Opel Signum

Opel Signum
Overview
Manufacturer	Opel (General Motors)
Also called	Vauxhall Signum
Production	2003–2008
Assembly	Rüsselsheim, Germany
Body and chassis
Class	Large family car
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform	Epsilon platform
Related	Fiat Croma Chevrolet Malibu Opel Vectra Saturn Aura
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,830 mm (111 in)
Length	4,636 mm (182.5 in)
Width	1,798 mm (70.8 in)
Height	1,466 mm (57.7 in)
Curb weight	1,490 kg (3,280 lb)-1,715 kg (3,781 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Opel Insignia

The Opel Signum is a large family car that was engineered and manufactured by the German automaker Opel from 2003 to 2008. It was almost exclusively sold in Europe. In the United Kingdom, it was rebadged and sold under the Vauxhall Signum name. The Opel Signum was largely based on the Opel Vectra, and used the long wheelbase version of the GM Epsilon platform, also used by the Opel Vectra Caravan.

The car was 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 the Opel Vectra, but less than e.g. Audi A6). The Opel Signum was intended to capture a whole 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.

From March 2008, the Vauxhall Signum was no longer listed on Vauxhall's current price list, which implied that RHD production ended, and both the Opel Signum and the Opel Vectra were replaced in October 2008 by the Opel Insignia range.^[1] From the end of 2005, Pierluigi Collina starred in adverts across Europe for the Signum, as well as the Vectra.^[2]

• 
  2001 Opel Signum2 Concept
• 
  2003–2005 Opel Signum
• 
  Although the Signum shares many components with the Vectra, the rear tailgate is completely different
• 
  2005–2008 Opel Signum
• 
  2005–2008 Opel Signum
• 
  Badged as a Vauxhall Signum for Britain

2001 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]

In August 2002, the first official pictures of the production Signum were released.^[5]

Differences compared to Vectra

The Signum platform is that of the Vectra Estate, 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, 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 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:

• 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 facelift of 2005)
• 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 facelift of 2005, superseding the 2.0 DTI)
• 1.9 L I4 16V DOHC CDTI (avail. since the facelift of 2005)
• 3.0 L V6 24V DOHC CDTI

Replacement

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

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opel Signum.