The standard Insignia is looking to be quite a special car – however the Sports Tourer looks to be even better. Whether it’s hugely more practical or a true ‘lifestyle’ choice remains to be seen though, you probably need four wheel drive and Japanese-build durability for that!
Vauxhall said:
“Available in late Spring 2009, the Sports Tourer brings vast levels of loadspace and versatility without compromising the dynamic design and innovative technology seen on the hatch and saloon models.”
So, what’s good about it? Well, it has a longer wheelbase than the other models and thankfully due to sharing the majority of the same bodywork (after the ‘B’ pillars it is unique however), it’ll be released only a few months after the other two variants. Thankfully, it does operate more as a ‘stand alone’ model than an estate version of the car – which should appeal to potential buyers.
Two new engine variants will debut in the Insignia Sports Tourer, alongside the five units from the hatchback and saloon models. There will be an uprated turbodiesel that will offer more power than the standard Insignia’s 158bhp range-topping CDTi model, and a small-capacity turbocharged ‘Ecoflex’ petrol unit. This is in line with the standard idea that the Sports Tourer should be more powerful than standard.
So, what do I make of it? Well, I think that finally we might well be seeing Vauxhall produce motors that could actually compete with the might of Germany’s Audi and VW marques. In fact, it’s a rather attractive Sports Tourer – whether it’s as nice as the Renault Laguna Sports Tourer remains to be seen – though I am going for a test drive in one of these fairly soon.
I’m still hoping to be one of the first to drive the Vauxhall Insignia, so I’ll certainly keep you all informed on how that goes.
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