KEY POINTS:
The car that replaces the Vectra in Europe might yet also replace - or perhaps even sit alongside - the car that replaced the Vectra in New Zealand.
Confused? Stick with us on this one.
The car in question is the Insignia, a smart new model that makes its world public debut at the British International Motor Show on July 23.
Insignia is an Opel-designed and built sedan and hatchback that replaces the Vectra in Europe and Britain (where it's a Vauxhall).
As we know, Holden also used to sell the Vectra until late 2006. Then it dropped the European car for the Epica, a Holdenised reprise of an elderly Daewoo sedan which arrived in April of 2007. General Motors has run Daewoo - well, GM-DAT as it's now known - since 2002.
A facelifted Epica is going on sale here within a couple of weeks. The big news is the introduction of a 110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel model alongside the original 115kW/215Nm 2.5-litre six-cylinder petrol, plus the step up to a six-speed automatic and an electronic stability control.
The changes are hoped to lift Epica's sales performance which, to date, has not been good.
In hindsight, the Vectra - which Holden decided was too expensive for the market - sold better than Epica (the budget, high-spec car that pitted six-cylinder power at a four-cylinder price). Lifting Epica's game is Holden's Plan A.
But is there a Plan B? Simon Carr, who takes over from Peter Keley as Holden New Zealand's managing director on August 1, confirms Holden is also looking at the Insignia.
That doesn't mean introduction is in any way a certainty. Pricing remains one obvious hurdle.
Yet it does mean that Holden might be prepared to accept, in hindsight, that there is a place on New Zealand roads for a "premium" medium car.
Certainly, Insignia would be that. Designed to compete head-on with the Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord Euro and Mazda6 - all of which outsell Epica - it introduces Opel's new styling language.
Hardware within the low-drag, coupe-like shapes includes optional four-wheel drive, an "active chassis" (FlexRide) and five Euro 5 emissions-compliant engines - three petrols (ranging from a 105kW four-cylinder to a 195kW V6) and two new 2.0-litre direct-injection diesels, offering 97 and 120kW. A hot VXR version is also planned.
The cabin features a wraparound dashboard design that extends to the doors and new seats are said to set "the highest standards in ergonomics, comfort and safety".
It's also loaded with multimedia technology and debuts Opel Eye, a dual camera system able to recognise traffic signs and provide a lane departure warning.
An ability to recognise the shape of traffic signs and the information on it is said to be a class-first. The system can warn the driver when a posted speed limit is being exceeded. In addition, it also recognises lane markings and an alarm sounds should the driver fall asleep.
Adding fuel to Insignia speculation is talk of Holden looking into building a second car, alongside Commodore, from 2010. Insignia is thought a more obvious choice than the Viva or Astra, whose made-in-Korea replacements will be seen at the Paris motor show in October.
