VAUXHALL is about to begin a six-month police evaluation programme for the new Vectra to establish a foothold in the 'blue light' sector.

The police specification Vectra shares its interior, transmission and 145bhp 2.2-litre petrol engine with the SRi and comes either as a saloon or a hatchback.

But it has uprated suspension, brakes and electrics, plus a specialised console which allows the fitting of specific radio, light and siren switchgear. The car comes with xenon headlights and a reinforced roof structure carries a light bar. A 1.8-litre petrol version, with an option for LPG, will also be available to police forces, along with a 2.2-litre diesel.

All Vectra police cars are built to Home Office specification, including electro-magnetic capability standards designed to prevent external signals from interfering with the cars' communications equipment.

Brian Taverner, managing director of Special Vehicle Operations, which prepares all Vauxhall's blue light vehicles, said: 'The Vectra has entered the market at a very important time as budgeting means police force have to be even more conscious of whole-life costs – an area at which Vauxhall excels.'