European Car of the Year has new tail to wag

Insignia Sports Tourer is roomier than former Vectra

Vauxhall expect to accelerate orders for its European Car of the Year with the arrival of the Insignia Sports Tourer in April.

It will join the existing hatchback and saloon styles and brings a new 180ps 1.6 Turbo engine to the line up on 10 April.
Retaining the hatch and saloon's rakish, graceful silhouette, the Sports Tourer is available with all the class-leading innovation found in the current range, such as FlexRide, Intelligent AFL and Adaptive 4x4, but with enhanced practicality, thanks to a 540-litre load area with the rear seats up.
Dropping the 60:40 split rear seats converts the Sports Tourer in to an even more capacious load-lugger, with a volume up to 1530-litres, 10 litres more than the former Vectra estate.

Wrapping this practicality in a sporty, premium body was a challenge set down to the Sports Tourer's designers under the direction of stylist Mark Adams.
He wanted to overcome the apparent bulkiness of a traditional estate and give the Insignia a premium sports tourer look and feel, building on the long wheelbase and wide track.One of their many solutions was to create a distinctive tailgate with large, fully integrated tail lights that curve around the sides of the car giving a cohesive and unique appearance in this class, while keeping the same wheelbase as hatch and saloon models
Lifting the fifth door and it reveals additional lights set into the sides of the opening and a very regular shaped compartment with a further slim recess below.From the side the rear windows dip towards the back and pull the eyes down, tricking the viewer to look away from the roof so its capacity is not so obvious.
The Insignia's signature "blade" continues on the doors.Coinciding with the Sports Tourer's launch is 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 CO₂ emissions.
The 1.6 Turbo joins 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 their driving style and the prevailing conditions. In addition, the Sports Tourer is available with a choice of two base chassis: Sport, which is standard on all SRi models; and Comfort, which is standard on S, Exclusiv, SE and Elite models.
"Buyers in the mid-size estate market are craving more practicality than ever before to cater for families and lifestyle activities," said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall's Marketing Director.

Striking views of the newest Vauxhall Insignia

"But they're not content to compromise on style and running costs, which is why the Insignia Sports Tourer is such an ideal choice in this growing sector." Inevitably, with their highly competitive CO₂ rating of 159g/km and low fuel consumption, the 2.0 CDTi 130PS and 160PS engines will continue to prove popular with private buyers and fleets alike, accounting for around 69 per cent of all sales.

However, the new 1.6 Turbo engine will be a significant addition, appealing to those buyers who still prefer the outright performance of a petrol-fuelled car, but who are conscious of the emissions and fuel penalties this often brings. Its power is greater than the 1.8 of the old series but it's more efficient.
The UK has traditionally been a strong market for estate cars, which is why Vauxhall is predicting that more than 15 per cent of all Insignia sales will be attributed to this model. Like the hatch and saloon, most buyers will opt for the SRi model, with SE and Elite also accounting for a major proportion of Sports Tourer sales.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The wrap around light units on the tailgate mean the opening is very wide once the door is lifted and thanks to its bumper level floor there is no sill over which to struggle with heavy items and risk damaging the car, while the bumper has protective plates on it as well.

Luggage space is regular and rises from a minimum 540 litres to 1530 litres, with the split rear seats lying flat and the doors providing access to the sides of the payload as well. You can tailor the carrying space with a range of fittings designed to locate, secure or divide contents.

Big low loadbed characterises new Insignia tourer

I briefly tried the new 180ps 1.6 Turbo four-cylinder engine and found it very smooth and willing, with a muted note when extended, and it hauled the Insignia Sports Tourer along with ease when lightly laden. Vauxhall claim it will return nearly 36mpg overall and it has a 137mph maximum with 0-60mph in 8.7 secs.

Gearchange, steering and brakes were all light but positive in action, the handling inspired confidence and the road holding was very good over any surface I found on the test route. Ride quality is very good for an estate, which has to strike a balance between the need to carry a heavy load but not be too stiff to shake up a driver on their own.

The Sports Tourer is a useful, significant and welcome addition to the Insignia range which is enjoying very strong demand but we will have to wait and see the impact of the new 1.6T engine on the orders bank. It will give the brand an important place in the market for those who want a stylish, roomy but not necessarily all-powerful estate.