08 July 2009 - 11:00
Insignia VXR: more numbers
At Goodwood this weekend, we saw the Vauxhall Insignia VXR for the first time. More importantly, we heard it. It sounds loud. It sounds excellent. It sounds fast.
And today, Vauxhall has released a whole bunch of new information on its fastest Insignia - including the price. We had hoped the VXR would weigh in under 30 grand, but it's just sneaked over the big three-oh: the saloon and hatch VXR start at £30,995, while the estate is just over £1,000 extra.
We now know exactly how much fastness you get for your cash: Vauxhall has confirmed that the Insignia VXR will hit 60mph in 5.6 seconds and run to a limited 155mph, courtesy of its 321bhp 2.8-litre V6.
That's level pegging with the BMW 335i and not far off the Audi S4 - truly quick, in other words. Handling should be tidy, too - the VXR gets four-wheel drive, lowered suspension and a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and springs.
Those smart wheels are the optional 20-inch forged rims, with 19-inch alloys fitted as standard. Look good, don't they?
The only real drawback seems to be the VXR's economy and emissions: it'll only manage 24.7mpg on the combined cycle, and emits 268g/km of CO2. Compare that to the Audi S4, which will return nearly 30mpg and 221g/km of CO2.
That said, the VXR is some four grand cheaper than the Audi. It'll reach showrooms in September: will you be having a poke around?
Want to comment on this?
those little chrome bits on the front remind anyone of the new megan?
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
small issue, its still a Vauxhall, they will sell about 2 of them in Europe...why not just stick to making cheap fuel efficient sales-rep run abouts.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I think it looks good but dont like the air intakes next to the Reg plate. Anyone else think they should have not painted them silvery grey?
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Why should someone ever compare a Vauxhall to a Audi? Agree with PetrolheadViper, not a big fan of those either!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
For gods sake, i am sure just about everyone who has commented on this article thinks that new Renaults look good and like Fiat Pandas. Last time i checked Vauxhalls are cool, they make good cars, and even though there owned by americans there still very British. What do you have too say too that Panda people?
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
JohnAstonMartin >>> If Vauxhalls are really that british why is the driver/steeringwheel in the left side on the first 2 pictures? Vauxhall is more or less just a badge - in other words a German Opel with the steeringwheel on the "wrong" side.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
What's going on with all this real world stuff?! Top Gear talk about a fast car and then lament it's mpg and CO2 figures!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Vauxhall went the right way with the insignia, all the gizmos facts and figures are exceptional. But as for the design... Can people not see its a skoda! The new badge doesnt help, a griffin on steroids, im not a fan. I was hoping they woud make the vxr exciting! ... They added chrome... yey...
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
i wouldn't pick this thing over a passat, so how exactly should i compare it to an audi?, that being said... i'm sure that people who find most japanese cars attractive and are generally fond of colorful weirdly shaped things will find it alot more interesting, which is a good thing, just not my bowl of soup
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
LOOKS COOL LOOK FAST
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Why is it that when it's got an Opel badge the comment ranges from good to stunning but the minute they replace a Vauxhall badge over it things change dramatically in a downward fashion?, like rep-mobile, cheap etc... I think it looks awesome, TGUK should do a comparo test feature against similar teutonic competitors Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Makes me think if it would look better as a mercedes, somewhere below the C Class...
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
QUATTRO >>> For me Vauxhall and Opel is exactly the same car - but when people praise the Vauxhall as a true british car I feel I have to remind them that Insignia = German engineering.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I think the Insignia looks rather good! It drives good too, I test-drove one two months ago, but that was ofcourse only a fwd diesel :) still, it did drive very well. So I guess this awd turbo v6 must be great, and a relative bargain compared to rivals from BMW, Audi, Merc,... P.S. What Mogensen says is true, the car is German engineerd.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I think the Insignia looks rather good! It drives good too, I test-drove one two months ago, but that was ofcourse only a fwd diesel :) still, it did drive very well. So I guess this awd turbo v6 must be great, and a relative bargain compared to rivals from BMW, Audi, Merc,... P.S. What Mogensen says is true, the car is German engineerd.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
vauxhall in my opinion never really had it. very hard to define what they did not have but it was not there. i therefore chose ford. i dont think vauxhall are well made cars because i had a corsa and it had a terrible gear box and engine and broke down frequently. and i cant understand why the name vauxhall is used to a range of cars that are no different than their opel versions. ford back in the days of the sierra made quick cars eg the sierra cosworth. the new mondeo which is a much better looking and better made car should be given a sports vairant and with fords expertise on making the focus handle so well a sports monedo would be far better than the insignia. however the new mercedes c63 amg is by far much better looking and it is a mercedes benz
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Okay Boys Hands up how many people actually drive a car made in the UK. I bet I can guess the answer. None of You!!!! Lets just get over where it was designed, engineered or made or what its badged as because its not important. People who do or dont buy a car becuase of its badge are just being small minded. Whats important is the car itself. Personally I think the Insignia is a stunning car. I drive the tourer because I thought it was the most attractive estate on the market and it drives beautifully and in the past Ive owned Audis and Mercedes. I just choose my vehicles on the car itself not the brand. Dont forget Jeremy said Vauxhall have the nicest range of ANY manufacturer at the moment and I agree. This is just another great addition
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Top Gear's line (and most British Auto reviewers) with Vauxhall has always been predominantly negative or positive with a couple of follow up caveats ( residuals, rep-mobile, street cred etc..) This is a self fulfilling prophecy and is one of the reasons that GM / Magna / Whoever should drop the Vauxhall badge. Sell them as Opels (which they are) and maybe then this psychological problem will be overcome. People then might grow up and start to appreciate the cars and rate them on merit rather than prejudice.Odd how popular Ford became with the press as soon as they bought Aston Martin and Jaguar. If I hear/read anymore of the usual Mondeo "edges it with sharper handling (about every car other than the 911) etc.. I'll puke" Objectivity ...........Hmmm........
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Advertisement
Advertisement feature
Discover the new Insignia VXR
The Vauxhall Insignia VXR is in showrooms now. To read more about the car and for your chance to win an iPod Touch, click here.
Test Driven
.jpg?p=080926_03:52)
Audi TT Roadster
Forget the hyperdrive quattro versions. This honest, no frills TT is one of the best you can buy.
Advertisement
Open Car Bar
500hp commented on this article
08 July 2009
This will definitly be an everyday car like Toyota or Nissan. first comment, sweet!!!!!
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.