Vauxhall drops Insignia off Tower Bridge

The doors had yet to open to the London Motor Show, but Vauxhall decided that its new Insignia family car necessitated a more theatrical entrance than a rotating plinth.

In front of a crowd of 300 guests, gathered in Potters Fields adjacent to Tower Bridge, the Insignia was released from an 'orb' 62 metres above the ground.

Dropping at a pace of up to 7.6 metres per second, the new Insignia came to a controlled stop in front of the stage.

Kate Thornton of The X Factor fame introduced the all-new replacement for the Vectra, while sexy string quartet, Bond performed a suitably dramatic soundtrack.

Full pricing and specification will be announced when the Insignia is revealed on press day at the motorshow, with sales starting immediately.

Shane O' Donoghue