GM Motor India Ltd introduced its Opel-Vectra 2.2 on Indian Road. The Vectra is powered by one of Opel’s most popular and accomplished units: the 2.2-litre twin-cam engine. This ECOTEC unit, which has been tuned to meet Euro IV emission norms, has won accolades for its well-rounded abilities. The Vectra follows the Germanic design theme current in European design, with strong lines, discreet surfacing and an impression of moderation. Key elements of its design style are a high bonnet line, generously emphasized shoulders and a vertical kink in the C-pillar. The valvetrain features chain driven dual overhead cams which operate four valves per cylinder. The 2198cc engine is good for a maximum power of 145bhp at 5600rpm and 203Nm of torque.  It gets up to 150kmph in less than 28 seconds and gets to the quarter mile mark in 18 seconds, at a speed of 126kmph. It gets to a top speed of 197kmph with just a little bit of coaxing.

 

The vertically oriented headlamps look very modern and the use of separate projector lamps gives the headlamp cluster a classy look. The slab-like rear is characterized by a sudden crease upward that carries on with the tail lamps. It has a host of features like anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), cornering brake control (CBC) and traction control (TC) — all bundled into the car’s interactive driving system or IDC. It also boasts air pressure sensors that display a warning if any tyre experiences a pressure drop and the park display control (PDC) system beeps when the car gets too close to any object. The nice looking 16-inch alloys are shod with 215/55 R16 rubber. The CBC selectively brakes individual wheels thus quelling the understeer. Though you cannot feel bad roads, the road noise in terms of the roar from the tyres and the thunks of the suspension are too intrusive.

 

The large protruding air dam/front bumper combine are intended to make it appear low slung and sporty they just make the car a little ungainly and the crease that runs down the centre of the bonnet all the way down to the bumper seems to be a sad attempt at giving it a look of intimidating speed and power. The front of the car is quite sad but the rear is even worse. The high and ungainly rear falls sharply or rather in a near vertical. The ultrasonic sensors for the parking pilot system are located on the bumpers - four each in the front and rear bumper. 

 

There is adequate storage space in the glove box and door bins and cup-holders pop out from between the rear seats. The turn indicator stalks and the switchgear pod for the electric mirrors and power windows can get confusing. The extremely comfortable seats seem to be designed for six-footers. But important features like leather trim and electric seat adjustments are not provided.  Short drivers will find it necessary to crank up the seat height to peer over the high-set steering wheel. 

 

The Vectra chassis has been designed and built with future standards in mind and as a result is among the stiffest, providing an instant ride and handling advantage to the big Opel.  The engine, a 2.2-litre twin cam, is a cut above the rest in terms of noise levels and it has an electronic throttle that does away with the link between the pedal and the throttle butterfly.

 

The suspension too is part of the newly developed architecture and incorporates many lightweight components like the check rail, axle journals, wheel carriers and brake calipers which are all made of aluminium. The front suspension features the traditional MacPherson struts but is mounted on a hydro-formed subframe and attached to the body using a large-volume four swelling system. This helps in achieving precise wheel control and higher lateral strength. One hydraulic bearing bush per slanting link with high radial-absorption is used to reduce rolling noises and the effects of wheel imbalance while the two-phase strut bearings and a slightly curved spring axis make the suspension insensitive to lateral forces, improving shock absorber response and thereby, ride quality.

 

Fuel economy is adversely affected and the engine has to work hard to move 1.4 tonnes of mass. It gives an inter-city average of 7kpl and on the highway it returns 10.5kpl.

 

It has a very interesting information display screen sat bang in the middle of the central console. It displays all manner of information - from the Phillips music system to the trip computer - and is controlled by a button on the right steering stalk. Outside temperature, the touring range available, as well as the amount of fuel being currently consumed - particularly interesting - are displayed here. A basic four-CD-changer which can be loaded in the dash is standard.

 

The Vectra is an excellent cruiser and its stability in a straight line irrespective of the speed or surface condition, is very impressive.  It is this almost-perfect balance between suppleness in the suspension and directional control that gives it a considerable lead. Carrying speed into a corner too is not a problem. Safety has been accorded top priority. Its high-tech IDS system is a good thing to have to stay out of trouble.

Filed under: Opel Cars in India