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VECTRA ON TOP, TOO
Alongside New Corsa's two crowns, the Vectra 1.9 CDTI 120PS Exclusiv was voted Best Estate Car of the Year 2007. Like the New Corsa, what caught the judges' imagination was its all-round abilities. What Car? says 'the Vectra remains at the top of the estate class'.
To celebrate the Vectra becoming VXRacing's 2007 race car for the British Touring Car Championship, we go on the road with the Vectra hatchback.
SUPER SIGNUM!
How much would you expect to pay for a 250bhp premium car, built in Germany and powered by a smooth and punchy 2.8-litre V6 engine? Upwards of £30,000 perhaps. Unless, that is, you look at Vauxhall's flagship Signum.
Because as well as hailing from the traditional home of the premium brand, the 2.8-litre turbo version of the super-stylish and immensely versatile Signum, available in Design or Elite trim, can be yours from only £23,070, with an uprated V6 that now develops that benchmark 250bhp, not to mention a hugely flexible 350Nm of torque. And that delivers 0-60mph in just 6.7 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 155mph for the manual version.
There's a choice of personalities, too. Design models offer a six speed manual gearbox, while the luxury-oriented Elite has a six-speed automatic with Active Select facility. Standard equipment includes a colour sat-nav system and alloy wheels, with a huge choice of other creature comforts on offer depending on model.
FOOTBALLERS' DRIVES
It isn't only the players who enjoy decent wheels in the Premiership. Arsenal FC has signed a two-year fleet deal for selected models from Vauxhall (and GM cousin Saab) for its backroom staff.
Among the 38 vehicles involved in the two-year contract, there will be a choice of Astra SRi 1.9 CDTi and Astra Club 1.7 CDTi models, Zafira SRi 1.9 CDTi as well as Vauxhall's 17-seat Movano 2.5 CDTi minibus.
Adrian Ford, Arsenal's commercial director, is pleased with his new signings: 'we felt that with the opening of our new Emirates stadium, we needed a new fleet of vehicles to meet our mobility needs', he says. 'These fitted the bill perfectly.' Sounds like a winning team already.
PREPARE TO BE IMPRESSED
Vauxhall has just unleashed its hottest ever supermini, the sensational Corsa VXR. Sporty styling, driver-focused interior features, an outstandingly well developed chassis and driver aids, all make for an amazing driving experience. Its lightweight 1.6 litre turbo engine produces 192PS and more than 260Nm of torque, plus a top speed of 140mph and 0-60mph in a blistering 6.8 seconds.