A muscular 321bhp Insignia VXR has been revealed by Vauxhall, and the new model has its sights set firmly on Audi’s S4.

The new VXR will go on sale this summer priced around £30k. As well as boasting a brawny new version of GM’s 2.8 litre ECOTEC V6 with a forged steel crank, alloy sump, twin-scroll turbocharger and variable valve timing, the Insignia is the first VXR model to get a 4x4 chassis. It’s a Haldex adaptive system apparently similar to the Saab 9-3 Turbo X set-up and features an electronic limited slip differential.

The hot Vauxhall also gets what’s described as a high performance strut (HiPerStrut) front suspension system, as well as revised bushing and damper settings all round. The HiPerStrut system is unique to the VXR and is said to both reduce torque steer, and to maintain negative camber during cornering – improving grip in the wet or dry.

The car rides 10mm closer to the tarmac than its SRi sibling on 19ins alloys wheels, while brakes are vented/cross-drilled discs with colour-keyed callipers by Brembo.

According to Vauxhall’s figures the car is good for an electronically limited maximum of 155mph and can reach 60mph from rest in 5.8secs. Much of chassis development was carried out at the Nürburgring, and Vauxhall seems convinced that its new model will be a viable competitor for ‘up-market’ rivals like the 328 bhp Audi S4.

‘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,’ says Andy Gilson, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director. ‘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.’

Talking of styling, the Insignia VXR should be instantly recognisable by its deep front bumper with bold mesh grilles, a rear spoiler and dual chrome tailpipes. Inside the VXR cabin you get Recaro front seats, VXR steering wheel and gearknob, unique instrument graphics and black headlining. Exterior colour options are limited to blue, red, black, silver, white and grey.

As well as the hatch and saloon models, Vauxhall will also introduce an estate version of its hottest Insignia. Expect the wagon to command a showroom premium of around £1400.

Looks just like a damn ugly/Bland/Boring/Dreary Insignia with some badges and an extra exhaust.

Thats not gonna be on my shopping list.

156 GTA anyone?

Its trying to compete with these....



and



Not a fooking hope in hell!

For a company on the brink of collapse they seem to have their priorites in the wrong place. They cant afford to start taking on the Germans at what they have been doing well for years.

At £30k it might be a cheap barnstormer but its a bloody expensive Vauxhall!!

IMO they should have reduced its power, made it a FWD scrablle wagon, and replaced the Vectra with it at a similar price (Ie cheap and chearful).

Ill also hate to imagine the depreciation this "Vauxhall" will suffer over the first 3 years

Maybe they realised that since introducing the VXR range, VXR sales have taken a fairly large percentage of all Vauxhall sales. No-one in their right mind WANTS to buy a standard vauxhall.


Another thing, isnt it ironic that the Vectra has been replaced by the Insiginia, yet the Vectra is still the car being raced in the BTCC

Time will tell if anyone is going to spend £30k on a "kev'd" up rep-mobile when they could have a very high spec'd Audi or BMW for similar money.

How many Mazda 6 MPS's do you see kicking round - ok 260bhp, but still AWD and cheaper at £26k

It's just -another- new repmobile car, don't get too upset.

Its awful

The more I look at it, the more I dislike it....

The door handles, and the different heights, where they drunk when they designed them.

The Front badge - I thought Transits had a big badge

...I could go on, and on, and on....

I don't like the Insignia at all, it's just a silly American car and the adverts only make it worse. It had a huge marketing run-up of about two years. This is the direction GM are heading. I don't hate all the cars, but this is unbelievably bland.

Itd look better in a dark colour but would still look a bit cack.

Lets hope they got the suspension right on these insignia's and didnt have to call Lotus in again to get them to be just safe.

Im not a massive fan of any insignia but I wouldnt write it off now, it has the potential to be a great car, like the astra VXR, but it has just as much chance of being horrendous. I liked the last Vectra VXR, lets hope they get this right too.

The handling is meant to be pretty good, it's probably a fairly decent car, didn't know it was 321bhp!

Either way, I'd rather have a second hand Monaro given the choice.

http://issue.imotormag.co.uk/1W49e49ced63e42647.cde

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.

But it is subtle... its a Vauxhall. Still dont like it sorry, Ugly, terrible heritage..and theres plenty more cars out there Id rather have...

beach fnoodle

What a piece of crap!

Not even particularly fast either - 5.8 seconds - although granted 0-60 isnt everything but disappointing. Vectra VXR looks better too!

I agree

The interior is a bit "plastic" looking too - although it is hard to make plastic look anything BUT plasticy, but you know what I mean. The alloys are gross too IMO. The only thing I do like is exhaust pipes.

The whole car is just trying to be something it's not

I'd rather spend the extra, if I had it to spend of course, and have the S4.

5.8 seconds isnt slow by any means. Most manufacturers like to quote happy now too, so most other cars claiming sub 6 seconds are probably untrue. Dont forget just how heavy cars are getting these days.