Vauxhall Insignia Sports TourerDespite the current economic malaise, Vauxhall’s 2009 European Car of the Year has been a resounding success, bucking a downward sales trend with more than 15,000 orders taken in the first month of the car reaching dealer showrooms in the UK.Now, joining the hatch and saloon, the Sports Tourer is available with all the innovation found in the current range, such as FlexRide, Intelligent AFL and Adaptive 4X4, but with enhanced practicality, thanks to a 540-litre load area with the rear seats up. The UK has traditionally been a strong market for estate cars and Vauxhall is predicting that more than 15 per cent of all Insignia sales will be estates. Dropping the 60:40 split rear seats converts the Sports Tourer into an even more capacious load-lugger, with a volume of up to 1530-litres.Wrapping all this in a sporty, premium body was a challenge for the Tourer’s designers. One of their many solutions was the distinctive tailgate with large, integrated tail lights that curve around the sides of the car giving a unique appearance, while keeping the same wheelbase as the hatch and saloon models.Coinciding with the Tourer’s launch is the introduction of the sixth engine to the Insignia range, the 180PS 1.6 Turbo. It joins the 1.8, 2.0T and 2.8T V6 in the petrol engine range, with the 2.0 CDTi 130PS and 160PS diesels also carried across. Inevitably, with its highly competitive C02 rating of 159g/km and low fuel consumption, the 2.0 CDTi 130PS and 160PS engines will continue to prove popular with private buyers and fleets alike, accounting for around 69 per cent of all sales. However, the new 1.6 Turbo engine will be a significant addition, appealing to those buyers who still prefer the outright performance of a petrol-fuelled car, but who are conscious of the emissions and fuel penalties this can bring.Apart from the auto-only 260PS V6 model, each engine in the range is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, with all but the 1.8-litre and 1.6 Turbo petrol models being available with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. Adaptive 4X4 is standard on all V6 models, and certain 2.0T models.During a busy day’s driving, I found handling and cornering on a par with the rest of the Insignia range. The Sports Tourer’s newly developed chassis can be enhanced with the innovative FlexRide system which provides drivers with three settings – Standard, Tour and Sport.While the wheelbase is identical to that of the Insignia hatch and saloon’s 2740mm, the Sports Tourer’s cargo length has grown by 80mm to 1910mm with the rear seats folded flat, allowing a maximum capacity of 1530-litres. The overall length is 4908mm, 78mm longer than the hatch and saloon.Standard on all SE and Elite models is a power tailgate that can be electrically opened and closed via a button on the key fob, or by controls mounted on the inside of the driver’s door and at the base of the tailgate itself. The system features a programmable opening height that prevents damage to the tailgate in garages with low ceilings.Standard on all Sports Tourer models is a retractable luggage compartment cover and DualFloor luggage compartment, which incorporates an under-floor storage area. Vauxhall’s FlexOrganiser that separates and secures cargo loads is an option, complementing the Insignia’s already vast array of trays and storage areas, including compartments in the front doors that can accommodate a 1.5-litre bottle, a large glove compartment and a closed cubby for occupants’ valuables. Storage compartments on the back of the front seats offer additional space for maps and books.The seats, shared with the Insignia hatch and saloon, feature a wide range of adjustment, not just seat travel and recline but height and four-way lumbar adjustment too, in addition to the reach and rake-adjustable steering column. All Sports Tourers come with high levels of equipment, including ESP, passenger airbag deactivation, automatic headlights, electric driver’s seat height adjuster and electrically adjustable four way lumbar support. Cruise control is also standard across the range, along with front, side and curtain airbags, Isofix on all three rear seats, and ABS. There is a daunting list of models and engine options – fine, though, if you have definite ideas of the specification you need.Body style: Estate, length 4.90m, width 1.85mEngine: Four petrol to 160PS and two diesel to 160PSGearbox: Six-speed manual or six-speed automaticPrice at October 09: £17,865 to £23,990.Combined fuel consumption (1.6 turbo): 35mpg0-62mph: 8.8 seconds. Maximum speed: 137mphMike Bacon - October 09
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
Despite the current economic malaise, Vauxhall’s 2009
European Car of the Year has been a resounding success,
bucking a downward sales trend with more than 15,000
orders taken in the first month of the car reaching dealer
showrooms in the UK.
Now, joining the hatch and saloon, the Sports Tourer is
available with all the innovation found in the current range,
such as FlexRide, Intelligent AFL and Adaptive 4X4, but
with enhanced practicality, thanks to a 540-litre load area
with the rear seats up. The UK has traditionally been a
strong market for estate cars and Vauxhall is predicting
that more than 15 per cent of all Insignia sales will be
estates.
Dropping the 60:40 split rear seats converts the Sports
Tourer into an even more
capacious load-lugger,
with a volume of up to
1530-litres.
Wrapping all this in a
sporty, premium body was
a challenge for the
Tourer’s designers. One of
their many solutions was
the distinctive tailgate with
large, integrated tail lights
that curve around the
sides of the car giving a
unique appearance, while
keeping the same
wheelbase as the hatch
and saloon models.
Coinciding with the
Tourer’s launch is the
introduction of the sixth engine to the Insignia range, the
180PS 1.6 Turbo. It joins the 1.8, 2.0T and 2.8T V6 in the
petrol engine range, with the 2.0 CDTi 130PS and 160PS
diesels also carried across. Inevitably, with its highly
competitive C02 rating of 159g/km and low fuel
consumption, the 2.0 CDTi 130PS and 160PS engines will
continue to prove popular with private buyers and fleets
alike, accounting for around 69 per cent of all sales.
However, the new 1.6 Turbo engine will be a significant
addition, appealing to those buyers who still prefer the
outright performance of a petrol-fuelled car, but who are
conscious of the emissions and fuel penalties this can
bring.
Apart from the auto-only 260PS V6 model, each engine in
the range is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, with all
but the 1.8-litre and 1.6 Turbo petrol models being
available with the optional six-speed automatic
transmission. Adaptive 4X4 is standard on all V6 models,
and certain 2.0T models.
During a busy day’s driving, I found handling and
cornering on a par with the rest of the Insignia range. The
Sports Tourer’s newly developed chassis can be
enhanced with the innovative FlexRide system which
provides drivers with three settings – Standard, Tour and
Sport.
While the wheelbase is identical to that of the Insignia
hatch and saloon’s 2740mm, the Sports Tourer’s cargo
length has grown by 80mm to 1910mm with the rear seats
folded flat, allowing a maximum capacity of 1530-litres.
The overall length is 4908mm, 78mm longer than the
hatch and saloon.
Standard on all SE and Elite models is a power tailgate
that can be electrically opened and closed via a button
on the key fob, or by controls mounted on the inside of
the driver’s door and at the base of the tailgate itself.
The system features a programmable opening height
that prevents damage to the tailgate in garages with low
ceilings.
Standard on all Sports Tourer models is a retractable
luggage compartment cover and DualFloor luggage
compartment, which incorporates an under-floor
storage area.
Vauxhall’s FlexOrganiser
that separates and
secures cargo loads is an
option, complementing
the Insignia’s already
vast array of trays and
storage areas, including
compartments in the front
doors that can
accommodate a 1.5-litre
bottle, a large glove
compartment and a
closed cubby for
occupants’ valuables.
Storage compartments
on the back of the front
seats offer additional
space for maps and
books.
The seats, shared with the Insignia hatch and saloon,
feature a wide range of adjustment, not just seat travel
and recline but height and four-way lumbar adjustment
too, in addition to the reach and rake-adjustable
steering column.
All Sports Tourers come with high levels of equipment,
including ESP, passenger airbag deactivation,
automatic headlights, electric driver’s seat height
adjuster and electrically adjustable four way lumbar
support. Cruise control is also standard across the
range, along with front, side and curtain airbags, Isofix
on all three rear seats, and ABS.
There is a daunting list of models and engine options –
fine, though, if you have definite ideas of the
specification you need.
Body style: Estate, length 4.90m, width 1.85m
Engine: Four petrol to 160PS and two diesel to 160PS
Gearbox: Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
Price at October 09: £17,865 to £23,990.
Combined fuel consumption (1.6 turbo): 35mpg
0-62mph: 8.8 seconds. Maximum speed: 137mph
Mike Bacon - October 09
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