Our launch report on the new Vectra mentioned how much up-to-date chassis technology has gone into the design. Not before time, of course. A longer spell in the version that's expected to be the best-seller, the 1.8-litre LS in petrol form (with manual transmission and without the extra-cost LPG conversion), confirmed that the latest-generation Vectra is a far superior effort to any that have gone before.It's likely to be an extremely competitive player in its sector of the market, because there is now no necessity to make allowances for any major deficiencies. A low insurance group and a £140 VED rating also help.Appearance? Well, this is a car which looks really elegant side-on, in the centre section, anway. The front view has plenty of Vauxhall "family" styling cues, although it's maybe too chunky and a little too much on the VX220 side for me. And while some people don't fancy the Vectra as seen from the back, if you want excellent luggage capacity and an appropriate amount of downforce, that limits the possibilities for the stylists.Inside, we're in another dimension from anything Vauxhall has offered before. First of all, for rear seat space - foot room, knee room, height and shoulder width - the Vectra is now Omega-plus. As a packaging job it's far superior to its predecessors, and some rival companies are probably worrying that they didn't get in first with such a roomy cabin.Up front, everything's changed too. The new instrumentation is neat and unflamboyant, and there's a fine array of flush-fitting switchgear. One thing that seems to have exercised some critics is the action of the indicator stalk, which doesn't stay up or down while the lights are flashing on and off, but reverts immediately to its "neutral" position. I thought this was one of many little details which set the Vectra apart from its direct rivals, and made it seem a class above.Another thing which appealed to me was the centre armrest. Anorak, moi? Not at all. In cars which are likely to do long daily mileages, you've got to think about comfort and practicality. The Vectra armrest is one of those twin-lidded affairs with two separate stowage compartments, and that's just dandy. But it also slides back and forwards, and that's dandier still, providing a comfortable elbow rest for drivers of varying heights and varying preferences about position at the wheel.There's one area of the cabin design where I feel the studio must have had only five minutes left on the final Friday afternoon to do a quick lash-up. It's hard to believe that the way the central fascia trim strip meets the corresponding door trim strips, at a crude right angle as on some kind of fitted-kitchen unit, can have been the result of prolonged consideration.Out on the road, it's obvious that the suspension set-up was the result of prolonged consideration, something which certainly didn't apply to the early examples of the previous Vectra series, which we know were signed off far too early.With its 1.8-litre engine, the entry-level LS is hardly a sports saloon in performance terms, but it has a carefully judged balance between handling and ride, and it goes well on the kind of dodge-about minor country roads some manufacturers' launch exercises are at pains to avoid.The seats may be firm in the usual Opel style, but the ride quality is quite supple, and the LS copes easily with dips and bumps. Although the electro-hydraulic power steering isn't of the kind which almost lets you feel whether a coin you run over on the road is showing heads or tails, it's slick, light and precise enough for agile motoring through individual bends or a series of left-right sweeps.Traction control is standard on all new Vectras apart from the 1.8-litre cars. But that's OK. They hardly need it.Even in the entry-level LS specification, the Vectra comes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, cornering brake control, cruise control, rake/reach adjustment for the steering wheel, rain sensor wipers and front, side and curtain airbags. There's a fold-flat front passenger seat, an information display plus service interval monitor, and, although I'm no great enthusiast for cupholders, I have to say that Vauxhall has provided a very neat pop-out set in the leading edge of the rear seat base.Noise levels have been reduced, the rigidity of the bodyshell has been noticeably improved, while the interior fittings are much better than anything Vauxhall has offered in this class before. There's far more passenger space than in the old model, and overall the Vectra shows a refinement the previous versions never approached.Let's get this straight. Refinement? Vectra? Yep.Second opinion: The 1.8 engine struggles, in a car this heavy, to match the Vectra's surprisingly agile handling, but that hardly matters when most owners will be racking up the motorway miles. Far more significant is the fact that the Vectra is a great long-distance cruiser. Whether or not it matches the opposition from Ford, Renault, Nissan and others is a matter of personal taste, but at least you can say - which you couldn't about the previous model - that it is a realistic rival to them. David Finlay. Engine 1796cc, 4 cylinders Power 120bhp Fuel/CO2 36.7mpg / 184g/km Acceleration 0-60mph: 10.7 seconds Top speed 126mph Price From £18714.00 approx Details correct at publication date
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