West drive Opel Signum 2003 - 2005 hatchback

The assault on Berlin

Opel Signum - a new car for new Europe
 
Europe, maybe an old woman, but the blood in her veins runs no slower than in a new light. What is one such incentive as the return of eastern lands to the bosom of traditional values \u200b\u200band an integrated European economy. And at all, it was not without reason that the international test drive Signum was organized in Berlin. This fresh in all respects, the model seems to personifies the spirit of changes that occur in the city itself, and on the entire continent, and in Adam Opel AG. A middle -class representative car at an affordable price is that this seems to be the product that will be in demand both in the eastern and western parts of the German capital, the difference between which is visible, by the way, to this day. In any case, he looked great and attracted attention on both sides of the former wall. Where there are still many inexpensive and old cars, Signum was perceived, perhaps, as a symbol of success in a new life. And where in an excess of luxurious cars - as an indicator of the calculation of those who want to have a completely comfortable car, but are not ready to overpay for the brand.
 
Opel changed his face
 
Signum is, one might say, the final bar in the new image of the company from Ryusselsheim. Undoubtedly, there will be premieres, and very soon - the new Astra, for example. But in general, the OPEL model range of the beginning of the 21st century has been formed, with full reason it can be judged by the market prospects of the brand. And these prospects are very good. Suffice it to say that the new Vectra diverged 163 thousand copies last year, becoming the best -selling middle class sedan in Europe. Yes, and in the Russian market in terms of price-quality ratio of Opel products, few manufacturers are able to argue.
 
The features of this successful model are also traced in Signum, which once again emphasizes the commitment to a new corporate style. At the same time, Signum looks quite an original and attractive car. At the first glance, you immediately pay attention to the long wheelbase, short overhangs and dome -shaped rear window. The new model is 40 mm longer than the Vectra sedan, and its wheelbase is more than 130 mm. The designers used these additional millimeters in full, perfectly organizing the space of the cabin.
 
Comfort and functionality are the main priorities that guided the interior developers. In the rear seats you can feel, if not an oil sheikh, then at least the master of a successful company of the middle hand. Signum applied a new Flex Space concept, which AI was talked about in a report from the Opel Meriva test drive (No. 7 (31) 2003). Once on the representative, in essence, the car, Flex Space has changed a bit, but did not lose the main thing - universality, flexibility, simplicity in use. Meanwhile, in my opinion, in my opinion, not three, but two people can be located with comfort. Each of them has the ability to move its seat within 130 mm, and change the angle of inclination of the back by 30 degrees.
 
If you shift the chair as much as possible, the legs space will be equal to 985 mm - no middle -class car can offer more. The central part is more like an armrest or a small table for papers and glasses - sitting here is strongly inconvenient. If desired, you can order a multifunctional Travel Assistant console. It is installed just between the two rear seats and is a kind of casket with gifts. This device includes two folding tables, a cooled container for drinks, a waste container, glass holders, a socket for connecting additional electrical equipment with a voltage of 12 volts and a DVD player stand. If the car is also equipped with the Twin Audio audio system, then the rear passengers can, regardless of the driver, listen to the CD. Finally, the rear seats can be folded, thus increasing the volume of the luggage compartment from 550 to 1410 liters.
 
There is more space above your head than enough, and it would be a sin not to use it. Therefore, exactly in the middle of the ceiling, from the windshield, a powerful console with five compartments for small objects stretches. Of course, it is only if the owner did not order a hatch in the roof as additional equipment.
 
The ergonomics of the driver's seat is beyond praise. And the main thing here is perhaps the new orthopedic seat of the Multi-Contour with 18 various adjustments and with climate control (heating, ventilation, the supply of chilled air). It is designed on the basis of a new seat for Vectra, in the development of which the company invested a total of 75 million euros. In it you can get a truly with all the amenities, so that the legs, the lower back, and the shoulders have the most convenient supports. The desired landing helps to choose a horizontal and vertically adjustable steering column. The three-spoke bagel is equipped with the control buttons of audio and navigation systems.
 
The instrument shield is in an otely laconic, only chrome rims of dials bring a sense of high cost. The panel as a whole is identical to the one that is installed on Vectra, with a small correction. In the center is a monitor, the image on which is clearly visible in any light. The central console is somewhat reminiscent of the Omega console, but it looks, nevertheless, quite modern, and most importantly, to use all the buttons, including the control of the separate climate control system, is very convenient.
 
Four equipment options will be offered to choose from the buyer - except for the basic one, this is Elegance, Sport and Cosmo. Elegance is distinguished by the interior decoration in dark colors (lunar stone color), fog lights, the presence of cruise control, rain sensor and 16-inch cast discs.
 
Signum Sport - the most dynamic version of the car - means that the steering wheel has special grades, chrome or platinum inserts on the instrument panel, an on -board computer with diagnostics of nodes and assemblies, 17 -inch alloy wheels, chromium -shreds in the sun of the exhaust system and a sports chassis with lower (20 millimeters) planting.
 
Signum Cosmo is the most luxurious option. It suggests the presence of everything that the soul wants, including a complete set of electrical adjustments, navigation and high -class audio systems.
 
Do not forget about additional equipment, the list of which is quite wide - a leather interior, climate control, hatch, a pre -heater with remote control, a parking system, a tire pressure control unit and a new adaptive headlight system (Adaptive Forward Lighting), which directs headlights in the direction of turn (+/- 15 degrees). Unfortunately, it was not possible to check it in action, since it will be available only in the fall.
 
Sustainability - primarily
 
The large wheelbase itself is already endowing the car with the ability to keep the way perfectly. Moreover, at different speeds. So, on the blessed German autobahns, who had already managed to appear in former East Germany, the speedometer arrow sometimes reached 230 km/h marking, and Signum did not lose stability for a moment, exhaustively informing the driver about what is happening between the wheels and asphalt . One but - at high speeds, the sound of a power unit is still heard in the cabin.
However, in this case we are talking about the version with the most powerful 6-cylinder gasoline engine with a volume of 3.2 liters and a capacity of 211 liters. With. Yes, and his melody herself personally pleased me more than upset. In general, seven engines will be offered to choose from - four gasoline and three turbodiesel. To the test, journalists were provided only by two versions of Signum - the most powerful gasoline and diesel, with a new 6 -cylinder unit with a volume of 3 liters and a capacity of 177 liters. With. Since the supply of the latter to Russia is still in question, I decided to carefully check the gasoline engine, combined with an automaton and with a new six-speed mechanical gearbox.
 
Signum with a 5-speed automatic checkpoint equipped with a manual gear mode, taking into account the class of a machine, will surely be in special demand. Therefore, I must note what I felt right away: a tangible push at the start. In particular, when, say, at the beginning of movement from the traffic light, you quickly transfer the leg from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. In this case, manual gear mode also helps in this case. Of course, if you just release the brake pedal, and then gently and gradually press the gas, a smooth start is provided, but this, you agree, can tire. Then everything is much better - acceleration is even and assertive. At any speed, the necessary supply of power and torque was provided, which pleased me when, from the close hugs of Berlin, my colleague and I escaped to the operational scope of the autobahn. Even at 180 km/h, it was worth only to press the accelerator pedal, the motor spoke with bass rumble and pressed it in the seat. When driving at such speed, you pay tribute to the excellent aerodynamics of the car.
 
With active driving on winding secondary roads, the thoughtful automatic transmission is at first felt. But very soon the electronics understands that the driver requires it, and in each gear it allows the motor to spin to almost 6000 rpm, despite the fact that I did not use the Kick-Down mode. The cranes of the body in corners are practically not noticeable, despite the usual, not a sports suspension. It is for this reason that all the irregularities of the roads that are still found in the east are drowning in its bowels. Be that as it may, but to disrupt signum into sliding is not an easy task, but on dry asphalt almost impossible. All the same long wheelbase and a completely independent rear suspension hold the car on a given path, and only with frank provocation from the driver, or rather, non -compliance with reasonable speed, the displacement of the turn begins. In the most critical situations, Traction Control will come to the rescue, which prevents the slipping of the front drives, and the ESP Plus stabilization system. With aggressive driving, you involuntarily pay tribute to excellent brakes. They inspire confidence, and electronics guarantees clarity and maximum slowdown. To do this, Signum has an ABS, EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), Brake Assist system and a braking control system (CBC - Cornering Brake Control). And the pedal itself is quite informative. Finally, steering - it also fully corresponds to the potential of the car, ensuring full control over its behavior.
 
On the second day, a completely different version of Signum got into my hands. Not only that with the most powerful gasoline engine and 6-speed mechanics, also with a sports suspension, which allowed us to count on a cheerful path. However, there were not so many differences. Of course, the version with a mechanical gearbox is much more frequent than a car with a machine gun. Even a long -term clutch pedal does not interfere with feeling this. There are no body rolls on the bends and at all, but on irregularities it is greatly shaking. Yes, and frankly driving in such a car somehow not with a hand - the image is not the same. In general, both versions of Signum left a very pleasant impression and especially pleased, I repeated again, stability and convenience in managing. Although my test drive colleague had problems with the sensory switches of the turns indicators, I would not personally attribute this to the shortcomings of the machine. After all, I managed to cope with the problem by tender handling with the steering wheel switch.
 
There are prospects
 
By the way, Signum has great prospects in Berlin itself. Here, as I have already noted, there are still many inexpensive and old cars. And the Mary is acutely faced with the problem of updating the park of cars. It is not without reason that company representatives emphasize that Signum is a great option for corporate buyers. The representative and functional car of the middle class and actually captivates with an unusual appearance and good running qualities and, judging by the first data on Vectra, excellent reliability. In addition, it allows you to save on maintenance: the interval interval, at least in Europe, is 30 thousand kilometers for models with a gasoline engine and 50 thousand for diesel machines. Plus, when creating a body, or rather, deformation areas during strikes, engineers paid special attention to the speed of replacing a particular part.
 
As for Signum prices, they are more than competitive. Unfortunately, prices for Russia have not yet been finally determined, where the car will appear this summer, and in Germany Signum costs from 23 thousand euros. Given the class and basic configuration (8 airbags, the Flex Space, ESP system, etc.) can confidently say that the car will gain popularity.
 
I would attribute to competitors Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Maxima, Ford Mondeo and, oddly enough, Opel Omega. Although it is clear that Omega is the closest resignation candidate.
 
Andrey Osipov
 
   

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 11 (35), 2003]