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
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.
The Signum was offered with a wide range engines it shared with the Vectra. These include:
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).
"United Press International: GM Woes Spell Trouble For Opel". UPI.com. Retrieved 6 December 2008. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/23/GMs_woes_spell_trouble_for_Opel/UPI-66211227487235/ ↩
"Referee Collina 'takes control' in Vauxhall TV and print campaign". www.campaignlive.co.uk. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 9 November 2017. https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/referee-collina-takes-control-vauxhall-tv-print-campaign/518602 ↩
"Opel-Vauxhall Signum2 design study unveiled". cardesignnews.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131103155700/http://archive.cardesignnews.com/news/2000/001108opelvaux-signum2/index.html ↩
"Signum2 concept for Frankfurt Motor Show gives a glimpse into Opel's Future". cardesignnews.com. Retrieved 27 April 2014. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/23/GMs_woes_spell_trouble_for_Opel/UPI-66211227487235/ ↩
"First photos of Opel/Vauxhall Signum". cardesignnews.com. 21 August 2002. Retrieved 2 February 2017. http://cardesignnews.com/articles/news/2002/08/first-photos-of-opelvauxhall-signum ↩