Opel Signum

Opel Signum
Overview
Manufacturer	Opel
Also called	Vauxhall Signum
Production	2003—2008
Body and chassis
Class	Family car
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
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

Opel Signum (post-facelift)

The Opel Signum was a family car engineered and manufactured by Opel in Germany 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 Signum was largely based on the Opel Vectra and used the long-wheelbase version of the GM Epsilon platform, also used by 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 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 RHD production was discontinued, and both the Signum and the Vectra were replaced in late 2008 by the Opel Insignia range.

Differences compared to Vectra

Although the Signum shares many components with the Vectra, the rear tailgate is completely different.

The Signum platform is that of the Vectra Estate, the wheelbase is longer than the Vectra hatchback/saloon 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 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).

See also

Badge engineering