The Vauxhall Insignia GSi will arrive on UK roads in March 2018, at prices starting from £33,375.
The performance version of Vauxhall’s large car was first revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. It will be offered in both five-door Grand Sport and, for an extra £1400, estate Sports Tourer body styles.
Powertrain choices will range between a 260hp 2-litre turbo petrol with 400Nm of torque, or a bi-turbo diesel engine of 210hp. Both are paired with an eight-speed auto transmission with steering wheel shift paddles, and permanent all-wheel-drive with torque vectoring to ensure grip is constantly delivered tot he wheel that will make most efficient use of it.
Both engines produce the same performance figures – in Grand Sport form the GSi achieves a 6.9 second 0-62mph time and will go on to an electronically limited 155mph. The car weighs in some 160kg lighter than its predecessor, and as a result it has been able to lap the Nurburgring test track in Germany faster than the range-topping VXR model of the previous Insignia generation, despite being more than 70hp lower in power.
Petrol versions of the Grand Sport record CO2 emissions of 197g/km, the diesel 192g/km. Diesel Sports Tourer versions match their Grand Sport siblings, while the petrol estate mode produces 199g/km.
Vauxhall’s FlexRide chassis is fitted, four driving modes allowing damping, steering, gear change-up points and the car’s stability and traction systems to be configured according to a driver’s preference, Brembo four-cylinder brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres on 20-inch rims complete the chassis specification.
The GSi gains bespoke styling, including chrome air intakes, specific front and rear bumpers, side sills and on the Grand Sport a large rear spoiler. Vauxhall’s IntelliLux LED matrix headlamps are also standard while inside there are full-leather front sports seats, aluminium pedals, an eight-inch colour information display with navigation, a Bose sound system and head-up display.
