Vauxhall SIGNUM RANGE
Vauxhall Is Building Quite A Reputation For Building Some Of The Most Versatile Cars On The Market. Does The Signum Continue That Trend? Andy Enright Reports
Creating a new class of car is always a gamble. There tend to be three inevitable results. Either you get in first and it pays off big (think
Renault Espace) or youre first to market but someone subsequently does it a whole lot better (hello
Toyota Picnic). Or you fall spectacularly on your face and everybody laughs at you (
Suzuki X90).
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Vauxhall claim their Signum ploughs an entirely new furrow and, if their claim is to believed, theyve just upped the ante quite considerably.
Trouble is, do we buy into their assertion? Neither saloon, MPV nor estate, the Signum could conceivably fall between these stools, satisfying few customers and selling in similar numbers to the car that most closely approximates its design ethos- the
Renault Vel Satis. There are certainly styling cues around the truncated back end that are reminiscent of the big Renault and the Vauxhall even borrows an engine from it in the shape of the range-topping 3.0-litre TDI V6 diesel. Its no great secret that the Vel Satis has been a disaster for Renault in terms of sales.
The Signum had better offer something extra. 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. Priced from £18,645 to £26,650, the well-equipped Signum range tacks between £1,000 and £2,000 onto the prices of broadly equivalent Vectra models, a chunky premium for exactly what? 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.
"Its all rather civilised, much like flying window
seat in Club class"
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. No fewer than eight engines are offered.
The 120bhp 1.8-litre petrol and the 100bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel are tried and tested powerplants, as is the 211bhp 3.2-litre V6 petrol unit.
Of more interest is a 2.2-litre direct injection petrol engine Vauxhalls very first which cranks out 155bhp and promises real world fuel savings and hefty torque. The other option if you want an even punchier petrol engine isnt quite so sophisticated but nevertheless may well prove the most popular choice, a 2.0-litre turbo four, good for 175bhp and seen in the
Saab 9-3 line up.
Also borrowed from Saab and Renault is the 177bhp 3.0-litre CDTi V6 diesel which marks the top of the Signum tree this common-rail unit has recently been joined by 120 and 150bhp versions of a 1.9-litre CDTi engine which further boost the Signums diesel credentials. 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 on the entry-level model runs to six airbags, cruise control, multi-adjustable front seats, a trip computer, anti-lock brakes, a CD autochanger, rear window sunblinds, rain sensing wipers, 16-inch alloys and, perhaps most impressive of all, Satellite navigation.
Even on the first step 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, 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 curious tortoiseshell theme for the dash finish. Vauxhall also offer some intriguing options such as swivelling headlights dubbed Adaptive Forward Lighting.
Is it enough to spur on a host of copycats? We suspect not. Although Vauxhall may have hoped to plunder a big market with the Signum, the audience for mainstream badges at these prices has traditionally been small. Its an interesting proposition, and it deserves to do well, but it may just be the answer to a question too few have thought to ask.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Vauxhall Signum range
PRICES: £18,645-£26,650 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 8-15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 159-242g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.0T petrol] Max Speed 137mph / 0-60mph 8.4s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.2 Direct petrol] (combined) 34.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and roof airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4636/1798/1466mm
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