Before I begin, I think it’s only fair to tell you that my feelings toward the Vauxhall brand have never been one of admiration, generally due to the fact that I associated the car giant with the Vectra. Since its release in 1995, it felt like the uninspired choice of transport that flooded our motorways shifting sales reps across the country. So naturally, when I heard that Vauxhall were stopping its production, I didn’t lose any sleep.

It emerged soon after the manufacturer was to release something new - the Insignia. Admittedly, I wasn’t all that excited about the prospect - until I saw it. I almost did a double-take; it looked so different, inspired even. It was as if the designers at Vauxhall had suddenly slipped out of a thirteen-year coma.

With a fresh approach, it seems that Vauxhall have taken a huge step forward in styling. The Insignia’s sleek lines, low-slung roofline and eye catching looks are enough to beat most rivals like the Renault Laguna, Citroen C5, and the Ford Mondeo standing still. Even the griffin badge has been remodelled.

But as we all know, looks aren’t everything at the end of the day, and I was eager (if not a little sceptical) to find out if this was really something special from Vauxhall, so I felt obligated to take it for a spin. Have you ever had a meal that looks promising, but doesn’t deliver the goods? I have… and this is nothing like that. Instead, the Insignia’s real refinement is in the way it composes itself on the road. Unlike Vauxhall’s of the past it not only welcomes corners; it embraces them with enough power and grip to boot. Driving a Vauxhall just got more appealing all of a sudden. Gone are the days when you take your Vectra on the motorway, only to feel like you’re sitting on a Black & Decker. Instead, the Insignia gives you the option to switch from a firm ride to a soft suspension that will iron out any bump on the roadwork-riddled M1.

The interior isn’t bad either; everything has an executive feel that mirrors something you’d expect from Audi, or BMW. Granted, it’s not the most distinctive layout, and there are a few discrepancies to be found, like the cruise control getting stuck between gears in those 50mph average speed zones, or the Sat Nav lady that not only gives you each instruction ten times over, but sounds more like Johnny Vegas every time you approach a roundabout. Thankfully, these are very minor criticisms, and not enough to make the car any less enjoyable to drive.

Completing a 500-mile round trip in the Insignia, I had a lot of time on my hands to reflect; I was at ease, comfortable and enjoying the ride. I found myself deliberately looking for things that were wrong with the car and struggled to find many. It got me thinking more about the impending future of the General Motors brand, and what this car means to them. In Latin, Insignia means emblem, a symbol of personal power or status, and the meaning is no different here. It’s clear that Vauxhall knew they needed a change of direction by making a powerful statement, and this is without a doubt, exactly that.

So could it be that the car giant has released a car that could very well revive the brand, perhaps even take it to new heights? Only time will tell; but my guess is that we’ll be seeing that remodelled Griffin badge around for years to come.