Opel Vectra renewed – From the Old Box

After the Opel Ascona, the Opel Vectra was a modern appearance when it came on the market in 1988. Still, 30 years ago, the years started to count. Not only because it was simply not the latest anymore, but also because the competition had certainly not been idle. For example, Renault almost came with the Laguna and Ford had already unveiled the Mondeo. So work to do for Opel. At the end of 1992 it showed the renewed Vectra. Not an earth-shattering facelift, it was mainly one where there were not immediately visible improvements.

Yet you could immediately recognize the revised Vectra. For example on the nose, because the Vectra got a grille that had to bring it more in line with the still quite fresh Astra F. The headlights, taillights and bumpers were also slightly modified. Seats with better lateral support were now available in every Vectra and a newly designed steering wheel graced the interior.

Opel mainly thought to make a profit in the field of safety. With a new generation of competitors on the doorstep, the Opel Vectra could use some modernization in that area. For example, the Vectra got airbags. One for the driver and one for the co-driver. In 2023 it is almost impossible to imagine, but both airbags were initially not standard.

Passive safety

The reinforcements of the carriage were present as standard. The Opel Vectra received, among other things, firmer B-pillars and sills and there were also reinforcements in the doors to better absorb the blows if the Vectra was hit in the side. Belt tensioners were also new and also available at no extra cost. What was not in every Opel Vectra was ABS. The GT, CD and Turbo got that, with other versions you had to pay 3,000 guilders extra.

Although the facelifted Opel Vectra gave us the impression that it was up to date again, we were somewhat afraid for its future. Compared to the brand new first Ford Mondeo, the Vectra was not too competitive, despite the improvements. For example, the Mondeo always had an airbag for the driver at no extra cost and ABS was always included. That, in combination with the fresher look of the Mondeo, would ensure that the Vectra could still get very heavy, we sketched.

Opel Vectra A on its return

In 1993 there was indeed a big bite out of the sales numbers of the Vectra. Where barely 20,000 were sold in the Netherlands in 1992, the Vectra remained in 1993 at 12,417 units. In 1995 sales were even halved compared to 1992. That year the real redemption came in the form of the Vectra B, which in the first full sales year (1996) almost equaled the most successful year of the Opel Vectra A.