Vauxhall is fitting the all-new Vectra with more than 30 sensors allowing the car to see, hear, feel -- and even smell.

The car, which goes on sale in June, sniffs out bad smells with its air quality sensor and bans them from inside the car.

It sees headlight dazzle in its rear view mirror and dims the mirror to avoid glare. It dips the exterior rear view mirror towards the kerb when reversing for a safer manoeuvre.

With its distance sensors, it hears obstacles in its way when parking and gives an audible warning to the driver. Its sense of touch comes into play when the driver has not heeded the "you're too close" audible warning and the vehicle brushes a stationary object! It feels yaw forces and compensates them automatically with its new electronic stability programme.

Among its 30-plus sensors are those that start the windscreen wipers when it begins to rain, keep a constant tyre pressure check, monitor brake pad condition and, in an accident, activate the front, side and curtain airbags.

Others detect which side of the car is feeling most heat from the sun, anticipate inside temperature and can automatically activate the electronic climate control. Driver and passenger can also adjust the system to suit themselves.

An infrared alarm sensor protects the car by monitoring breaking glass, attempts to open the doors and any unusual movement of the car itself.

Sensors in the front passenger seat detect whether the seat is occupied. If not, the airbag on the front passenger's side is de-activated, avoiding the need to replace the airbag module and fascia after an accident.

Other sensors register the presence of a child seat and again switch off the passenger side airbags. Anti-trapping sensors in the windows and sliding sunroof stop them closing at a low level of resistance to prevent injuries, especially to children.