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SIGN OF THE TIMES
Vauxhall Are Persevering With Their Unusual Signum. But Will A Facelift & Some Improved Engines Be Enough To Rejuvenate Its Appeal? Jonathan Crouch Decides...

Creating a new class of car is always a gamble. There tend to be three inevitable results. Either you get in first and it pays off big (think Renault Espace) or you’re first to market but someone subsequently does it a whole lot better (hello Toyota Picnic). Alternatively, you fall spectacularly on your face and everybody laughs at you (Suzuki X90). Vauxhall claim their Signum is exactly this – an entirely new class of car. But the British buying public are yet to be convinced.

So will the latest package of improvements do the trick? Well, certainly, a lot of effort has been made. First, and most obvious, is the latest nose-job, similar to that lately visited on the humbler Vectra. As facelifts go, it’s strikingly good, reminding us that the original car wasn’t one of Vauxhall’s better styling efforts. Next, Vauxhall’s marketers have addressed the question of value. There are now four trim levels – Exclusiv, Elegance, Design and Elite – more sharply priced from £18,225. All models feature colour screen satellite navigation as standard. The Elegance and Exclusiv both get chrome-effect air vent controls, while the Design gets rain sensitive wipers, part leather trim, an anti-dazzle rear view mirror, automatic headlights and ambient interior night lighting. Elite models feature full leather trim and electronic climate control.

"It’s all rather civilised, much like flying window seat in Club class"

Under the bonnet, a 250bhp 2.8-litre V6 24-valve turbocharged petrol engine is now the top dog, and is offered in both Design and Elite trim levels mated to a six-speed auto gearbox in the Elite and a six speed manual in the Design. Further down the range, buyers of 2.2-litre models can expect to find a six-speed manual gearbox, while the Euro4-compliant 3.0-litre CDTi diesel packs a sizable 184bhp. Most petrol buyers choose between the advanced 140bhp 1.8 and 155bhp 2.2-litre petrol units, while those in search of performance can opt for the 175bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which slots in below the new 2.8-litre 230bhp turbo V6. Diesel drivers mainly choose between 120 and 150bhp 1.9 CDTi units. These slot in below the 177bhp 3.0 CDTi V6 diesel that tops off the range. But what of the car itself? Vauxhall continue to contend that it’s neither saloon, MPV nor estate, offering ‘something extra’. But what? Well, for around a £1,000 premium on top of a comparable Vectra, you get a five-door executive hatch based on the extended Vectra estate platform that offers an extra dash of versatility. One of the key features that Vauxhall seem very proud of is the Signum’s so-called FlexSpace seating concept. This allows the outer rear pair of seats to slide back and forth, allowing a trade off between legroom and luggage capacity. What’s more, these seats can also recline to a 30-degree angle. Although it makes a big play of its spaciousness, the Signum works best as a four, rather than five seater. The central berth in the back is rather hard and Vauxhall don’t recommend it for anyone over 5’10" tall but it does have its uses. The cushion flips through 180-degrees, revealing cup holders and storage boxes. It can also accommodate the Travel Assistant, another Vauxhall invention that’s standard on the range-topping Elite but costs a little extra on other variants. The Travel Assistant offers the two rear seat passengers a pair of folding tables, a fridge, a litter tub, cup holders, a 12v power outlet and a holder for a portable DVD player. It’s all rather civilised, much like flying window seat in Club class. There are even overhead lockers in which to stow oddments, Vauxhall providing five flock-lined, silicon-damped storage compartments up top for small items such as sunglasses and mobile phones. The Vectra platform has actually proved quite a good foundation from which to sprout the Signum. Fundamentally wide, it allows a number of features to be built into the chunky centre console which subsequently means that the buttons don’t need to be the size of pinheads, something you’ll appreciate when trying to adjust the controls. Vauxhall have helped by mounting a number of controls on the steering wheel, itself infinitely adjustable. Although some of the plastics may disappoint those who expect a genuine premium car, it’s nevertheless on a par with cars like the Volvo S80 and – whisper it – modern Mercs. Will the most recent package of improvements be enough to transform the Signum’s market standing? We suspect not. Vauxhall may have hoped to plunder a big market with this car but it hasn’t turned out that way. Nevertheless, it remains a hugely under-rated model that now, more than ever, deserves a second glance from those about to pay through the nose for a premium brand. A feeble specification and restricted versatility? Or a car that won’t impress the neighbours but offers both? Just how much is badge-engineering worth to you?

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Vauxhall Signum range PRICES: £18,225-£27,250 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 8-15 CO2 EMISSIONS: 159-242g/km PERFORMANCE: [2.0T petrol] Max Speed 137mph / 0-60mph 8.4s FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.2 Direct petrol] (combined) 34.9mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side & roof airbags / ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4636/1798/1466mm

SIGNUM FORCE
Vauxhall’s Muscular CDTi 150 Diesel Engine Is Fast Becoming A Highlight Of Their Powerplant Portfolio & Suits This Signum Well. Andy Enright Reports

If automotive history has taught us anything, it’s that playing safe pays. Bold, challenging designs like the original Fiat Multipla, the Renault Avantime and the Subaru SVX all fell flat on their faces while cars like the Toyota Corolla sold like hot cakes. Vauxhall have traditionally been held as one of the more conservative manufacturers but they too have built brilliant cars that have failed to take the market by storm – the VX220 – and safe designs such as the original Vectra that have always found a ready market. The Signum sees Vauxhall teasing the edges of many buyers’ comfort zones. Striking and impossible to pigeonhole, the Signum has been significantly sweetened since the addition of Vauxhall’s powerhouse CDTi150 diesel engine. Is it now a more palatable prospect for those traditionally too timid?

The Signum causes furrowed brows like few other new vehicles. Neither saloon, MPV nor estate, the Signum could conceivably fall between these stools, satisfying few customers and selling in similar numbers to the car that most closely approximates its design ethos - the Renault Vel Satis. There are certainly styling cues around the truncated back end that are reminiscent of the big Renault and the Vauxhall even borrows an engine from it in the shape of the range-topping 3.0-litre CDTi V6 diesel. The latest Signum, however, has been subjected to a facelift and the resulting sleek, angular front end should help it gain the attention of showroom browsers. Although the 3.0-litre CDTi is an awful lot of engine, it comes at quite a price, which is why the CDTi150 unit makes a whole lot more sense and could be the latest Signum’s trump card. As the moniker suggests, the CDTi150 unit fronts up with 150bhp – more than enough to make a positive first impression. It will accelerate to 60mph in ten seconds flat although flogging a diesel car off the line is in no way indicative of its muscularity through the gears. It’s here where this particular Signum excels, feeling virtually as gutsy as the 3.0-litre V6 despite a whopping 61bhp deficit. It’ll run on to a top speed of 131mph but the best part is that it’ll also return a combined fuel economy figure of 46.3mpg. More importantly, this engine can generate a stump-pulling 315Nm of torque. That’s a lot of muscle under your right foot. It makes this Vectra feel stronger in the mid-range than cars like the Jaguar XJ6, the Porsche Boxster S and the Subaru Impreza WRX. That’s an awful lot of muscle at your beck and call and there’s an automatic option to help marshal it.

"The Signum causes furrowed brows like few other new vehicles"

Prices start at £20,550 for the Exclusiv trim level, rising to £21,395 for the Elegance, £22,085 for the Design and topping out at £24,535 for the Elite. All models, including the entry-level Exclusiv, receive satallite navigation while standard equipment on the Elegance runs to six airbags, cruise control, multi-adjustable front seats, a trip computer, anti-lock brakes, a CD autochanger, rear window sunblinds, and 16-inch alloys. Even on the first steps of the Signum podium, Vauxhall have gone to great lengths to make it feel special. If you opt for the Design model, you’ll find 17-inch rims, rain sensing wipers, lowered suspension, platinum interior detailing, sport seats, part leather trim and dark tinted glass for the back passenger windows. The range-topping Elite adds the Travel Assistant, electrically adjustable heated front seats, full leather, different 17-inch alloy wheels and a colour monitor with split-screen facility for the sat nav . Vauxhall also offer some intriguing options such as swivelling headlights – dubbed Adaptive Forward Lighting. Based on a stretched Vectra chassis, the Signum may claim to offer something new but in certain respects sticks to a well-worn formula. Vauxhall have twigged that cars that offer additional versatility such as the Zafira and the Meriva are the ones that are cornering increasingly big shares of their respective markets. Part of the reason for this is because they have offered a level of utility that many rivals in general, and Ford in particular, have been unable to match. Meanwhile the more mainstream models, whilst maintaining share against the rest, have seen the total market size nibbled away. Therefore it made sense to attempt to offer innovative and versatile cars in as many shapes and forms as possible and the Signum is a new take on this recipe. One of the key features that Vauxhall seem very proud of is the Signum’s so-called FlexSpace seating concept. This allows the outer rear pair of seats to slide back and forth, allowing a trade off between legroom and luggage capacity. What’s more, these seats can also recline to a 30-degree angle. Although it makes a big play of its spaciousness, the Signum works best as a four, rather than five seater. The central berth in the back is rather hard and Vauxhall don’t recommend it for anyone over 5’10" tall but it does have its uses. The cushion flips through 180-degrees, revealing cup holders and storage boxes. It can also accommodate the Travel Assistant, another Vauxhall invention that’s standard on the range-topping Elite but a mere £200 on the Elegance and Design trim levels that constitute the Signum line up. The Travel Assistant offers the two rear seat passengers a pair of folding tables, a fridge, a litter tub, cup holders, a 12v power outlet and a holder for a portable DVD player. It’s all rather civilised, much like flying window seat in Club class. There are even overhead lockers in which to stow oddments, Vauxhall providing five flock-lined, silicon-damped storage compartments up top for small items such as sunglasses and mobile phones. The Vectra platform has actually proved quite a good foundation from which to sprout the Signum. Fundamentally wide, it allows a number of features to be built into the chunky centre console which subsequently means that the buttons don’t need to be the size of pinheads, something you’ll appreciate when trying to adjust the controls. Vauxhall have helped by mounting a number of controls on the steering wheel, itself infinitely adjustable. Although some of the plastics may disappoint those who expect a genuine premium car, it’s nevertheless on a par with cars like the Volvo S80 and – whisper it – modern Mercs. At first, we were a little unsure of exactly who would buy the Signum. In truth we still are but with this CDTi150 engine under the bonnet, at least the car makes plenty of sense. It’s an intriguing proposition and will doubtless provoke the occasional ‘Eureka’ moment among those who fall through the gaps in more tradition vehicle marketing. One suspects that as good as it is, the Signum CDTi150 will always be filed under Speciality Interest.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Vauxhall Signum CDTi150 range PRICES: £20,550-£24,535 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-11 CO2 EMISSIONS: 165g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 131mph / 0-60mph 10s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 46.3mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side & roof airbags / ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4636/1798/1466mm

A BIG VAUXHALL EXCLUSIV!
The Signum Was A Touch Too Exclusive For Vauxhall’s Liking So They Introduced The Entry-Level Exclusiv To Make Things A Bit More Inclusive. Go Figure. Steve Walker Reports…

What makes Vauxhall’s Signum Exclusiv so exclusive? Is it the fact that Vauxhall’s executive hatch hasn’t exactly set the sales charts on fire since its launch in 2003 and remains a relatively uncommon sight on our roads? Is it the colour satellite navigation system and 18" alloy wheels? Or could it be that mysterious missing ‘e’? Whatever the reason, if the Exclusiv model finds willing owners in large numbers, it’s exclusivity will be reduced as Vauxhall’s coffers swell. Perversely, the success of this special edition will be judged on how effectively it fails to live up to its name.

A brief appraisal of the facts would seem to suggest that the Signum Exclusiv has the potential to help reverse the trend of less than outstanding sales levels that has effected the wider Signum range. At £18,225, it’s cheaper than the more basic Elegance model and Vauxhall haven’t been backwards in coming forward brandishing an armful of extra equipment for the car. There’s little doubt that satellite navigation, sat nav to its friends, is one of the technologies of the moment in the motor industry. Systems are becoming more accurate, easier to use and, crucially, more cheaply available in mainstream cars. The Signum Exclusiv ensures its place on the bandwagon that should never get lost by fitting Vauxhall’s colour screen sat nav system as standard. Vauxhall point out that: "…some manufacturers cheekily ask £5,000 for extras such as satellite navigation and alloy wheels" and while their pricing estimate is definitely more Rolls Royce than Rover, they do have a point - satellite navigation is usually fairly expensive when fitted as an option. At this point we should probably point out that all Signum models get satellite navigation, it’s just that the system in the Exclusiv has a colour screen instead of the monochrome one. It’s definitely the colour sat nav that adds the most value to the Signum Exclusiv package but there’s lots of other stuff in there to seduce buyers as well. The 18" alloy wheels do much to upgrade the Signum’s external appearance and there’s even the option of going large and having 19" rolling stock for only £200 extra. Also outside, there are roof rails and halogen fog lamps while the interior is upgraded with platinum-effect inserts on the doors and facia. Elsewhere, the Exclusiv benefits from all the equipment that’s standard on the other Signum models including six airbags, the adaptable flex-space seating system, cruise control and air-conditioning. Even with all this in tow, the Exclusiv is £650 less than the Elegance derivative.

"…Vauxhall haven’t been backwards in coming forward brandishing an armful of extra equipment for the car."

The Exclusiv model’s £18,225 to £20,550 price range encompasses three engine options. The 3.0-litre diesel and 2.8-litre Turbo petrol engines that inflate the Signum’s asking prices to pepper the £25,000 mark are not offered and neither is the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. What you can have in your Exclusiv is a 140bhp 1.8-litre 16v or a 2.2-litre 16v petrol unit or one of the two 1.9-litre CDTi common-rail diesels. The pick of the available engine line-up is probably the 150bhp 1.9-litre CDTi. It trumps its 120bhp underling by breaching the 60mph barrier from standstill in 10s as oppose to 11.2 and returning an average fuel consumption of 46mpg – close enough to the less powerful CDTi unit so as not to matter. Both the diesels produce their power in the middle of the rev range where engines do most of their work but the progressive, higher-revving delivery of the petrol units may be preferable to some. The 1.8-litre petrol engine is quicker to 60mph than the 120bhp CDTi, which costs £2,000 more, but fuel consumption of 40mpg is less impressive. The 2.2-litre petrol engine is the most rapid over the 0-60mph sprint, posting a time of 8.8s which will leave many a sporty hatchback trailing and the 35mpg economy figure is reasonable. For just £600 in addition to the 1.8-litre petrol unit, the 2.2 looks the best bet for the keen driver. On the road, the Signum Exclusiv benefits from sports suspension: it’s still more of a competent, comfortable drive than an exciting one but it can be enjoyable on the right route. On long trips, whether you’re at the wheel or in the back benefiting from the impressive legroom, the Signum appears to eat up the miles and you should arrive in fine fettle. The optional automatic gearbox actually complements the car’s character very well and for £1,300 may be preferable to the manual box. These are good qualities for an executive car to display but is the Signum an executive car in the traditional sense? Looking at the Signum and driving it, especially an Exclusiv model with the big wheels and the high equipment levels, it’s hard not to form a positive opinion. The car’s problem is that, when viewed in context of the wider market, it’s a little difficult to get a handle on what it is and who it’s aimed at. Vauxhall had considerable success with the Omega some years back. This was a 4-door executive saloon and people bought it. If the Signum is a replacement for the Omega designed to compete for similar buyers, why has it taken the shape of a hatchback-come-estate with the flex-space seating system as found in Vauxhall MPVs? Saab, another inhabitant of the General Motors stable, recently pulled out of the 5-door market altogether citing their opinion that buyers where not interested in 5-door executive cars as the main reason for their actions. It makes Vauxhall’s creation of an executive hatchback based on the Vectra seem a rather unorthodox move. On the plus-side, a facelift has drastically improved the Signum’s front end making it much sportier than before and this can only be good for sales. Put all the whys and wherefores to one side and the Signum Exclusiv looks a decent bet. It deserves to defy its naming and become a roaring sales success but for many, the relative exclusivity will be a key part of the appeal. When you look at the equipment on offer, there’s good value contained within the Exclusiv package and the Signum itself has comfort and attractive styling on its side.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Vauxhall Signum Exclusiv range PRICES: £18,225-£20,550 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-11 CO2 EMISSIONS: 162-194g/km PERFORMANCE: [2.2 16v]Max Speed 131mph / 0-60mph 8.8s FUEL CONSUMPTION: [CDTi 120] (combined) 47mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side & roof airbags / ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4636/1798/1466mm

SIG OF THE PUMP
The Vauxhall Signum usually escapes the attention of mainstream executive car buyers but the 250bhp 2.8-litre Turbo engine could help it make a bigger impact. Steve Walker reports…

Vauxhall can quite justifiably claim that their Signum inaugurated a completely new market sector when it was launched back in 2003. Unfortunately, demand for ‘executive hatchbacks’ didn’t really materialise in the manner hoped and the other marques scrambling to jump aboard the Signum’s rather lonely bandwagon have been noticeable by their absence. Soldiering on in its market sector of one, at least the Signum can lay claim to 100% of sales and a certain leftfield appeal to attract buyers disillusioned by the copycat mainstream. With the lusty 2.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine installed, the big Vauxhall becomes an even more intriguing proposition.

With 2.8-litres of capacity divided between six-cylinders, variable valve control and a twin scroll turbocharger, the Signum’s range-topping engine is a serious piece of kit. It’s the same unit that delivers the 276bhp punch in the Vectra VXR and that has found its way into various range-topping Saabs. In this instance, it’s producing 250bhp, enough to get the Signum through the 0-60mph time trial in 6.8s and to bounce the car off its artificial limiter at 155mph. To put this performance into perspective, the Signum 2.8T is quicker than a Volkswagen Golf GTI and on a par with the Honda Civic Type-R. If you want to go faster in one of the German compact executive models that the Signum aims to wrestle sales from, you’ll need a BMW 330i, an Audi A4 3.2FSI or a Mercedes C350, all of which command price-tags that pepper the £30K barrier. The 2.8-litre Turbo Vauxhall Signum is available from £23,200.

"Vauxhall’s Signum appeals to buyers willing to look beyond the mainstream"

It’s unfair to make these kinds of comparisons without mentioning the big D and the there’s no doubt that depreciation is a major Achilles heel for the Signum in this company. The German models are significantly better investments over a typical ownership period but company car users who can stomach the fuel consumption and CO2 taxation hit of a big petrol-engined estate car could make a case for the Signum. If you’re interested, you can expect an average return of 25mpg and to be taxed on emissions of 260g/km but that boy racer beating performance and creamy V6 growl might be consolation enough. The Signum’s unorthodoxy stems primarily from its layout. The flagship model in the Vauxhall range, it aims to offer greater interior flexibility than your common or garden compact executive estate. After years spent pedalling the Omega saloon and largely failing to break into the German-dominated big time, Vauxhall surmised that competing head-on against such products without a prestige badge to break the ice with buyers was a fruitless exercise. This is why the Signum hatchback offers something different. It sits on an extended Vectra estate chassis and features the clever FlexSpace seating concept. This allows the outer rear pair of seats to slide back and forth, allowing a trade off between legroom and luggage capacity. What’s more, these seats can also recline to a 30-degree angle. Although it makes a big play of its spaciousness, the Signum works best as a four, rather than five seater. The central berth in the back is rather hard and Vauxhall don’t recommend it for anyone over 5’10" tall but it does have its uses. The cushion flips through 180-degrees, revealing cup holders and storage boxes. It can also accommodate the Travel Assistant, another Vauxhall invention that’s standard on the range-topping Elite but costs a little extra on other variants. The Travel Assistant offers the two rear seat passengers a pair of folding tables, a fridge, a litter tub, cup holders, a 12v power outlet and a holder for a portable DVD player. It’s all rather civilised, much like flying window seat in Club class. There are even overhead lockers in which to stow oddments, Vauxhall providing five flock-lined, silicon-damped storage compartments up top for small items such as sunglasses and mobile phones. The Vectra platform has actually proved quite a good foundation from which to sprout the Signum. Fundamentally wide, it allows a number of features to be built into the chunky centre console which subsequently means that the buttons don’t need to be the size of pinheads, something you’ll appreciate when trying to adjust the controls. Vauxhall have helped by mounting a number of controls on the steering wheel, itself infinitely adjustable. Although some of the plastics may disappoint those who expect a genuine premium car, it’s nevertheless on a par with cars like the Volvo S80 and – whisper it – modern Mercs. Standard equipment runs to colour screen satellite navigation, 17" alloy wheels, air-conditioning, six airbags and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat. Customers considering the 2.8-litre Turbo engine get the choice of plusher Design or Elite trims. If you opt for the Design model, you’ll find lowered suspension, platinum interior detailing, part leather trim and dark tinted glass for the back passenger windows. The range-topping Elite adds the Travel Assistant, full leather and climate control. Vauxhall also offer some intriguing options such as swivelling headlights – dubbed Adaptive Forward Lighting. The Design features a six speed manual gearbox and the Elite a six speed automatic but both models feature ESP Plus stability control to help them deploy all that power safely. Definitely not an obvious choice, Vauxhall’s Signum appeals to buyers willing to look beyond the mainstream. Equip it with the 250bhp 2.8 Turbo engine and you have an understated and practical family car with a luxurious feel and a turn of pace that will embarrass many more overtly sporting machines. Vauxhall’s executive hatchback is never likely to sell in massive numbers but it will continue to strike a chord with people seeking this unusual blend of qualities.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Vauxhall Signum 2.8-litre Turbo PRICES: from £23,200-£25,710 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 15 CO2 EMISSIONS: 254g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 155mph / 0-60mph 6.8s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 26mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side & roof airbags / ABS / ESP Plus WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4636/1798/1466mm