The Vauxhall Antara is available with a choice of two engines – a petrol or a diesel. Both are transversally mounted, feature four-valve technology and are coupled to a five-speed manual transmission as standard

The newly-developed 2.0 CDTi engine with an output of 150PS is expected to take more than 90 percent of sales in the UK. This engine includes newest generation common-rail technology with up to 1600 bar injection pressure, an aluminum cylinder head, a turbocharger with variable vane geometry and a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter,

This particulate filter consists of a solid, honeycomb-shaped ceramic body with microscopic channels. Soot particles collect on the surface of these channels and are regularly burnt off to prevent the filter blocking. Instead of using a complex system of fuel additives to remove these particles, multiple targeted injections raise the diesel engine’s exhaust-gas temperature to 600 degrees Celsius − the soot particulate’s ignition temperature − for the duration of the burning process in the filter. All this happens without the driver even being aware.

The diesel can be mated to a five-speed automatic transmission instead of the standard five-speed manual gearbox. Thanks to ActiveSelect, this automatic transmission also offers manual gear selection, as well as the choice of a winter driving program.

With both transmissions it delivers excellent performance. Accelerating from 50 to 75 mph in fifth gear takes only 12.6 seconds (automatic: 9.7 seconds). According to government figures, consumption is only 37.7mpg on the combined cycle (automatic: 29.4mpg). In combination with the 65-litre fuel tank, this provides an operating range of around 540 miles. Top speed is 111mph (automatic: 108 mph).

The new diesel engine was co-developed by GM Korea and GM Powertrain, and is produced in Gunsan, South Korea. Up to 250,000 engines can be produced annually in the 19,200 square metre plant, where regular production began in March 2006.

Vauxhall Antara 2.0 CDTi ECOTEC Engine Overview:

Displacement (cm3) 1991

Output (kW/PS at rpm) 110/150 at 4000

Max. torque (Nm at rpm) 320 at 2000

Max. speed (mph) 113 (111)

Acceleration 0 – 62 mph (s) 10.3 (12.1)

MVEG total consumption (mpg) 37.6 (31.7)

Figures for automatic versions in italics

In addition to the diesel, the ECOTEC engine range also includes a petrol unit. The 2.4-litre four-cylinder produces 140PS, and features technical details such as double overhead camshafts, a balance shaft with two rotating counterweights and an electronic throttle control. The long-stroke unit (bore/stroke: 87.5/100 millimetres) reaches a top speed of 109 mph, accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 11.9 seconds, and returns an average of 29.4mpg.

Antara Petrol Engine Overview:

Displacement (cm3) 2405

Output (kW/PS at rpm) 103/140 at 5200

Max. torque (Nm at rpm) 220 at 4000

Max. speed (mph) 109

Acceleration 0 – 62 mph (s) 11.9

MVEG total consumption (mpg) 29.4

The intelligent active four-wheel drive system ITCC (Intelligent Torque Controlled Coupling) is fitted as standard to all Antaras and combines the benefits of pure front-wheel drive − such as low fuel consumption and virtually effortless manoeuvring − with those of four-wheel drive. While the Vauxhall Antara is a front-wheel drive car under normal conditions, drive can be quickly and seamlessly distributed between the front and rear axle at a ratio of up to 50:50 when needed. The four-wheel drive system’s principal component is an electronically controlled electro-hydraulic differential on the rear axle.

The four-wheel drive system is compact, light and fully integrated in the ABS and ESP control systems. To effectively isolate the body from the engine, the Vauxhall Antara features a complex four-point pivoted bearing in the neutral axis. With this Neutral Torque Axis (NTA) mounting, the engine’s weight is supported by bearings located left and right in its dynamic spin axis. This mounting reduces vibrations and noise, especially when the engine is idling.