Vauxhall is committed to replacing the Omega executive car in 2004 but the marque's new contender will not be a 'traditional' vehicle.

In Frankfurt Vauxhall unveiled the Signum II all-in-one estate and coupe concept car and while the vehicle will not go into production, company chiefs say the vehicle hints at the ideas and styling cues that will be seen on future Vauxhall models.

Speculation that Signum II was also 'the new Vectra' was denied by Vauxhall - official pictures of the Vectra have yet to be released. However, a spokesman said Signum II was 'an evolution of what Vectra will be'.

The front-wheel drive Signum II can turn from a family car to a two-seater at the push of a button creating a huge load area and a stowage area under the seats. The concept also featured on on-board cinema, office and espresso bar.

However, following Ford's decision not to replace Scorpio and General Motors' decision to link Saab and Cadillac sales channels, there remains speculation as to whether Vauxhall will remain committed to the executive car sector.

But the spokesman said: "We will continue to be represented in that area of the market. Omega is due to remain on sale until 2004. There will not be a direct replacement but with what we have planned Vauxhall will remain in that sector of the UK market with a car displaying the Vauxhall badge."

While the Omega range starts at about £18,000 and extends to £30,000, the spokesman admitted that with plans to extend both the Saab and Cadillac model line-ups that "an executive with £28,000 to spend may prefer a vehicle with a different badge to Vauxhall such as Saab". (September 18, 2001)

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