VAUXHALL's spacious new Vectra Estate will be the final addition to the Vectra family when it goes on sale at the end of this month.

And note, please, that the new load carrier is no ungainly, lumbering ship of the Yorkshire Moors over which it was recently tested.

Vauxhall has a proud estate history, having produced some highly successful models over the past 50 years. The stylish new Vectra version brings the tradition bang up to date with class leading luggage space, a wide engine choice and also its clever boot-placed FlexOrganiser.

On top of this its technical highlights include a power tail-gate, retractable tow-bar and an adaptive forward lighting system, allowing the driver to see round bends.

A wide range of models and engines will be available from the entry level 1.8-litre 16v LS to the range topping 3.2-litre V6 Elite. Vauxhall's new 3.0-litre V6 CDTi common rail diesel features on two models, while other recently introduced engines, the 2.2-litre 16v Direct and 2.0-litre turbo petrol units, are both also available in the estate.

On the road prices start at £16,045 for the 1.8-ltre 16v LS rising to £25,100 for the flagship Elite 3.0-litre CDTi V6.

Key strength of the new range of estates is space. Because the estate shares its 2.83m wheelbase dimensions with the long-wheelbase Vauxhall Signum, interior space is particularly generous.

Greatest asset is the excellent rear passenger accommodation, with considerable roof clearance thanks to the low seating position, loads of knee room, and plenty of foot room under the front seats.

With a wheelbase 100mm longer than Omega, the Vectra provides 50mm more rear legroom and 45mm more knee clearance. With the rear seats folded down, the Vectra's boot capacity of 1850-litres is also 50-litres greater than the Omega and a massive 150-litres greater than the Ford Mondeo.

Maximum load length up to the front seats is over two metres (2046mm) and with the front passenger seat folded down the maximum load length is 2.87 metres. The 2/3 split-fold rear seat also features a load-through hatch.

Of course, a new family Vauxhall would not be complete without some fresh thinking in the areas of practicality and versatility. With the Vectra Estate, Vauxhall has continued with the "Flex" theme, and so joining Flex7 (Zafira) and FlexSpace (Meriva) is FlexOrganiser, a system designed to create versatile and orderly load carrying.

With FlexOrganiser, the contents of supermarket shopping which has been strewn across the entire luggage area or heavy items falling on to delicate ones has now become a thing of the past....

FlexOrganiser is based on upper and lower parallel rails which run along each of the sidewalls in the luggage area up to the back of the rear seats. On to these rails can be attached various dividers, poles or hooks and in various configurations so creating different sized compartments for different types of cargo.

The system is available in two versions - the Organiser pack or the Divider pack. The Organiser pack consists of two differently shaped nets and four hooks while the Divider pack consists of a load divider, a divider tube and two hooks. Each will be available individually as an option or as an accessory through Vauxhall dealers.

Although it is not going to be available throughout the range immediately, some of the higher-spec models will have a powered tail-gate which can be operated from one of three places - from the key-fob, from a button inside the cabin or a separate switch underneath the number plate. A key safety feature of the tail-gate is a sensor which will stop it automatically if any movements around it are detected. Put to the test it left the Vauxhall technician without a bump to his head! The power tail-gate will be available as an option on all models next year.

Whether you are taking the boat out for the weekend or just taking the garden rubbish down to the tip in the trailer, a retractable tow-bar should prove a welcome addition. This is a tow-bar which can be easily and safely stored out of sight, horizontally behind the rear bumper. The bar is released by using a simple release mechanism from inside the boot, so can be operated without getting the hands dirty!

The Vectra is also the first mainstream car to have swivelling lights which move on corners according to the road speed - at lower speeds the system assumes the driver will need plenty of swivel because the corner is tight, whereas at higher speeds it assumes a faster bend and moves through a lesser angle - plus the ability to lift the beam slightly at motorway speeds.

Any worries here about what to do if taking the car abroad are groundless. Vauxhall's designers have thought that out by providing a switch to alter the setting to suit the right-hand rule of the road.

A third safety function is the highway or motorway light; at motorway speeds and when travelling in a constant straight direction, the headlights will automatically raise themselves so the driver has the perfect long distance view ahead. At the same time the automatic levelling system prevents any dazzling of oncoming traffic.

As well as impressive interior space, it provides really wide doors which make entry and exit easy, and at the same time designers have managed to make the very long car look quite smooth and stylish, with its estate rear neatly tapered off.

The estate is expected to account for about 15 per cent of all Vectras sold and will be built at one of the most advanced car plants in Europe at Russelsheim, Germany.

There are various trim and equipment levels available, ranging from LS, Club and SXi to Elegance and Elite.

From launch there is a choice of seven engines, four petrol and three diesel with power from 100hp to 211hp - and while one or two may be familiar, there are several new or recent additions.

With an entry price of £16,045, the LS will be available with a 1.8-litre petrol engine, the new 2.2-litre direct injection petrol unit, and DTi turbo diesels of two-litre and 2.2-litre capacity. The same start price applies to the Club version, which comes with the 1.8-litre petrol and two-litre DTi engines.

The SXi from £16,945 is catalogued with the 1.8-litre and 2.2-litre petrol plus a two-litre turbo, as well as the two DTi engines. Featuring the same engine selection, the Elegance comes in from £17.545.

At the top of the range, the Elite adds a pair of V6 engines: a 3.2-litre petrol and the Isuzu-sourced three-litre CDTi turbo diesel. Elite specification is available at prices between £20,250 and (for the CDTi) £25,100.

Updated: 09:50 Friday, November 14, 2003