13.6.2003
New Opel/Vauxhall Vectra Station Wagon on Sale in October

The new Vectra station wagon will celebrate its world premier at the 60th International Motor Show in Frankfurt. The new model is aimed at customers looking for an elegant and versatile car with plenty of room and good driving dynamics.

In a few months the Vectra family will be complete when the new Opel Vectra station wagon celebrates its market launch in October, shortly after its world premier at the 60th International Motor Show in Frankfurt (September 11-21). With a cargo volume of up to 1850 liters (VDA standard) and a load length of nearly two meters the elegant station wagon can carry as much cargo as an Omega, while offering considerably more space in the rear for knee room (94 millimeters) and legroom (967 mm).

The basis for this is its long wheelbase of 2.83 m, the same as the Opel Signum. The new Vectra station wagon (length/width/height: 4.82/1.79/1.50 meters) will be built in Rüsselsheim at the most modern car factory in the world. It features practical solutions like the variable FlexOrganizer concept for the cargo area, as well as a remote controlled tailgate or a foldaway trailer hitch. Innovative safety and comfort features include the high-tech Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) headlamp system and the ergonomically certified, climate controlled Multi-Contour driver's seat. A wide range of ECOTEC engines with 100 to 211 hp will be available from the start, including the new 3.0-liter V6 common rail turbo-diesel and Opel's first direct injection gasoline unit.

"After the Vectra sedan, GTS and the Signum, the Vectra station wagon is the fourth independent model based on the third generation Vectra to reach the market. The new Vectra station wagon is aimed at customers looking for an elegant and versatile car with plenty of room for passengers as well as cargo, and good driving dynamics," says Carl-Peter Forster, Opel's Chairman and Managing Director, noting that the new model continues Opel's 50-year long tradition of producing station wagons.

In addition to the long wheelbase, the new Vectra station wagon's looks feature a flowing side window graphic above the distinct shoulder line that runs all the way to the rear. The rear is clearly styled with wrap around taillights. The interior of the Vectra station wagon offers many practical and comfortable solutions in addition to its spaciousness. For example, the optional Travel Assistant first seen in the Signum. It is placed between the two outer rear seats and includes two folding tables, a cooler, trash can, cup-holders, two 12-volt power outlets, and a holder for a portable DVD player, as well as a "Twin Audio" module for separate audio programs (radio or CD) in the front and rear.

Another of the new Vectra station wagon's highlights is the FlexOrganizer system, which permits easy, secure and clearly arranged storage options in the load compartment. The core elements are the two rails built into the rear side panels. Using these rails the wagon user can attach a flexible system of nets and foldable dividers, allowing separate cargo spaces, depending on individual needs. These divided cargo sections can be custom configured to meet any transport requirement. The cargo space is protected from prying eyes by a standard removable roll-cover, which completely covers the load compartment at the same height as the lower edge of the window. There are also integrated storage containers, one in the rear of the trunk and two in the rear sidewalls, which offer added privacy.

Optionally the floor of the cargo compartment can be covered with a foldable, double-sided carpet. One side has a velour surface, while the other is made of an easily cleaned rubber lining. The carpet covers the entire loading area including the folded down backrests of the rear seats. The three-seat rear bench split-folds 60:40 and has an integrated load through hatch. For anyone wishing to transport loads with a length of more than two meters, a folding front passenger seat is also available.

The wide opening tailgate of the Vectra station wagon ensures easy access to the load compartment. An electronically operated tailgate with remote control is optionally available. This version of the tailgate can be opened with the push of a button on the car key or from inside the cabin, and can be stopped midway or at any height and locked into position. To close it simply push the button on the key or a button conveniently located on the the tailgate. In order to prevent scratches when loading cargo, the top of the rear bumper comes with a special protective cover.

The foldaway trailer hitch is a practical and elegant option. Located out of sight under the rear bumper, the hitch can be unlocked by releasing a lever in the trunk and then moved by foot into position and locked into place. When it is no longer needed it can be folded away again, simply by unlocking it and moving back into its original out of sight position by foot, until it is needed again.

The range of engines available with the Opel Vectra station wagon includes from the start of sales four gasoline and three turbo-diesel units from the ECOTEC family. They include three newly developed aluminum engines offered with the Signum: the 2.2-liter gasoline direct injection unit with 114 kW (155 hp), the 129 kW (175 hp) 2.0 turbo and the 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel CDTI with 130 kW (177 hp). The top engine for the Vectra station wagon is the powerful 155 kW (211 hp) 3.2 V6 ECOTEC.

The driving comfort and dynamics of the new Vectra station wagon benefit from its long wheelbase and the Interactive Driving System (IDS) with ESPPlus, the latest generation electronic stability program with selective brake intervention at up to three wheels. For a high level of passive safety the Vectra station wagon features an extremely stable passenger cell, front and side airbags, front and rear head curtain airbags and three-point safety belts for all seats. The new Vectra station wagon also comes with Opel's patented Pedal Release System, active head restraints on the front seats, two height-adjustable head restraints for the rear seats, and two Isofix child seat mounts for the rear outer seats.

Vectra station wagon buyers can be assured that their new car will maintain high value stability and have low running costs thanks to its repair-friendly design, extensive galvanization of the body (12-year anti-perforation warranty) and long service intervals (two years / gasoline engines 30,000 kilometers; diesel units 50,000 km).