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Jaggy Cars - July 2009
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
If You Liked the Carlton, You'll Like This!
I liked the Vauxhall Insignia. Anyone who doesn’t is just trying to start an argument or being objectionably trendy, and this probably harks back to the good old days when it was considered smart to criticise the Cavalier and Vectra.
They were good cars despite what curly-topped, jeans wearing TV presenters said. They were not designed for being thrashed around test tracks or along limit-less country roads, they were designed to carry professionals with their sample books and order pads. And so the Insignia is a good car too.
Anyone who says otherwise either hasn’t driven it or have yet to climb out of their own pram.
So I like it. And just as I liked the old Carlton and Monza, this is a car in the same vein. Not a rival to BMW or Jaguar, although it would like to be, and yet provides a commodious relaxing cruiser that is easy to live with over long distances.
What stops it rivalling the better German cars is the engine note. It is on the noisier side of quiet. At first I thought it was a well-damped diesel, but no, it’s only a 1.6 petrol engine with a turbo. Even so it’s good for 178 bhp and an impressive 230 Nm of torque, which it needs, because it weighs just over 1.6 tonnes.
I was surprised at the sub-10 second, 0 to 60 dash because it needs a good old prod to get it off the line and get the turbo spinning, but on the move, speed through the gears is impressive for the its engine size.
Seating position is good, driving position nice and it is tidily finished off inside with the chrome trim just lifting the gloss and matt black dashboard.
I didn’t get the chance to really try out the FlexRide system (£750.00 option) fitted to the test car which alters suspension settings and throttle sensitivity depending on whether Standard, Tour or Sport mode is elected. Interestingly, when Sport mode is selected, it not just the dampers that are stiffened up and throttle response speeded up, but it also alters the gearing in the steering. The effect really does make a difference.
I’m not so sure about the rear tailgate though, it’s a heavy old lump of ironmongery. The swept in tail presents a rather rounded rump which lifts up to reveal a deep bumper before you get to the load area. There is no step or lip though, so boxes can be loaded on and slid in which is handy.
Conclusion
This is a good all-round family car that will double up comfortably for high mileage business users. It also looks good, especially this Sports Tourer, and I would be quite happy to have one parked in my drive.
In Short:
Price: £22,800
Engine: 1598 cc, 4 cyl. Turbo-petrol with 178 bhp
Performance: 0 - 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, flat out at 137 mph
Economy: 45.6 mpg extra urban, 34.8 mpg combined
CO2 emissions: 186 g/km
Insurance Group: 12E/22E
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