Vauxhall announce Vectra replacement

Vauxhall has finally revealed the successor to the Vectra - one of the UK’s most popular fleet cars.

The Insignia is the latest in a long line of business-oriented Vauxhalls stretching back to before the Cavalier.

The UK is the world’s biggest market for the Vectra, accounting for up 45% of all production and so it’s no surprise that the company has a lot at stake when the new Insignia is launched later this year.

Vauxhall says it plans to strip down the multitude of choice facing fleets with just two Insignia bodystyles. The four-door saloon and five-door hatchback both arrive in November, while a new, sleeker estate will be shown later this year, hitting showrooms in early 2009.

Although there is no Signum version this time, General Motor’s European design chief, Mark Adams, has hinted that a coupe based on the GTC concept could be on the cards.

Five engines will also be available at launch including three petrols and a brace of diesels. The petrol engines range from a 138bhp four-cylinder to a 256bhp V6.

Although it is still too early for prices to be confirmed, more information will be available once the Insignia makes its world debut at July’s London Motor Show.