PRICES for the heavily revised Vauxhall Vectra show 'modest' increases over the outgoing model with the manufacturer claiming that the rises are more than offset by specification enhancements. The new Vectra, featuring about 1,800 part number changes, many of them under the skin, enters showrooms in mid-March with the new prices following the recent industry trend of 'negative' increases once inflation is also taken into account.

With all Vectras now featuring a passenger airbag as standard - as well as other changes - the new saloon/hatchback 1.6i Envoy will cost £14,695 on-the-road compared with £14,640 for the outgoing model. The range-topping saloon/hatchback CDX 2.0 DTi 16v (air con) will cost £22,271 (£21,400) and £23,175 (£22,200) in estate form.

Other specification enhancements on the new Vectra include the addition of passenger airbag, tilt steering, remote audio controls, lumbar support, tinted glass, rev counter on all engines and 15in steel wheels. In addition the Tourer estate has been renamed Arctic, the Expression has been deleted. and prices for the SRi 120 1.8i remain unchanged. Prices have yet to be revealed for the new GSi which will be added later. New Vectra sample on-the-road prices with old model prices in brackets: saloon and hatchback - Envoy 2.0 Di (air con) £16,695 (£16,640), 2.0i CD (air con) £18,195 (£17,535), CDX 2.5i V6 (leather and air con) £21,975 (£20,885). Estate - Envoy 2.0 Di £16,945 (£16,790), 2.0 DTi LS with air con £18,435 (£18,130), SRi V6 2.5i 24v £19,475 (£19,060)