History and description cars Opel Vectra

This is a large D-class family car (according to European classification), which was produced from 1988 to 2008 by the German automaker Opel. The Vectra was introduced in October 1988 as a replacement for the Opel Ascona, and was replaced in November 2008 Opel Insignia. The Vectra name spans twenty-one years and three generations of cars.

The engine is located transversely in the front, the drive was carried out on the front wheels (2x4) or all-wheel drive (4x4). The bodies were a sedan, hatchback and station wagon. The closest in characteristics were the 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 presented in October 1988. The car was designed by Wayne Cherry, the head of design at Opel at the time. Production was in England, Belgium, Germany, Brazil, Venezuela and Egypt. It was assembled on the GM2900 platform. There were two body styles - a 4-door sedan and a 5-door hatchback. Also based on the Vectra in 1989, a 2-door coupe was released, which was called the Opel Calibra.

The front suspension was fully independent MacPherson type, with pressed steel lower control arms and anti-roll bar. The suspension with engine and gearbox is mounted on the front subframe. In front-wheel drive models, the rear suspension is semi-automatic, consisting of a torsion beam connected to longitudinal 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 semi-trailing arms, double conical springs, direct-drive telescopic shock absorbers and an anti-skid bar. Steering is a gear-driven system (conventional or with electric power steering, depending on the model), mounted on a partition with a telescopically deformable steering column.

The range of petrol engines offers a huge choice - all 4-cylinder with a volume of 1.4 to 2.0 liters and a power of 74 to 201 hp. There are two diesel engines with a volume of 1.7 liters and a power of 56 and 59 hp. There are three gearboxes - 5- and 6-speed manual 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 "GM2900" platform. Production facilities were located in England, Germany, Belgium, Egypt, Australia, Brazil and Turkey. For some other countries, the car was called Saturn (USA), Vauxhall Vectra (United Kingdom), Chevrolet Vectra (Brazil) and Holden Vectra (Australia).

In February 1999, the Vectra was updated, receiving a slightly modified body (front and rear optics, trunk shape, moldings) and a slightly modified interior (dashboard, door handles, thresholds and other small parts), and also improved the quality of the finish. They began to install 5-bolt hubs and wheels, and also in the basic configuration they began to install 4 airbags.

The range of petrol engines was also extensive. Ten 4-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 1.6 to 2.2 liters and a power of 99 to 147 hp, two 6-cylinder V-shaped engines with a volume of 2.5 and 2.6 liters and a power of 170 and 180 hp. There were 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 third generation Vectra made its official debut at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show and went on sale in March. The Vectra C was originally scheduled to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2001, but GM announced a delay. A 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback were initially available, with a 5-door wagon added in 2003. The car was based on the "GM Epsilon". Production was established in England, Germany and Egypt.

The range of engines has been significantly changed to accommodate the increased curb weight of the vehicle. There are eight models of petrol engines: six 4-cylinder engines with a capacity of 1.6 to 2.2 litres and a capacity of 100 to 155 hp, two 6-cylinder V-shaped engines with a capacity of 2.8 and 3.2 litres and a capacity of 252 and 276 hp. There are four diesel engines: three 4-cylinder engines with a capacity of 1.9, 2.0 and 2.2 litres and a capacity of 82 to 125 hp and one V6 with a capacity of 3.0 litres and a capacity of 177 or 184 hp. There are three transmissions to choose from - 5- and 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.

Opel Vectra C, hatchback, back view

Opel Vectra C, wagon, restyling

Opel Vectra C, wagon, back view