The Opel Signum is a large front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger mid-size executive hatchback produced by German manufacturer Opel from 2003 to 2008. Based on the Opel Vectra and its long wheelbase GM Epsilon platform, it was marketed primarily in Europe, with a rebadged version called the Vauxhall Signum in the United Kingdom. Positioned between large family cars and executive cars, it competed in a unique segment, similar to the Renault Vel Satis. After production ended in 2008, Opel replaced the Signum with the Opel Insignia. The Signum was featured in European adverts starring Pierluigi Collina.
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
The first official pictures of the production Signum were released in August 2002.5
Differences compared to Vectra
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.
Engines
The Signum was offered with a wide range engines it shared with the Vectra. These include:
| Petrol engine | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Engine code | Engine type | Displacement | Power | Torque | Years |
| 1.8 | Z18XE | I4 16V | 1,796 cc (1.8 L) | 122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) at 6000 rpm | 167 N⋅m (123 lb⋅ft) at 3800 rpm | 2003–'05 |
| 1.8 | Z18XER | 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6300 rpm | 175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3800 rpm | 2006–'08 | ||
| 2.0 Turbo | Z20NET | Turbo I4 16V | 1,998 cc (2.0 L) | 175 PS (129 kW; 173 hp) at 5500 rpm | 265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) at 2500–3800 rpm | 2003–'08 |
| 2.2 Direct | Z22YH | I4 16V | 2,198 cc (2.2 L) | 155 PS (114 kW; 153 hp) at 5600 rpm | 220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft) at 3800 rpm | |
| 2.8 V6 Turbo | Z28NEL | Turbo V6 | 2,792 cc (2.8 L) | 230 PS (169 kW; 227 hp) at 5500 rpm | 330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft) at 1800–4500 rpm | 2005–'06 |
| 2.8 V6 Turbo | Z28NET | 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) at 5500 rpm | 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 1800–4500 rpm | 2006–'08 | ||
| 3.2 V6 | Z32SE | V6 | 3,175 cc (3.2 L) | 211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp) at 6200 rpm | 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm | 2003–'05 |
| Diesel engine | ||||||
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Years | |
| 1.9 CDTI | Z19DTL[broken anchor] | I4 8V | 1,910 cc (1.9 L) | 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) at 3500 rpm | 260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) at 1700–2500 rpm | 2005–'08 |
| Z19DT[broken anchor] | 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4000 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2000–2750 rpm | 2004–'08 | |||
| Z19DTH[broken anchor] | I4 16V | 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 4000 rpm | 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2000–2750 rpm | 2004–'08 | ||
| 2.0 DTI | Y20DTH | 1,995 cc (2.0 L) | 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) at 4000 rpm | 230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 1500–2500 rpm | 2003–'04 | |
| 2.2 DTI | Y22DTR | 2,172 cc (2.2 L) | 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) at 4000 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 1500–2750 rpm | ||
| 3.0 V6 CDTI | Y30DT | V6 | 2,958 cc (3.0 L) | 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) at 4000 rpm | 370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft) at 1900–2800 rpm | 2003–'05 |
| Z30DT | 184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp) at 4000 rpm | 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1900–2700 rpm | 2005–'08 | |||
Replacement
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).
See Also
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opel Signum.References
"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 ↩