The engine is located transversely in front, the drive was carried out on the front wheels (2x4) or all wheel drive (4x4). Body styles were sedan, hatchback and station wagon. The closest in terms of characteristics were Citroen C5 cars, Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Maxima, Peugeot 408, Skoda Superb, Subaru Legacy, Suzuki Kizashi and Volkswagen Passat.
Opel Vectra A (1988—1995)
The first generation was introduced in October 1988. The car was designed by Wayne Cherry, Opel's head of design at the time. Production was in England, Belgium, Germany, Brazil, Venezuela and Egypt. Gathered on the platform «GM2900». There were two body styles - a 4-door sedan and a 5-door hatchback. Also, based on the Vectra, in 1989 they released a 2-door coupe, which was called the Opel Calibra.
The front suspension was a fully independent MacPherson type, with pressed steel lower control arms and an anti-roll bar. Suspension with engine and gearbox mounted on the front subframe. In front-wheel drive models, the rear suspension is semi-automatic, consisting of a torsion beam connected to trailing arms, with double conical springs and telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers.
On all-wheel drive models, the rear suspension is a fully independent subframe design with diagonal arms, double conical springs, direct-drive telescopic shock absorbers and skid bar. Steering is geared (conventional or with electric booster, depending on the model), mounted on a bulkhead with a telescopically deformable steering column.
The line of gasoline engines represents a huge choice - all 4-cylinders from 1.4 to 2.0 liters with a capacity of 74 to 201 hp. There are two diesel engines with a volume of 1.7 liters with a capacity of 56 and 59 hp. There are three gearboxes - 5 and 6-speed mechanics or 4-speed automatic.
Opel Vectra B (1995—2002)
The second generation was presented to the public in October 1995 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. A 5-door station wagon was added to the usual sedan and hatchback body styles. The car was assembled on the same platform «GM2900». Production shops were located in England, Germany, Belgium, Egypt, Australia, Brazil and Turkey. For some other countries, the car was called Saturn (USA), Vauxhall Vectra (Great Britain), Chevrolet Vectra (Brazil) and Holden Vectra (Australia).
In February 1999, the Vectra was updated with a slightly modified body (front and rear optics, trunk shape, moldings) and slightly modified interior (dashboard, door handles, sills and other small parts), and also improved the quality of the finish. They began to install 5-bolt hubs and wheels, and also began to install 4 airbags in the basic configuration.
The range of gasoline engines was also extensive. Ten 4-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 1.6 to 2.2 liters with a capacity of 99 to 147 hp, two 6-cylinder V-shaped engines with a volume of 2.5 and 2.6 liters with a capacity of 170 and 180 hp. With. There are four diesel engines, all 4-cylinder in-line, with a volume of 1.7 to 2.2 liters and a power of 82 to 125 hp. There were only two transmissions - a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual.
Opel Vectra C (2002—2008)
The official debut of the third generation Vectra took place at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, and in March the car was put on sale. The Vectra C was originally scheduled to be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2001, but GM announced a delay. Initially, a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback were available, and in 2003 a 5-door wagon appeared. The car was based on the platform «GM Epsilon». Production was established in England, Germany and Egypt.
The range of engines has been significantly changed to take into account the increased curb weight of the car. There are eight models of gasoline engines: six 4-cylinders with a volume of 1.6 to 2.2 liters with a capacity of 100 to 155 hp, two 6-cylinder V-shaped volumes of 2.8 and 3.2 liters with a capacity of 252 and 276 hp. There are four diesel engines: three 4-cylinders with a volume of 1.9, 2.0 and 2.2 liters with a capacity of 82 to 125 hp. and one 3.0-liter V6 with 177 or 184 hp. There are three transmissions to choose from - 5 and 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.