Test drive Opel Vectra sedan 2002 - 2005 sedan

Quadratisch. Praktisch. GUT.

The third generation of Opel Vectra was designed to revive the glory of the brand
 
But the revolution did not happen - the car never became the heart of Mainstream. And three years later the Germans decided to present a new version of the model.
 
However, in the guise of a new Vectra, there is really a little new one. In fact, the car was simply led to a common denominator - a modern Opel techno, a couple of years ago tested on Astra. Designers redeemed the hood, wings, front bumper, radiator grille, optics, the notorious central rib appeared on the front. That's all, perhaps, at least some other innovations in the exterior of Opel, your correspondent did not see. Otherwise, the sedan remained the same - a recognizable body profile with a shoulder line rising to the stern, as if a chopped vertical lid of the trunk, on which there were a chrome strip with nameplates and a horizontal stop signal. In general, changes in appearance are noticeable, but not global. Nevertheless, in the process of contemplation, I constantly caught myself thinking that I liked the previous version more. Of course, she lacked lightness, extravagance, charm ... But there was a highlight in her - a solid, as if a very good impression of a very reliable, solid and strong car, cut down from a whole piece of granite. The new Opel is completely different, it became more catchy, dynamic, lightness appeared in his appearance, and partly expression ... But he lost his individuality, became like others, and the Nordic character has gone. It's a pity.
 
Oddly enough, such a striking change in mood practically did not affect the interior, the strict, classic design of which very organically complemented the appearance of the previous version. More or less noticeable changes affected insignificant little things - materials and some decor elements. So, for example, the textured material of the front panel now resembles the skin, a chrome edging of the devices has appeared. Otherwise, the Vectra salon remained the same - high -quality materials, impeccable performance. Almost perfectly adjacent details create the illusion that you have a monolithic cockpit without noticeable joints and cracks.
 
The central console is crowned with a 5-inch color LCD display associated with an on-board computer and a radio, and under it are absolutely even rows of lambs and buttons. Nevertheless, despite such conservatism, the technical filling of the salon was updated more thoroughly. Inside, the innovative Quickheat heating system was installed, and the control keys to the on -board computer, climate installation and radio have changed. In addition, a mobile phone control button appeared on the steering wheel.
 
But here is a special console for the latter with the Bluetooth interface and the speech management function will have to be installed additionally. The same applies to other new products - a multi -circuit driver's seat or an interactive chassis control system (IDS+), which includes a system of distribution of brake forces when turning a turn (SVS) and an electronic system for continuous control of damping (CDC). Nevertheless, in the base, the car is still equipped with six airbags, anti-lock and anti-circulation systems, air conditioning, a full electric packet, an on-board computer, a cruise control system and a CD magnet.
 
Also, from noticeable innovations, it is worth noting the updated line of power units. Diesels, as usual, did not appear, nevertheless, a 2-liter gasoline turbo engine developing 175 hp was added to the already existing gamut. In addition, the place of the previous top 3.2-liter 211-horsepower V-shaped six was occupied by a new, also turbocharged V6, from 2.8 liters of volume that issues 230 horses. In addition to the already listed engines, the Vectra will be equipped with already tested gasoline 16-valve fours with a volume of 1.6 (105 hp), 1.8 (122 hp) and 2.2 (155 hp) liters. The latter option, aggregated with a 5-speed sequential automatic transmission, was at the disposal of the editorial office.
 
Over the past couple of years, more than one Vectra, equipped with this engine, has been on our test, so acquaintance with the updated model has no revelation. The riding qualities of a German are amazed extremely well. Even despite the machine gun possessing some thoughtfulness, the sedan without any thoughts responds to gas; The development 220 Nm (at 3800 rpm) the engine accelerates a 1380-kilogram car with a very decent, but by no means impressive dynamics. Opel does not show a particularly ardent nature either in the city or on the highway, moreover, in the usual operation mode, it becomes completely cold and from the point of view of the tester is uninteresting. However, a calm and balanced person will probably appreciate this - the engine power is enough for both acceptable acceleration and overtaking; The efficiency of braking, the steering wheel reactions and the stability of the car in the trajectory are also adequate to the driver's desires. Perhaps the only thing that somewhat spoils the overall impression is a rather mediocre smoothness. The suspension imprisoned under our roads passes most of the vibrations to the body, so that passengers literally feel the fifth point of almost every flaw of the roadway. If the seats were a little softer, the German would be more comfortable in the movement, but the new Opel, unfortunately, did not get rid of this old disease.
 
And since a conversation about miscalculations in ergonomics went, one cannot help but remember the excessively complex algorithm for the operation of the climate control system, radio and on-board computer, which are still tied to the only monitor in the central console. The Germans somewhat changed the layout of the corresponding panels, added buttons, but this did not help dramatically. To understand the intricacies of the settings of the FM tuner or player, redistribute air flows in the cabin, the driver, as before, will have to spend about ten seconds (it is clear that it is better not to engage in such surveys). It is easier to contact the readings of the onboard computer, the benefit of scrolling to them can be using the appropriate button on the steering wheel, but, again, you should not do this on the go.
 
On the one hand, the updated sedan did not disappoint, but not impressed. In fact, he remained the same - a solid, high -quality car with a certain set of advantages and disadvantages. So the issue of its assessment is reduced to subjective perception - one will like the new design, others will call it ordinary and non -original. Someone will put the driven ambitions at the forefront, someone will appreciate the balance of the main sled qualities. But the fact that Vectra will still have admirers will still have no doubt.
 
Text: Vladimir Zhidkov
 

A source: Mkobil magazine [12.12.2005]