With ever-increasing efficiency targets, Vauxhall exploits the capabilities of three diesels by offering  two 1.7 units and a two litre, with a 1.3 CDTi due. The petrol line-up consists of five engines; three horsepower ranges of 1.4 that includes one turbo and two 1600 units that renders the 1.8 obsolete. The new Astra not only looks svelte but demonstrates its athletism on tarmac; a firm, surefooted stance with excellent feedback from the speed-sensitive steering and response on the 1.6 SRi Turbo. That was my favourite, compared to the turboless and asthmatic 1.6 SRi and the revvy but raucous 1.7 CDTi. The 1.6 SRi Turbo, married with an optional FlexRide chassis control system, offering three levels of damper adjustment would suit the serious driver. Ellesmere Port’s achievement ticks style, ergonomic, versatility and performance boxes but didn’t leave an impression on me, as there seemed no redeemable feature as it’s such a good all-rounder. Having said that, Vauxhall needs a big seller to interrupt European VW Golf sales and Ford Focus’ unbroken sales success in the UK. Whilst not having the external production quality on par to a VW Golf, the Astra has the capability of challenging the Focus which holds the record of biggest UK sales since launch, in 1998.

The Insignia VXR, also available as Tourer surveyed discretely, like its badging. ‘Brembo’ front brake calipers and 20 inch dark alloys may appear superficial, but highlight a true sporting prowess. VXR brands until now, have been biased with torque-steer, yet this Insignia VXR boasts permanent four-wheel traction to distribute 325PS of power, and an assured driving experience. My main criticism, of both Insignia and Astra is gearchange that is (can anybody identify a synonym?) notchy which does affect acceleration times as the distances between gears could be shorter. These two siblings should provide enough buoyancy to raise the credibility of Vauxhall – and profit which it deserves. A solitary Saab 9-3 X,  identified as an all-wheel drive example was there which I tested in April.  Good luck Saab, so onwards and upwards Vauxhall and with care, General Motors!

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Words, images and film are copyright of Sotiris Vassiliou

December 2009

You can’t assume anything in today’s economy, just as I shouldn’t have taken for granted the words from Vauxhall’s Press Officer who told me on 24th November that fellow Swedish manufacturer, Koenigsegg were about to sign the final contract for Saab’s sale. That deal has collapsed and now, Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company (BAIC) has bought the “production technology and design rights” to produce the archaic Saab 9-3 and previous 9-5 in China, mirroring what the Nanjing Automotive Corporation did with the Rover 75 (see e-mail below).

Now, I’m not going to harp on about the dilution of another European manufacturer to the Far East but what does and has bothered me is the attitude of large car manufacturers. GM’s eventual buy-out of Saab began with a 51% stake in 1990 yet it soon became apparent that there was no significant development. The once quirky Swede collaborated in unfortunate partnerships with Lancia, Alfa Romeo and Fiat, sharing the same body and chassis as the Croma and 9000 which Top Gear managed to conjoin in one form! Saab lost its driver status, sharing 9-3 underpinnings with Vauxhall’s Vectra and Cadillac’s crude CTS. The only niche Saab could identify is with biofuel, admirable but not enough to boost sales with fewer than 100,000 cars sold worldwide last year. Citing another example was Ford’s control of Jaguar, only showing a profit during Tata’s ownership due to the youthful XF. Jaguar are now unshackled by the corporate chains of command and have freedom of expression with designs that have rid the conservatism that suffocated them for so long.

General Motors has shored up their finances and will not sell Vauxhall and said farewell to GM stalwart Fritz Henderson, who had only been Chief Executive for eight months. Judging by new product of Vauxhall’s Insignia and Astra, that largely break the mould, exciting times are ahead assuming that Saab’s saved before year end.

Words and photos are copyright of Sotiris Vassiliou

15th December 2009

Hi there,

In answer to your questions, yes BAIC has bought production technology and design rights for certain Saab 9-3 and old 9-5.  

We cannot and have not commented on which parties are involved in the discussions.

GM and Saab continue talking to prospective buyers and  discussions will intensify over the coming weeks.  In the meantime Saab continues to focus on normal, daily responsibilities

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Kind regards

Wendy

Wendy Towler

PR Manager, Saab GB Ltd

E-mail reproduced from Sotiris’ account, received on 15th December 2009 and is copyright of Wendy Towler, PR Manager, Saab UK Ltd

It is a sign of the times that Vauxhall’s parent company, General Motors has suspended press car loans to Motoview. Fortunately, a day of testing within GM’s clan of Chevrolet, Vauxhall and recently sold Saab was arranged. Bit of background in a world in flux: Rick Wagoner, former Chief Executive of GM was ousted by Barack Obama and bankruptcy reorganisation plans will be submitted for a leaner GM. Saab is owned by Koenigsegg and Hummer has been offloaded to the Chinese “so times are a changing.”

What better way to distract yourself than to reach for the keys to the Corsa VXR, a 1.6 turbo transmits its torque through the front wheels as well as the steering one! On an empty driveway leading up to Crewe Hall hotel, I floored the throttle to see the steering wheel twitch to the right which is undiluted torque steer. It is detectable on roads under heavy acceleration,  is subtle but in no way unruly. That is left to the exhaust burble and pop when the turbo stops spinning that can alarm the public as I witnessed on an industrial estate, when workers downed tools to discover the melee that was the VXR’s cry. This sub-brand will be tagged to the back of the new Insignia, such is its credibility.  

Motoview tested a range of Insignia ‘Sports Tourers’, from a 1.6 Turbo that felt sprightly and lively to a serious 2.8 V6. The design emulates the Mazda 6’s with tapered glass and a low-down sporty driving position that impedes vision, together with the obligatory A-posts. The clamshell-shaped tailgate opens to reveal, what at first glance looks like a recently-swallowed Fiat 500 as there are  fixed lights on the body when the tailgate is open.  A tunnel-like entrance widens out, yet I question whether it will fit any dimension of white goods, after heaving it over a high bumper. Despite this, it beats its predecessor volume-wise. I eavesdropped on a conversation involving one Vauxhall Press Officer who stated that the Insignia outsold the Mondeo in March this year, no bold claim bearing in mind that sales are relatively flat. ‘Sports Tourer’ supercedes the hardy label of ‘estate’ with fewer of the practicalities. Despite this, it should keep the Griffin’s head above the waterline. A tweak to freshen up the brown dashboard vinyl is in order, reminding me of the roof of the gawky Viva, and the mechanical handbrake (an electromagnetic one is fitted to the most expensive model) is too close to your body to use comfortably if you have long arms, like me.

I echo what I wrote at the end of my 9-3 review; Saab has been treated unfairly and needs encouragement. Biofuel engines with every model should ensure that it is at the forefront of environmentally-responsible motoring, if more people knew about it.  Combine this with agile chassis’ that create a sporting drive should be successful ingredients. The 9-3 XWD has all-wheel drive and proved its worth on wet roads towards Shavington. It felt sure and supple and was, in my opinion, the second-best drive of the day after the Corsa VXR. I hope its new guardian treats it responsibly.

Chevrolet was my last drive, not that I have much experience of driving them. I took a Captiva SUV for a spin. It was crude, from the sliding pigeon-hole shutter to conceal the Sat Nav to the wallowy ride and loose gearchange. I aborted the ride in the other Chevy, a conservative-looking saloon whose name evades me.

An interesting day that highlighted to me, at least, that Chevy has work to do on engineering and styling their larger cars for the UK market. I would chop that dead wood to increase fresh shoots of growth, that of the VXR brand and Insignia.

April 2009    

All images and words are copyright of Sotiris Vassiliou