Test Drive Opel Vectra Sedan 2002 - 2005 Sedan
New life
The third generation of Vectra appeared quite recently like a novelty, and has already managed to get lost in the automotive stream. Too ordinary appearance, from which side do neither go; Again, the averaged indicators in almost all parameters the machine that must satisfy the requests of any average driver. Good car, you can say bestseller. But boring, if in the usual performance. But in the GTS version is quite another matter. Everything is more interesting here ... Agree, everyday appearance is not the image that the automaker dreams, even if its products are aimed at the widest purchasing layers. How can I breathe new life in the model, give it additional emotions? The output is simple sports modification. In the case of Opel Vectra, this is the GTS version, which is the fastest serial machine in the entire history of the brand.
Vectra GTS is not a sedan, but a five-door Liftback (Hatchback, if this term is more accustomed). And a small adjustment of the body shape, undoubtedly, went to the car for the benefit. The proportions of the fillet part gained completion and harmony, what the sedan was deprived of his trunk.
The rear window is strongly tilted, the area of \u200b\u200bthe trunk lid is significantly reduced, and a small elegant anti-cycle is installed on its edge. It turned out a dynamic, well-shot image from the front bumper and to the exhaust exhaust pipes. GTS looks more interesting than the predecessor also at the expense of a lower landing machine as if soldered to the road surface. The correct aerodynamic skirt in a circle looks good, including overlays on bumpers and thresholds. Massive air intake and fake gills on the front bumper sides are also a hint of sportiness. Revives the face of the car and tinted head lighting. Well, so that there are no questions of the pair of fashionable oval chrome pipes of the exhaust system, unequivocally indicating the power of the car hidden in depths.
It is a pity that wheels fall from this picture. The diameter of the disks of 16 inches sports is no longer considered, and the dimension of tires 215/55 has never been anything. By the way, and the choice of tires seemed strange: on the car provided for the test, Bridgestone Turanza rubber was the most civilian version.
Inside the attracts attract chrome lining on the thresholds with the inscription GTS. To admire more, in general, nothing, because the salon is almost the same as on the sedan, except that some additional sports strokes have matte metallized lining on the doors and in the center of the console, a three-spoke steering wheel and a chair with distinct lateral support.
More, however, no one demanded. It is quite enough to create the image of the specified elements. Quality of materials at level. The skin, the elastic plastic is all very nice to the touch, the details of the finish are well coats and create an impression of solidity. The chairs liked not only appearance, but also in content. In rapid turns, they reliably fix the body, and in full-time situations just well cope with their direct responsibility to be comfortable. The steering wheel also did not cause any complaints and the texture of the skin, and the cross section, and the diameter. True, the buttons on the ram, the acoustic system, seemed fine.
Behind the place is enough for a comfortable stay of two adults. The visibility back is somewhat clipped the rear racks are massive, and the useful glass of glass is small. But one way or another you can live. As for the climate control control buttons (separate for sitting in front), audio system, etc., then allow himself no stopping for two reasons here: All this has already been studied on the sedan once; Nothing difficult / unusual / outstanding was noticed two.
Run the engine. The tachometer arrow makes a jerk to a thousand revolutions, slightly retreats and freezes. V-shaped gear with a volume of 3.2 liters and with a capacity of 211 hp At idle it works smoothly and very quiet, trying to pollute nature without going beyond the permitted today. Instead of more relevant on such a handle machine, a smart automatic five-speed box is used. How does its intelligence manifest? First, the adaptive box. Analyzing your dynamics requirements, it immediately adjusts the shift process. Want to ride calmly in a stream, saving fuel Please the machine gun will slowly fit the increased transmissions on two or three thousand revolutions. We are more active with the box. Wonderful metamorphoses occur: switching is carried out much later, which allows the engine to reveal its potential. By the way, it is this adaptability that apparently allowed to abandon the sport mode already familiar to the automatic transmission.
The second point to pay close attention to the manual transmission switching mode. Watching the lever back and forth, you can most fully feel the dynamic capabilities of the car, choosing yourself when and what to turn on the transmission. And if there are still doubts about overclocking, doubts about the feasibility of manual mode (no matter who gives the box to switch the transmission, it still does it with a delay, albeit small), then for fast turns, it is what needs. Because it allows how long it is for a long time on the selected transmission (even to achieve an automatic switching restriction threshold does not occur), braking the engine or preserving the cherished turnover for the moment when you need to sharply shoot.
Some time leaves to find a common language with manual mode with sharp acceleration. It turned out that it is not necessary to help the machine. Davim on gas, when switching the pedal is not released, the turnover of electronics will reset independently. In general, the work of the CAT liked. Normal automation for ordinary ride in the city or highway. This is for those who are looking for a compromise. Automatic with possible manual switching in a pseudo-correcting machine ... The suspension for modifying GTS, according to the manufacturer, changed, and the emphasis is made, naturally, on handling. Indeed, GTS model more elastic and adequate than standard vectra, in everything as regards management. The suspension energy intensity is located on the transcendent level for the middle rigidity sports chassis. The car willingly bounce on small defects of the coating, but if you miss quite serious irregularities, the breakdown will rush loudly.
Like a lot in this car, driving quality Vectra GTS is a compromise with a small roll toward sports. He headed the corner of reliability, predictability and clearer reactions. On guard, the order is strict electronic systems. It pleases that one of them, IDS, disconnected, and allows a little to dry rubber in turns. However, Azart this behavior did not add. By virtue of the following reasons.
First, the tires in which the car was watched, weakly correspond to the potential of charged GTS. Early happening to the slip, the voltages are clearly felt with intense taxi. Secondly, initially embedded in the car, a reliable and safe scheme of behavior (insufficient turning) is a bit not what you expect to get from the sports modification. The sensations of driving Vectra GTS are about such. Pleasant, energetic and fairly smooth acceleration with pickup after 4 thousand, which is noticeably spoiled by the lane in the automaton (according to the Vectra GTS passport with mechanics, it is accepted faster than half a second, but, dare to assume, in fact, this difference will be substantial). Very good course stability, reliable behavior in the prience. Displays brake pedal and competently tuned ABS, which comes into effect when it is really necessary. Good sound insulation absorbs most of the road noise, the muffled roar of a hearing is rather happy than insulting. The release is not heard at all, in order that diluted. Well, if you turn on the pogrom, a completely presentable sound system with nine speakers, then the music will completely absorb the noise surplus.
Opel Vectra GTS is sport for every day for everyone and everyone. Powerful machine with good acceleration dynamics and handling, as well as some external details that distinguish the car from the standard version and give it a different mood. Well, if the sporting spirit comes down to no, GTS instantly becomes obedient, reliable and comfortable business hatchback, dealing with which it is difficult to find bases for pick-up.
Leonty Tytelev
A source: Motor magazine [October 2003]
