Ford"s Racing department...
Ford"s Racing department soon realised the Puma would make a great rally car, and a 4x4 competition model was the result. A roadgoing version of the stage star - the Tickford-built Racing Puma - arrived in 1999, too, and proved one of the best driver"s machines ever, even though it was far more expensive than the basic variant. Each one of 500 limited-edition 152bhp models commanded a price of ÷£22,800.
The nose is dominated...
The nose is dominated by a V-shaped chrome badge flanked by the projector-style headlights from the Astra. It means that the only real difference between the four-seater executive car and the Vectra is the addition of an extra bar in the grille. New alloy wheels sharpen up the profile, while at the rear a restyled light cluster and bumper combination finishes the look.
Inside, the Signum gets the same revamped dashboard as the Vectra and also benefits from Bluetooth wireless connectivity. In the rear, the sliding two-seat layout is unchanged. Underneath the skin, the same fundamental changes made to the Vectra"s suspension set-up - giving improved steering feel and reduced body roll - have been applied. However, a Vauxhall spokesman said that the car"s ride had been engineered for more comfort.
Engines will mirror those of the current Signum, with the 230bhp 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 the flagship. A hot 250bhp VXR version has not been ruled out either. On sale in October, models throughout the range are likely to carry a í‚á£250 premium over the current versions, with the line-up starting at around í‚á£18,895.