Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer

Text: Tom Phillips / Photos: Nathan Morgan

February 2010

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• Latest deal price: from £15,907 to £23,442

Vauxhall’s fast-growing ecoFLEX family has a new member. And just like its sister cars, the Insignia Sports Tourer has undergone a makeover to eke as many miles as possible from each gallon of diesel it consumes.

Styling changes including a closed grille boost aerodynamic efficiency. Under the car there are spoilers to guide air smoothly over the rear axle with less disturbance. The ecoFLEX is also lowered by 3mm at the front and 14mm at the rear, and rides on low-rolling-resistance tyres.

The 158bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine remains unchanged, but the transmission is fitted with higher ratios to keep revs to a minimum. While the long gears help efficiency, they hamper the driving experience – particularly in town. Road obstacles such as speed bumps, mini roundabouts and low-speed, second-gear turns necessitate dropping down to first, otherwise you receive a protest from the engine bay.

It’s the same on the motorway, where fifth gear is required instead of sixth to ensure an adequate response, despite the 380Nm of torque. The transmission is sweet to use, though, and braking and cornering performance are no different to the standard car’s, despite the harder-compound tyres. It’s difficult to argue against the boot space, too, if green load carrying tops your list of priorities.

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