REVIEW:

VVT means Variable Valve Timing and it's this that turns the standard 1.8-litre 122 bhp Vectra into a 140 bhp beast.

Previously no match for the likes of the Peugeot 407, the VVT Technology raises the Vectra's game and puts it on an even playing field with its competitors.

5mph faster than the standard Vectra, with a top speed of 131mph, all this extra power doesn't even have an adverse effect on fuel consumption.

Believe it or not, fuel consumption is reduced by around 3% with the new engine, giving 39.2mpg on the combined cycle.

Emissions are down too, with the SRi hatchback down to 173g/km from 182g/km and the non SRi models down to 173g/km from 175g/km. This is great news for fleet car drivers as this drops the car 2 percentage bands from the taxable benefit rules to 21%.

Although the Vectra Ecotec has really worked on it's performance, the overall shape and design is never going to get your heart racing. For Vauxhall lovers, it's a triumph, for anyone else, it's a slightly better Vectra than before.