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Ford’s Mondeo, the VW Passat, Toyota’s Avensis and half-a-dozen others – today we are spoilt for choice when it comes to desirable mid-sized estate cars. And now along comes Vauxhall’s formidable offering in this bountifully crowded sector.
The Insignia Sports Tourer is a real good looker, with a sporty and aerodynamic air, giving a cD drag factor of just 0.30 – the lowest ever for a Vauxhall estate.
This classy newcomer offers the same state-of-the-art technology as its sister Insignia saloon and hatchback models, including Vauxhall’s front camera system, intelligent AFL headlamps, adaptive 4x4 all-wheel-drive and the FlexRide chassis.
This box-ticking list is complemented by estate-specific equipment such as a power tailgate with programmable opening height, a self-levelling system and the clever FlexOrganizer cargo management system.
The completely flat luggage compartment has a generous load capacity of from 540 to 1,510 litres, depending on the seating configuration in use.
There’s a choice of powerplant, including two new engines that made their debut at last October’s Paris Motor Show.
Coinciding with the Sports Tourer’s launch was the introduction of the sixth engine to the Insignia range, the 180PS 1.6 Turbo. Available on all front-wheel-drive models, (apart from ‘S’ trim) the new turbocharged petrol engine emphasises Vauxhall’s increasing commitment to smaller capacity, forced-induction units, which provide exceptional performance combined with reduced fuel consumption and C02 emissions.
The 1.6 Turbo joined the 1.8, 2.0T and 2.8T V6 in the Insignia’s petrol engine range, with the 2.0 CDTi 130PS and 160PS diesels also carrying across to the Sports Tourer. All engines meet the latest Euro 5 emissions standards.
The Sports Tourer’s newly developed chassis, designed to offer a high level of safety and comfort, can be enhanced with the innovative FlexRide system which provides drivers with a choice of three dynamic settings – standard, tour and sport – depending upon the driving style of whoever is behind the wheel and the prevailing road and weather conditions.
Besides its comprehensive and technically advanced specification, the Insignia offers value for money, from its initial purchase price, which starts from £@2,240 to its economicrunning costs.
With an average fuel consumption of just 55.4mpg in the combined cycle, the impressively frugal Insignia Sports Tourer ecoFLEX can save families money on fuel when costs at the pump are at an all time high.
The highly respected Parkers car price guide cited the Insignia Sports Tourer as winner of the family estate category in its recent awards – an honour joining some 40 other accolades in Vauxhall’s Insignia trophy cupboard.
Out on the road, the Insignia delivered its promises well and the family especially appreciated the generous and easy to load luggage area while dad enjoyed his week behind the wheel of a highly competent machine that has quickly clawed its way up the best-sellers’ lists. Nice one, Vauxhall.
