What is it?
2003 Opel Vectra
What's special about it?
Here's another decent European car that Americans will likely never have the opportunity to own. It's the redesigned 2002 Opel Vectra. Don't know what a Vectra is? Think Saturn L-Series.
That's right, the L-Series is based on the old Vectra. According to General Motors, the new Vectra's development cost was roughly one billion euros (to be voiced like Austin Powers' Dr. Evil: close to one beeleyun dollars). Seems a shame not to spread that expenditure across multiple markets, and North America represents a vast market for mid-sized cars, indeed.
Just think, for example, what this new Vectra could do for Saturn. With European driving dynamics, chisled good looks and availability as a fun-to-drive sedan or useful but sporty five-door hatchback, the Vectra makes much more sense than the mundane L-Series sedan and wagon.
In Europe, the sedan comes only with a choice of four-cylinder engines: two gas and two diesel. Notably, a five-speed "ActiveSelect" sequential gearbox is optional when the more virile powerplants are specified. However, only the GTS Hatchback can be equipped with a 211-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 that accelerates it from 0 to 60 in about 7.5 seconds.
What's appealing about the Vectra aside from styling and driving characteristics? Start with an aluminum-intensive four-wheel independent suspension, add standard antilock brakes with cornering brake control and electronic brake force distribution, sprinkle on an electro-hydraulic power steering system and top it all off with EPSPlus stability control, which can brake up to three wheels simultaneously to bring the car under control. Above and beyond that, a wide assortment of infotainment and navigation options is available along with an "intelligent" climate control system and parking assist. Plus a station wagon version is due within a year, and perhaps a convertible as well.
Can your Malibu do that, Bubba?
Why should you care?
There is a man working at General Motors named Bob Lutz. He asks stupid and obvious questions of his managers, engineers and designers, but only because the stupid and obvious questions must be asked. Mr. Lutz is product-oriented, and he might ask a stupid and obvious question about the Vectra one fine day. Don't be surprised to find if this appealing mid-sized car makes its way Stateside at some point, even if it's just the platform upon which other vehicles are based. — Christian J. Wardlaw
2003 Opel Vectra
What's special about it?
Here's another decent European car that Americans will likely never have the opportunity to own. It's the redesigned 2002 Opel Vectra. Don't know what a Vectra is? Think Saturn L-Series.
That's right, the L-Series is based on the old Vectra. According to General Motors, the new Vectra's development cost was roughly one billion euros (to be voiced like Austin Powers' Dr. Evil: close to one beeleyun dollars). Seems a shame not to spread that expenditure across multiple markets, and North America represents a vast market for mid-sized cars, indeed.
Just think, for example, what this new Vectra could do for Saturn. With European driving dynamics, chisled good looks and availability as a fun-to-drive sedan or useful but sporty five-door hatchback, the Vectra makes much more sense than the mundane L-Series sedan and wagon.
In Europe, the sedan comes only with a choice of four-cylinder engines: two gas and two diesel. Notably, a five-speed "ActiveSelect" sequential gearbox is optional when the more virile powerplants are specified. However, only the GTS Hatchback can be equipped with a 211-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 that accelerates it from 0 to 60 in about 7.5 seconds.
What's appealing about the Vectra aside from styling and driving characteristics? Start with an aluminum-intensive four-wheel independent suspension, add standard antilock brakes with cornering brake control and electronic brake force distribution, sprinkle on an electro-hydraulic power steering system and top it all off with EPSPlus stability control, which can brake up to three wheels simultaneously to bring the car under control. Above and beyond that, a wide assortment of infotainment and navigation options is available along with an "intelligent" climate control system and parking assist. Plus a station wagon version is due within a year, and perhaps a convertible as well.
Can your Malibu do that, Bubba?
Why should you care?
There is a man working at General Motors named Bob Lutz. He asks stupid and obvious questions of his managers, engineers and designers, but only because the stupid and obvious questions must be asked. Mr. Lutz is product-oriented, and he might ask a stupid and obvious question about the Vectra one fine day. Don't be surprised to find if this appealing mid-sized car makes its way Stateside at some point, even if it's just the platform upon which other vehicles are based. — Christian J. Wardlaw
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