Opel Signum

The Opel Signum was a large family car/executive hatchback engineered and manufactured by Opel in Germany between 2003 and 2008. It was almost exclusively sold in Europe. In the United Kingdom it was sold under the Vauxhall Signum nameplate. The Signum is largely based on the Opel Vectra and used the long-wheelbase version of the GM Epsilon platform, also used by Vectra Caravan.

The car is based on an unusual concept of a very large hatchback with a nearly vertical tailgate. Its dimensions place it between traditional large family cars and executive cars. In most markets, it was also priced accordingly (more expensive than Opel Vectra, but less than e.g. Audi A6). The Signum was intended to capture a whole new market segment.

From March 2008, the Vauxhall Signum was no longer listed on Vauxhall's current price list, implying that right-hand drive production was discontinued.

Both the Signum and the Vectra were replaced at the end of 2008 by the Opel Insignia range ^[1]

Differences compared to Vectra

Compared to a standard five-door Vectra, the Signum has a wheelbase stretched by 13 cm (5.1 in) and is 23 cm (9.1 in) longer overall, keeping the same width and being slightly (by 6 mm) taller. This provides for very ample rear legroom. Instead of a traditional three-passenger bench seat, the Signum has two separate seats in the rear, which can be adjusted in many ways, including sliding back and forth (just like the front seats) and reclining backrests. There is also a very narrow central section, which includes a folding armrest and can also serve as a third seat (the Signum is fitted with three rear headrests and safety belts). The seats can also be folded down individually to increase the cargo space - a system that Opel calls Flexspace.

The Signum shares many body panels (including the complete front part of the body) and interior elements (in particular the complete dashboard and front seats) with the Vectra, but the tailgate and rear fender design is unique to the Signum. The Signum was facelifted along with the Vectra lineup in 2005, getting a new front fascia design and slight changes elsewhere.

All Signums were made alongside Vectras in Opel's Rüsselsheim plant in Germany.

Engines

The Signum was offered with a wide range engines it shared with the Vectra. These include:

• 1.8 L I4 16V DOHC Ecotec
• 2.2 L I4 16V DOHC Ecotec Direct
• 2.0 L I4 16V DOHC Turbo Ecotec
• 3.2 L V6 24V DOHC L81 (replaced by the 2.8 V6 turbo in 2005)
• 2.8 L V6 Turbo 24V DOHC HFV6 (avail. since the 2005 facelift)
• 2.0 L I4 16V DOHC DTI Ecotec (replaced by the base 1.9 CDTI in 2005)
• 2.2 L I4 16V DOHC DTI Ecotec (replaced by the DOHC 1.9 CDTI in 2005)
• 1.9 L I4 8V OHC CDTI (the 74 kW (99 hp) version of this engine is available since the 2005 facelift, superseding the 2.0 DTI)
• 1.9 L I4 16V DOHC CDTI (avail. since the 2005 facelift)
• 3.0 L V6 24V DOHC CDTI

Replacement

The car ceased production in 2008. Although no direct replacement has been announced, much of the market territory it once occupied had already been filled by the new Insignia (2008).

References