With a 'Bangle bum' and Volvo shoulders, the new Vauxhall/Opel Vectra also takes a leaf out of Ford's Iosis concept (more here), but the frontal styling is all GM -- that's the intial verdict on the all-new GM medium car set to debut in 2008.

The Carsales Network's spy shooters, Caparazzi, were at the ready to capture the new Opel during side impact airbag testing at an airfield in Germany.

The photos hereabouts show the new Vectra will sport an Astra-style grille but large multi-element flush-fitting headlight clusters that 'take over' much of the front guard will set the new Vectra apart from most other (current) cars on the road.

Despite Ford Australia's plans to import the new Mondeo, the Vectra won't be returning to Australia, although the Epsilon 2 platform on which the Vectra is built will form the basis for next generation Saabs and some American GM models.

Opel plans to leap-frog Volkswagen's Passat with Epsilon 2. The new platform will permit the development of wider and taller vehicles. In essence, it's a Zeta platform for front-wheel drives.

A highlight of the new Vectra will be the 'Traffic Assist' system. This system relies on video and laser functions to monitor the environment around the car for warning signs, lane markings and other vehicles. The system will apply brakes to avoid collisions.

Production of the new Vectra is planned to commence before the end of 2008.

-- with Carparazzi

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