Opel Vectra

The Opel Vectra is a large family car produced by Opel, the main European subsidiary of General Motors. In the United Kingdom, it is sold as a Vauxhall. It is also sold in Australasia as a Holden and in Latin America as a Chevrolet, although the Latin American 2006 Chevrolet Vectra is a Brazilian developed sedan based on the underpinnings of Astra.

The car is produced at the Opel factory headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and at the Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, northern England.

Vectra A

The first Vectra, known as the Vectra A, was introduced in 1988 as a sedan and hatchback, replacing the Opel Ascona C. A coupe based on the Vectra, called the Calibra, was also sold. Both cars were designed by then-Opel design chief Wayne Cherry. Vauxhall did not adopt the Vectra name, retaining the Cavalier name until 1995.

Engines ranged initially from a 75hp DIN (55kW) 1.4L to a 130hp DIN (96kW) 2.0L. With the introduction of Euro I emissions regulations, the base model was replaced by a 1.6L with the same output, while the top of the line was given to a 16-valve version of the 2.0L engine, which powered the GT version and had 150hp DIN (110kW). Four wheel drive versions were added to the lineup in 1990, and in 1993, the car received a limited edition turbocharged version with 204hp DIN (150kW). Diesel power came from an Isuzu 1.7L engine, in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged form, this one capable of achieving 82hp DIN (60kW). The Vectra also received a refreshing in 1993.

The Vectra gave birth to a coupé version, the Opel Calibra, which shared the Vectra's underpinnings, including the most powerful engines (115hp and up) and transmissions.

In New Zealand, the Vectra A was offered initially as an Opel, but it wore Holden badges from 1994. It was not sold in Australia, where Holden instead offered a rebadged Toyota Camry called Apollo until 1997.

In Brazil, the Chevrolet-badged Vectra A was not introduced until 1993, when it replaced the Chevrolet Monza, a restyled version of the last Ascona.