1995 Holden Vectra Liftback 2.6L 5MT FWD (170 HP)

Vehicle Overview

GM invested more than a billion USD in developing the second generation of the mid-size vehicle Vectra, sold in many countries under different names and was available in Australia as a sedan or hatchback.

The Vectra was sold in many countries under different badges: Opel in Europe, Vauxhall in the UK, Chevrolet in Latin America, and Holden in the Australasian market. GM launched the car in 1997 at the Frankfurt Motor Show wearing a European badge, albeit soon other countries got it with specific names. However, despite the market, all of them wore the Vectra nameplate. For the Australasian market, the car was assembled in GM’s factory in Elizabeth, near Adelaide, Australia.

GM’s styling department penned the shape of the 1995 Holden Vectra by following the bio-design trend. As a result, the car sported smooth lines, shaved corners, and rounded edges. At the front, it sported slim horizontal headlights that flanked an upside-down trapezoidal grille sporting the brand’s badge. The wrapped-around plastic bumper below it featured a lower apron that integrated an additional, wide air intake that helped to cool the engine. A set of round fog lamps were available at extra cost, depending on the trim level.

From its profile, the 1995 Holden Vectra Liftback looked the sportiest in its lineup. After the short nose, the automaker installed a panoramic windshield and a curved roofline for the greenhouse. Unlike its sedan brother, the Liftback version had a sloped-down tailgate at the back, with a shape inspired by two-door sporty vehicles. Thanks to that, the trunk opening was broader. At the back, Holden installed corner-mounted taillights and wrapped-around plastic bumper. The car’s sporty appearance was emphasized by the shape of the door mirrors, which were unique on the market since their stalks were extended from the A-pillars and were aerodynamically profiled.

One of the carmaker’s concerns was to create a decently sized cabin where four passengers could sit comfortably. At the front, the automaker installed bolstered bucket seats that provided some side support during high-speed cornering maneuvers. The 1995 Holden Vectra Liftback featured a curved-shaped dashboard with a taller section in front of the driver. On the center stack, the automaker placed the HVAC control panel and the sound system. Lower, the center console housed the gear stick (or the gear selector for automatic transmissions) and the handbrake. In the back, unlike its sedan sibling, the car featured a standard split-folding bench seat with an available center armrest. The automaker offered the Vectra Liftback with power windows for all and automatic climate control.

The 1995 Holden Vectra Liftback was available with a choice of seven gasoline or turbodiesel engines married with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission, depending on the version. Thanks to the McPherson struts up front and the trailing arms in the rear, the mid-size hatchback could corner faster than many of its competitors in the segment, even if it wasn’t a sporty vehicle.