Vauxhall VECTRA 2.2i RANGE
Want A Snapshot Of Just How Far The Family Medium Range Sector Has Come? Try The Volume 2.2-Litre Petrol Version Of Vauxhalls Latest Vectra. Jonathan Crouch Does Just That
Youre pretty spoiled if you or your company decide to buy a Medium Range Family sector car these days. Mondeo, Primera, Laguna, Passat youd be delighted with any one of them. But a
Vauxhall Vectra? Well yes, in Second Generation form, you ought to be very happy with one of those as well.
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Vauxhall had fallen seriously behind the game with this cars predecessor which was too small, too bland and too forgettable to drive. All these failings have, as you would expect, been addressed head-on with the latest Vectra. Successfully? Well, for most potential buyers, judgement day will come at the wheel of the volume 2.2-litre petrol model featured here.
The 2.2-litre 147bhp petrol engine is, as it happens, just about the only thing that isnt new about this car. Still, since this unit was only fitted to the old model for the last year of its life, we can overlook that. Anyway, its a good engine the same in fact as that fitted to the VX220 sportscar and, less auspiciously, to Zafira, and Signum models.
Being 200cc larger than the class 2.0-litre norm, its not surprising to find this car boasting class-leading performance. You dont necessarily see that in the traditional 0-60mph and maximum speed figures (10.0s and 133mph) but you certainly do when it comes to an unrivalled torque output of 150lb ft.
That means strong pulling power right the way through the rev range and easy overtaking ability.
"Add up its virtues and overall, it makes a lot of sense"
Unfortunately, the same cant be said either of fuel consumption (around 4mpg behind class-leading Mondeo and Laguna models) and CO2 emissions (also higher than those of rivals, which could have tax implications). Still, as your Vauxhall dealership will doubtless point out, tight pricing tends to compensate, as do more generous equipment levels. Trim derivations are much as before, though a plush mid-range Design variant has been added. As usual, there will be a lot of marketing emphasis on the sporty SRi 2.
2-litre petrol version (which in the past, has accounted for a significant proportion of sales). Plus there are 1.9, 2.0 and 3.
0-litre diesel options if you want them. As usual, theres the choice between saloon, five-door hatchback and estate bodystyles. A more versatile Signum variant is also available with a clever interior seating arrangement that Vauxhall claims to set new trends in this market. As for those looks well, everyone will have their own opinion but at least this generation of Vectra makes a distinctive statement.
Not as bold a one as that of, say, a
Renault Laguna or a
Nissan Primera. Still, its a sight more interesting than that of a
Ford Mondeo. This middle ground stance will probably suit the majority of buyers, who should also be more than happy once they get inside. The rear
seat space in particular has improved substantially.
Only VWs Passat matches the cabin for trim quality, fit and finish another way of saying that this feels like a car from the next class up. In keeping with this approach, much of the switchgear has been borrowed from the larger Omega. In fact, theres only one major interior annoyance. Whoever decided that the indicator stalk needed reinventing should be painfully reminded otherwise.
The way the boot stays locked when the car isnt is also pretty annoying, but at least you can see some reason behind that. Youll want to know about the handling or at least you will if youre not a typical Vectra customer. The answer is that, like the styling, it falls somewhere in the middle of the class norm. Mind you, thats pretty darn good these days and will represent a revelation for previous Vectra owners trading up.
Lessons have clearly been learnt, with unsprung weight having been taken out of the suspension set-up through the use of aluminium componentry. The track has also been made wider to aid stability. Where this Vectra really cant be bettered however, is in terms of ride and refinement: its the sort of car you feel you could drive all day in. New electro-hydraulic power steering has a lot more feel (though still not enough). Then theres a body thats 60% torsionally stiffer, contributing to low body roll and sharp response on the twisty stuff. Its at this point you might also experience ESP+, Vauxhalls stability control system, assuming youve got it fitted.
Conventional stability programmes can leave you stranded by cutting the power and braking when you need motion most. This one cuts in more carefully. Inside, the Vectra now has much more showroom appeal and more space, thanks to a shape that is 100mm longer, 50mm wider and 50mm higher. In order to create a more airy feeling inside, the rear seat passengers sit 20mm higher than those at the front.
The width of the platform also allows a wider range of features to be built into the chunky centre console. Plus it 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. Rain sensitive wipers, parking radars front and rear, tyre pressure monitors and an electronic child seat detector that disables the airbag are features which were often previously the preserve of upmarket executive offerings.
In summary, the most popular Vectra deserves to be a more popular choice in a marketplace full of very talented cars. Ride and refinement apart, it doesnt strike you as a class leader in any particular area but add up the points and overall, it makes a lot of sense. And sensible virtues have always sold Vectras.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Vauxhall Vectra 2.2i 16v petrol range
PRICES: £16,125-£21,245
INSURANCE GROUP: 10
CO2 EMISSIONS: 206g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 133mph / 0-60mph 10.0s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 23.7mpg / (extra urban) 42.2mpg / (combined) 32.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4596/1798/1460mm [4dr]
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