Test drive Opel Vectra sedan 2002 - 2005 sedan
Opel Vectr GTS Super-Vectra
Who would have thought that three additional letters in the name of the car can mean such changes in its essence. We are used to the fact that indexes such as GLS or GLX are mainly indicated by the levels of configuration, meaning the presence or absence of certain options. It was more amazing to find out that the GTS prefix in the Opel Vectra name denotes not only the maximum complete set, but also a change in the nature of the car. It turns out just some kind of Grand Tourismo Sport ...Disease history
Actually, Opel has sports models very well, in my memory there was not a single failure or simply unsuccessful. For example, Opel Calibra, the most popular and beautiful sports compartment of the mid-90s. Although it attracted buyers primarily with its appearance, and not a drive (it drove Calibra as the most ordinary car), it was just a huge demand for Sportsup. The little Tigra, which replaced the caliber, was more sports, although it was equipped with relatively low -power motors, but was also very popular in many markets. Successful attempts were made to create prestigious sports versions based on serial models. Many have heard about Opel Omega Lotus, equipped with a 340-horsepower engine. What is surprising, since the machine, in fact, is exclusive, is released by a limited circulation. And such legendary models as Opel Manta or Monza generally became the personification of their time.
Now, however, the times are far from the same. There was no real athlete in the Opel gamut for a long time, and the only compartment in the range, created on the basis of the serial Astra, was clearly not a successor to the legendary Manta. The situation urgently needed to be changed, and Opel, surprisingly, did it very original. The sports line of the company was supposed to be represented by a very, very sports model - one that would be the face of the sports department. Opel has Speedster this face - a car completely not typical for this company. Firstly, it is central motor: the transverse location engine is located in the center of the car, immediately in front of the rear wheels. Secondly, Speedster is a purebred double sports car, with a light body from composite materials and a very tight salon. And it is controlled in full accordance with its constructive features: amazing stability in corners and the absence of body rolls.
But that was only the beginning. Speedster, by definition, was not a mass car, was only a symbol, and for the average buyer needed a more functional, more familiar, more ordinary model. And she became Opel Vectra in the GTS version ...
Rational approach
The Donor model for the new OPEL Horse chose very successfully: Vectra was suitable for this role in almost all parameters. Firstly, this is the latest model, it is now at the peak of consumer demand, and a new top version will probably be accepted by them with a bang. And even if the demand for the GTS version does not reach the planned indicators, anyway, the reflection of its brilliance will fall into more earthly, basic versions. Secondly, Vectra initially turned out to be a very driver. German automobile publications awarded her the prestigious golden steering award. Well, thirdly, it is the sports versions of middle-class cars that are now most popular, and Vectra GTS comes just after the new Honda Accord Type-S and Ford Mondeo ST220.
To create a completely new car on the basis of vetera, which would struck everyone, including competitors, with its dynamics and running qualities, did not make much sense. Dear, risky and, in the end, just pointless. It is expensive because any change in the design of the car leads not only to the overhaul of factory equipment, but also, most importantly, to the complete cycle of testing and refinement of the machine. If the car differs from the donor in almost everything, the budget is then calculated in dozens, or even hundreds of millions of euros. This business is risky because even if there is the best in the engine class and chassis, the model can subsequently not be in demand at all. Well, the laws of demand and proposals are made meaningless to this idea. Now in fashion sports models suitable for trouble-free daily operation, and not some monsters that only a professional or racer can deal with. In addition, additional L.S. In European countries, taxes are taxed, which also do not contribute to increasing demand. That is why Opel Vectra GTS created just this: high -speed and dynamic, but at the same time comfortable and functional. Not a purebred athlete like a BMW M3, in which there is not a single body part from the usual threek, but very well -tuned and balanced modification of the usual Vectra 3.2.
Structurally, the GTS 3.2 version almost does not differ from the usual 3.2-liter vector. No serious changes occurred in the suspensions or in the chassis. In front are the racks of the MacPherson, and the back is a compact multi -link circuit that is effective in work and convenient in terms of layout. The motor is serial, the gearbox is also, and the GTS version from the serial vectra hatchback can only be on the original wheel wheels of the production of Irmsher and the body kit from the same company. By the way, the sports version of GTS is available only in the form of a hatchback. And a body of type hatchback, respectively, is available only in the GTS version. True, in order to get Vectra with this type of body, it is not at all necessary to purchase an expensive option with a 3.2-liter engine, there is a less impulsive version with a 2.2-liter engine on sale.
It is natural that for such a high -speed version of Opel provided some bells and whistles that help increase the level of security. We are talking not only about airbags, belt pretense, or a body with programmed deformation zones. Indeed, in everyday operation it is much more important how much the car obeys the driver and how exactly his teams should. And for a rapid GTS, almost the entire set is provided. Brakes - disk, with ventilated brake discs on all wheels, supplemented by a traction control system. Pirelli p zero tires - real shoe for supercars. In addition, the Vectra 3.2 GTS basic configuration provides a target stability system that helps not only effectively pass turns, but also a saving driver of this high -speed machine from many troubles. The system works very delicately: selectively slows down one or more wheels, thus holding the car on the trajectory. The system sensor, located right in the center of the car on the bottom, captures all the vibrations of the body and determines whether the car is still traveling along the trajectory or sliding has already begun. Moreover, the type of sliding can also determine whether the front part of the car is blown in the bend or the rear axle’s skid began. Having determined the type of sliding, the system selectively slows down one or more wheels, extinguishing fluctuations in the bud and preventing this slipping to develop into an uncontrollable skid or demolition. Also, if necessary, the system can reduce the engine speed to the level required. So it turns out that on the most slippery coating, the chances of going to the diet of the Vectra GTS driver are very small: the system will slow down the rear internal, in relation to the turn, the wheel, and the car, like a bulldozer with a blocked caterpillar, will heal into a turn.
The flight is normal!
The Opel Vectra 3.2 GTS test began the best. Firstly, he took place on Saturday, when there are few cars on city streets, especially trucks. And secondly, representatives of the RM Market, which provided this missile for the test, left me very frivolously with the car, going for the documents to it. And where they left - on the site near Chamomile - the exhibition center on Masherov Ave.! Naturally, I did not fail to take such a rare and unique opportunity: to sing a good sports car on a flat asphalt platform.
First of all, I checked how the light front-wheel drive machine with a 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine accelerates. Believe the word: Great! In the first and second gears, the anti -wings system intervenes in the acceleration process, which begins to blink with its anxious triangle on the panel at each start. It works, by the way, it is very effective, since there is only a slight hint of slippage, expressed in screaming rubber. I tried to turn off the system, and in the first gear GTS simply polished asphalt. There were no slippers on the second or third, but it was still felt how the help of the anti-storage system was not enough: on each turn, the internal drive wheel was again desperately skidding, interfering with acceleration. I came to the conclusion: it is better to ride with an anti -tuxe system.
Acceleration from a place and ... no, not to a hundred, but to the place, while there is an opportunity to slow down in front of the wall, most of all reminded a trip to classic athletes such as BMW M3. The same hurricane dynamics, the same incredible traction of the engine in the entire speed range, the same overload during accelerations. And although the M3 is almost twice as fast as the vectors, the sensations from the trip on these cars are similar. Perhaps, not only due to acceleration, which Vectra GTS has 7.5 seconds, but due to sound accompaniment: two muffler sticking out from under the rear bumper give out simply amazing music. Not loud and not obsessive, but well -heard in the cabin. The motor sounds somewhere from 3000-3500 rpm, and by the time the arrow reaches the tachometer of the red zone, its rough low voice breaks into a rolling loud cry. Just like in advertising: you can not recognize me, but it’s hard not to notice. Let's clarify: it's hard not to hear.
Even before the trip, vague doubts tormented me: whether a middle -class passenger car with a heavy six -cylinder engine could easily twist into turns - her weight is clearly far from the optimal one. It turned out that for Vectra an additional weight at the front was not an obstacle: it goes exactly so as to get a gold wheel again! If you just go into the turn, by arguing the steering wheel and playing gas, the Vectra GTS will behave extremely correctly: lightly crawl out the turn of the turn with the face when it exceeds the speed and dial it back when the gas is discharged. You can even abruptly hit the brake pedal at this moment: in the Vectra, it will still not break. Moreover, provoking the absence of the rear axle is extremely difficult even when you do it intentionally! On the site, as far as its sizes allowed, Vectra GTS managed to accelerate to almost 100 km/h, and in this mode it was not possible to rock it really. The shutdown of the stabilization system also does not turn the vector into an uncontrollable projectile. The machine becomes a slightly more prone to demolish front wheels, but the skidding of the rear is still not real. It is only necessary to control the position of the accelerator pedal: with the electronics disconnected, the machine shows the machine godlessly ...
Oddly enough, I really liked this charged Vectra in a calm rhythm of movement. This is perhaps one of the few models that really does not care what kind of transfer to the city: on the third or fifth. Acceleration in any case is quite sufficient, only on the fifth it is also possible to save fuel. So even more interesting: she hid in the middle row and wait for your victim, then to show her her place. As for the smoothness of the course, it can be called amazing. With such an excellent course stability and excellent controllability, Opel Vectra GTS was somehow able to maintain quite decent smoothness. Going on a trip by this car, you will not look at the drivers of other, unsportsmanlike, cars after a couple of kilometers. The suspension is far from dental stiffness, so on the highway you will not have to shy away from each fossa or road joint. At high speed, Vectra GTS generally becomes truly comfortable. Compared, of course, with other athletes, because for the usual GTS hatchback is somewhat harsh. The wheels especially suffer: low -profile tires are simply not intended for our directions, and each joint or pit forces sitting behind the wheel to wrinkle painfully. That is why the movement on this car in the city line requires constant concentration: it is necessary to track so that there is no too deep pit under the wheels, otherwise the wheel disk can be split.
Wolf in sheep's clothing
A couple of weeks ago, rolling up on the new Honda Accord Type-S, I drew attention to the inconsistency of the aggressiveness of the degree of sports of this car. Outwardly, this machine resembled at least the BMW M5, and drove like an ordinary mass passenger car. In the situation with Opel Vectra GTS, I faced a completely opposite situation: with excellent running qualities, excellent controllability and stunning dynamics of vector, outwardly does not correspond to the concept of supercar. Yes, of course, stylish wheel wheels from IRMSHER and spoilers, especially the front, add aggression to this car, as well as other small strokes, but the fact that they only add, while the above-mentioned Honda is outwardly very rapid and -Sporting assertive even without any body kit. However, this is even better: Vectra does not provoke and does not call for battle, but if necessary it can also demonstrate its abilities. Abilities, it should be noted, outstanding ...
Help AG:
Interestingly, the Vectra sports career in different years of its existence was completely different. For example, the first generation of the model, which appeared in 1989 and replaced by the well -deserved Ascona, was equipped with a rather powerful engine of 150 hp, offered for the GT version. With such an engine, the relatively light front -wheel drive Vectra accelerated from a place to a hundred in just 8.5 seconds - a result worthy of a good sports car of that time. But the version of Vectra Turbo, created using units of the same Calibra Turbo, was even more amazing. This version was equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a turbine, thanks to which it developed a capacity of 204 hp. You can imagine: from a place to hundreds in 6.8 seconds! Vectra Turbo was equipped with an all-wheel drive transmission, which was why I had to redo the rear suspension, in this version it is independent. These two athletes were very popular in the market, and for many it became amazing that after 1993, Vectra with a heavy 170-horsepower V6 came to replace these versions, and nothing more powerful after that was offered at all. The second generation of the Vectra model did not have sports versions at all. The role of a supercar in the family was played by the same six -cylinder Vectra V6. Subsequently, on the basis of this version, the i500 modification was released, in which the engine power was increased to 195 hp, but this car is almost exclusive, it was offered only in a few markets, and the total sales were very small. That is why the appearance in the GTS sports modification in the GTS sports modification can be considered a symbol of the revival of its former glory, since sports Opel is again in fashion!
text:
Pavel Kozlovsky and Sergey Mitskevich
A source: Auto -Gazeta / N 19 (411) dated 28.05.03
