Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer (2008 – 2017) Review

April 2009

Insignia Sports Tourer goes on sale UK Coinciding with the Sports Tourer’s launch is the introduction of the sixth engine to the Insignia range, the 180PS 1.6 Turbo. Available on all front-wheel drive models, (apart from ‘S’ trim). The 1.6 Turbo joins the 1.8, 2.0T and 2.8T V6 in the Insignia’s petrol engine range, with the 2.0 CDTi 130PS and 160PS diesels also carrying across to the Sports Tourer. All engines meet the latest Euro 5 emissions standards. Length 4,908mm x 1,856mm wide x 1,520mm high. Wheelbase 2,737mm.

Available with FlexRide, Intelligent AFL and Adaptive 4x4, but with enhanced practicality, thanks to a 540-litre load area with the rear seats up. Dropping the 60:40 split rear seats converts the Sports Tourer to take up to 1,530-litres.

The Sports Tourer’s can be enhanced with the FlexRide system which provides drivers with a choice of three dynamic settings – Standard, Tour and Sport – depending upon their driving style and the prevailing conditions. In addition, the Sports Tourer is available with a choice of two base chassis: Sport, which is standard on all SRi models; and Comfort, which is standard on S, Exclusiv, SE and Elite models. Vauxhall is predicting that more than 15 per cent of Insignia sales will be Sport Tourers, with most buyers opting for the SRi.

Inevitably, with their highly competitive CO2 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 often brings.

April 2009

Insignia VXR announced

With 2.8-litre V6 Turbo ECOTEC engine, micro-alloy forged steel crank, 60-degree cylinder angle and die-cast alloy oil sump. 325PS. Has single, twin-scroll turbocharger and variable valve control for quick throttle response. Adaptive four wheel drive. Accelerates from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds. Electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

April 2009

Tax beating Insignia Ecoflex launched

With 136g/km CO2, yet same 160PS as other 2.0CDTIs. Available initially in hatch and saloon versions, and in all trim levels apart from SRi, the Insignia ecoFLEX is on at a starting price of £19,600 OTR for the Exclusiv model.

The ecoFLEX’s reduced combined CO2 figure means that business drivers will pay just 18 per cent BIK tax down from 21 per cent for the 2.0 CDTi models. Official combined figure of 54.7mpg. Top speed remains at 135mph, while 0-60mph takes just 8.9 seconds, making it one of the quickest green derivatives in its class. Designers have streamlined the car, adding panelling to its underside, while also lowering the ride height by 10mm.

As a result, the Cd figure drops from 0.27 for the regular hatch to 0.26 for the ecoFLEX. Low rolling resistance Michelin tyres are also standard on all models. A higher first and second gear ratio, combined with a higher final drive ratio are the only changes that have been made to the ecoFLEX’s powertrain, ensuring that the generous torque from the 2.0 CDTi 160 engine (350Nm from 1750-2500rpm, with overboost to 380Nm) remains to ensure optimum driveability. But to help drivers get the best from their ecoFLEX’s economy, a graphic is displayed in the instrument panel recommending the best change-up points.

0-60mph 8.9 seconds
Top speed 135mph
CO2 emissions 136g/km
Urban 41.5mpg
Extra-Urban 67.3mpg
Combined 54.7mpg
VED band C
BIK band 18%

Engine
Capacity 1956cc
Max power 160PS @ 4000rpm
Max torque 350Nm from 1750-2500rpm
Configuration 4 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts
Fuel/induction Variable geometry turbocharger with intercooler. Common rail fuel injection
Service intervals 20,000 miles or 1 year (whichever occurs soonest)

May 2009

VXR and VXR Sport Tourer announced

With 325PS 2.8 twin turbo V6, 6 second 0-60 and top speed restricted to 155mph. 1,530-litre load capability combined with Adaptive 4x4 chassis. Standard 19-inch alloy wheels (20-inch lightweight forged alloys are a cost option) with bespoke tyres, revised bushing and damper settings on both axles, and Brembo brakes with colour-keyed callipers and vented/cross-drilled discs, Recaro seats, VXR steering wheel and gearknob, as well as different instrument graphics, VXR sill plates and black headlining. Arriving summer 2009. Priced from £30,995.

August 2009

Ecoflex Sport Tourer goes on sale

List prices from £21,515. 0-60mph 9.3 seconds. 134mph. 139g/km CO2. 40.9mpg urban. 53.7mpg combined. VED band E. BIK band 18%. 1,956cc diesel, 160PS @ 4000rpm, 350Nm from 1750-2500rpm (with overboost to 380Nm). 4 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts. Variable geometry turbocharger with intercooler. Common rail fuel injection. Service intervals 1 year or 20k miles whichever comes first.

July 2010

Cleaner Insignia revealed

The Insignia ecoFLEX’s emissions have now dropped from 136g/km to just 129g/km, with a corresponding improvement in fuel consumption from 54.3mpg combined, to 57.6mpg. This means that not only is the ecoFLEX cheaper to run, but since it falls under 130g/km, customers will pay no VED for the first year.

Insignia Sports Tourer ecoFLEX drops 134g/km and fuel consumption of 55.4mpg, up from 53.3mpg. ecoFLEX power remains at 160PS, with torque a healthy 350Nm from 1750-2500rpm.

Insignia 2.0 CDTi 160PS model now benefit from CO2emissions of 144g/km (down from 154g/km), meaning 6.5 per cent lower fuel consumption for all drivers and a 2 per cent drop in BIK tax for company car users, down to 20 per cent for Hatch and Saloon variants. Thanks to a new turbocharger, the 130PS version of the 2.0 CCDTi emits combined CO2emissions of just 136g/km – an 11.5 per cent reduction.

May 2011

Go-faster Insignia option

‘Unlimited’ option, at £250, removes the ‘regular’ Insignia VXR’s 155mph restrictor, allowing the driver to exploit its all-wheel-drive chassis dynamics to the full and the car to reach a top speed of 170mph.

Available with either manual or auto transmissions, and in Hatch, Saloon and Sports Tourer body styles, a car fitted with the Unlimited option is visually distinguished by a blue Brembo logo on its front brake callipers and a newly-designed tachometer and speedometer, showing higher increments. Producing 325PS, the VXR’s turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 engine allows the Insignia VXR to accelerate from 0-60mph in as little as 5.6 seconds for the manual Hatch, a time which is unchanged with the Unlimited option.

December 2011

Insignia BiTurbo revealed

Vauxhall’s most powerful diesel engine ever is now available in the Insignia range, producing 195PS and 400Nm of torque, but with CO2 emissions as low as 129g/km.

Known as the Insignia BiTurbo, and on sale now, it’s available with a choice of five-door Hatch and Sports Tourer bodies in SRi, SRi Vx-line and Elite trims, priced from £27,120 on the road.

The potent, twin-sequential turbocharged diesel is based on the existing 1956cc unit which powers key models in the Insignia, Astra and new Zafira Tourer range. However, in BiTurbo form the engine produces up to 35PS more power and a significant 50Nm of extra torque, reducing the 0-60mph time by nearly one second to 8.2 seconds (Insignia FWD Hatch).

But thanks to a package of eco features – including standard Start/Stop across the range – the FWD Hatch achieves a combined 57.6mpg, 2.2mpg better than the single-turbo 2.0 CDTi 160PS model.

Complementing this power gain, Vauxhall’s clever FlexRide adaptive damping is standard on all Insignia BiTurbos (normally a £790 option on front-wheel drive Insignias). The system reacts within milliseconds to driver inputs and can ‘learn’ how the car is being driven and adapt damper settings accordingly. Drivers can also select Tour and Sport buttons, and configure the throttle, steering and damper settings in Sport mode separately.

June 2013

Insignia revamp announced

Available as a five-door Hatch, four-door Saloon and Sports Tourer estate, the new range now starts at just £16,279, nearly £2,000 less than entry into the outgoing line-up. There are four new engines including: a 99g/km 140PS 2.0 CDTi offering large cost benefits to fleet and high-mileage drivers; an all-new 1.6 SIDI 170PS Turbo; and a new 250PS 2.0 SIDI Turbo petrol. Existing diesel units have also benefited from refinement improvements.

An all-new infotainment system, incorporating Bluetooth-operated internet connectivity, an 8-inch touchscreen, and 3D navigation and voice control, is fully compatible with a driver’s smartphone and allows drivers unrivalled communications while on the move. A DMB (Digital Media Broadcast) radio is now standard across the range.

The most obvious external change is that the chrome bar across the rear now bisects the rear light clusters instead of sitting above them.

September 2013

New engines shown

1.6 chain cam manifold in head petrol and 1.6 chain cam manifold in head CDTI. Also a revised £29,749 170mph VXR and £31,049 VXR Sports Tourer.

Changes include enhanced exterior styling and improved cabin and new engine options, bringing the emissions of the cleanest 120PS and 140PS 2.0-litre diesel engines down to 99g/km.

The range also gets new petrol engines with 170PS or 250PS. Prices start at £16,279 and order books are open – first deliveries are due in October 2013.

Externally the new Insignia gets redesigned headlights, a tweaked grille, new running lights and a redesigned rear similar to that seen on the new Cascada convertible, complete with chrome strip stretching between the LED rear light clusters. Two new shades of green have been added to the colour palette.

Inside there is a completely redesigned centre console with fewer buttons, which should make life easier for drivers. The instrument binnacle features new dials and, as an option, an eight-inch touchscreen is offered which features sat-nav, media and smartphone connectivity.

The engine range consists of three diesels with 120PS, 140PS and 163PS and two new petrol engines – a 1.6-litre with 170PS and a 2.0-litre with 250PS, the latter of which can be specified with all-wheel drive. Both the 120PS and 140PS diesel engines have been tweaked to reduce emissions to 99g/km, meaning VED band A and a BIK rate of 14 per cent for company car drivers.

The range features a huge eight trim levels, but equipment is generous across the boards. All models feature DAB radio, Bluetooth, LED running lights, electric drivers’ seat adjustment, electric parking brake, climate control, automatic headlights and electric windows.

The starting price for the entry-level Design model is £16,279 on the road, while the top Elite model is priced from £21,379 on the road. Order books are open and deliveries are due in October.

September 2013

Insignia Country Tourer launched

Blends the estate body of Sports Tourer with chunkier styling and off-road touches like a higher ride height, improved ground clearance and all-wheel drive. Priced around £30,000. On sale from late 2013.

Externally the Country Tourer sports black plastic trims around the wheel arches , along the sills and on the front and rear bumpers, along with a metallic protective panel protruding from under the engine and at the rear of the car. There are also LED brake and tail lights and LED day time running lights, plus 20mm more ground clearance over the regular Insignia estate.

Two engines are offered – a 2.0-litre CDTi diesel with 165PS and 380Nm of torque and a 2.0-litre BiTurbo CDTi with 195PS and 400Nm of torque, the latter of which is only offered with an automatic gearbox. Regardless of engine choice the Country Tourer has all-wheel drive, though it reverts to front wheel drive unless traction is required at the rear – such as in adverse weather.