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WE DROVE THE facelifted Vectra GTS with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine recently and found out that it's noticeably better than its predecessor in a few ways.
The refreshed cabin is made of higher quality materials, the car's handling has been improved a tad and the new face gives the car a sportier look than before.
Sitting under the GTS is a new entry-level Vectra 1.8. Other than the $10,000 cheaper price tag, the other highlight of the 1.8-litre model is an all-new powerplant that boasts more power and better fuel consumption than Opel's previous 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit.
It pumps out a healthy 140bhp, which is 18bhp more than the outgoing 1.8-litre. Opel claims the Vectra 1.8 can go from zero to 100km/h in
9.9 seconds and top out at 207km/h.
While the Vectra 2.2 GTS actually has five doors, the entry-level car has a sedan (four-door) body-style. It comes standard with sporty 16-inch alloy wheels and classy-looking chrome strips around the window sills.
Inside the cabin, the plastics are of better quality than before and you get useful steering-wheel mounted audio controls for the dealer-fit audio unit. The silver-coloured plastic around the gear lever goes well with the rest of the cabin's silver/black theme, and the seats are plush yet supportive. The driver's seat is electrically powered and has multiple adjustments. There's excellent leg and headroom at the back, and the rear air-condition vents are an exceptionally thoughtful touch.
The new engine is smooth and hushed at low speeds, but can feel a bit sluggish from take-off unless you step hard on the throttle, which results in the car lurching forward with impressive acceleration. Above 4,500rpm, the unit becomes raucous and you can feel a little vibration through the steering wheel. The good news, though, is that the engine revs all the way to its 6,500rpm redline willingly, with no sign of lethargy.
Mated to the all-new powerplant is Opel's five-speed semi-automatic gearbox, known as Easytronic. Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, the semi-auto still relies on a clutch, although there isn't a clutch pedal. That means that there's a certain driving habit you
have to develop to properly useEasytronic.
For first-timers, the Easytronic will be especially jerky when going up the ratios. What you have to do is ease off the throttle a little just before the gearbox changes up, this means getting to know how the gearbox behaves so you can anticipate upshifts.
The gearbox is responsive to downshifts, but sometimes it behaves erratically by shifting down one gear too many. In manual mode, the Easytronic is a gem. It reacts swiftly to your commands and the engine blips automatically for a smooth gearchange when you're swapping to a lower ratio.
The Vectra handles confidently, with a decent amount of grip and great high-speed stability. The body rolls quite a bit, though, during turn-in and the steering could do with more steering.
At $82,688 with COE, the entry-level Vectra is competing mainly against the likes of the Ford Mondeo 2.0. The Vectra's main selling point is its first-class build quality, and it'll likely appeal to those who want something German but
without the price tag of a Mercedes-Benz.
SIMILAR CARS WE HAVE DRIVEN
Ford Mondeo 2.0 (A), $77,900 with COE
Feels a bit aged next to the facelifted Vectra, but the Mondeo is due for replacement soon.
PLUSES
Capable all-new engine, decent cabin space and nice build quality
MINUSES
Semi-auto gearbox takes a bit of getting used to and the engine could be more refined
VERDICT
German automotive engineering at an affordable price
The refreshed cabin is made of higher quality materials, the car's handling has been improved a tad and the new face gives the car a sportier look than before.
Sitting under the GTS is a new entry-level Vectra 1.8. Other than the $10,000 cheaper price tag, the other highlight of the 1.8-litre model is an all-new powerplant that boasts more power and better fuel consumption than Opel's previous 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit.
It pumps out a healthy 140bhp, which is 18bhp more than the outgoing 1.8-litre. Opel claims the Vectra 1.8 can go from zero to 100km/h in
9.9 seconds and top out at 207km/h.
While the Vectra 2.2 GTS actually has five doors, the entry-level car has a sedan (four-door) body-style. It comes standard with sporty 16-inch alloy wheels and classy-looking chrome strips around the window sills.
Inside the cabin, the plastics are of better quality than before and you get useful steering-wheel mounted audio controls for the dealer-fit audio unit. The silver-coloured plastic around the gear lever goes well with the rest of the cabin's silver/black theme, and the seats are plush yet supportive. The driver's seat is electrically powered and has multiple adjustments. There's excellent leg and headroom at the back, and the rear air-condition vents are an exceptionally thoughtful touch.
The new engine is smooth and hushed at low speeds, but can feel a bit sluggish from take-off unless you step hard on the throttle, which results in the car lurching forward with impressive acceleration. Above 4,500rpm, the unit becomes raucous and you can feel a little vibration through the steering wheel. The good news, though, is that the engine revs all the way to its 6,500rpm redline willingly, with no sign of lethargy.
Mated to the all-new powerplant is Opel's five-speed semi-automatic gearbox, known as Easytronic. Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, the semi-auto still relies on a clutch, although there isn't a clutch pedal. That means that there's a certain driving habit you
have to develop to properly useEasytronic.
For first-timers, the Easytronic will be especially jerky when going up the ratios. What you have to do is ease off the throttle a little just before the gearbox changes up, this means getting to know how the gearbox behaves so you can anticipate upshifts.
The gearbox is responsive to downshifts, but sometimes it behaves erratically by shifting down one gear too many. In manual mode, the Easytronic is a gem. It reacts swiftly to your commands and the engine blips automatically for a smooth gearchange when you're swapping to a lower ratio.
The Vectra handles confidently, with a decent amount of grip and great high-speed stability. The body rolls quite a bit, though, during turn-in and the steering could do with more steering.
At $82,688 with COE, the entry-level Vectra is competing mainly against the likes of the Ford Mondeo 2.0. The Vectra's main selling point is its first-class build quality, and it'll likely appeal to those who want something German but
without the price tag of a Mercedes-Benz.
SIMILAR CARS WE HAVE DRIVEN
Ford Mondeo 2.0 (A), $77,900 with COE
Feels a bit aged next to the facelifted Vectra, but the Mondeo is due for replacement soon.
PLUSES
Capable all-new engine, decent cabin space and nice build quality
MINUSES
Semi-auto gearbox takes a bit of getting used to and the engine could be more refined
VERDICT
German automotive engineering at an affordable price
NEED TO KNOW
OPEL VECTRA 1.8 (A)
ENGINE TYPE 1796cc, 16V in-line 4
MAX POWER 140bhp at 6300rpm
MAX TORQUE 175Nm at 3800rpm
GEARBOX 5-speed semi-automatic
TOP SPEED 207km/h
0-100 KM/H 12.5 seconds
PRICE $82,688 with COE
WARRANTY 3 years / 60,000km
CONTACT Auto Eurokars Pte Ltd
TELEPHONE 6749-4333
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