Thursday 14th August 2008

First Pics: Vauxhall Insignia Estate

Just don't call it an estate...

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Vauxhall has released the first images of a load-lugging Insignia which it says is a standalone-model not an estate version of the saloon. The bodywork is all-new from the B-pillars back and is to be known as a 'Sports Tourer', says Vauxhall.

Mark Adams, Vice-President of GM Europe Design, described the Sports Tourer’s design as 'athletic, powerful and elegant'.

He added: 'However, this is a stand-alone model and not simply an estate version of the saloon,' he added. 'In fact, all the bodywork aft of the B-pillars is unique to the Sports Tourer. We’ve also ensured that its design combines the sculptural artistry and technical precision found in the saloon and hatch models.'

Vauxhall has retained the hatch and saloon’s wheelbase (2,737mm) and added around 80mm to its length but is claiming one of the best loadspace volumes in its class. The car will be available with four-wheel drive and the 260bhp 2.8i V6.

 

[speedmachine]

I like the look of both this and and the saloon/hatch model. I would definately consider one of these as a used car for a daily drive in a few years.

Edited by speedmachine on Thursday 14th August 12:47

[taldo50]

looks lovely in giant wheels guise, however not sure how good it will look on 15in rep-spec steelies in real life.. looking forward to seeing a few of the saloon and estate (sorry, sports tourer) on the road in the near future. not being a fan of the aesthetics of the new mondeo, i would consider one of these as a used buy also. but im poor so i wont have to worry about it!

[J16GY]

Not bad, but I just cant get excited about a vauxhall estate for some reason...!

[Fetchez la vache]

Does this mean V will release a seperate "Estate" as well as this "Sports Tourer"

If not, it's an estate FFS. Get used to it V, and cut out this crap.

Looks great for an estate mind

[PhantomPH]

taldo50 said:

looks lovely in giant wheels guise, however not sure how good it will look on 15in rep-spec steelies in real life..

Absolutely - really like it!

[tomTVR]

A lot of people have been raving about the Insignia's looks but i think its quite bland.

The best looking car in its class is the New Mazda 6 by miles, it is also the best to drive.

[havoc]

The hatch/saloon look better than this - the nose is a little too anonymous without the strength of the rear curves to distract attention from it.

[Apache]

tomTVR said:

A lot of people have been raving about the Insignia's looks but i think its quite bland.

The best looking car in its class is the New Mazda 6 by miles, it is also the best to drive.

Have you seen the 09 Accord? the most comfortable thing I've sat in for ages, good looker too. The Mazda is a sharp dresser alright but I believe the Insignia, in the flesh, will stand it's ground.
Put it this way, all of them make the new Mondeo look like on oversized tarts handbag

[Nick Young]

Those wheels look identical to those on my VW!

[neema_T]

I have to say, the grille reminds me a bit of those Ssangyong 4x4's... Only a little bit, but apart from that I think it's alright, but I'd have an Accord or Alfa 159 over this.

[BUG4LIFE]

Looks like an A6 from the back, which I guess is no bad thing?

[ScoobieWRX]

The Signum always reminded me of the Vel Satis. Is this a replacement for the Signum because it looks similar and probably drives as badly.
I drove both the Signum and the Vel Satis....preferred the Vel Satis silky ride but neither went round corners very well.

If you happen to be a Signum or Vel Satis owner.......never mind, that's life!!

[speedmachine]

taldo50 said:

looks lovely in giant wheels guise, however not sure how good it will look on 15in rep-spec steelies in real life.. looking forward to seeing a few of the saloon and estate (sorry, sports tourer) on the road in the near future. not being a fan of the aesthetics of the new mondeo, i would consider one of these as a used buy also. but im poor so i wont have to worry about it!

Hopefully if the current vectra prices are anything to go by it should depreciate pretty heavily

[corcoran]

the nose is Very Chrysler..

[spookey]

Audi have the "avant" BMW call it the "touring" why should VX not come up with some similar marketing spiel. It looks bloody good. It'll be priced reasonably and should be a success. I can't really understand paying a fortune for a BMW/AUDI/VW estate family car the kids are going to get crap all over. If its spacious, got a decent diesel engine and is safe bring it on.

Good job Vauxhall.

[rbryant]

'In fact, all the bodywork aft of the B-pillars is unique to the Sports Tourer ....

.... so in other words from the middle of the car forwards it is the same. Not exactly a stand-alone model then

[ZesPak]

spookey said:

Audi have the "avant" BMW call it the "touring" why should VX not come up with some similar marketing spiel. It looks bloody good. It'll be priced reasonably and should be a success. I can't really understand paying a fortune for a BMW/AUDI/VW estate family car the kids are going to get crap all over. If its spacious, got a decent diesel engine and is safe bring it on.

Good job Vauxhall.

Seconded, but still, as a rep mobile, you're in it alone a lot, so to me it's important that it drives rather well. Anyhow, I'm still keeping my eye on the Mazda (the not-so-mundain-mondeo).

[jdcampbell]

'However, this is a stand-alone model and not simply an estate version of the saloon,' he added. 'In fact, all the bodywork aft of the B-pillars is unique to the Sports Tourer. We’ve also ensured that its design combines the sculptural artistry and technical precision found in the saloon and hatch models.'

These people are so full of st aren't they. Who do they think they are kidding?

Still it does look good for a Vectra Estate!

[Snoggledog]

BUG4LIFE said:

Looks like an A6 from the back, which I guess is no bad thing?

I was thinking Subaru Legacy.

[Bladedancer]

I thought about this car as an alternative to Mazda 6 and Honda Accord until I saw it live at London motor show. Exterior - great. Sleek, sexy. Interior - dreadful. Quality of the materials used inside is just terrible. Steering wheel is made from something that resembles rubber and all the plastics inside felt just cheap. No, not cheap. Far beyond that. And that was a version for a motor show! I'm afraid to look at the basic, showroom one...