IT is amazing how some recent cars have died off without achieving anywhere near the potential they deserved.

One such was the Vauxhall Signum, a large hatchback take on the Vectra which offered roomy and comfortable seating for just four.

It set out to offer rear seating that matched the comfort of the front, supposedly making it ideal for executives needing to convey customers and colleagues. Unfortunately it never caught the imagination of buyers in the UK.

Produced from 2003 to 2008, the Signum was sold by Vauxhall dealers in low numbers, with car supermarkets offering plenty as massively discounted prices.

Because of this, the Signum is now a handy used buy because used prices are extremely low for what is a well-specified, pleasant to drive and very roomy car.

The Signum was largely based on the Opel Vectra and used the long-wheelbase version of the General Motors Epsilon platform.

It was based on an unusual concept of a very large hatchback with a nearly vertical tailgate. Its dimensions place it between traditional large family cars and exective choices.

It was more expensive than the Vectra and cheaper than an Audi A6.

Instead of a traditional three-passenger bench seat, the Signum came with two separate seats in the rear, which could be adjusted in many ways, including sliding back and forth (just like the front seats) and reclining backrests. There is also a very narrow central section, which included a folding armrest.

The seats could also be folded down individually to increase the cargo space - a system that GM refers to asFlexspace.

The Signum shared many body panels (including the complete front part of the body) and interior elements (in particular the complete dashboard and front seats) with the Vectra, but the tailgate and rear fender design was unique.

It was offered with a variety of engines, but the probable best was the 1.9 CDTi diesel.

In some ways the jury is still out on the Signum. My view is that it offered GM a chance to provide an excellent midi-limo but it was spoiled by looking too much like a Vectra which lost it bucketloads of street cred.