220 and safe designs such as the original Vectra that have always found a ready market. The Signum sees Vauxhall teasing the edges of many buyers comfort zones.
Striking and impossible to pigeonhole, the Signum has been significantly sweetened since the addition of Vauxhalls powerhouse CDTi150 diesel engine. Is it now a more palatable prospect for those traditionally too timid?
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The latest Signum, however, has been subjected to a facelift and the resulting sleek, angular front end should help it gain the attention of showroom browsers. Although the 3.0-litre CDTi is an awful lot of engine, it comes at quite a price, which is why the CDTi150 unit makes a whole lot more sense and could be the latest Signums trump card. As the moniker suggests, the CDTi150 unit fronts up with 150bhp more than enough to make a positive first impression.
It will accelerate to 60mph in ten seconds flat although flogging a diesel car off the line is in no way indicative of its muscularity through the gears. Its here where this particular Signum excels, feeling virtually as gutsy as the 3.0-litre V6 despite a whopping 61bhp deficit. Itll run on to a top speed of 131mph but the best part is that itll also return a combined fuel economy figure of 46.
3mpg. More importantly, this engine can generate a stump-pulling 315Nm of torque. Thats a lot of muscle under your right foot. It makes this Vectra feel stronger in the mid-range than cars like the Jaguar XJ6, the Porsche Boxster S and the Subaru Impreza WRX.
Thats an awful lot of muscle at your beck and call and theres an automatic option to help marshal it.
"The Signum causes furrowed brows like few other new vehicles"
Prices start at £20,550 for the Exclusiv trim level, rising to £21,395 for the Elegance, £22,085 for the Design and topping out at £24,535 for the Elite. All models, including the entry-level Exclusiv, receive satallite navigation while standard equipment on the Elegance runs to six airbags, cruise control, multi-adjustable front seats, a trip computer, anti-lock brakes, a CD autochanger, rear window sunblinds, and 16-inch alloys. Even on the first steps of the Signum podium, Vauxhall have gone to great lengths to make it feel special. If you opt for the Design model, youll find 17-inch rims, rain sensing wipers, lowered suspension, platinum interior detailing, sport seats, part leather trim and dark tinted glass for the back passenger windows.
The range-topping Elite adds the Travel Assistant, electrically adjustable heated front seats, full leather, different 17-inch alloy wheels and a colour monitor with split-screen facility for the sat nav . Vauxhall also offer some intriguing options such as swivelling headlights dubbed Adaptive Forward Lighting. Based on a stretched Vectra chassis, the Signum may claim to offer something new but in certain respects sticks to a well-worn formula. Vauxhall have twigged that cars that offer additional versatility such as the Zafira and the Meriva are the ones that are cornering increasingly big shares of their respective markets.
Part of the reason for this is because they have offered a level of utility that many rivals in general, and Ford in particular, have been unable to match. Meanwhile the more mainstream models, whilst maintaining share against the rest, have seen the total market size nibbled away. Therefore it made sense to attempt to offer innovative and versatile cars in as many shapes and forms as possible and the Signum is a new take on this recipe. One of the key features that Vauxhall seem very proud of is the Signums so-called 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 a mere £200 on the Elegance and Design trim levels that constitute the Signum line up. 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. At first, we were a little unsure of exactly who would buy the Signum. In truth we still are but with this CDTi150 engine under the bonnet, at least the car makes plenty of sense.
Its an intriguing proposition and will doubtless provoke the occasional Eureka moment among those who fall through the gaps in more tradition vehicle marketing. One suspects that as good as it is, the Signum CDTi150 will always be filed under Speciality Interest.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Vauxhall Signum CDTi150 range
PRICES: £20,550-£24,535 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-11
CO2 EMISSIONS: 165g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 131mph / 0-60mph 10s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 46.3mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and roof airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4636/1798/1466mm
