The Hindu : Opel Vectra — the poor man's Mercedes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 16, 2002

Business

Business

Opel Vectra — the poor man's Mercedes

GENERAL MOTORS India has finally lifted the veil and suspense around the much-awaited Opel Vectra. Newsmen were given a sneak preview of the latest third generation Vectra at a press conference recently in New Delhi, though actual deliveries are slated for the first week of January.

The Vecta has typical European but extremely contemporary styling. The clear four-window graphics and the wide shoulderline emphasise the classic silhouette of the Vectra notchback sedan. Notable features in the profile are the compact wheelarches, lower side strip in the same colour as the vehicle, and large door handles. The high, curved belt line gives the car an exciting shape.

The trapezoid-shaped radiator grille at the front is integrated in the hood and a distinctive chrome bar has a large Opel emblem in the middle. This layout together with the vertical two-level clear-glass headlamps gives the vehicle a self-confident appearance.

Large taillights that wrap around the corners dominate the view from the rear and culminate in the wide shoulder line. A distinctive stainless steel strip at the bottom of the trunk lid provides a visual link between the lights and gives the impression of width and stability.

The brand name and the engine are also included on this strip. This elegant, chrome-on-chrome inscription is another example of the high aesthetic standards in the new Opel Vectra, as is the exhaust pipe which is completely hidden underneath the bumper.

While the car is powered by an advanced 16 valve DOHC, 147 bhp ECOTEC petrol engine, suitably tuned for India, the USP of the car is its Interactive Driving System — which is an intelligence feature designed to "talk'' with individual components of the electronic map-controlled electro hydraulic power steering, traction control system and the anti-lock braking system with cornering brake control and electronic brake force distributor, while interacting and interfacing with the driver as well. This system ensures that the driver maintains maximum vehicle control at all times.

The model being launched in India is the premium variant named Vectra "Comfort'' and will have the following comprehensive equipment as standard:

Interactive driving system (IDS); improved active head restraints on the front seats (the height of restraints can be adjusted for all seats); full-size, 2 front and 2 side airbags; three-point automatic belts for all seats, belt tensioners on the four outer seats; pedal release system patented by Opel; electronically-controlled, latest-generation four-channel ABS braking system with cornering brake control (CBC), electronic brake pressure distributor and brake assistant; advanced traction control system; in-dash 4 CD changer; digital graphic information display on the dash board; a set of four wireless tire pressure monitoring sensors in the elegant 16 inch alloys sporting low profile tires; and a unique follow-me-home function on the jewel effect, projection headlamps.

With fine materials, perfect colour coordination and great attention to detail, the interior in the new Opel Vectra has a high-quality appearance. And it is not only the colours but also the structure of the surfaces and their appearance that are perfectly coordinated. Many of the interior features such as the door pockets, glovebox and lower part of the instrument panel have been given a lavish coat of smooth, water-based paint to make the surface particularly pleasant to touch. High-gloss chrome gives a shimmering look to functional features like door latches, handbrake lever and gear-shift. The controls all come with an easy-to-grip rubber surface and offer uniform resistance. The hand-holds above the doors are damped to return slowly and silently to their out-of-use position.

The dual-zone ECC (electronic climate control) with air quality sensor provides an interior climate that remains stable even under changing conditions.

The hi-tech electronics working behind the curtains decides the action required by the climate control system to ensure that the settings selected independently by the driver and front-seat passenger are maintained. It also ensures that drinks in the glove-box stay cool.

The range of functions possible with the Vectra's locking and immobilising system is extensive and Opel has also applied for a patent here. It locks and immobilises the car with a random selection from over a million possible codes.

The transponder on the key "talks" to the car using radio waves. What is unique is that with the remote key one can unlock the driver's door alone or all the doors and also operate the power windows on all doors. Operating the boot lock is also possible through this remote key.

This high-tech car comes with extended service intervals of 10,000 km in an effort to reduce running costs. The flexible service interval indicator takes into consideration how the car has been driven and provides information on when servicing is required next. Many components are also completely maintenance-free — the transmission lubricants, coolants for the engine and air conditioning.

GM India will offer a two year waranty with unlimited mileage on all new Vectras sold in India while also offering a five year anti-perforation warranty.

With the Opel Vectra, the limited D-segment stands to witness marginal growth as has typically happened with the entry of every new model.

But what is significant is that the Opel Vectra built in and brought straight from Germany, with all the exotic features that it boasts, may turn out to be the poor man's Mercedes, the difference being that this one will sport an Opel Blitz! But it will all depend on the price that GM India is yet to announce.

Tutu Dhawan

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