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Vauxhall Vectra

Vauxhall Vectra V6 DTi

If there has been one disappointment with the new Vectra, it's the diesels. The four-pot engines have been carried over from the old range, and they're simply not up to the standards of more modern rivals. Thankfully, though, there'll soon be another choice for those who want their Vectra to drink from the black pump. And potentially it could match even the BMW 330d and Audi A4 2.5 TDI.

By Michael Scarlett

September 2002

If there has been one disappointment with the new Vectra, it's the diesels. The four-pot engines have been carried over from the old range, and they're simply not up to the standards of more modern rivals. Thankfully, though, there'll soon be another choice for those who want their Vectra to drink from the black pump. And potentially it could match even the BMW 330d and Audi A4 2.5 TDI.

The new model, which will arrive in February, uses the all-aluminium 3.0-litre V6 common-rail turbodiesel first seen in Saab's 9-5, and the unit makes the Vectra an even better machine. The latest Vauxhall has already impressed with its levels of refinement, and adding this large-capacity diesel is no handicap. As with all oil-burners, it is slightly rough at tickover, but once at a cruising speed it's as quiet as a good petrol motor. Driven at Opel's Dudenhofen test ground, our Vectra proved its 140mph maximum speed in sixth gear.

Of more practical use, the 176bhp engine, with its variable-geometry turbo, develops maximum torque of 350Nm at 1,800rpm. This gives huge mid-range urge, which builds rapidly from 1,600rpm to at least 4,500rpm. While no official performance figures are available yet, there's no doubt the Vauxhall will comfortably beat the 9-5's own 0-60mph time of 9.3 seconds, and certainly improve on the bigger car's 38mpg, too.

The Vectra's main advantage will be its price, though - the DTi is expected to cost slightly less than the V6 petrol version, starting at around ΂£20,000.

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FIRST OPINION

    From our limited drive of this early prototype, we think the V6 diesel could well become our favourite version of the Vectra. It has fine performance, 40mpg economy and offers refinement to match the BMW 330d.
 

AT A GLANCE

    New V6 diesel Vectra on sale from February, priced £20,000
    Powered by 176bhp 3.0-litre engine taken from Saab 9-5
    Estimated 40mpg economy; 0-60mph in around 8.5 seconds
     
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