2003 Holden Vectra: First look

Just a few years ago and the medium car market was looking fairly shabby in Australia.

The Mondeo was dropped by Ford, Mazda's 626 was a bit of a non-event, the market had steadily decreased since the early 90s and, for the most part, many were hoping the segment would just die quietly.

The mid-sized market's only saving grace for the last half-a decade has been the capable Subaru Liberty.

In late 2002, however, the Mazda6 rocked up to the party, where it was showered with accolades and was highly praised not only its new-age styling, but also its punchy 2.3-litre engine and impressive on-road manners.

Since then, buyers have taken a keener interest in the genre and sales in the medium car market look to be on the rise.

Not content to let Mazda have all the fun, Holden will be offering its Euro-sourced third-generation ZC Vectra for sale in April, adding even more vigor to the once-ailing segment.

The first thing most people will notice about the 2003 Vectra is the new styling. While it is fairly far removed from the chic and sharp Nihon-inspired lines of the Mazda6, it offers a more understated Euro look, which is hardly surprising.

With a touch of Audi, and a passing resemblance to VW's Passat, the new Vectra's mildly flared wheel arches add impact, while the new brake lights add a touch of prestige.

The front end features a characteristic trapezoidal grille with central chrome bar and large Holden emblem, flanked assertively by vertically mounted, double-level head light clusters.

Compared to the outgoing model, it's a massive improvement and it has bucket loads of road presence thanks largely to the new and more modern shape.

Holden states that the revamped Vectra model range signals the start of a new era in front-wheel drive vehicles for the marque, and this can be interpreted as a nod in the direction of the 2004/05 Astra.

The new Vectra is the most sophisticated mid-sized Holden yet, incorporating a number of luxury-car features that would appear more at home on a Beemer.

Larger all over and more powerful than before, it utilises innovative technology to deliver a what is expected to be a high degree of refinement, though the new pricing also reflects the improvements.

Holden big chief, Peter Hanenberger, says the new generation Vectra will play a key strategic role through its ability to bring new customers into Holden showrooms.

“There is no doubt that this car has the qualifications necessary to attract luxury import buyers and to make its competitive presence felt in the medium and prestige market segments,” he said.

“The new Vectra is far more than a re-engineered version of the current series.

“It is the result of new thinking – a very smart car that widens the appeal of our front-wheel drive product portfolio and in many ways indicates its future direction,” Hanenberger concluded.

One of the more intriguing new features to the range is the adoption of a larger V6 mill, though the ageing 2.2-litre engine has been retained for entry-level models.

The two engines on offer are the 2.2-litre inline four and the 3.2-litre V6, the latter of which looking like the choice pick.

Both get electronic accelerators (drive-by-wire), knock sensors and meet strict Euro 4 emission standards.

The 2.2-litre mill features four-valves per cylinder, worth 108kW @ 5600rpm and 203Nm @ 4000rpm. It gets a couple of notable goodies, like a double-mass flywheel and light-alloy crankcase, but for the ultimate in four-bangers, check out the Mazda6's 2.3-litre engine instead.

Of more interest is the 248km/h, 3.2-litre V6, which replaces the 2.6-litre job found in the outgoing Vectra and gets something Holden types are calling a "multi-ram intake manifold".

Simply put, the mechanism controls intake pipe lengths according to the engine's current operating condition: Either a 185mm or 535mm intake route (for high and low engine speeds respectively) offers more torque at a wider range of revs.

The DOHC V6 powerplant generates 155kW of power @ 6200rpm and 300Nm of torque @ 3800rpm, putting it on similar footing to BMW's 330Ci, which also makes 300Nm from its straight six-cylinder mill.

Both engines can be fitted to either a close-ratio five speed manual, or GM's new 'Active Select' five-speed automatic transmission.

The auto gearbox allows for tiptronic changes via a J-gate column shifter, and Holden reckons it can also adapt to specific driving styles by adjusting shift times.

With its elongated wheelbase and wider stance, the new Holden Vectra is a half-size larger than its predecessor and boasts interior dimensions that are close to those of the first-series Holden Commodore.

In addition, the wider track combined with a stronger chassis, MacPherson strut front suspension and a new multi-link independent rear axle - not to mention a whole host of driving aids - should result in some compelling driving.

It may not reach the lofty standards set by the BMW 3-series, but we expect the new Vectra to give the Mazda6 a bit of a scare, particularly as its been tuned by Holden to suit Aussie roads.

The wedge-shaped ZC Vectras also boast an impressive drag co-efficient value of just 0.28, placing them among the sleekest and quietest in the medium-size segment.

Driving aids include the now-obligatory ABS, though you can also option an ESP system ('ESP Plus') that independently regulates up to three brakes at once to offer progressive stability if things go all pear-shaped.

A speed and steering angle-dependent electro-hydraulic steering rig makes the cut, as does electronic brake force distribution, traction control and cornering brake control - standard on all models.

Inside, the general look is rather fresh and the new Vec' offers impressive levels of interior space.

Front head and shoulder room, plus rear leg room, have been increased, while wider, lower door openings make for easier entry and exit and the boot is bigger than the superceded model too.

All three Vectra models (CD, CDX, CDXi) offer good levels of seating comfort and a quality fit and finish helps elevate its status.

Interiors have a clean, deliberately understated edge, characterised by subtle colour combinations, chrome accents and soft-feel textures. There's also steering wheel reach and rake adjustment, eight-way adjustable seating and a sliding centre armrest, which allows for simple selection of a preferred driving position.

There are two body styles on offer, sedan and hatch, spanning three specification levels. The base-model 2.2-litre CD is available as a hatch or sedan, while all other variants - CDX, CDXi - are hatch only. The V6 engine is also only offered on the CDX and CDXi models, meaning a V6 sedan didn't make the cut.

The entry-level CD starts proceedings at $34,990 and is kitted out with a lot more equipment than we would have otherwise given Holden credit for.

The CD gets 16 -inch alloy wheels, all driving aids - save for ESP Plus - driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags, air conditioning, power (and heated) exterior mirrors, power windows, eight-way adjustable driver's seat, a nine-speaker CD stereo system, cruise control and a multi-function display.

Next in line is the auto-only CDX hatch, which gets everything listed above, plus the more potent V6 engine, front fog lamps and differently-styled 16-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it gets a six-stack in-dash CD player, woodgrain accents, plush velour trim and a leather wrapped steering wheel.

The range-topping Vectra CDXi hatch is equipped with five-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic transmission and gets bigger, and rather swanky 17-inch alloy wheels and low profile tyres.

It is further set apart by sports bumpers (and bodykit), a larger front air dam, rear spoiler, black bezel headlamps, dark lens rear lamps and a very Audi-esque twin exhaust system with stainless steel extensions.

The CDXi will appeal more to those who enjoy enthusiastic driving, seeing as it's equipped with sports suspension and the new stability program, ESP Plus.

Interior features include heated black leather sports seats, three-spoke leather sports steering wheel, dual zone climate control with air quality sensor, leather handbrake grip, refrigerated glovebox and satin chrome instrument detailing.

The ZC Vectra has already been awarded the prestigious European Golden Steering Wheel Award in 2002, and when it launches in April 2003 it looks set to help revitalise what was, just a few years ago, a flagging medium car market.

While Vectra pricing has risen, it compares favourably to the Mazda6, whose pricing kicks off $32,705, about two grand more than the Vectra CD sedan. Built by Opel in Germany, like the Barina and Astra, Holden is confident that the new mid-sizer will perform well, and with a slew of new colours, driving aids and features, we reckon it could be right.

Pricing:

2.2 litre CD sedan $34,990 ($36,990 auto)
2.2 litre CD hatch $35,990 ($37,990 auto)
3.2 V6 CDX hatch $43,990 (auto only)
3.2 V6 CDXi hatch $47,990 ($49,990 auto)