Tuesday 27th August 2013

Revised Vauxhall Insignia VXR announced

Yes it's still for sale, now with some light cosmetic enhancement

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Though the Frankfurt crowds will understandably be clamouring over Opel's stand to see the Monza, spare a thought for another slightly less dramatic debutant; the facelifted Insignia OPC (or VXR as it will be here).

Cascada-esque lights the biggest change here

What with those brutish Australian V8s dominating the discussion as far as large and fast Vauxhalls are concerned, the Insignia has rather struggled for attention since its 2009 launch. And with its fairly modest sales figures, the mid-life overhaul is modest.

New lights front and rear are the clearest giveaways, plus a few cosmetic upgrades (dials, touchscreen) for the cabin too. But there are some mechanical changes as well, the most significant being a reworking of the rear axle that includes modified software for the FlexRide dampers. Combined with a recalibrated ESP, this reputedly makes the VXR respond better to understeer. It won't have become a 335i Touring overnight, but it will be interesting to see the difference the changes make.

Is that wheel even thicker now?

The flagship Insignia's powertrain is identical, meaning 325hp, 321hp and a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. The derestricted 170mph Supersport looks set to continue in Britain with other markets getting the limited 155mph version.

Given the limited nature of the facelift, prices for the latest Insignia VXR are unlikely to change much from today's £30,020 (hatch) and £31,450 (Sports Tourer estate). And don't forget used examples are available from £15K if you don't fancy the huge initial depreciation hit...

Pictures: WorldCarFans

[antilag]

VFM

[anonymous-user]

I really like these, if I was a company car type of person I'd be all over one.

[Nors]

Those front Air Scoops look quite out of tune on that Estate car.

[The Nur]

IBTTT

[Johnnytheboy]

It looks a bit Toyota Corolla-ish

[The Vambo]

It's just one of those car that that I like everything about, styling, powertrain, price, everything

But I would rather be bummed by a Porcupine than buy one and I can't explain why. (see Focus ST)

[The Vambo]

Oh yeah, In before the title.

[Mr.Jimbo]

Not sure on the front end but the rest is all good to me. Used to have an insignia (albeit diesel) estate as a company car, and absolutely loved it. Really sold the vauxhall brand to me, as before I thought they were generally a bit crap.

Love the rear end looks and the new dials, they're well funky.

[Bisonhead]

The Vambo said:

It's just one of those car that that I like everything about, styling, powertrain, price, everything

But I would rather be bummed by a Porcupine than buy one and I can't explain why. (see Focus ST)

Agreed, if you have the money to buy and run one you would be bonkers to review the german lot and end up choosing this. Agian, I am not sure why I would never have one. I suppose that the 'percieved' quality is just so much higher...

IBTTT!

[NotNormal]

Got the chance to push one of these at silly speed around Thruxton recently and it was great fun. If your in the market don't let the badge snobs get in the way of taking one for a test drive as you may be pleasantly surprised.

[trunks82]

Those tailpipes are ridiculous.

[The Moose]

Bisonhead said:

The Vambo said:

It's just one of those car that that I like everything about, styling, powertrain, price, everything

But I would rather be bummed by a Porcupine than buy one and I can't explain why. (see Focus ST)

Agreed, if you have the money to buy and run one you would be bonkers to review the german lot and end up choosing this. Agian, I am not sure why I would never have one. I suppose that the 'percieved' quality is just so much higher...

IBTTT!

Badge snobs.

Just like me

[kambites]

Looks decent value for money and is no uglier than the competition... which isn't saying much. No idea how they drive, but most of this class of car never get driven particularly hard anyway, in my experience.

Not sure I could live with a steering wheel that fat, but I suppose it wouldn't be hard to change.

[The Vambo]

The Moose said:

Bisonhead said:

The Vambo said:

It's just one of those car that that I like everything about, styling, powertrain, price, everything

But I would rather be bummed by a Porcupine than buy one and I can't explain why. (see Focus ST)

Agreed, if you have the money to buy and run one you would be bonkers to review the german lot and end up choosing this. Agian, I am not sure why I would never have one. I suppose that the 'percieved' quality is just so much higher...

IBTTT!

Badge snobs.

Just like me

I would happily buy an Astra ahead of a Golf, I really like them.

[The Moose]

The Vambo said:

The Moose said:

Bisonhead said:

The Vambo said:

It's just one of those car that that I like everything about, styling, powertrain, price, everything

But I would rather be bummed by a Porcupine than buy one and I can't explain why. (see Focus ST)

Agreed, if you have the money to buy and run one you would be bonkers to review the german lot and end up choosing this. Agian, I am not sure why I would never have one. I suppose that the 'percieved' quality is just so much higher...

IBTTT!

Badge snobs.

Just like me

I would happily buy an Astra ahead of a Golf, I really like them.

Model snob? Same here!!

[va1o]

[bob1179]

I've seen quite a few floating about here in Aberdeen, I quite like them to be honest.

Would consider a used one.

[Bisonhead]

The Moose said:

The Vambo said:

The Moose said:

Bisonhead said:

The Vambo said:

It's just one of those car that that I like everything about, styling, powertrain, price, everything

But I would rather be bummed by a Porcupine than buy one and I can't explain why. (see Focus ST)

Agreed, if you have the money to buy and run one you would be bonkers to review the german lot and end up choosing this. Agian, I am not sure why I would never have one. I suppose that the 'percieved' quality is just so much higher...

IBTTT!

Badge snobs.

Just like me

I would happily buy an Astra ahead of a Golf, I really like them.

Model snob? Same here!!

BMW 320d Sport or Mondeo Titanium X? Having tested both last year there was absolutely no comparison. The Mondigo was great, comfortable, well equipped etc. but the 320d was in a different league altogether. Again...percieved quality is subjective

[chrisemersons]

This is probably everything i dislike in a car.

Lots of shiny bits to impress the neighbours who know nothing about cars apart from its big so it must be good or luxurious !!

You can polish a turd as much as you like but it will always be a turd !!!

[hman]

Thinking back - in the depths of time, when a Cavalier was an "acceptable" car to have... a lot of people lusted after a GSI Turbo 4x4.

I'll bet these are a great hoot - but undeniably these cars have an image problem - a UK spec Holden has more going for it which is very odd as the holdens I drove in AUS were shocking quality.

Hope Vauxhall can turn it around but they seem to have an image worth less than a ford mondeo...