Opel Enhances Vectra and Signum with High-Tech Equipment

Press Release

Innovative Chassis Technology for Vectra and Signum

• Adaptive IDSPlus chassis system offers more comfort, safety and dynamics
• Newly developed six-speed automatic transmission for 150 hp 1.9 CDTI engine
• First in class and standard for all Vectra and Signum: Adaptive brake lights
• New generation of infotainment systems with intuitive operating concept
• Edition special models with striking design and extensive equipment

Opel Vectra and Signum move into the new model year technically and stylistically refined. The adaptive high-tech chassis system IDSPlus (Interactive Driving System) with electronic damping control provides outstanding dynamics, comfort and safety. It is standard in all six-cylinder models and optional for the 2.0 turbo engine and the 150 hp 1.9 CDTI variants. A newly developed six-speed automatic transmission is also available for the latter. Adaptive brake lights debut in the mid-size category in all Vectra and Signum as standard equipment. Active safety is further increased with optional automatic low beam head lights. A further innovation introduced in the Vectra family is the new generation of infotainment systems with an intuitive operating concept.

Thanks to their extensive standard equipment, the special sedan and station wagon models Edition offer customers a clear price advantage and impress with their dynamic, stylish design. The Opel Signum also has a fresh look and is even more elegant, with chrome front grille, darkened lamps and for many variants visible tailpipes. The 1.6-liter engine (74 kW/100 hp) available for the first time in the four-door Vectra sedan makes the Opel mid-size segment entry level even more economical.

IDSPlus: Top suspension comfort, active safety and driving dynamics

The adaptive IDSPlus chassis with electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC) first introduced in the new Astra now brings optimal balance between driving comfort and stability to the Opel mid-size models. This networked high-tech chassis system is available for the Vectra sedan, GTS and station wagon as well as the Signum, and is standard in conjunction with the 3.2 V6 and 3.0 V6 CDTI engines. It is optional with the 2.0-turbo models and the 110 kW/150 hp 1.9 CDTI ECOTEC engine.

The electronic damping system CDC is based on four shock absorbers controlled by solenoid valves, which precisely and continuously adjust the shock absorbers to ideally adapt to road conditions, vehicle movements and driving style within milliseconds. This ensures highest possible suspension comfort and optimal road grip in all driving situations. IDSPlus networks all driving dynamics systems such as ESPPlus, TCPlus or ABS and the electronic damping control into an integrated chassis control over CANbus (Controller Area Network). This networking enables the optimization of handling performance in terms of comfort, safety and dynamics on an even higher level. Targeted damper adjustment improves steering performance, and allows later and thereby significantly more sensitive ESP activation. When braking, the system adjusts the shock absorber settings to adapt to the road surface for optimal ABS control, which improves braking characteristics, particularly on bumpy roads. Thanks to minimized wheel vibrations braking distance is reduced, for instance on loose or bumpy surfaces, up to five percent. A decisive advantage, considering that road conditions in general are worsening. IDSPlus effects a measurable increase in safety on different pavements, wet roads or on ice or snow.

The IDSPlus chassis system also offers the possibility of choosing a tighter, even more agile set-up at the touch of a button. The SportSwitch function regulates damper characteristics, accelerates gas-pedal response and enables a more direct response of the map-controlled electro-hydraulic power steering. In conjunction with automatic transmissions the gear shift points are set at higher rpm to allow for a sportier driving style.

New: Six-speed automatic transmission for 1.9 CDTI models with 150 hp

A newly developed, adaptive six-speed automatic transmission can be ordered for the 1.9 CDTI models with 110 kW/150 hp. The new drive train harmonizes perfectly with the engine characteristics of the powerful common-rail diesel engine (maximum torque: 320 Nm at 2000 - 2750 rpm) and just like the five-speed automatic, features the ActiveSelect function. In addition to the fully automatic mode, gears can thus be shifted manually by simply tapping the gearshift lever. The transmission works adaptively, automatically aligning itself to driving styles and road conditions. Longer gear ratios enable higher performance while reducing consumption. Fuel economy is further aided by high-performance transmission oil that does not need to be changed during the whole lifecycle.

Innovative lighting technology: Adaptive brake lights and automatic low beams

All of this year's Vectra and Signum models have adaptive brake lights as standard equipment. The system causes more intensive illumination of the brake lights when heavy braking occurs (above speeds of 10 km/h) and thereby provides more safety. Opel is the first carmaker to introduce this technology into the mid-size segment. Also newly available for the Vectra and Signum is automatic low beam lighting (ALC, Automatic Lighting Control). With the help of two sensors in the windshield, the headlights are automatically turned on in tunnels, parking garages or as darkness approaches. When the car drives back into a brighter environment, ALC automatically turns them off. Opel offers this system together with rain sensors, photocromatic rear-view mirror and automatically regulated instrument panel illumination in the new "visibility" package.

Available immediately: New-generation infotainment systems

The new generation of user-friendly infotainment systems with intuitive operating concept and superb sound quality is already known from the new Astra. There are initially four system combinations available for the Vectra and Signum, ranging from stereo-CD-radio CD 30 MP3, CDC 40 Opera with integrated 6 x CD-changer and double tuner, to CD 50 Phone with integrated telephone and CD 70 Navi, which has an integrated navigation system with dynamic route guidance and graphic info display.

The new infotainment package offers an additional price advantage: it includes the CD 70 Navi, color info display with color map presentation, onboard computer and telephone installation kit. Available from October are CD 60 MMedia and CDC 80 MMedia, enabling use of the new OnStar services offboard navigation, electronic logbook (e-logbook) and breakdown assistance with telediagnosis.

New entry-level engine for Vectra sedan: 1.6-liter gasoline unit with 100 hp

The Vectra notchback sedan is now available with a fifth gasoline engine. It has 1.6-liter displacement, a power output of 74 kW/100 hp and complies with the Euro 4 emissions standard. The Vectra 1.6 needs only 7.2 liters fuel per 100 km, accelerates from 0 - 100 km/h in 12.5 seconds and has a maximum speed of 192 km/h.

Vectra "Edition": New special model with price advantage for customers

The new special model Edition for the Vectra sedan and station wagon has a sporty design and extensive standard equipment, including electronic climate control, stereo-CD-radio CD 30 and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. A striking bumper with large air inlets and integrated circular fog lights, dark-toned headlamps and tail lights, 16-inch alloy wheels in Edition design as well as aluminum décor applications in the interior make for a dynamic look.

The new exterior color "Pannacotta" is available for all Vectra and Signum and puts the finishing touch on the newest model year changes.