Vauxhall Signum Review
Published: 14th February 2005
Vauxhall Signum 2.2 Design
How It Drove - Performance
The Signum 2.2 Design is powered by Vauxhall's 2.2 litre ECOTEC, 4 cylinder, 16v engine which produces 155 PS at 5600 rpm enabling the Signum to accelerate from 0-60mph in 9.1 seconds and continue to a top speed of 131 mph.
The 2.2 Direct ECOTEC engine is the first Vauxhall engine to feature 'petrol direct injection' which requires around six percent less fuel that a comparable engine but has ten percent more torque at lower speeds and six percent more power. It returns 34.9 mpg on a combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 194 g/km. The throttle is particularly responsive and this is due to 'drive by wire' technology which eliminates the need for a throttle cable and results in quicker throttle responses.
The 2.2 litre naturally aspirated engine offers more than adequate power and as you would expect of Vauxhall is quiet and refined. The standard five-speed gearbox is superb offering precise and fluid gear changes.
The Signum is excellent to drive around town and it is equally at home on the Motorway and dual carriageway where it cruises effortlessly. However, road noise is slightly intrusive and not in keeping with a vehicle of this class.
Service intervals for petrol engines are every 20,000 miles or 2 years or (whichever occurs sooner). Bear in mind that Signum service intervals are determined by a built-in electronic service monitor and will vary depending on how the vehicle is used.
How It Drove - Ride/Handling
The Signum's longer wheelbase combined with our test vehicle's (Design model) lower ride height tuned with uprated springs and dampers results in a car with a firm and composed ride. The electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering is well weighted and accurate which results in an involved driving experience.
IDS (Interactive Driving System) is an advanced chassis set-up which is standard on all models and combines traction control, ABS, cornering brake control, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution and power steering and controls all the above safety and control functions to ensure that the Signum is safe and surefooted.
All-round disc brakes with a dual circuit diagonally split braking system are standard on the 2.2 Design and ensure that the Signum brakes reassuringly well. The Signum also features a front brake pad wear warning ensuring that unnecessary disc wear does not occur.
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