Wednesday 13th September 2017

Vauxhall brings back the GSI!

Astra, Cavalier, Nova and Carlton icons joined by a new Insignia flagship

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Remember the GSI Vauxhalls? From Astra to Zafira via Corsa and Vectra, you always guaranteed a few traits: namely big power and some assertive visuals, but perhaps not always with the greatest dynamic prowess. Well apart from the Carlton GSI 3000, was meant to be quite good back in the day...

Remember when white was the colour? Grey now!

The point of this reminiscing? Vauxhall has seen fit to bring back the GSI badge, having not been seen since the Vectra C. It's being used for a new Insignia and, in a world where both mainstream brands and D-segment saloons aren't all that popular, we're quite pleased to see its arrival. Because PH still quite like fast saloons.

The important stuff is 260hp and 295lb ft from a 2.0-litre turbo, an "all-new" eight-speed auto, four-piston Brembo front calipers and a 'Competition' drive mode, in addition to the existing Standard, Tour and Sport. Arguably even more significant is the all-wheel drive system with genuine torque vectoring. No, really. The GSI gets a rear differential with two clutches "to accelerate each rear wheel individually as required by the driving situation." This promises a more interesting handling balance than traditional all-wheel drive, and sounds very similar to the Focus RS system.

Vauxhall GSI saloon at a motor show? Super!

Marking out the GSI from other Insignias will be some badges, a rear spoiler, new intakes and bigger exhausts. Standard wheels are 18-inch (with 19s and 20s also available), all using Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres.

The Insignia will make its debut at the Frankfurt show, so expect UK prices and availability soon after that. For now, here are the GSI models for sale on PH and below are the images we could find from the press archive. Those Astras looks quite good, don't they? Welcome back GSI!

[Source: Motor Sport]

 

 

[QuattroDave]

Shoot me down in flames but I really quite like the look of the latest insignia. With some stronger visuals an extra poke I think it'd be a nice overall package. Wouldn't part with my money on one new unless it came with a mahoosive discount to make skoda or ford options look silly overpriced!

Personally I'm glad Vauxhall are trying to make something more exciting of their cars, they've been stale for far too long (VXR8 and maloo imports excepting).

Their astra VXR's drive nice on track though.

[Loyly]

What a smashing looking car. Fantastic to see the GSi badge returning too! Great news.

[foxmeister]

Went off the Vauxhalls a few years ago, especially after a new Vectra C ownership saga, not quite as interesting to look at these days either...

Until the new Insignia, definitely looking far more interesting with this, especially the GSi look, could be tempted to look at pricing again, one day

[Wacky Racer]

The new Insignia is a very nice looking car indeed, far nicer than the "old" one and even that was OK.

[Yipper]

Vauxhall make some great cars, nowadays. They just need more aspirational marketing, to get away from the pyjamamama chav nonsense, and the glory days can return.

[theJT]

I like it. But... well... isn't 260bhp... not really quite enough these days? That's not a small car, and people seem to be able to extract silly power from things the size of skateboards now.

I feel silly saying that anything north of 250bhp in a saloon car might not be enough, but things really have changed in the last 10 years.

[anonymous-user]

So is VXR dead?

[roland82]

QuattroDave said:

Shoot me down in flames but I really quite like the look of the latest insignia. With some stronger visuals an extra poke I think it'd be a nice overall package. Wouldn't part with my money on one new unless it came with a mahoosive discount to make skoda or ford options look silly overpriced!

Personally I'm glad Vauxhall are trying to make something more exciting of their cars, they've been stale for far too long (VXR8 and maloo imports excepting).

Their astra VXR's drive nice on track though.

Mate, I don't think you're the only one. I think the new Insignia looks great. It has seem to have gone a little unnoticed though.

[AmosMoses]

theJT said:

I like it. But... well... isn't 260bhp... not really quite enough these days? That's not a small car, and people seem to be able to extract silly power from things the size of skateboards now.

I feel silly saying that anything north of 250bhp in a saloon car might not be enough, but things really have changed in the last 10 years.

A bmw 328 is around 240bhp if I recall and they aren't exactly slow!

[adingley84]

Take the Vx badge off and even hardened PHers have got to admit this is a great looking, intriguingly specced C segment effort...'desirable' even.

Nice work bringing the Gsi badge back in this form too

[adingley84]

sleepera6 said:

So is VXR dead?

The VXR brand is just getting into its stride so no, I think this is just a filler in the range, and a mighty fine one too

[Rawwr]

Relative to its predecessor, it's a fantastic revision. Still essentially the same silhouette and footprint but it looks so less fat and bulbous. The rear-end is very nice indeed.

[Jonny_]

That looks bloody good, especially the rear end. Nice colour in the pics, too.

[Levin]

Where does GSI fit in the model line up compared to VXR? A direct replacement or another entry in the hierarchy? The GSI badge holds a bit more cachet, and GTE perhaps more still, so it's nice to see it back.

[Plate spinner]

That's a handsome looking car

[HedgeyGedgey]

Wonder if that's the end of the VXR brand. Hope so as its turned a bit chavtastic. Sounds pretty decent car tbh, 260bhp seems enough might not be hyper hatch territory but enough to get moving. Now the GTE badge needs a comeback!

[philmots]

I was going to say 260hp sounds a bit lame... but if they've done the same with the new Insignia as the new Astra - around 250kgs lighter than the one it replaced, which is a huge amount, it should move ok!

There will clearly be something above it though.

Hopefully be some good leases?

[Alucidnation]

That does look good.

[Janesy B]

New Astra and Insignia are good looking cars.

[TaylotS2K]

Never been a fan of Vauxhall's. Such poor quality cars in recent years.