ROAD TEST - OPEL VECTRA 1.8XE COMFORT: It's the latest arrival at the party and eyes are turning. Opel's long-awaited new Vectra is a strong and interesting contender in a field which includes the Mondeo, the Primera, the Laguna, the Passat and the C5. Andrew Hamilton found it a highly enjoyable mixture of conservative tradition and contemporary style.
You have to feel sorry for the volume manufacturers sometimes. Designing a car for the masses is becoming a more difficult, awkward job. The trouble is that they have got to be more than just very good, such is the strength of the opposition.
Opel's new Vectra range is now filtering into Irish showrooms, and not before time. Already Ford, Renault, Volkswagen, Citroën and Nissan have launched their rivals, mostly to a torrent of praise, while the old Vectra has languished, unloved and largely forgotten.
But now this new family and fleet car from Opel is the newest thing on the block and we have been driving it in its everyday manifestation, the 1.8 litre version with the Comfort specification which is one rung up from the basic or entry-level Club model at €25,550 ex-works. (The basic car, which also has a 1.8 litre unit developing 122 bhp, is €23,950 ex-works).
Before we go behind the wheel of the new Vectra, maybe it's worth having the briefest of looks at the rivals and their strong points: the Ford Mondeo scores highest on handling, which is just plain fun; the Renault Laguna majors on style, comfort, refinement and safety; the Nissan Primera, also renowned for its handling, has the most innovative cabin and the best gadgets; the VW Passat still has the best build and image; and the Citroën C5 offers its remarkable air spring ride and vast cabin.
So, what does the new Vectra bring to the party? We thought our Comfort saloon was quite a handsome model in metal and so did at least four other people who stopped us: all said they liked the looks.
One man who is driving the old Vectra thought it had the right mix of the conservative and the radical in its design. The most salient features are the jewel-effect lamps, front and rear, and a distinguishing strip of chrome at the base of the bootlid. The overall impression is a handsome though conservative profile.
It comes with steel monocoque construction, being based on General Motors' new Epsilon platform. It's bigger than the outgoing car in every dimension and claims 76 per cent greater rigidity, to the benefit of handling, refinement and crash performance. To minimise the consequent weight gain, 7 per cent of the sheet metal is aluminium: magnesium is also extensively used.
But the most obvious benefit is in the cabin. The new Vectra is noticeably bigger inside than the old car, and the driving position, switchgear and perception of quality have all made similar leaps.
Drivers will have an easier job getting comfortable: the wheel now adjusts for both reach and rake and the driver's seat base can be adjusted for height and tilt.
The switchgear owes much to the bigger Omega, but that's no bad thing. The stereo and heating and ventilation controls are elegant and logical. Best of all is the panel on the driver's door which puts the controls for the windows, mirrors, door locks and bootlid just where you want them. Rear passengers are well accommodated.
The front seats are firm and supportive, but thin, freeing up knee-room behind. You would have to be a six-footer before your head would rub the roof. More space for big feet under the front seats would be welcome. The boot is colossal.
Next to its rivals, the Vectra's interior is a fine effort. It may lack the radicalism of the Primera or the flair of the Laguna, but it matches them on quality and many drivers will prefer its more conventional layout. Only the Mondeo offers better seats or more space in the rear, though the latter comes at the expense of an extra 135 mm in length.
The changes made to the Vectra's moving parts are not as significant as those to its structure. The suspension layout of MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear is carried over, but the struts have been reworked to improve handling. Hydraulic steering has been replaced by electrical assistance.
On the road, the Vectra drives with ease and flair. Settled at a 60 mph-plus cruise, the engine is almost inaudible and the tyre and suspension rumble are well-muted too. The feeling of calm is reinforced by the steering which offers well-judged and consistent weight. It's accurate and the front end follows the driver's chosen line with tenacity.
As for the engine, it pulls acceptably from low engine speeds but doesn't feel quick. Slipping down a gear is necessary to maintain momentum.
Ride quality is good. The noise and jolt from obstacles such as road studs and expansion joints are well suppressed and it's comfortable also when the going is on boreen surfaces. The Laguna has been a title holder for ride comfort but the Vectra matches it.
We did well with fuel consumption: our overall return was 37.2 mpg. That was achieved on a long journey with little traffic. In more normal conditions, we still think consumption would be well over 30 mpg.
With the Comfort specification, standard features include air conditioning and eight-way adjustment on both front seats. Remote controls for the CD and audio system are on the steering wheel, while a triple info display gives the time, date and outside air temperature.
There's more to this new Vectra than meets the eye. Next year, there will be a much different Vectra at a higher price. That front-wheel-drive Epsilon chassis platform on which the Vectra is based, allows more flexibility than its predecessor.
By stretching the wheelbase five inches, Opel will not only produce the most spacious estate in the Vectra's class 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.
Back to the present. The new Vectra is a better driver's car. It's better packaged, there's more space and it has a strong presence. It's the latest arrival at the party and, like those earlier arrivals, is accomplished.