IT’S SO often the case in the motor industry that evolution takes precedent over revolution. For many the path to financial riches – or even simply staying afloat – demands that buyers are not scared witless by a bold new design or mind-bending new technology.

But when, as in the case of Vauxhall’s Vectra, playing it safe was the norm, breaking the mid-size mould is now central to its maker’s survival. With so many competent cars now on the market capable of challenging the Vectra’s position, something drastic had to be done. The end result is the Insignia.

That’s quite a build-up, but then the Insignia is tasked with more than just maintaining Vauxhall’s position in the fiercely competitive mid-size sector. This is where the fleet, or company, car is king.

Ford, Vauxhall, Renault, Peugeot – all the familiar faces are present. It’s also where you’ll find the premium marques touting for entry-level business. The likes of BMW and Audi might not offer generous levels of kit, but the badge and associated pedigree often acts as an attractive substitute.

And it’s in this middle ground – partway between fleet workhorse and affordable executive – that Vauxhall appears to be positioning the Insignia. From a styling point of view the car is a world away from the Vectra’s safe, sometimes angular appearance.

Sweeping curves and flowing lines are now the order of the day. From the Insignia’s bold and broad nose to the way its flanks swell to accommodate the generously proportioned wheelarches and all the way back to its curvaceous tail, elegance not utility springs to mind.

The same is true inside, with a sweeping fascia design accommodating a raft of sensibly placed controls.

From the front seats, the wraparound effect starting at the base of the windscreen and finishing at the front doors is a clever touch. New controls, a multi-purpose display located high up on the fascia plus a general premium feel to everything that you touch all help to convince you that the car is car is worthy of a higher social status than its price tag suggests.

Like with so many company-targeted cars much emphasis has been put on the driver. This is fine but at least with the Insignia the rear occupants haven’t been forgotten. The overall level of space is good despite the presence of the car’s stylish sloping roof, and you never feel like a second class citizen as fit, finish and the overall ambience mirrors that for those at the front. With the emotional elements of the car sorted, attention turns to the cold, hard engineering side of the Insignia.

This new Vauxhall boasts a more willing and engaging character, which should please those seeking some fun when behind the wheel. Everything feels sharper than the old Vectra by a considerable margin, while the inclusion of a two mode Sport-Touring feature on selected models allows drivers to switch between a keen, responsive experience and a more mellow and relaxed ride respectively.

Under the bonnet you get to choose from five engines – two diesel and three petrol. This being a predominately a fleet sector car, the diesels will be the preferred choice for many. Offering 130 and 160 horsepower respectively, the two diesels deliver enough performance to satisfy most needs. The former is surprisingly capable and the latter exceeds all expectations and both are pleasingly refined at all speeds – and that’s before a 190 horsepower unit hits the streets in 2009.

And the petrol offerings? Of the 1.8. 2.0 and 2.8 V6 units, the turbocharged 2.0-litre motor is hard to ignore. Promising the performance of a V6 and the running costs of a four-pot engine, its 220 horsepower rating is all you could possibly need unless the 260 horsepower 2.8 V6 coupled to a four-wheel drive system (curiously not exclusive to the V6) is more tempting. Factor in slick shifting six-speed manual and optional auto gearboxes and Vauxhall’s left nothing to chance in the driving department.

It’s also left nothing to chance in the equipment stakes. As you would expect, the Insignias are outfitted to a high standard irrespective of trim level (S, Exclusiv, SE, Elite and SRi). All the major passive and active safety innovations are present, along with a wealth of items to make any journey more comfortable. To stay ahead in business you have to keep moving and innovating, and it’s no different if you’re in the business of producing cars largely for businesses.

Vauxhall has done a good job with the Insignia; it’s a stylish machine packed full of attractive kit and capable of so much more than its predecessor. A worthy successor to the Vectra the Insignia is also a credible alternative the stripped out, entry-level traditional executive cars. And a long way from manmade fibre suits, photocopier supplies and carpet samples.