New 2013 Vauxhall Insignia range
Vauxhall updates its Insignia range with new turbo petrol engines and Cascada inspired styling tweaks
Vauxhall has revealed its updated Insignia. The hatchback, saloon and estate range gets more efficient engines and a price cut that ensures it undercuts key rivals. The car will make its debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
At its heart is a range of cleaner engines, helping reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Diesels are all based on the 2.0-litre CDTI engine, and can be had in 118bhp/236lb ft, 138bhp/236lb ft, and 161bhp/273lb ft variants, the former two states of tune emitting a company car tax-friendly 99g/km of CO2 and averaging 76.3mpg on the combined cycle.
Two new direct injection turbocharged petrol engines are available in 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre guises, making 168bhp/206lb ft and 247bhp/295lb ft respectively, the latter of which can be combined with optional four-wheel drive. Two gearboxes are offered, a six-speed manual or a new low-friction six-speed automatic.
The chassis has benefitted from revised damper and anti-roll bar settings, whilst electronic power steering, reprogrammed for improved feel, is standard in all but the range-topping VXR model.
Although exterior changes are reasonably subtle (with hints of the Cascada convertible at the rear), a host of updates have been carried out inside. Standard equipment now includes a digital radio and an instrument cluster with a switchable 8-inch LCD capable of displaying audio, navigation or smartphone information. It can also function as an analogue or digital speedometer, harking back to the 1980s Astra GTE. An additional 8-inch infotainment display is optional, with touchscreen functionality and 3D navigation.
As with all new Vauxhalls, the Insignia will be supplied with a ‘lifetime’ warranty, while pricing kicks off at £16,279, nearly £2000 less than the outgoing model.
