Vauxhall has released the first official pictures of its all-new Vectra which will go on sale in the UK next spring.

Longer, wider and higher than its predecessor, the Vectra will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2002.

Production will begin at Russelsheim in Germany in January 2002, with production of hatchback models starting at Ellesmere Port in April.

Vauxhall has poured £200m into the Cheshire plant which now has a new bodyshop and a refined assembly process.

The new Vectra will be launched in four-door saloon and five-door hatchback form, with engine sizes ranging from 1.8 to 2.2-litres.

The new model has an increased amount of interior room and features include eight-way adjustable front seats, improved head restraints and front and side airbags as standard.

Last year, Vauxhall sold more than 70,000 Vectras in the UK - pushing the car up to sixth place in the annual best-sellers list.

Ellesmere Port, where the company's most popular model, the Astra, is also made, is capable of turning out 180,000 cars a year.