Vauxhall Vectra

The mag's spy shot shows for the first time exactly what the front end of the Vectra's replacement looks like.

The undisguised car was one of many top-secret prototypes testing at the Nürburgring in Germany this week, and it is clear the design sticks closely to that of the GTC Coupé, first revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The bold front and a coupé-like profile will make it far more distinctive than the current model.

Most versions will be front-wheel drive, but range-topping VXR-badged high-performance variants will feed power to all four wheels. Along with four-cylinder powerplants, both petrol and diesel V6 engines will also be available.

A name for the newcomer is yet to be revealed, but insiders are hinting that the Insignia badge will now be used on a larger Vauxhall. The long-standing Vectra tag is still set to be dropped when the next-generation model goes on sale in summer 2008.