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Insignia is the new name on a totally new car from Vauxhall. With its dynamic design and innovative technology throughout, new Insignia takes Vauxhall’s design language to the next dimension. A panel of 59 senior motoring journalists from 23 European countries voted it 2009 Car of the Year. Now discover what it can do for you.

Muscular but curvaceous. Smooth yet sculpted. The bold new grille and a flowing, coupe-like silhouette- for both saloon and hatchback – are set off by unique signature lights and new-style badging.

New Insignia is built for a dynamic drive. With technology that can adapt chassis response to changing driving situations. Engine power and efficiency is a given.

Same bold identity and stimulating driving experience. Infused with innovation and forward-thinking technology. The sleek new Insignia Sports Tourer perfectly complements its dynamic hatchback and saloon counterparts.

New levels of interior style and quality. With obsessive attention to detail and intuitive ergonomics that put you in total control.

Space and comfort for every passenger. Smart features, high quality materials and premium interior decor for ultimate style.

New Insignia is designed to make life easier with innovative technology that can turn the everyday into the extraordinary. Intelligent lighting for different conditions. A driving feel to suit your mood. Maximum traction whatever the conditions. Speed limit and lane change reminders. There’s a lot to discover.

Intelligent Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL). New Insignia’s Intelligent AFL headlights change their pattern to suit the location and the weather. Sensing where you need the light most, they can even help you see around corners. And if something is coming the other way, they dip automatically.

Select the Front Camera System (available on SE and Elite models) and new Insignia will read the speed limit signs and display a reminder on the facia, helping you keep safe and legal. Leave your lane without a signal, and it can also warn you – just in case you’re tired or simply not paying attention.

The FlexRide (Adaptive Stability Technology) system responds instantly to data collected from every chassis and drive component. Continuous Damping Control, which adjusts the damper settings in real time, four-channel Anti-lock Braking System with electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) – all communicate with each other continuously. FlexRide simply combines all the elements for the chosen driving mode.

When you select Sport mode, new Insignia sharpens the speedsensitive
steering response, throttle input and automatic transmission (when fitted), and stiffens the dampers to ensure optimum road contact. On some models the system even allows you to programme which of the above functions you want more ‘sporty’ via an on-screen menu and the instrument lighting changes from white to red. When you select Tour mode the system adjusts the damper settings to further enhance new Insignia’s ride comfort. Ideal for long distance motorway journeys.

If neither the Sport nor the Tour switch is activated, the FlexRide system automatically defaults to Normal mode. The dampers permanently adapt to changing driving situations, providing more comfort than a conventional chassis but with improved cornering behaviour and better steering response in changing traffic situations. FlexRide comes as standard on some models and is available as an optional extra on others.

The advantages begin when you pull away, all four wheels are engaged for stable acceleration with maximum grip. In normal driving, the power is split 95% front: 5% rear, but under acceleration the system automatically diverts more power to the rear wheels for maximum traction before gradually moving power back towards the front wheels.

With the Sport button depressed the system apportions more power to the rear wheels in a 40% front 60% rear split to give an even more sporting feel. The electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) fitted to the rear of all 4X4 models offers even more benefits for the enthusiastic driver.

By sensing which rear wheel has the most grip, eLSD can transfer more torque to the wheel most able to utilise it. Up to 50% of the rear axle torque can be transferred between the rear wheels, increasing stability during high speed lane changes and providing more traction when accelerating out of corners New Insignia’s engines provide the power you want, the fuel efficiency you need and the low, Euro 5 emissions we all appreciate. There’s a choice of four petrol engines – the new 180PS 1.6i 16v Turbo, a high-tech 140PS 1.8i 16v VVT, a 2.0i 16v Turbo at 220PS and a smooth 2.8i V6 24v automatic with 260PS.

Three new, common rail 2.0 litre direct injection diesels – a 130PS, 160PS and 160PS ecoFLEX variant – provide outstanding economy. Based on their combined fuel consumption figures, the diesel models’ big 70-litre fuel tanks can mean up to 800 miles between fuel stops.

As you would expect, new Insignia’s petrol engines achieve outstanding power, performance and fuel economy through the innovative use of new technology. The 2.0i 16v and 2.8i V6 Turbo units, for example, use a twin-scroll turbocharger that virtually eliminates turbo lag at low engine speeds for instant throttle response.

And the 1.8i 16v VVT petrol engine features a variable intake manifold and variable valve timing. The new 1.6i 16v Turbo engine, despite its smaller displacement, produces an incredible 180PS and 230Nm and in turn provides outstanding fuel economy. So, not only is there no compromise on performance, with state-ofthe- art engine control and twin catalysts the engine easily meets Euro 5 emission standards too.

All new Insignia diesels feature 16 valves and variable geometry turbochargers to maximise fuel economy without compromising the driving experience. Even the 160PS ecoFLEX models can sprint from zero to 60mph in 8.9 seconds, with 350Nm max torque temporarily increased to 380Nm via an ‘overboost’ function. Indeed, Insignia ecoFLEX models provide conclusive proof that exhilarating performance can go hand-in-hand with the most stringent levels of environmental control.

Class-leading aerodynamics play a major part in this process. A 10mm lowered sports chassis, the use of low rolling resistance tyres and a host of detailed body refinements including an under-engine airflow plate and closed cooling air slots in the upper grille, all contribute to a drag coefficient as low as Cd 0.26 (hatchback) – making new Insignia ecoFLEX one of the most aerodynamic production cars in the world. Important mechanical modifications – shorter 1st and 2nd gears, a higher final drive ratio (up from 3.545 to 3.091) and a useful ‘Shift-up’ indicator on the trip computer display – further maximise the models’ remarkably low fuel consumption. While Vauxhall’s innovative Clean-Tech process ensures the lowest CO2 emissions (136 g/km) are maintained over their entire life span. All new Insignia models, apart from the auto-only 260PS V6 model, feature a six-speed manual gearbox.

The modern, low-weight design of the six-speed manual units makes for improved performance and better fuel economy. All models except the 1.8 litre petrol variants are also available with an optional six-speed automatic transmission. This unit comes complete with Active Select that allows you to take control of gear changes via a sequential shift. Both manual and automatic transmissions feature the latest GM technology, delivering enhanced fuel efficiency combined with optimum driveability.

Click the Autocar logo below for a comprehensive review of the Vauxhall Insignia.