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Photo of a Opel Vectra

Opel Vectra

The family car that pulled Formula 1 safety-car duty as a 4x4 turbo in 1994.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 29 sources

At a glance

0150300
56–276 hpPower
012.525
6.5–20.5 s0–100 km/h
0150300
152–260 km/hTop speed

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.137910

Engine
1.4–3.2 L gas I4/V6; 1.7–3.0 L diesel I4/V6; turbo options158
Layout
Front engine; FWD, with AWD on Vectra A 4x4 models12
Gearbox
5/6-speed manual; 4/6-speed automatic; C 1.8 also automated manual15
Built at
A/B: Rüsselsheim, Germany; Antwerp, Belgium; Luton, England1

The story

Born in 1988 to replace the Ascona, the Vectra spanned three generations, adding wagons to sedans and hatchbacks. Britain's Cavalier became the Vauxhall Vectra; Holden and Chevrolet sold it too. The Insignia took over in 2008.1

1988: Wayne Cherry's Ascona replacement19881989: 2000 16V: 148 hp and optional 4x419891992: Turbo 4x4 brings 201 hp19921994: Formula 1 safety car at San Marino19941995: Vectra B retires the Cavalier name19951999: Vectra B: about 3,000 parts revised19992002: Vectra C arrives at Geneva20022005: OPC: twin-scroll V6 and IDSPlus20052008: Production ends; Insignia takes over2008 Ascona A (A): 1970–1975AAscona B (B): 1975–1981BAscona C (C): 1981–1988CVectra A (A): 1988–1995AVectra B (B): 1995–2002BVectra C (C): 2002–2008C 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1451920
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1970–1975Ascona A (A)
1975–1981Ascona B (B)
1981–1988Ascona C (C)
1988–1995Vectra A (A)
1995–2002Vectra B (B)
2002–2008Vectra C (C)
1988Wayne Cherry's Ascona replacement
19892000 16V: 148 hp and optional 4x4
1992Turbo 4x4 brings 201 hp
1994Formula 1 safety car at San Marino
1995Vectra B retires the Cavalier name
1999Vectra B: about 3,000 parts revised
2002Vectra C arrives at Geneva
2005OPC: twin-scroll V6 and IDSPlus
2008Production ends; Insignia takes over
  1. 1988

    Wayne Cherry's Ascona replacement

    The Vectra A launches in October as a four-door sedan, replacing the Ascona C under Opel design chief Wayne Cherry.1

  2. 1989

    2000 16V: 148 hp and optional 4x4

    The 2.0-liter 16-valve flagship arrives in September; the 2000's MY1992 specification lists a 0.30 drag coefficient.12

  3. 1992

    Turbo 4x4 brings 201 hp

    European export markets get the 2.0-liter C20LET turbo, all-wheel drive and six gears; German sales follow in September 1993.123

  4. 1994

    Formula 1 safety car at San Marino

    A 4x4 turbo takes safety-car duty at the San Marino Grand Prix, bringing the Vectra into Formula 1.1

  5. 1995

    Vectra B retires the Cavalier name

    Launched in October, the second generation adopts Vectra badging in Britain; its first wagon follows in September 1996.1

  6. 1999

    Vectra B: about 3,000 parts revised

    The February facelift brings clear-lens headlights and revised body-color bumpers; xenon headlights are optional.4

  7. 2002

    Vectra C arrives at Geneva

    The third generation starts as a four-door sedan; its wagon follows in 2003.56

  8. 2005

    OPC: twin-scroll V6 and IDSPlus

    The hatchback and wagon OPC debut with a 2.8-liter turbo V6, 355 Nm and a six-speed manual; IDSPlus adds new-generation continuous damping control.7

  9. 2008

    Production ends; Insignia takes over

    Vectra production stops in July. The Insignia replaces the three-generation family in October.1

Every generation

  • Ascona A
    A1970–1975
  • Ascona B
    B1975–1981
  • Ascona C
    C1981–1988
  • Vectra A
    A1988–1995
  • Vectra B
    B1995–2002
  • Vectra C
    C2002–2008

Power over the years

From 56 hp to 276 hp in 18 years.

0100200300 1990199520002005 hp 1988 · 56 hp · A 1.7 D (17D)1989 · 148 hp · A 2000 16V (C20XE)1992 · 201 hp · A Turbo 4x4 (C20LET)1993 · 168 hp · A 2.5 V6 (C25XE)1997 · 192 hp · B i500 (X25XEI)2000 · 145 hp · B 2.2 16V (Z22SE)2001 · 123 hp · B 2.2 DTI (Y22DTR)2002 · 208 hp · C GTS 3.2 V6 (Z32SE)2004 · 148 hp · C 1.9 CDTI (Z19DTH)2005 · 252 hp · VXR 2.8 V6 Turbo2006 · 276 hp · OPC 2.8 V6 Turbo upgrade 276 hp OPC 2.8 V6 Turbo upgrade 56 hp A 1.7 D (17D)
123481011
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
198856A 1.7 D (17D)
1989148A 2000 16V (C20XE)
1992201A Turbo 4x4 (C20LET)
1993168A 2.5 V6 (C25XE)
1997192B i500 (X25XEI)
2000145B 2.2 16V (Z22SE)
2001123B 2.2 DTI (Y22DTR)
2002208C GTS 3.2 V6 (Z32SE)
2004148C 1.9 CDTI (Z19DTH)
2005252VXR 2.8 V6 Turbo
2006276OPC 2.8 V6 Turbo upgrade

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Vectra A GL / GLS / CD / GT / Diamant

    Standard

    Vectra A GL / GLS / CD / GT / Diamant

  • Vectra B CD / Sport / Elegance and special editions

    Standard

    Vectra B CD / Sport / Elegance and special editions

  • Vectra C GTS / Caravan / Comfort / Elegance

    Standard

    Vectra C GTS / Caravan / Comfort / Elegance

  • Performance

    Vectra C GSi 3.2 V6

  • Vectra OPC / VXR

    Performance

    Vectra OPC / VXR

    2005–2008

    276 hp

  • Performance

    Vectra GSi 2.5 / 2.6 V6

    1998–2002

  • Limited

    Vectra A Turbo 4x4

    1992–1994

    201 hp

    2,252 built

  • Vectra B Irmscher i500

    Limited

    Vectra B Irmscher i500

    1998–2000

    192 hp
  • Vectra Super Touring

    Limited

    Vectra Super Touring

    500 built

  • Limited

    Vectra ST200

    1997–1998

    192 hp

    38 built

  • Limited

    Vectra B Irmscher i30 Caravan

    1998–1999

    217 hp

    23 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Early Vectra A: look for the Opel emblem on the hood.35
  • Vectra B: the mirror housings flow out of the hood creases and beltline.416
  • Facelifted Vectra A: a black plastic strip sits above the taillights.13

Year by year

  1. 1992 Vectra A

    The Opel badge moved into the grille; bumpers became body-colored, with revised lights and a continuous rear handle strip.35

  2. 2000 i500

    A new STW-style front bumper and body-color grille surround marked the revised i500.15

  3. 2001 Vectra B Sport

    Wider front and rear bumpers and 17-inch alloys arrived on the Sport.4

  4. 2001–2002 GSi

    The final 2.6 GSi versions gained xenon headlights.1

  5. 2005 Vectra C

    The facelift sharpened the nose.818

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Opel Vectra
    Vectra
    Photo of a Vauxhall Cavalier (1988–1995)
    Vauxhall Cavalier (1988–1995)

    Vauxhall Cavalier (1988–1995)

    The British Vectra A wore Vauxhall badges and retained the Cavalier name until 1995; it belongs to this family.1

  • Photo of a Opel Vectra
    Vectra
    Photo of a Holden / Chevrolet / Vauxhall Vectra
    Holden / Chevrolet / Vauxhall Vectra

    Holden / Chevrolet / Vauxhall Vectra

    These share the Vectra B body; grilles and emblems change. Some Chevrolet versions also have clear taillights.14

Against its rivals

  • Ford Mondeo TDCi Ghia

    Vectra vs Ford Mondeo TDCi Ghia

    Cabin noise at 113 km/h lower is better

    Vectra68 dB
    Ford Mondeo TDCi Ghia68 dB
    18

Prices

Price when new
$0$20K$40K$60K 1990199520002005 1990 · $22,700 · Germany 2000 base; DM to USD est.1990 · $25,400 · Germany 2000 4x4; DM to USD est.1994 · $33,900 · Germany Turbo 4x4; DM to USD est.1998 · $34,100 · Germany i500 sedan; DM to USD est.1998 · $48,400 · Germany i30 Caravan; DM to USD est.1999 · $34,600 · Germany i500 Caravan; DM to USD est.2000 · $30,000 · Germany i500 sedan; DM to USD est.2002 · $19,000 · Germany 1.8 base; EUR to USD est.2005 · $42,000 · UK VXR base; GBP to USD est.2007 · $39,800 · UK 1.9 CDTI Design; GBP to USD est.
2610151718
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1990Price when new$22,700Germany 2000 base; DM to USD est.
1990Price when new$25,400Germany 2000 4x4; DM to USD est.
1994Price when new$33,900Germany Turbo 4x4; DM to USD est.
1998Price when new$34,100Germany i500 sedan; DM to USD est.
1998Price when new$48,400Germany i30 Caravan; DM to USD est.
1999Price when new$34,600Germany i500 Caravan; DM to USD est.
2000Price when new$30,000Germany i500 sedan; DM to USD est.
2002Price when new$19,000Germany 1.8 base; EUR to USD est.
2005Price when new$42,000UK VXR base; GBP to USD est.
2007Price when new$39,800UK 1.9 CDTI Design; GBP to USD est.

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “Turbo 4x4 on Formula 1 safety duty”
    • “1995 champion after production had stopped”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. Opel Vectra - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Ascona C Info Seite - Opel Vectra A 2000 / Turbo ascona-info.de
  3. Opel Vectra A – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  4. Opel Vectra B – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  5. 30 éves az Opel Vectra – élt 20 évet | Autónavigátor.hu autonavigator.hu
  6. Opel gibt die Vectra-Preise bekannt [Autokiste] autokiste.de
  7. 2005 Opel Vectra Caravan OPC - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  8. opel-infos.de opel-infos.de
  9. Vauxhall Vectra VXR: End of term | evo evo.co.uk
  10. Vauxhall Vectra VXR review - when torque steer is the new black | evo evo.co.uk
  11. opel-infos.de opel-infos.de
  12. Gebrauchtwagen-Test: Opel Vectra B - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  13. Vectra GSi Celebration Stand | Performance Vauxhall Shows performancevauxhallshow.co.uk
  14. Gebrauchtwagen-Test: Opel Vectra A - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  15. Ascona C Info Seite - Opel Vectra B i500 ascona-info.de
  16. ST200: o Vectra V6 de 200 cv inspirado nas pistas | FlatOut! flatout.com.br
  17. Vectra B i30 - Fahrzeugübersicht opel-niedersachsen.de
  18. Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 CDTI Design | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  19. Opel Ascona - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Used Vauxhall Vectra Review and Buying Guide (UK) caradvertcheck.co.uk
  21. CDR5 Lifetime Achievement Award: Wayne Cherry, GM | Article | Car Design News cardesignnews.com
  22. 1996 Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 LS — Lloyd Vehicle Consulting lloydvehicleconsulting.co.uk
  23. Super Touring Register : Vauxhall / Opel Vectra B (RV015-99) supertouringregister.com
  24. Uwe Alzen races, wins and teams | Motorsport Database - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  25. Opel Vectra GTS V8 DTM - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  26. Gran Turismo 5 - List of featured cars gran-turismo.com
  27. IGCD.net - Internet Game Cars Database igcd.net
  28. Vauxhall Vectra For Sale & Price Guide | The Classic Valuer theclassicvaluer.com
  29. Used Vauxhall Vectra (Mk2, 2002-2010) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • ascona-info.de
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • autonavigator.hu
  • autokiste.de
  • ultimatecarpage.com
  • opel-infos.de
  • evo.co.uk
  • autobild.de
  • performancevauxhallshow.co.uk
  • flatout.com.br
  • opel-niedersachsen.de
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • caradvertcheck.co.uk

Photo credits

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