Offered in both hatch and sedan variants – along with a handsome estate – the primary fleet contender has considerable road presence, thanks in part to its stacked headlamp design.

Chassis dynamics are great to a point – the vehicle starts to feel just a little vague when pushed via a series of bends, and steering is less precise than it may be – but the car really makes its own when cruising across the highway.

A great variety of engines from a cost-effective 1.8 petrol to some hugely competent 3.0 V6 turbo diesel, and also the availability of six speed manual transmission on some models, helps Vectra sales endure nicely when confronted with stiff competition. Quality of ride is high, and interior noise levels are nicely controlled, both which aid the model’s comfort levels – an important aspect of success within the fleet market.

The brand new Corsa-based Tigra moves the name on the long way in the original to deal with the name; what was previously perceived as a ‘hairdresser’s car’ has become a fully-fledged two seater, facing such machines since the Peugeot 206CC and the Ford Streetka.

Provided with either a 1.4 or perhaps a 1.8 engine, the diminutive machine includes a neat folding steel roof that automatically drops back to the trunk, along with a set of clean, stylish body lines. Handing is neat and sporty – the ride could be a little harsh on some surfaces, that is an acceptable trade-off for neutral handling.

That there’s little front or rear overhang helps the car’s poise and balance. Despite Its small size the Tigra is blessed with an above average amount of luggage space, even if the roof is slowed to the top half of the load area.

A bold move of Vauxhall-Opel to maneuver its traditional large sedan buyers right into a crossover vehicle is proving an uphill struggle; the marketplace sector is deeply conservative.

However those who’ve taken the plunge happen to be satisfied with your decision; Signum is a highly competent package, with a lot of interior space along with a range of drive train options which cover all required bases.

The 2.0 litre petrol-engined model feels just a little flat – there is lots of bodywork to become hauled about with a small engine – however the 3.0CTDi is great fun, with waves of torque. Handling is neat and precise; the only real weakness is steering that feels just a little remote.

There’s been some criticism how the Signum is not sufficiently distinct to look at to the Vectra estate. Overcome that, though, and you’re simply dealing with a competent and effective car for the executive buyer.

The brand’s five door multipurpose machine expires against the C-Max and Scenic, and follows an identical format to those contenders; an adaptable interior, a variety of engines that goes from the 1.6 to a 1.7 turbo diesel, little overall dimensions.

Performance isn’t startling – that market sector doesn’t have startling – but is very adequate for the small multi-purpose vehicle market. Handling is predictable, biased towards ride comfort, and noise levels are very well suppressed. Meriva is a lot praised because of its build quality, too.

Just like others in this market sector there’s some criticism how the car doesn’t possess a third row of seats, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting sales of the Meriva, that is meeting the targets set for this by General Motors.

Small and curvy at a time increasingly covered with sharp-edged car design, Corsa is at risk of replacement. In three and five door hatch forms, with everything from a modest little one litre to a powerful and free-revving 1.8 litre, with a pair of diesels, the Corsa has the capacity to meet demands on most buyers within the small city car market.

Handling of the smaller-engined machines is soft and predictable, however the high-series cars include suitably firm suspension packages that permit the best to become gained in the available power.

Since the replacement model nears release, there are several extremely good deals on outgoing models, that can come loaded with extras that could normally bounce the cost up with a considerable margin.

GM Europe’s smallest car, Agila, is really a Suzuki Wagon-R with fresh badging and some subtle tweaks to Europeanise the inside trim.

Offered with whether three cylinder, one litre engine or perhaps a 1200cc four, the tiny car reaches home in the city, where it proves in a position to cut it in high-traffic, but long journeys require a sound constitution; the vehicle is suffering from crosswinds on exposed highways, and may make the occupants feel vulnerable.

Tiny overall dimensions make it well suited for parking in close confines, but despite its insufficient bulk feels quite spacious inside, because of a high roofline providing you with lots of headroom.

It’s been a neat method for Vauxhall and Opel to place a toe to the water, so far as city cars are worried – and they have found the water quite warm. It’s rumoured that the European-designed model has been prepared for replacement of the Agila in 2006.

Newly launched, the Astra competes in territory which has hitherto been covered with Ford’s Focus and also the VOLKSWAGEN Golf; GM Europe’s engineers knew that to make a genuine impression it must be something very special.

They appear to have achieved their objective – the vehicle very good indeed, to represent a quantum step forward from its predecessor.

Adaptive suspension (a choice, rarther than standard fit) and new engines lead the technical story, and crisp styling both inside and out lead the marketing pitch. Handling is great even about the entry-level model, and also the flagship 2.0 turbo is shiny and sharp.

Consistently Europe’s second-biggest brand after Ford, General Motors’ big brand has launched a hugely significant model, the brand new Astra.

Initial response continues to be very positive – however it needs to be, since the car offers quite a bit riding onto it. It also serves to make the Corsa look wear and tear; a replacement isn’t due tor another year.

Further in the scale the Vectra is constantly on the sell consistently, and also the Signum is beginning to make inroads to the executive territory – although as Ford discovered in the 1980s, it comes with an entrenched potential to deal with anything other compared to traditional three-box sedan on this sector, therefore the replacement Omega (due in 2006) cannot come in no time for some dealers.

The VX220 is really a radical machine that’s helping raise GM’s street credibility in Europe, and also the Meriva is also selling well. The brand new Tigra moves on a long way in the previous car to deal with that nameplate, and also the Monaro is now for sale as a Vauxhall in Britain and Opel elsewhere in Europe. Overall, things are looking great for GM in Europe.

Big, bold, brutally fast, and possessed of looks that suggest it’ll leap up in the kerb and bite passers by, Tuscan is available in the ‘cooking’ 3.6 litre form that’s fast, and also the 4.0S that precedes fast with devastatingly.

Newly obtainable in targa and convertible forms along with the familiar coupe, the vehicle rewards a confident driver using the kind of sensations that always cost many times the price of a Tuscan.

When there is a weakness towards the package it’s the styling; this really is either loved or loathed with equal passion. We suspect TVR rather enjoy it that way.

Intended as a more accessible version of the brutal Griffith, Tamora includes a sleek and curvaceous body shell wrapped around a driveline which has at its heart TVR’s own six cylinder engine.

The note in the exhaust can sound harsh (particularly when compared to the crimson noise from V8-engined TVRs) but what matters is the fact that it delivers a sensational punch each time the throttle is opened the 0-100kph sprint is the in a whisker over four seconds, and also the car is able to topping 170mph (275kph).

Just like all TVR sports cars, a strong grip from experienced hands is important.

A current addition towards the family, the T350 is really a swoopy two-seater coupe (with a targa roof variant also offered) powered by TVR’s own-built Speed Six engine.

Faired head lamps assist the car’s frontal appearance as well as reduce noise levels at high-speed although wind noise reduction is rarely something high in agenda of the average TVR buyer.

Performance is scintillating, and also the compliant chassis is more forgiving than may be expected of this type of rapid car. Do not buy one of these and expect nobody to see – you’ll be inundated with requests from neighbours to consider them for any blast inside it, from the day you purchase it towards the day it is going from your life.

Taking its name in the mythical beast which had three heads, and is at essence quite a dangerous thing to combine with, TVR’s entry-level car is definitely an exciting 4.5 litre V8 power pack on wheels.

Despite its lowly status inside the family it’s still viciously quick when put alongside most other cars, and handles cleanly if driven using the required level of positivity.

Gifted having a surprisingly supple suspension system, the Chimaera may also be pleasingly tractable if caged inside a traffic jam.

The engine noise can place the fear of God into pedestrians and can definitely startle the horses.