IT’S been two years since Vauxhall hit the jackpot with its flagship Insignia landing the Car of the Year title. Now the top seller which toppled the Ford Mondeo in the sales charts is getting an update. New engines including stop/start systems to improve economy are being introduced and the car is also getting some technological upgrades. At one end of the line up a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine is making its debut in the Insignia while at the other end of the scale the high performance 2.8-litre V6 is being unleashed to deliver a version capable of 170mph. By the end of September new two-litre diesel engines will be arriving cutting CO2 emissions to as low as 115g/km, strengthening the Insignia’s appeal in the business market. For the time being the 1.4 turbo will be added to the range alongside Vauxhall’s venerable 1.8-litre petrol engine used in the Insignia since its launch in 2009 – an engine which in one form began life more than 20 years ago in the Cavalier. Priced from £18,795 in entry level ES trim the 1.4 is some £800 more than the 1.8-litre but Vauxhall claims it will save drivers up to £2,500 over three years such is its improved efficiency. Thanks to the turbo boost it develops 140bhp – the same as the 1.8 - and it pulls the Insignia well, although it needs to be worked for performance. With emissions of 134g/km it is 25 per cent cleaner than the 1.8 – which at 175g/km is outside the all important 160g/km tax threshold for fleet users. Average fuel economy on six-speed manual versions is 49.6mpg and the engine is good enough to achieve 0 to 60 in 10.1 seconds with a top speed of 127mph. The 1.4 turbo was first fitted to the new Vauxhall Astra and in the Insignia comes with additional eco features including stop/start, electric power assisted steering, low rolling resistance tyres and additional aerodynamics including underbody streamlining. Such fuel saving elements are not part and parcel of the fire breathing Insignia VXR which is following the trend of giving drivers near supercar performance in family sized cars. Costing around £35,000 it is a relative snip compared to the likes of a BMW M machine, Audi RS or Mercedes AMG and the VXR is an impressive piece of kit. Although its full potential is unlikely ever to be released on the road, it is a sophisticated muscle machine capable of 0 to 60 time of 5.8 seconds and now with its electronic speed restrictor removed it can top out at 170mph. Paddle shifters, leather clad sports seats and finely tuned suspension deliver the necessary experience demanded in any super sports saloon but it will remain a niche seller. Although diesels account for the bulk of Insignia sales the new petrol models will bolster its appeal and despite the current economic gloom, sales so far this year are outstripping 2010 levels. Other changes include software modifications to the sat nav enabling the system to offer a variety of routes giving directions for the shortest, fastest or most economical journeys. That brings the Insignia into line with some of its rivals which already have such a navigation facility but there are other changes which will give the Vauxhall an edge. Information can be uploaded and downloaded via an SD card and that can include journey logs which can be configured to show data relating either to private or business use – a handy feature for company car users. The forward facing camera can now recognise rectangular road signs as well as displaying speed limit information and the high tech optical system has been upgraded to include a collision alert and display the separation time in seconds from the vehicle in front enabling the driver to gauge a safe distance in high speed traffic. There is also a high beam module fitted to the camera which automatically controls the headlamps to give optimum illumination. Other changes include upgrades to the leather trims available and a new dark blue paint finish. The new equipment will be coming on stream in the next few weeks and will carry the Insignia forward until 2013 when Vauxhall is planning styling upgrades. | 
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