The New Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
Published: 2nd October 2008
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
The new Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer raises the bar for premium design in the mid-size estate sector, combining the elegance of its hatch and saloon siblings with an even higher degree of practicality and versatility.
Two new engines for the entire Insignia range also make their world premiere at the Paris Motor Show (October 4 - 19). The innovative 2.0-litre BiTurbo diesel with cleantech combustion system has 190PS, and the down-sized 1.6-litre petrol turbo engine produces 180PS.
The Insignia Sports Tourer offers the same state-of-the-art technology as the Insignia, including Vauxhall’s Front Camera System, Intelligent AFL headlamps, Adaptive 4x4 all-wheel-drive and the FlexRide chassis. This is complemented by estate-specific equipment such as a power tailgate with programmable opening height, a self-levelling system and the FlexOrganizer cargo management system. The completely flat luggage compartment has a capacity of 540 to 1,510 litres. With a CD of just below 0.30, the Insignia Sports Tourer is the most aerodynamic estate Vauxhall has ever built.
Sporty design and spectacular aerodynamics for class
While designers carried forward the sporty, elegant design of the Insignia to the Sports Tourer, they were careful to endow the estate with a unique appearance. Mark Adams, Vice President of GM Europe Design, says, “This is a stand-alone model and not simply a wagon version of the sedan. In fact, all the bodywork aft of the B-pillar 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 hatchback models.”
The result is a dynamic, sporty station wagon that elegantly conceals its high utility value. To achieve this, the designers re-interpreted a number of elements. They pulled the “wraparound” tailgate far into the flanks and accentuated it with large, distinctive, fully integrated tail lights. The chrome strip holding the prominent Vauxhall Griffin logo gives the car a note of added confidence.
The rear sweeps down into a rounded bumper, emphasising the aerodynamic framework that underpins the car’s design. The roof spoiler has the same effect, elongating the dynamic sloping roofline that is accentuated by roof rails and thus helping to ensure that the Insignia saloon’s sporty proportions are retained in the Sports Tourer. Also, the air is guided longer along the roof reducing the drag. Two vertical fins that bridge the roof spoiler and the rear lights have the same effect. The air flow is sharply cut off which also reduces rear end lift.
As with the Insignia saloon, GM Europe’s engineers fine-tuned the subtlest details to ensure excellent aerodynamic performance. These included rounding the front bumper corners and adding a flexible spoiler lip to its bottom end, giving the A-pillar a rounder shape, changing the exterior mirror to a wing form, and profiling the lower control arm in the rear suspension. Two underbody spoilers direct air over the rear axle to reduce drag and lift even more, while the three front air inlets have been optimised for efficiency. With a CD of just below 0.30, the Insignia Sports Tourer is the most aerodynamic estate Vauxhall has ever built. With a drag of 0.69 m², it is better than many smaller cars.
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
Our Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Guide lists the full specification of the current UK Insignia Sports Tourer range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £17,185 - £29,485
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Models in the range: 20
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 28th Nov 2008
