Opel Signum

Last updated

Opel Signum
Opel Signum Facelift 20090717 front.JPG
Overview
Manufacturer Opel (General Motors)
Also calledVauxhall Signum
Production2003–2008
AssemblyGermany: Rüsselsheim
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size car (D)
Body style 5-door hatchback
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform Epsilon platform
Related Fiat Croma
Chevrolet Malibu
Opel Vectra
Saturn Aura
Saab 9-3
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,830 mm (111.4 in)
Length4,636 mm (182.5 in)
Width1,798 mm (70.8 in)
Height1,466 mm (57.7 in)
Curb weight 1,490–1,715 kg (3,285–3,781 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Opel Omega
Successor Opel Insignia Sports Tourer

The Opel Signum is a large front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger, mid-size car manufactured and marketed by the German car manufacturer Opel from 2003 to 2008, exclusively over a single generation, derived from the Opel Vectra. Marketed almost exclusively in Europe, a rebadged Signum was marketed in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Signum. The Signum used the long wheelbase version of the GM Epsilon platform also used by the Opel Vectra Caravan.

Contents

As a very large hatchback with a nearly vertical tailgate, its dimensions placed it between traditional large family cars and executive cars. In most markets, it was also priced accordingly (more expensive than the Opel Vectra, but less than e.g. Audi A6). The Opel Signum was intended to capture a new market segment.

General Motors, Opel's then parent, executed a similar concept in North America of a large hatchback with the related 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, also derived from the Epsilon platform.

After March 2008, RHD production ended, and both the Opel Signum and the Opel Vectra were replaced with the new Opel Insignia in October of the same year. [1] From the end of 2005, Pierluigi Collina starred in adverts across Europe for the Signum, as well as the Vectra. [2]

Production of the Signum and Vectra C ended in July 2008 for Mainland Europe.

2001 Signum2 Concept

Opel Signum2 Concept Opel Signum 2 Concept 2001 1.jpg
Opel Signum2 Concept

The Opel Signum2 Concept was a luxury hatchback presented by Opel at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, and the 2001 Bologna Motor Show in Italy. Design elements from the car were later used in the production Signum, which went into production in February 2003. In November 2000, sketches of the Signum2 were present. [3]

The Signum name was also used on a concept car presented at the 1997 Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. In August 2001, the name of the car was announced. [4]

The first official pictures of the production Signum were released in August 2002. [5]

Differences compared to Vectra

The Signum platform is that of the Vectra Estate, meaning that the wheelbase is longer than the hatchback/saloon of the Vectra by 13 cm (5.1 in). This provides for very ample rear legroom. Instead of a traditional three passenger bench seat, the Signum has two separate seats in the rear, offering a range of adjustment capabilities 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 September 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:

Petrol engine
ModelEngine codeEngine typeDisplacementPowerTorqueYears
1.8 Z18XE I4 16V 1,796 cc (1.8 L)122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) at 6000 rpm167 N⋅m (123 lb⋅ft) at 3800 rpm2003–'05
1.8 Z18XER 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6300 rpm175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3800 rpm2006–'08
2.0 Turbo Z20NET Turbo I4 16V 1,998 cc (2.0 L)175 PS (129 kW; 173 hp) at 5500 rpm265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) at 2500–3800 rpm2003–'08
2.2 Direct Z22YH I4 16V 2,198 cc (2.2 L)155 PS (114 kW; 153 hp) at 5600 rpm220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft) at 3800 rpm
2.8 V6 Turbo Z28NEL Turbo V6 2,792 cc (2.8 L)230 PS (169 kW; 227 hp) at 5500 rpm330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft) at 1800–4500 rpm2005–'06
2.8 V6 Turbo Z28NET 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) at 5500 rpm350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 1800–4500 rpm2006–'08
3.2 V6 Z32SE V6 3,175 cc (3.2 L)211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp) at 6200 rpm300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm2003–'05
Diesel engine
ModelEngineDisplacementPowerTorqueYears
1.9 CDTI Z19DTL I4 8V1,910 cc (1.9 L)100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) at 3500 rpm260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) at 1700–2500 rpm2005–'08
Z19DT 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4000 rpm280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2000–2750 rpm2004–'08
Z19DTH I4 16V 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 4000 rpm320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2000–2750 rpm2004–'08
2.0 DTI Y20DTH 1,995 cc (2.0 L)100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) at 4000 rpm230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 1500–2500 rpm2003–'04
2.2 DTI Y22DTR 2,172 cc (2.2 L)125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) at 4000 rpm280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 1500–2750 rpm
3.0 CDTI Y30DT V6 2,958 cc (3.0 L)177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) at 4000 rpm370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft) at 1900–2800 rpm2003–'05
Z30DT 184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp) at 4000 rpm400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1900–2700 rpm2005–'08

Replacement

In July 2008, both the Signum and Vectra C were discontinued. Although no direct replacement was announced, much of the market territory it once occupied was filled by the Insignia (2008).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel</span> German automotive brand, subsidiary of Stellantis

Opel Automobile GmbH, usually shortened to Opel, is a German automobile manufacturer which has been a subsidiary of Stellantis since 16 January 2021. It was owned by the American automaker General Motors from 1929 until 2017 and the PSA Group prior to its merger with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to form Stellantis in 2021. Most of the Opel lineup is marketed under the Vauxhall Motors brand in the United Kingdom since the 1980s. Some Opel vehicles were badge-engineered in Australia under the Holden brand until 2020, in North America and China under the Buick, Saturn, and Cadillac brands, and in South America under the Chevrolet brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Station wagon</span> Auto body-style with its roof extended rearward

A station wagon or estate car, is an automotive body-style variant of a sedan with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door, instead of a trunk/boot lid. The body style transforms a standard three-box design into a two-box design—to include an A, B, and C-pillar, as well as a D-pillar. Station wagons can flexibly reconfigure their interior volume via fold-down rear seats to prioritize either passenger or cargo volume.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vauxhall Motors</span> British automotive manufacturing and distribution company, subsidiary of Stellantis

Vauxhall Motors Limited is a British car company headquartered in Chalton, Bedfordshire, England. Vauxhall became a subsidiary of Stellantis in January 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hatchback</span> Car body configuration with a rear door

A hatchback is a car body configuration with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the main interior of the car as a cargo area rather than just to a separated trunk. Hatchbacks may feature fold-down second-row seating, where the interior can be reconfigured to prioritize passenger or cargo volume.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vauxhall Chevette</span> Motor vehicle

The Vauxhall Chevette is a supermini car that was manufactured by Vauxhall in the United Kingdom from 1975 to 1984. It was Vauxhall's version of the "T-Car" small-car family from Vauxhall's parent General Motors (GM), and based primarily on the Opel Kadett C. The family also included the Isuzu Gemini in Japan, the Holden Gemini in Australia, the Chevrolet Chevette in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina, and in the U.S. and Canada it was also rebadged as the Pontiac Acadian/Pontiac T1000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vauxhall Astra</span> Motor vehicle

The Vauxhall Astra is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) that has been sold by Vauxhall since 1980. Over its eight generations, it has been made at several GM/Opel/Stellantis plants around Europe - however most versions have been sourced from Vauxhall's plant at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Astra</span> Compact car

The Opel Astra is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) developed and produced by the German automaker Opel since 1991, currently at its sixth generation. It was first launched in September 1991 as a direct replacement to the Opel Kadett. As of 2022, the car slots between the smaller Corsa supermini and the larger Insignia large family car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Vectra</span> Compact executive car manufactured by Opel

The Opel Vectra is a mid-size car that was engineered and produced by the German automaker Opel from 1988 until 2010. Available in saloon, hatchback and estate body styles, the Vectra was also sold by the Vauxhall marque in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Cavalier from 1988 to 1995 and then as the Vauxhall Vectra from 1995 to 2008, and it was also sold by Holden in Australia as the Holden Vectra, by Chevrolet in Latin America as the Chevrolet Vectra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vauxhall Cavalier</span> Car model

The Vauxhall Cavalier is a large family car that was sold primarily in the United Kingdom by Vauxhall from 1975 to 1995. It was based on a succession of Opel designs throughout its production life, during which it was built in three incarnations. The first generation of Cavalier, launched in 1975 and produced until 1981, was Vauxhall's version of the General Motors 'U-Car' - essentially an Opel Ascona B/ Opel Manta with a few minor visual differences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Kadett</span> German small car model

The Opel Kadett is a small family car produced by the German automobile manufacturer Opel from 1936 until 1940 and then from 1962 until 1991, when it was succeeded by the Opel Astra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Omega</span> Executive car engineered and manufactured by Opel

The Opel Omega is an executive car engineered and manufactured by German automaker Opel between 1986 and 2004. The first generation, the Omega A (1986–1994), superseded the Opel Rekord. It was voted European Car of the Year for 1987, and was available as a saloon or estate. The second generation, the Omega B, was manufactured from 1994 to 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Calibra</span> Coupe produced by Opel

The Opel Calibra is a coupé, engineered and produced by the German automaker Opel between 1989 and 1997. In the United Kingdom, where it remained on sale until 1999, it was marketed under the Vauxhall brand as the Vauxhall Calibra. It was also marketed as the Chevrolet Calibra in South America by Chevrolet, and the Holden Calibra in Australia and New Zealand by Holden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors Kappa platform</span> Automobile platform by General Motors

Kappa was General Motors' subcompact rear-wheel drive automobile platform for roadster applications. The architecture debuted in the 2006 Pontiac Solstice and 2007 Saturn Sky, and ended production in 2009. These vehicles generally have a "M" in the fourth digit of their VIN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Motors Epsilon platform</span> Motor vehicle platform

Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was a multi-division project of GM North America, Opel and Saab, and debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. Since this platform falls squarely in the center of the worldwide automobile market, GM plans to produce a great many Epsilon vehicles with over a dozen variations. As of 2005, it was GM's highest volume worldwide platform. Even after the dissolution of the GM/Fiat partnership, both companies retain the rights to continue developing Epsilon-derived models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bitter Automotive</span> German Premium sports-luxury automobile marque.

Erich Bitter Automobil GmbH (Bitter) is a premium sports-luxury automobile marque produced in Germany and later Austria. Founder Erich Bitter (1933-2023), a then retired racing driver turned automobile tuner, importer and ultimately designer began crafting his own vehicles after business ventures with Italian manufacturer Intermeccanica ended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Combo</span> Motor vehicle

The Opel Combo is a panel van and leisure activity vehicle from the German automaker Opel. The Combo first appeared in 1993, a second generation model was introduced in 2001, and the third was manufactured from December 2011 to December 2017, based on the Fiat Doblò. The name "Combo" was previously applied as a suffix to a three-door panel van body style of Opel Kadett E from 1986 until 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Insignia</span> Mid-size/large family car manufactured by Opel

The Opel Insignia is a large family car developed and produced by the German car manufacturer Opel from 2008 to 2022. Taking its name from a 2003 concept car, the model line serves as the flagship model, slotted above the Astra and Corsa in size. The Insignia serves as the successor to both the Signum and Vectra model lines, replacing both vehicles under a single nameplate. Currently in its second generation, the model line is offered in four-door sedan/saloon body styles, five-door liftback, and as a five-door station wagon/estate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel GTC</span> Motor vehicle

The Opel Gran Turismo Coupé Concept, abbreviated as Opel GTC Concept, was a concept car that was manufactured by Opel and designed to be a coupé version of the Opel Vectra C. The GTC premiered at the 77th Geneva Motor Show in 2007. The Opel GTC was a grand tourer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Kadett C</span> Motor vehicle

The Opel Kadett C is a small family car which was produced by the German automobile manufacturer Opel from 1973 to 1979. The Kadett C, which was the fourth generation of the Opel Kadett, was released in August 1973, and was Opel's version of the General Motors "T-Car". It was the last small Opel to feature rear-wheel drive, and remained in production at Opel's Bochum plant until July 1979, by which time Opel had produced 1,701,076. Of these, 52% had been exported outside West Germany, most of them to markets in other parts of western Europe. In other world markets, however, various badge engineered versions of the Kadett C remained in production as late as the mid-1990s under other GM brand names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opel Corsa</span> Supermini car manufactured by Opel

The Opel Corsa is a supermini car engineered and produced by the German automobile manufacturer Opel since 1982. Throughout its existence, it has been sold under a variety of other brands owned by General Motors and also spawned various other derivatives.

References

  1. "United Press International: GM Woes Spell Trouble For Opel". UPI.com. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
  2. "Referee Collina 'takes control' in Vauxhall TV and print campaign". www.campaignlive.co.uk. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  3. "Opel-Vauxhall Signum2 design study unveiled". cardesignnews.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  4. "Signum2 concept for Frankfurt Motor Show gives a glimpse into Opel's Future". cardesignnews.com. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  5. "First photos of Opel/Vauxhall Signum". cardesignnews.com. 21 August 2002. Retrieved 2 February 2017.