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The moment I drove the Vectra I've been bowled away by the engine and less than bowled away by the handling, it always felt a little 'floaty' at high speed and quite uncommuncative on the limit, I've always assumed that it was just me seeing as the regular cars I drive are a little more focussed (ie bloody track spec) and the Vectra is hardly aimed at racing but a few owners have commented to us that they felt a little underwhelmed at the handling.
To that end we had a little play with the handling on the Vectra with some fairly nice results. I don't think the market is big enough (or requires) a full all singing all dancing adjustable coilover set up (its not that kind of car) so we concentrated on an uprated spring kit for the car to see how it would compare.
KW have been very supportive of the VXR tuning program so we turned to them to see what they'd done on the Opel cars and to see how the kits they offer adapt for the VXR Vectra and the short answer is very well. We went for a simply lowering kit, messed with the spring rates a little (and a bit of mix n match from another supplier) and after testing concluded that a very large gain in handling can be had for very little money.
We've not gone for some daft lowered kit, just tried to get an upgrade in the handling so the drop is only 20mm but its enough to give a nice meaningful stance on the car without looking too bling.
Hanlding is much improved, we only tested the set up on the road (no real need for track testing) but on our usual Milton Keynes circuit (lots of roaundabouts, smooth A roads and some bumpy B roads) it really was a much improved car. Ride is a little firmer but certainly not a big change from stock.
Cost wise they're only £130 plus fitting so a recommended upgrade for those with the Vectra who want some more sporting handling.
To that end we had a little play with the handling on the Vectra with some fairly nice results. I don't think the market is big enough (or requires) a full all singing all dancing adjustable coilover set up (its not that kind of car) so we concentrated on an uprated spring kit for the car to see how it would compare.
KW have been very supportive of the VXR tuning program so we turned to them to see what they'd done on the Opel cars and to see how the kits they offer adapt for the VXR Vectra and the short answer is very well. We went for a simply lowering kit, messed with the spring rates a little (and a bit of mix n match from another supplier) and after testing concluded that a very large gain in handling can be had for very little money.
We've not gone for some daft lowered kit, just tried to get an upgrade in the handling so the drop is only 20mm but its enough to give a nice meaningful stance on the car without looking too bling.
Hanlding is much improved, we only tested the set up on the road (no real need for track testing) but on our usual Milton Keynes circuit (lots of roaundabouts, smooth A roads and some bumpy B roads) it really was a much improved car. Ride is a little firmer but certainly not a big change from stock.
Cost wise they're only £130 plus fitting so a recommended upgrade for those with the Vectra who want some more sporting handling.
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