Holden Vectra

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Holden Vectra
Manufacturer	General Motors
Also called	Chevrolet Vectra Opel Vectra Vauxhall Vectra
Production	1997–2006
Predecessor	Holden Apollo
Successor	Holden Epica
Class	medium family car
Similar	Ford Mondeo Renault Laguna Mazda 626/6

Vectra B

Production	1995–2002
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 5-door hatchback
Platform	FF GM2900
Engine	2.0 L I4 2.2 L I-4 2.5 L V6 2.6 L V6
Related	Saab 9-3 Saab 9-5 Saturn L-Series

Vectra C

Production	2002–2006
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door hatchback
Platform	FF Epsilon
Engine	2.2 L I-4 3.2 L V6
Related	Cadillac BLS Chevrolet Malibu Fiat Croma Pontiac G6 Opel Signum Saab 9-3 Saturn Aura

The Holden Vectra is the Australasian version of the Opel Vectra.

[edit] Vectra A

The first generation Vectra was sold to New Zealand in 1995 as a Holden, in sedan and hatchback forms. A basic rebadging exercise of the European imported Opel Vectra, there were still many Opel badges within, most notably on the car's mudflaps.

[edit] Vectra B

The second model, the Vectra B, was introduced in 1997, and the model range included a station wagon version for the first time. This model replaced the Holden Apollo and in 1998, Holden began assembly of the Vectra, in 2.0L sedan and wagon forms, for export to other right-hand drive markets in the region, although this was aversely affected by the Asian economic crisis, and ended in 2001.

Engines started from the 75 PS (55 kW) 1.6 L, but eventually the 8-valve engines were all replaced by 16-valve powerplants. The 2.0 L engine, with 136 PS (100 kW) was developed as a basis for touring car racing, but the top of the line was a 2.5 L V6 with 170 PS (125 kW). From August 1999 Australian models were available with the C22SEL motor developing 104kW and 200NM. Later V6 models from Oct 2000 receieved an updated motor of 2.6L.

In 1999 the Vectra was updated with the introduction of the Australian specific C22SEL motor, receiving a mildly modified body (that can be identified by the single piece headlight units and body-coloured bumpers) together with somewhat improved handling characteristics and better equipment. For the first time the Vectra also received an station wagon version, particularly missed by the British public, as the Ascona-based Cavalier featured an estate body that was not retained for the Vectra-based Cavalier.

Similarly, in Australia (and possibly New Zealand), the European-sourced Vectra is to be dropped and replaced with the Holden Epica, a rebadged Daewoo Tosca in December 2006. The Australian Vectras didn't get the late 2005 facelift, the 2006 models still get the original Vectra C front.