MOTORING: Millions well spent on an extra-sensory car; NEW REG.

VAUXHALL has spent millions in producing the new Vectra - and it has been money well invested.

It is unrecognisable as the Vectra of old and what buyers get is a sparkling, beautifully performing, dynamic, family car that has technology bristling from its steering column stalks to its tyres.

This is General Motors' impressive offering for the 21st century and one which sets new standards.

The upper medium sector has always helped Vauxhall's tills ring healthily and the outgoing Vectra topped the segment in 1999 and 2000. But this is a totally new car, with fresh appeal, fresh temptation and a host of gadgets and sensors which will see it technologically ahead for years.

For example headlamps stay on 30 seconds after switch off to help you home; cruise control is standard on all models; there are intelligent, touch-sensitive indicators that three-flash or stay on until electronically cancelled; a computer screen that continually updates you; lower front door sills; an interior mirror that dips automatically; indirect night-lighting; permanently monitored tyre pressures; electrically operated everything and flexible service intervals which can be as much as every 20,000 miles for petrol engines and 30,000 for diesel.

The new Vectra costs from pounds 14,645 for the 1.8 LS rising to pounds 20,980 for the top of the range GSi 3.2 V6. There are three petrol engines - a 1.8-litre 122 bhp, 2.2-litre 147 bhp and a 3.2-litre 211 bhp V6 that tops the range. Diesel choice is either a 2.0-litre 100 bhp or a 2.2-litre 125 bhp DTi.

The new car has stylish sculpturing with a straight-up back and is delightfully balanced. The test car was the 2.2 Elite (there are LS, SXi, Elegance, Elite, SRi and GSi trim ranges) with an automatic transmission system that did it all for you or let you manually and effortlessly move up or down the five-speed box.

Dynamically the car is sound and feels so secure, particularly on fast corners. This is down to GM's new interactive driving System, a complex electronic management system linking control and safety functions of the individual chassis components. On top of that you get emergency brake assist, electronic stability programme, electronic brakeforce distribution and electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering. You still have to turn the key but sensors manage everything else.

The new Vectra can boast the sexiest headlamp cluster on any car, generous flashes of walnut burr on the Elite test car, alluring seven-spoke alloys and, to cap it all, a clean and cleverly thought out, uncluttered dash, housing smart radio, cassette and CD. Space is impressive, giving big car comfort and oodles of rear knee-room.

Massive effort has gone into showroom appeal, into the fat brochures highlighting the innovation and to the quality of the leather seats you could be spending the next three years in. Vauxhall at its best.