Test drive Opel Vectra sedan 2005 - 2008 sedan

The fastest Opel

Sports, comfort, spaciousness - all these difficultly combined advantages have Vectra GTS
 
Throughout his long history, Adam Opel AG has not yet been produced by cars that could confidently accelerate to 248 km/h. And he never made medium -sized cars almost inferior in dynamics by the famous sports versions of Monza or Calibra. Thus, the Vectra GTS is a high -way model, without a doubt strengthening the new image of the brand, which began to form with the advent of Astra Coupe, Speeder, Zafira OPC. She retained truly Opelian practicality, does not scare the price, but acquired qualities that can expand the circle of admirers of the brand. In February, Vectra GTS enters the Russian market.
 
The whole question is what you expect from Vectra with the GTS prefix. If the Porsche or BMW M5 characteristics - in vain, it costs completely different money. If you are interested in the car for many occasions, but having a power under the hood so that you always feel confident, read on.
 
Car news has already talked about the new generation of Vectra, so we will focus on the features of GTS. First of all, it differs markedly externally. Firstly, GTS is only a hatchback that brings strongly in profile for a full -sized compartment with four doors on the sides. We can talk about the impeccability of the lines, especially given the amazingly low aerodynamic resistance coefficient (CX \u003d 0.28). Special shock absorbers and shortened springs, as if in advance, press the car to the road in advance, making a clearance less than 20 mm compared to the standard version.
 
Before turning into GTS, Vectra increased muscles and changed her style, moving from everyday clothes to the one that is customary to determine the English word casual. The front end became much more expressive with a false radiator grille in the form of honeycombs, a massive bumper with a huge air intake and predatory gills on the sides, in which round foggy tumors are built into the built -in. The front headlights and rear lights are slightly toned. The feed looks no less attractive thanks to two oval chrome nozzles, an elegant grate between them and the spoiler implanted into the trunk lid. By the way, during the test, I repeatedly caught myself thinking that the spoiler could be, perhaps, more. But in general - there is no doubt: you have a sports type car.
 
The road to Munich
 
Ten days and good one and a half thousand kilometers of mileage - this, you see, is enough to get acquainted with the car well. Vectra was waiting for me at the Opel factory in Rüsselsheim (although the GTS version is available in England), where I, having remarkably planned everything, had to arrive in the morning. And he arrived when the winter sun was already rolling over the horizon, for the banal reason for the delay of the aircraft for 6 hours. Meanwhile, on the same day, it was certainly necessary to be in Munich, which is four hundred miles. All hope is for the speed qualities of the car.
 
Things are in the trunk (it is as roomy as in other versions of Vectra), and rather - to the navigation system to lay the fastest route. It would seem - what is easier? I taught to speak English in English quickly, but to write, that is, to display English words instead of the German monitor, he did not agree to any. And I could not figure out that the system refuses to lay the route to Munich only because I write the name of the city in English, and not in German. In the alphabet, as a second letter, it was necessary to choose not just U, but U with two dot on top. Well - it happens how it jammed. And while I thought of the simplest decision, it took a good half hour. During this time, my companion managed to charge the CD chamber, located very conveniently, in the central console, a complete clip of 6 disks and, it seems, to listen to the first. Finally, the display cheerfully said that before the address I had needed is exactly 401 kilometers, and should be cut to the autobahn.
 
When we then drove up to travel on the highway five minutes, I turned off the music, - in order to finally hear a mighty V6 with a volume of 3.2 liters. Vectra sound insulation is so good that at low speeds this engine is not heard in the cabin. But as soon as they gave free rein to a herd of 211 horses, and he sang. A clean bass-rowing voice, not breaking away, even when the tachometer arrow approaches 6500 rpm, from which the red zone begins. Each program is like a verse that refers to remarkable power and the desire to rush faster. I did not have time to switch to the third when I rested the truck in the front. I miss the car on the left, a short turn of the steering wheel, and - to the gas.
 
Great pickup! We easily go around a few more cars until we find ourselves in the extreme left row. Here you have to hold a hot Vectra, while a polite German driver who occupied the strip will pay attention to the flashing signal of the left turn, and will not give way. The speed is already about 170 km/h, but there are no restrictions on this site. You can continue acceleration. The fifth gear, 190, 210, 220 ... Everything, alas, should not go faster. And not only because a mournful voice is heard on the right, and, of course, not because the car is not able to develop the declared 248 km/h - the tachometer shooter only approached 6000 revolutions. Before my eyes, right on the torpedo, pedantic Germans stuck a large paper sign that warning that winter (not studded) Dunlop tires were installed on the machine, designed for a maximum speed of 210 km/h.
 
Okay, with speed everything is clear, with dynamics, too: Vectra GTS is not a rally car, but it accelerates quite confidently and is able to amuse blood. Its main advantage on the highway - the car holds the road well, knows how to press against the canvas at high speeds, although a more powerful rear spoiler, it seems to me, would not hurt it. However, the care of this can be left by the tuning studio. But about pendants - a special conversation. I admit me somewhat surprised their softness, I expected more stool from the GTS version. It’s not that in corners or, moreover, during the restructuring, the bodies of the body were felt - no, but the connection of the driver with the road, for my taste, should be more specific. There is a compromise between comfort (it can be estimated at five with a plus) and sports (say, a hard four). On the other hand, it must be admitted that Vectra, even with such a powerful engine, is still designed for everyday use, and not for racing on weekends. If we take into account this simple circumstance, then, in essence, there is nothing to complain about. Unless to more than once described by the sensor switch of the indicator of the turns, which I personally only managed to return to a neutral position in one case. What on the highway, and even with active maneuvering, can irritate.
 
However, we will relax, turn on the music, and look around. Opelicly practical and functional salon in the GTS version are new useful and simply delighting quality eye. To start with the fact that the front seats have excellent lateral support, they are moderately tough, that is, quite sports. The range of mechanical adjustments of the seats (other equipment may include servo drives) and the steering column allow you to take the optimal position. The steering wheel itself - smaller diameter than in the standard Vectra and a little thicker - perfectly lays down in his hands. Not her, as expected, are made by the control buttons of the audio system. The skin, inserts for aluminum, metal trim of a palette of a 5 -speeded checkpoint - everything creates a special mood, everything has to enjoy the movement.
 
Under the left foot is an aluminum stand. The clutch pedal itself, albeit surprised by a long enough stroke, is moderately tight and quite informative. And with a clear dosage of gas - you will not be mistaken, although the accelerator pedal is devoid of mechanical connection with the injection system, everything does electronics. And you don’t think about the brakes at all: they fully correspond to the potential of the car, ABS works no earlier than required, and with which power you should press the pedal in a particular situation - you understand very quickly.
 
In general, maintaining, if possible, the cruising speed in the range is 150 - 180 km/h, we reached Munich in three and a half hours. Very good, given the inevitable slowdown, stopping at the gas station and at the roadside cafe. And, most importantly, no fatigue!
 
In the mountains
 
As the reader probably guessed, we managed to combine this test with outdoor activities in the Alps. We stopped in the Innsbruck, where two more joined us. And every day - in the rain, snow or ice - the four of us made a path about a hundred kilometers long, to the ski center and back. At the same time, everyone unanimously noted comfort on the front and back seats. All uniforms, including boots, skis and sticks, fit perfectly in the trunk. Unless the ends of the skis stuck out of a special window above the armrest between the rear passengers, however, without interfering with them.
 
On mountain serpentines, meanwhile, all the qualities of Vectra in the GTS version were perfectly manifested. First of all, we must pay tribute to the steering equipped with a hydroelectric amplifier (EHPS). The steering wheel is not just heavier with rising speed. The settings are such that the car reactions to the movement of the steering wheel are quite clear and intelligible even at low speeds. And this has repeatedly helped out on slippery roads.
 
Especially for the GTS, the Interactive Driving System), which is part of the basic configuration of the car, was also finalized. It includes almost all the electronic active security systems known today, including the system of dynamic stabilization of the latest generation ESP Plus. And in the usual Vectra, as I have already written, ESP behaves quite correctly. But GTS, let's say, it allows more, and in fact, entering into work only in emergency cases, as if frightening a moment later than the driver with medium preparation.
 
Here is an example. We return to the hotel along a two -row mountain road, an ordinary caravan (in the morning in one direction, in the evening - to the other). But the car walking in front is clearly behind the column, increasing the gap. In the end, I was tired of it, and I decided to overtake him while there was an opportunity. I turn the steering wheel and give in gas. The car rushed forward, but immediately a skid outstreamed - under the wheels of the ice. The system immediately reduced the fuel supply and slowed down the wheels - one or three at once, I don’t know. But it was worth straightening the trajectory by the steering wheel, the ESP immediately turned off, as if recognizing the rationality of my actions. In general, I would prefer that she would not turn on at all, but still not very prevented, and I finally finished overtaking.
 
When the caravan moves, another feature of the engine and transmission was manifested. A stretched third gear - on the one hand, and an excellent supply of power and torque - on the other, allowed them to go without bothering themselves with excessive manipulations of the gearbox. Easily maintaining speed from 30 to 80 km per hour.
 
Finally, one cannot fail to mention one more pleasant circumstance: Vectra warms up and thaws very quickly. And in general, gives a feeling of special comfort in the cabin. What you especially evaluate in winter. In general, quite a Russian car.
 
The choice is wide
 
I have no doubt for a second that the GTS version will accompany our market no less success than the one that the usual Vectra has achieved. In the price range in which it will be offered to Russian customers, another car with similar characteristics is hardly found. A version with a 2.2 -liter engine and a mechanical gearbox will cost $ 24,250 in the official dealers salons. With a 3.2 -liter engine - 32250. For a five -speed ActiveSelect automatic, with the possibility of manual gear shift, you will have to pay another 1800 dollars. There are also versions with a 1.8-liter gasoline engine and a 2.2-liter turbodiesel. But they are unlikely to be relevant for the Russian market.
 
There are, of course, competitors. And among the main, perhaps, Ford Mondeo ST220. But he, however, is a little more expensive.
 
Brief technical characteristics of Opel Vectra GTS
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 3175
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 211/6200
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 300/4000
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p.: 7.5 (8.0)
Maximum speed, km/h: 248 (246)
Average fuel consumption l./100 km.: 10.1 (10.7)
Fuel tank volume, l.: 63
Dimensions, mm.: 4596x1798x1460
 
In brackets are given data for the version with automatic transmission
 
Oleg Osipov
 

A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 3 (27), 2003]