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Is it OK to be
excited about the Insignia VXR? Or does the fact we’re getting all worked up
about a 321bhp Vauxhall with a big bodykit mean we’re a bit, well, chavsome?
No. We’re excited. Sorry. You might be too. The Insignia VXR gets a 2.8-litre
turbocharged V6 – essentially a revised version of the old Vectra VXR’s engine
but with lots of new shiny bits – putting power to the road through a
Haldex-style four-wheel-drive system similar to that on the Saab 9-3X.
That means this is the first VXR to get four-wheel drive – think of it as an
Audi S4 on the cheap and you won’t be far off. The performance stats are
impressive: the Insignia VXR will hit 60mph in 5.8 seconds and headbutt the
limiter at 155mph.
Recent powerful Vauxhalls have a well-justified reputation for torque-steering
like, er, the proverbial, so the Insignia’s four-wheel-drive system is coupled
to an electronic limited slip diff which can feed torque to individual wheels.
There’s also a trick ‘HiPerStrut’ front suspension system similar to Ford’s
effective ‘RevoKnuckle’ in the new Focus RS.
Visually, the Insignia VXR is all fat air vents and big wheels and twin
tailpipes, while in the cabin you get big bucket seats and plenty of VXR
badging. No, it’s not subtle, but we like it.
The Insignia VXR will go on sale this summer in the UK. Prices are yet to be
announced, but we’re hoping it’ll sneak in under £30,000. Are you tempted? Just
a little bit?
White hot
Vauxhall announces Insignia VXR. It’s like an Audi S4 from Essex. In a good way
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What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
Ben27 commented on this article
at 11:41 am on 15 April 2009
So it's this or an S4? You know you'd have the Audi, you just would
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AshHorne commented on this article
at 12:38 pm on 15 April 2009
Let's put it this way - when Mercedes decided to go all power-mad and build cars like the CL and set up an AMG division, did anyone complain? And I don't hear too many people crying about Audi's 'RS' models or BMW's M division either. So theoretically, a VXR Insignia can only be a good thing. :)
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DJ05 commented on this article
at 12:48 pm on 15 April 2009
Have Vauxhall just shot themselves in the foot AGAIN? What is the point of this car when you've got the VXR8 for just a few grand more?
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Wyvern commented on this article
at 01:01 pm on 15 April 2009
For reasons I can't quite fathom, I actually rather like it.
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Mikeado commented on this article
at 01:28 pm on 15 April 2009
A mad, bad VXR saloon you can use every day? Gimme!! It looks sooo good in white, although those vertical intakes either side of the number plate look a bit randomly plonked - they don't entirely mix with the rest of the design, and are only there because of the Opel GTC Concept - but overall if you want you're VXR saloon to be grippy rather than slippy, there's no reason not to. It even looks great in solid white!
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