Insignia VXR: Nürburgring tested.

Packing 325 horsepower, a sophisticated four-wheel drive chassis and a sub-six-second 0-60 time, Vauxhall’s new Insignia VXR might be just what the competitive, quota-achieving company car drivers need to keep them out in front.

Based on the successful 2009 European Car of the Year, and available in hatch, saloon and Sports Tourer body styles (available in the autumn), the new high-performance Insignia will be Vauxhall’s first VXR model to adopt 4x4 technology, using a bespoke chassis developed through an extensive test programme at the gruelling Nürburgring circuit in Germany. Apparently, the car underwent 10,000 km of validation at this most demanding od circuits.

Strutting its stuff

Highlights are a ‘HiPerStrut’ (High Performance Strut) front suspension system,  Adaptive 4x4 with electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD – sounds like a combination of recreational drugs – Ed!) and a 10 millimetre reduction in ride height over the Insignia SRi. The HiPerStrut system is unique to the VXR and serves two primary functions: firstly, to reduce torque-steer, but also to maintain negative camber during cornering, thereby improving ultimate grip levels in wet or dry conditions.

New Insignia: not just about absolute power.

Complementing these features are 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, plus Brembo brakes with colour-keyed callipers and vented/cross-drilled discs.

Usable performance

‘The Insignia VXR is not just about absolute power, but a combination of usable performance and chassis sophistication which is the match of premium rivals, such as Audi’s new S4,’ Vauxhall’s marketing director, Andy Gilson tells ModernSelling.com.

‘In essence, it’s an ultra-fast performance saloon that will appeal to buyers who appreciate subtle yet distinctive styling, but who need to know that there’s real substance below the car’s metal.’

Performance: 155 mph top end limited.

Substance

And substance the VXR has a-plenty. At the heart of the Insignia VXR is Vauxhall’s advanced 2.8-litre V6 Turbo ECOTEC engine, with its micro-alloy forged steel crank, classic 60-degree cylinder angle and die-cast alloy oil sump – all features found in many a race engine.

Producing 325PS (65PS up on the Elite V6), the engine uses a single, twin-scroll turbocharger and variable valve control for quick throttle response; it accelerates from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds, achieving an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

Way to go?

One can’t help wondering whether this is really the way to go for a deeply troubled General Motors in times of austerity and climbing fuel prices, but the car seems reminiscent of Vauxhall’s legendary 160+ mph Lotus Carlton, which back in 1990, cost £48,000 – and that became an icon. Prices for the Insignia are just about to be released, but expect it to be considerably better value for money than its illustrious predecessor.

With a design inspired by the Vauxhall/Opel GTC, many of the Insignia VXR’s styling cues will be familiar to those who saw this ground-breaking concept at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. A deeper bumper, incorporating bold, twin mesh grilles either side of the main grille, dominates the front of the car, and at the rear, hatch and saloon models gain a rear spoiler, while all VXRs  have a bespoke bumper moulding incorporating dual matt chrome exhausts.

Interior: VXR styling and graphics.

Cabin

This sporting theme continues in the Insignia VXR’s cabin. Recaro front seats, a new VXR steering wheel, VXR gearknob and unique mouldings are standard on all cars, along with different instrument graphics, VXR sill plates and a black headlining.

Estate

For those needing to pack a larger load, Vauxhall is rounding off the range with a versatile Sports Tourer version – the fastest estate car Vauxhall has ever produced – boasting best-in-class-matching luggage capacity (rear seats up): that’s 540-litres of load space with the 40:60-split seats up, but drop them and you can expand to a maximum load volume of 1,530 litres.

Accessing this area is simplicity itself, thanks to the Sports Tourer VXR’s standard electronic tailgate, which can be operated off the driver’s key fob, or via a rotary knob on the inside of the driver’s door. Using these functions, not only can the opening height of the tailgate be restricted, but it can also be pre-set at a lower level if you frequently park in a garage with a low ceiling.

Sports Tourer: rival to BMW and Audi.

Rivals

Gilson is hoping the package will tempt drivers away from ‘aspirational’ German rivals: ‘The Insignia VXR Sports Tourer will be a compelling alternative for buyers in the premium sector who may currently be considering an Audi S4 Avant or BMW 335i M Sport Touring.’

He says: ‘We’ve already seen a swing to the Insignia from premium buyers who’d never before ticked the Vauxhall box on their wish list, and we expect to see the same buying pattern emerge with all versions of the Insignia VXR.’

Colours

All VXRs are available with a colour palette comprising Arden Blue, Power Red, Carbon Flash Black, Silver Lake, Olympic White and Technical Grey.

Sitting at the top of the Insignia range, the new model will be an important addition to Vauxhall’s performance-bred VXR family, which already includes the Corsa VXR, Astra VXR and 431 horsepower VXR8.

Since its launch in 2004, the VXR brand has been underpinned by the immensely successful VX Racing team, which currently holds all three British Touring Car Championship titles – Drivers’, Manufacturers’ and Team – for the 2008 season.

My Question / Comment Is...