One of Ireland's best-known family and fleet cars is about to get a new shape. The Opel Vectra, which is now over six years old, has been under pressure recently, mainly from new models such as the Ford Mondeo, Renault Laguna and Citroen C5. All are raising the game among mid-sized saloons and hatchbacks.
The new Vectra, which will go on sale here in a few months time, looks much more striking than the current model, a car some of us feel aged prematurely. In its new form it is four inches longer and has a longer wheelbase. These increases have gone into the cabin so, in terms of space, the new Vectra is quite competitive, although the Mondeo still has the edge in rear-seat legroom.
Most impressive is the new style, inside and out.
The influence is undoubtedly German and the clean, tailored exterior lines and neat interior are more suggestive of an Audi rather than an Opel.
Initially, there will be a range of three petrol and two diesel engines. The petrol engines are 1.8 litre 122 bhp; 2.2 litre 147 bhp and 3.2 litre 211 bhp. The 3.2, which is a V6, powers the mighty 150 mph Vectra GSi.
The standard transmission is a five-speed manual, but there is a new automatic, also with five speeds, while continuously variable transmission will be available as an option for the 1.8 in 2003. New Vectra is a higher quality car with more standard equipment, but according to Opel sources it is unlikely to be more expensive than the present range.
However, by 2003, there will be a special Vectra at a higher price. The General Motors' front-wheel-drive Epsilon chassis platform, on which the Vectra is based, allows more flexibility than its predecessor. By stretching the wheelbase by five inches, Opel will produce not only the most spacious estate in the Vectra's class (on sale from autumn 2003) but also an additional model that is different from anything the competition has to offer.
The Signum is a long, low five-door hatchback designed to seat four people in space and comfort. The rear seats slide backwards and forwards, recline and can be folded to form a flat floor.
What does it mean for Opel's top-of-the-range Omega? With its greater space and longer wheelbase, the new Vectra would seem to make a future Omega redundant. However, Carl-Peter Forster, Opel's new chairman, says there will be a top model to replace the Omega in 2004. Intriguingly, he adds that it won't be a traditional saloon or estate, and it won't have a Signum profile either.