Fresh thinking from GM:
Vauxhall has just released the first photographs of the Signum, which will reach showrooms in the summer.
Looking like a cross between one of those weird Renault things and an Alfa Romeo the stretched body design features a flexible rear-seat arrangement and lots of toys.
Kevin Wale, Vauxhall's Managing Director, expects a lot from the new model and felt compelled to utter this twaddle: "This is a unique car, tailor-made for demanding drivers who expect a lot in terms of dynamics, design, quality and presence, and who want to express their individual personalities and lifestyles."
The fun is to be had in the back of the car, not the front. The rear seating seating system can change from three seats into two individual seats that can slide back by an exciting 13cm. The seat back can be inclined to an angle of 28 degrees if you fancy a kip.
Vauxhall engineers have designed the centre rear seat to be especially versatile. When the seat cushion is folded forward and flipped over, a useful storage console is created. Those who wish to work, or play a game, will welcome the innovative "Travel Assistant". This is mounted between the two outer rear seats and conceals two fold-out trays, a cold-store box, a refuse bin (a bin at last! - see here), cup-holders, an electric power outlet, and a holder for a portable DVD player, as well as separate rear-seat controls for the audio system.
All these 'intelligent solutions' are similar to those in a modern aircraft but without the hostesses.. There is a roof-mounted console, with reading lamps for rear passengers, with five compartments providing more storage space while giving the interior a distinctive appearance.
The Interactive Driving System (IDS) debuted on new Vectra is duplicated in Signum, and there are additional pioneering new features like Adaptive Forward Lighting with bi-xenon headlamps the steering-linked headlamp system that lights up bends in the road and an orthopaedic and air-conditioned driving seat that can cool your sweaty chuff.
