- Responsive 3.2-litre V6 engine
- Accomplished ride/handling balance
- Well-weighted steering has excellent feel
- Quiet, well-insulated cabin
- Spacious interior
- Front seats for Vectra CD lack support
- Tyre noise, particularly for rear occupants
- Jerky throttle response
- Manual transmission has clunky feel
Overview
Released in March 2003, the Holden ZC Vectra was available as sedan or liftback. Manufactured in Russelsheim, Germany, the front-wheel drive ZC Vectra was available with either a 2.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine or a 3.2-litre petrol V6 engine and in CD, CDX and CDXi variants. Transmission options consisted of five-speed manual and five-speed automatic units.
L61 and L31 engines
Of the engines,
- the 2.2-litre L61 four-cylinder engine had an aluminium block, two counter-rotating in-block balance shafts, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, a double mass flywheel and a compression ratio of 10.0:1; and,
- the 3.2-litre L31 V6 engine had an iron block, aluminium double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, a variable length intake manifold and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.
Dimensions and body
Compared to the JS Vectra , the ZC Vectra sedan and liftback were 101 mm longer (at 4596 mm), 91 mm wider (1798 mm), 35 mm taller (1460 mm) and had 60 mm longer wheelbases (2700 mm). The use of high and extra-high strength steels also contributed to a substantially stronger body which achieved a 74 per cent increase in torsional rigidity and a 62 per cent increase in bending stiffness.
Suspension
The ZC Zectra had MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link rear suspension (both with coil springs, gas-filled dampers and anti-roll bars).
| Body | Variant | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan, liftback | CD | 2003-05 | 2.2-litre petrol I4 | 5sp auto, 5sp man. |
108 kW at 5600 rpm | 203 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| 2004-05 | 3.2-litre petrol V6 | 5sp auto | 155 kW at 6200 rpm | 300 Nm at 3800 rpm | ||
| Liftback | CDX | 2003-05 | 3.2-litre petrol V6 | 5sp auto | 155 kW at 6200 rpm | 300 Nm at 3800 rpm |
| CDXi | 2003-05 | 3.2-litre petrol V6 | 5sp auto, 5sp man. |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the ZC Vectra included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS with cornering brake control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, traction control, anti-submarining seats, active front seat head restraints, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters and outer rear seatbelts with pretensioners; the CDXi was also fitted with electronic stability control.
From 2004, the Vectra CDXi was fitted with full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants).
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2002 Opel Vectra sedan – as it was sold in Europe – that was fitted with a 1.8-litre petrol engine received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 29.86 when equipped with curtain airbags. In the frontal offset impact test, protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver. In the side impact test, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver.
Features: Vectra CD, CDX and CDXi
Standard features for the entry-level Vectra CD included 16-inch alloy wheels, a nine speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser.
Beyond this, the Vectra CDX added a six-stack CD player, velour upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, trip computer and woodgrain interior trim.
The range-topping Vectra CDXi was further equipped with 17-inch alloys with sports suspension, dual zone climate control air conditioning, black leather seats, contoured front seats with heating, a refrigerated glovebox and satin chrome instrument detailing. Visually, the CDXi could be identified its black headlight bezels, dark lens tail-lights, larger front air intake, wheel arch vents, rear spoiler and twin exhaust pipes.
2004 Vectra update
From 2004, the CD and CDX were fitted with clear side indicator and rear indicator lenses. Furthermore, the CD received body-coloured door handles (previously reserved for the CDX and CDXi) and the CDX was fitted with dual zone climate control air conditioning.
December 2004 Vectra update
In December 2004, the Vectra was again updated and the range was expanded with the introduction of V6-powered CD variants in sedan and liftback bodies. As part of the update,
- the Vectra CD variant was fitted new five-spoke alloy wheels, an MP3-compatible CD player (standard across the range), contoured sports seats and twin cupholders (front and rear);
- the Vectra CDX was fitted 17-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels; and,
- the Vectra CDXi received rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, memory settings for door mirrors and electrochromatic (anti-glare) rear view and door mirrors.
Related links
- Holden Media Archive: Holden’s New ZC Vectra (March 2003)
- Holden Media Archive: The 2004 Holden Vectra (January 2004)
- Holden Media Archive: Holden Vectra Getes V6 Power Across The Range (December 2004)
- Features: Holden ZC Vectra (May 2005)
- Wikipedia.org: Opel Vectra C
