Sleek Vectra year’s best release

Holden has raised the bar with the introduction of larger and more sophisticated Vectra models. The carmaker’s chairman and managing director, Peter Hanenberger, remarked on the new Vectra upon its release.

“There is no doubt,” he said, “that this car has the qualities necessary to attract luxury import buyers, and to make its competitive presence felt in the medium and prestige markets.”

Brave words, but how good is the new Vectra? The Police Journal test-drove the sharp-looking, top-of-the-range Vectra CDXi V6. This sleek Euro-design sports hatch is very much a driver’s car, and combines a perfect blend of power, performance and comfort, with a long list of luxury and safety features. In fact, it must be one of the best new releases in Australia so far this year.

Three models – the four-cylinder CD sedan and hatch, the V6 CDX hatch and V6 CDXi hatch – make up the new Vectra range. All are longer, wider and more spacious than their predecessors, with interior dimensions on a par with the first-series Commodore. The new model, says Holden, benefits from advanced active and passive safety systems and improved driving dynamics.

The 2.2-litre ECOTEC four-cylinder aluminium engine now provides 108kW of power and 203Nm of torque. The previous 2.6-litre V6 has been tossed out in favour of a smooth and very efficient 3.2-litre DOHC V6. It churns out a healthy 155kW of power at 6,200rpm and 300Nm of torque at 3,800rpm.

Both engines can be teamed up with either a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission or new five-speed automatic, which features “adaptive learning” technology and an Active Select manual mode. Hydraulic mounts have been used on the engine and gearbox to eliminate vibration into the passenger compartment.

According to Holden, engineers have made vast improvements to chassis and body strength, which has resulted in improved crash performance. And, as an added boost to safety, all Vectras feature a tandem brake booster, front and side airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners with force limiters and advanced active head restraints. Each model also gets anti-lock brakes, plus an electronic package. This includes electronic brake distribution, emergency brake assist, cornering brake control and traction control.

Prices range from $34,990 (manual CD sedan) through to $49,990 (automatic CDXi hatch). This makes the CD sedan more expensive than the base Commodore, but it comes with a vast array of safety equipment, plus a long list of standard features, which include:

• Alloy wheels.
• Air conditioning.
• Heated power mirrors.
• Power windows.
• Eight-way adjustable driver’s seat.
• Nine-speaker audio system with CD.
• Cruise control.
• Height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel with audio controls.

In addition to the V6 engine and automatic transmission, the CDX hatch also has a six-disc CD audio system, trip computer, upgraded interior trim and larger alloy wheels.

...a delightful, throaty exhaust note...
...excellent for a medium-sized, V6-powered vehicle.

The superbly appointed CDXi manual hatch ($47,990) comes with:

• 17- x 7-inch alloy wheels with low profile tyres.
• Dual exhausts.
• Sports suspension and Electronic Stability Program.
• Heated front seats with full leather upholstery.
• Dual-zone climate-control system.
• Leather steering wheel.
• Refrigerated glove box.
• Sports body kit.

The CDXi is a superb car in which to sit. Its eight-way adjustable sports seat and reach/rake adjustable steering wheel provide the perfect driving position. And some may see heated front seats as a bit of a gimmick in Australia, but they certainly come in handy on cold mornings.

Performance is spot on. The engine has a delightful, throaty exhaust note that one only hears in the higher rev range. Acceleration is quick, the manual gearbox light and easy to use, and cornering flat and precise. Although on the firm side, the ride is comfortable.

Accessed through the large rear door, cargo space abounds in the hatch. It’s long, deep and capable of swallowing a stack of gear.

On the journal test-drive, the CDXi returned remarkable fuel economy – just 9.4 litres per 100km. In light of the drive – through the suburbs and Adelaide Hills – this is excellent for a medium-sized, V6-powered vehicle.