KEY POINTS:
Here's the new Holden we won't be getting in New Zealand - General Motors (GM) Europe has unveiled its stylish replacement for the Vectra, to be called the Insignia.
The new four-door features coupe-like styling, an all-wheel-drive option and the company's latest "active chassis" technology.
What it won't feature is a Holden badge. Until last year, the Vectra was sold in Australasia.
But Holden's small-medium car requirements are now filled by GM Daewoo-Automotive Technologies (GM-DAT), its Korean division.
New Zealand's mid-size Holden sedan is the budget-minded Epica, which draws on old-generation Daewoo technology.
So while the Epica looks back, the Insignia is very much looking forward.
GM Europe describes the Insignia's look as premium styling.
"We've re-defined our design vocabulary," says Mark Adams, vice- president of design for GM Europe.
"Our aim was to develop a confident look which reinforced the car's superb driving dynamics, but also one that made it clear that this was a premium product, albeit still at a highly competitive price in its class."
The IDSPlus active chassis system helps the car adapt to prevailing driving conditions. The new Adaptive 4X4 system is available as an option.
Maybe GM-DAT will take some direction in styling from its European colleagues for future models.
