What they said when the Vauxhall Signum was new… (Apr 28 2003)
IT MUST be increasingly tricky being a car designer nowadays with so many different customer sectors to please.
In days gone by we were offered small cars, medium-sized cars, big cars and estates. Some of these had two doors, some four.
Then came the hatchbacks, which for some reason are called three-door or five-door vehicles, even though I've never seen anyone trying to clamber into the back seats through the third or fifth "door."
Now we have micro cars, city cars, minis, superminis, hatchbacks, executives, mini and full-size MPVs, estates, tourers, saloons, SUVs and giant off-roaders.
So when a car company says it has come up with something different, its hard to believe.
That's what Vauxhall is claiming to be offering with its new executive model the Signum. And in a way it has managed to produce something slightly out of the ordinary.
Signum is a niche car, designed to fit in between the big-selling Vectra and the Omega luxury saloon.
It's based on an extended Vectra chassis and all the additional space has been given to passenger comfort in the back.
It has exceptional legroom and the unique feature of moveable rear seats. Buyers can choose to slide the two main bucket seats forwards or backwards by five inches depending on whether you need more legroom or more boot space.
Signum is really a four-seater, but it does have a small "occasional" middle rear seat, which doesn't look the most comfortable in the world.
But if you don't need the additional seat it can be replaced with what Vauxhall calls a "multi-functional Travel Assistant."
This is, in fact, a rather ugly contraption which offers two folding tables, an electrically operated cool box, litter bin, cupholders, a 12-volt power outlet and a holder for a portable DVD player.
I found it to be a handy armrest when being chauffeured to the launch press conference. It is an optional extra costing £250 which I doubt will prove a hit with owners.
Vauxhall has also provided additional storage space in the shape of a roof-mounted compartment for sunglasses, mobile phones, etc.
Although only 1.5 inches longer than the Vectra, the Signum's wheelbase is 5 inches longer, and the extra space has been used to good effect inside the cabin.
Even at 6ft-plus, I was able to stretch out in the back in comfort which is a plus point on a long journey.
The interior is well appointed, with comfortable seating, good all-round visibility and functional but rather gloomy central console.
From the front the Signum is pure Vectra, but from the side and rear it's a different animal.
The sweeping side windows and wrap-around hatch glass give the Signum an estate/coupe look which I found attractive.
Signum has six petrol and turbodiesel engines available with power ranging from 100 bhp to 211 bhp.
Three of the engines are brand new: the 3.0 V6 CDTi common rail, turbodiesel; the 2.0-litre Turbo petrol; and the 2.2 Direct petrol.
Six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission can be specified and the Signum comes in three trim levels, Elegance, Design and Elite with prices starting from £17,995 for the 2.2 Direct Elegance topping out at £25,600 for the Elite V6 3.0.
I drove both on a mixed route of motorways, A roads and winding Welsh hills. For its size, the Signum handled extremely well. It corners well at speed and noise levels are kept to a minimum.
Power is adequate, and on both 2.3 and V5 3.0 an acceptable mpg was achieved. Braking is positive and there is plenty of feedback through the steering.
Overall the Signum is a fine niche car offering practicality, individual style and comfortable transport for the executive driver.
Words: Stewart Smith
Copyright