The Opel Vectra is a mid-size car (large family car) that was engineered and produced by the German automaker Opel from 1988 until 2008. Available in saloon, hatchback and estate (from model year 1997 onwards) body styles, the Vectra was also sold by the Vauxhall marque in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Cavalier from 1988 to 1995 and then as the Vauxhall Vectra from 1995 to 2008, and it was also sold by Holden in Australia as the Holden Vectra, by Chevrolet in Latin America as the Chevrolet Vectra.
The Vectra was introduced in October 1988 as a replacement for the Opel Ascona, and was itself replaced in November 2008 by the new Opel Insignia, the nameplate spanning three generations and almost twenty-one years.
Vectra A (1988–1995)
The first generation Vectra, known as the Vectra A, was introduced in October 1988 for the 1989 model year, as a four-door notchback saloon, replacing the Opel Ascona C. A five-door hatchback version arrived in March 1989, and a coupé based on the Vectra, called the Calibra, was introduced in the end of that year. Both cars were designed by Wayne Cherry, Opel’s design chief at the time. The Vectra name was coined by Manfred Gotta.
Vauxhall Motors, the British GM subsidiary that shared most of its models with Opel, did not use the "Vectra" model name - opting instead to continue the use of the Cavalier nameplate - effectively making the Vectra A a third-generation Cavalier when carrying Vauxhall branding. It was not until the introduction of the Vectra B into the United Kingdom in October 1995 that the Cavalier name was retired in favour of Vectra. However, left hand drive Opel Vectras were produced at Vauxhall's Luton plant for export to other European countries.European Motor Business, Issues 24-27, Economist Intelligence Unit, 1991, page 102
The 1989 Vectra came in Base, LS, GL, GLS, CD, and GT models, its sister model was the third-generation Cavalier. Engines ranged initially from a 1.4 L to a 2.0 L Family II. The top-of-the-line Vectra 2000 16V arrived in September 1989. Its sixteen valve version of the 2.0 L engine produces and was only available with the sedan bodywork, with available four-wheel drive.
The sixteen-valve engine also appeared in GT (GSi in some markets) models after the facelift, now mainly as a hatchback. Two four-wheel drive versions were added to the lineup in January 1989, with either of the 2-litre engines, and in September 1992 the car received a limited edition turbocharged version with . In , the 4x4 turbo version of the Vectra was used as the Safety Car in Formula One, where it was deployed at the San Marino Grand Prix.
The 1.4-litre engine was not available in all markets, and even then, it was generally only available in basic trims (Base/L in United Kingdom, LS/GL in Europe). In markets as Italy, where smaller engines were favored by the taxation system, a better equipped 1.4 GLS was also offered. With the introduction of Euro I emissions regulations, the carburetted 1.4 L engine was replaced by a fuel injected 1.6 L engine with the same output - albeit at lower revs, and greater torque - for most markets.
A 2.5 L V6 engine appeared towards the later stages of the Vectra's life, developing 170 PS (125 kW), turning the car into a relaxed motorway cruiser rather than giving it sporty pretensions. There were a choice of two diesel engines; one was an Isuzu 1.7 L 4EE1 inline-four unit, in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged form (1686 cc), this one capable of achieving , and an Opel designed 1.7 "low blow" turbodiesel (1699 cc), and naturally aspirated diesel unit, delivering .
The front suspension was fully independent, with MacPherson struts, pressed steel lower control arms, and an anti-roll bar. The front suspension, together with the major mechanicals (engine and transmission) is remotely mounted on a front subframe. On front wheel drive models, the rear suspension is semi independent, consisting of a torsion beam linked to trailing arms, with double conical coil springs and direct acting telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers, with certain models also having an anti roll bar.
On the four wheel drive GSi, 4x4 and Turbo models, the rear suspension is a subframe mounted fully independent design, with semi trailing arms, double conical coil springs, direct acting gas assisted telescopic shock absorbers, and an anti roll bar. Steering gear is a rack and pinion-type (manual or power assisted, depending on model), mounted on the bulkhead (firewall), with a telescopically deformable steering column.
Facelift (1992) The Vectra also received a refresh in September 1992. The range received new front grilles and a black plastic strip above the rear taillamps, along with an upgrade to the structure for improved crashworthiness. Airbags became available onwards from 1993.
In New Zealand, the Vectra A was offered initially as an Opel between 1989 and 1994, but it wore Holden badges between 1994 and 1996 until the introduction of the Vectra B. It was not sold in Australia, where Holden instead offered a rebadged Toyota Camry called Apollo until 1997. In Japan, the Vectra (and Omega) were the first Opels to be distributed by Isuzu Motors Ltd. rather than long standing importer Toho Motors (東邦モーターズ), beginning in July 1989.
In Egypt, the Opel Vectra A was not introduced until 1994 through GM Egypt dealerships, and started production in the end of 1994 by GM Egypt through the beginning of 1996, with a range of 1.6 GL, 2.0 GL trim and 2.0 GLS trim and only Saloon body style boosting strong sales during this short run. This was similar to the Opel Kadett.
Chevrolet Vectra (Brazil) In Brazil, the Chevrolet badged Vectra A was not introduced until 1993, when it replaced the top versions of Chevrolet Monza, a restyled version of the Ascona C. The first Brazilian model had two engine options: 2.0 8 valve, for the GLS and CD versions and the 2.0 16 valve with 150 hp imported from Germany, the later only available for the GSI version. The assembly of the Vectra A goes until 1996, when the Vectra B was launched. Its production was made from CKD.
Engines Engine model Displ. Power Torque Fueling system Valvetrain Top speed 14NV 1.4 L at 5,600 rpm at 3,000 rpm Carburettor SOHC 16SV 1.6 L at 5,200 rpm at 2,600 rpm Carburettor SOHC C16NZ(2) 1.6 L at 5,200 rpm at 2,600 rpm SPFI SOHC E16NZ 1.6 L at 5,200 rpm at 2,600 rpm SPFI SOHC X16SZR 1.6 L at 5,000 rpm at 2,800 rpm SPFI SOHC 18SV 1.8 L at 5,400 rpm at 2,800 rpm Carburettor SOHC E18NVR 1.8 L at 5,400 rpm at 2,800 rpm Carburettor SOHC C18NZ 1.8 L at 5,400 rpm at 3,000 rpm SPFI SOHC C20NEF 2.0 L at 5,200 rpm at 2,600 rpm MPFI SOHC 20NE 2.0 L at 5,200 rpm at 2,600 rpm MPFI SOHC C20NE 2.0 L at 5,200 rpm at 2,600 rpm MPFI SOHC 20SEH 2.0 L at 5,600 rpm at 4,600 rpm MPFI SOHC C22NE 2.2 L at 5,200 rpm at 2,600 rpm MPFI SOHC 20XEJ 2.0 L at 6,000 rpm at 4,800 rpm MPFI DOHC C20XE 2.0 L at 6,000 rpm at 4,800 rpm MPFI DOHC X20XEV 2.0 L at 5,600 rpm at 4,000 rpm MPFI DOHC C20LET 2.0 L at 5,600 rpm at 2,400 rpm MPFI, Turbo DOHC C25XE 2.5 L at 6,000 rpm at 4,200 rpm MPFI DOHC 17D 1.7 L at 4,600 rpm at 4,600 rpm at 2,400–2,600 rpm Bosch injection pump SOHC 17DR 1.7 L at 4,600 rpm at 2,400–2,600 rpm Bosch injection pump SOHC TC4EE1 1.7 L at 4,400 rpm at 2,400 rpm Bosch injection pump SOHC
Vectra B (1995–2002)
The second model, the Vectra B, was introduced in October 1995 for the 1996 model year, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and the model range came to include an estate version for the first time.
In the United Kingdom, the legacy Vauxhall Cavalier nameplate (retained for the previous generation) was finally retired and this model was sold as the Vauxhall Vectra.
The five-door estate version premiered in September 1996, with the tagline ‘One step ahead of the Mob’ used in the UK. This was the first station wagon version of Opel's mid-sized family car since the Ascona A was discontinued in 1975. By contrast, Vauxhall had offered an estate version of the Cavalier Mark II, equivalent to the Ascona C, using the bodywork of the Holden Camira wagon in Australia.
The Vauxhall-badged Vectra B was the last Vauxhall to be produced at the company's Luton plant, where the end of automobile production was announced in December 2000, taking effect just over a year later. Car production at the site finished in March 2002, although production of commercial vehicles continued until 2025.Why General Motors is keeping its faith in Vauxhall's Luton plant, Autocar, 25 August 2014
Engines started from the 1.6 L, Family 1 but eventually the 8-valve engines were all replaced by 16-valve powerplants. The 2.0 L Family II engine, with was developed as a basis for touring car racing (later in Australia, 2.2 L 108 kW), but the top of the line was a 2.5 L V6 with . Diesel power came once again from Isuzu, with 1.7 litres and , also a 2.0 L Ecotec with either and 2.2 L Ecotec with . In 2001, the all new 2.2 L petrol engine, as carried over to the Vectra C, was introduced with the 2.5 L petrol in its last incarnation being upgraded to a 2.6 L to accommodate emissions improvements.
Facelift In February 1999, the Vectra was updated, receiving a mildly modified body (that can be identified by the single piece headlight units and body coloured bumpers) together with somewhat improved handling and better equipment. Some engines were also updated, with the 2.2 16V replacing the 2.0 16V in many markets.Bartels and Manthey 2013, 35-36. The facelifted Vauxhall Vectra sister model went on sale two months later, in April.
Sporting limited edition models included the touring car championship inspired i500, ST200, Super Touring and GSi. The first model was developed in Germany by Opel Motorsport, with the V6 engine's power increased to .
The ST200 was a limited run car developed and built by MSD in Milton Keynes. Based on the Vectra GSI, upgrades included AP Racing four-pot calipers and 325 mm discs, AP Racing Suretrac LSD, a lowered final drive, KONI suspension, Speedline wheels and Recaro seat. Power was increased to . Only 38 ST200s were produced.
The Supertouring was a limited edition trim level based on the Vectra SRi. It was available in only three colours - white, black or red. Two engines were offered - the 2.0 16v with or the 2.5 V6, with an Irmscher sports exhaust system and white 16-inch alloys and GSi front bumpers.
Only 3,900 2.5 GSi models were ever produced, mostly in saloon and hatchback guise. With only 317 estate versions produced during this time, they became one of the rarest production Vauxhalls ever.
On the 2001 and 2002 model years, a last of the line 2.6 GSi was made also but these were limited to five hundred cars. These were again mostly saloons and hatchbacks, however 37 estates were made. These end of production models received a host of upgrades, including Xenon headlamps and larger front brakes.
In October 2013, Top Gear magazine placed the 1995 Vectra on its list of The 13 Worst Cars Of The Last 20 Years, describing the car as "so mediocre that Jeremy Clarkson refused to drive it."
Production of the Vectra B ended in March 2002.
International production
Egypt In Egypt, the production of the Opel Vectra B commenced during 1996 with two models, initially in GLS trim with a 1.6-litre, 8v engine and a manual transmission, or in CD trim with a 8-valve, 2.0-litre with automatic transmission.
Later in 2000, the revised model was produced with three models: 1.6 (8v) GLS with manual transmission, later replaced by the 1.6 16v GLS trim with automatic transmission, 2.0 16v CD with automatic transmission, and a 2.0 CDX trim (also automatic). Only the saloon body style was offered. In 2002, local production of the Opel Vectra ceased in favour of the Corsa saloon and Astra saloon.
North America