ROAD TEST/ Opel Vectra GTS: The Vectra GTS is the fastest production Opel in history, with a regulated top speed of 155mph from the 211bhp 3.2-litre efficacious brute. Michael McAleer delights in a car which devours road on request yet retains the refinement of a regular saloon
There's a battle royal going on in the mainstream motor industry, in case you didn't know. While the car firms fly environmental banners from the rooftops, deep below in the recesses of their engineering labs their best brains are working on the far more exciting performance race.
In keeping with the degree of stealth that pervades the competition, it's not being fought in the realm of garish body-kits that transform the average road car into something akin to a drag racer.
Instead these discreetly tagged motors are cloaked in what appears to the uninitiated as the metal apparel of your standard executive saloon. Yet, beneath the sale rep garb beats the heart of a racer. It's an understated approach that appeals in particular to the more mature audience.
Yet a keen eye can spot the slightly broader stride, body skirting and in many instances, more squat positioning on the road.
By now all the major executive saloons have one - a high-powered hybrid that allows family saloon drivers to somehow identify their 1.8 turbo-diesel variant with one that's limited to 150 mph and has enough torque to leave your imprint in the seats.
Opel's very own hybrid saloon, the Vectra GTS, is the fastest production Opel in history, with a regulated top speed of 155 mph from the 211bhp 3.2-litre efficacious brute.
With a striking similarity to its predecessor, the Calibra, it features the increasingly popular snarling front nose design: comprising darkened headlamps, large air inlets in the bumper, and, of course, the honeycomb radiator grille.
A rough rule of thumb these days is, if a car features an abrasive honeycomb grille, it's likely to leave you standing at the traffic lights. It's a look at odds with the softer coupé lines around the rest of the car and contributes to a degree of menace when imposing itself rapidly in the rear view mirror of potential dawdlers. Either pull in or be devoured.
While many may mistake the car for a more pedestrian coupé version of the Vectra, only those hard of hearing will fail to catch a clue from the deep throbbing note emitted from under the bonnet once the key is turned. On the open road the slightest flick of the driver's right foot leaves other motorists in no doubt that you are no soap powder sales rep.
We had the pleasure of demonstrating that fact to a number of annoying supermini drivers who tailgated us on a slow windy part of road as we weaved through some roadworks.
Eager to get the "annoying Opel" out of the way, they were left tucking into some humble pie when, with a deep-throated snarl from the previously idling engine, we broke forth onto the motorway and accelerated from 20 mph to the legal limit as if slung from a catapult.
The ride and handling quality of the GTS version has been upgraded to keep up with the more potent performance of the V6 3.2-litre. The front and rear suspension has been hardened and, combined with increased damping to inhibit body roll, the result is a much improved package that sets the car 20 mm nearer to the ground. And to get you round those twisting corners, the steering response has been upgraded so the GTS follows instructions far more precisely than the saloon.
There is a "performance-lite" version available, with a 1.8-litre engine, but it's more for the image conscious than performance seekers. However, if 3.2-litres is a little outside the insurance budget of some, then the coupé lines alone may win favour with those interested in more sleek looks than the regular family saloon version.
In many ways this is where the package becomes attractive to the performance car fan who happens to be saddled with partner and kids: it devours road on request yet retains the internal layout and spaciousness of the regular saloon, albeit with more body-hugging seats and a lower roof line. The mix is exemplified in the leather seats: firm yet comfortable and heated, they are the mature driver's bucket seats.
The inclusion of the satellite navigation system adds to the executive feel, even if we found the system to be utterly frustrating, operated as it is by two arrow buttons to work through the alphabet.
Lexus offers a touchscreen satellite navigation system and the sooner it seeps down to the rest of the market the better. The absence of an alarm as standard is also a little off-putting, considering how popular these big-engined motors are with thieves of all persuasions.
In terms of space, back seat passengers have enough legroom and comfort for most journeys and the inclusion of four doors avoids that awkward crawling across folded seats.
At the rear, the coupé retains the 500-litres of boot space of its saloon sibling, aided by the hatchback design.
Overall, the cabin is in keeping with the saloon's strong build quality and finish. The GTS also comes with all the necessary safety features, such as front, side and curtain airbags, plus the active head restraint system (designed by GM's other European marque Saab).
So how does it square up to the competition? Well, the test car we drove was slightly limited by an unresponsive automatic transmission. It was a shame that such a potent engine could not exercise its full potential and suffered a degree of lag due to misunderstandings between what the driver demands at one moment and what the transmission translates that to mean from the engine. We'd opt for the five-speed manual version.
In terms of enjoyment of course, the minute you turn over the engine, you just know this is a car that's going to entertain. The ride and handling are excellent and the refinement of the cabin means you combine the fun and free spirit with comfort.
In comparison to the competition, it may fail to live up to the glorious grunt and sheer exuberance of the faster and more sporting 156 GTA.
But then it does come in at just under €12,000 less. In fact, it's remarkably good value when compared to many of its competitors.
Finally, in search of some reassurance, we had to look no further than the car park at Opel Ireland's headquarters.
Our return of the car coincided with a national dealers' meeting. The dealers' car of choice, it would seem, is the GTS.
FACTFILE
ENGINE: A 3,175 cc V6 ECOTEC engine developing 220 bhp and 300Nm at 4,000 rpm.
PERFORMANCE: A max speed of 154 mph and a 0-60 mph of 7.5 seconds.
SPECIFICATION: On the Sport model: ABS, traction control, A/C, CD stero. Surprisingly no car alarm is standard.
FUEL: Urban: 19.8 mpg, extra-urban 37.2 mpg. Combined 28 mpg.
PRICE: €39,150 - €44,160.
THE COMPETITION:
Opel Vectra GTS 3.2 Sport. 3175cc; 7.5 (0-60); Max speed 154; 208 bhp; 28 mpg combined. €39,150.
Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 V6 24V GTA. 3179cc; 6.3 (0-60); Max speed 155; 250 bhp; 23.3 mpg combined. €53,725.
Audi A4 Quattro Avant 3.0. 2976cc; 8.5 (0-60); Max speed 146; 220 bhp; 26.9 mpg combined. €56,170.
Jaguar X-type 3.0 V6 Sport. 2968cc; 8.4 (0-60); Max speed 144; 231 bhp; 27.5 mpg combined. €54,365.
Ford Mondeo St 220 5dr 3.0i. 2967; 7.4 (0-60); Max speed 151; 217 bhp; 27.7 mpg combined. €48,995.