New Vauxhall Insignia diesel prices not so steep
The latest addition to the Vauxhall Insignia range, so late in 2011, could be one of the most exciting updates to a car this year.
For some, £27,120 would be a high price to pay for a Vauxhall Insignia. When you compare Range Rover Evoque prices (£28,000) and even an entry-level BMW 3-Series (£25,000), it does seem expensive.
However, the Vauxhall Insignia BiTurbo is not overpriced. For the money you will get Vauxhall's clever new BiTurbo engine, the name given to a 2.0-litre oil-burner which delivers nearly 200bhp of power but is still free from road tax for the first year because of sub-130g/km of CO2 emissions.
It sounds impressive. The previous 2.0-litre diesel in the Insignia range delivers 165bhp and higher fuel economy (55.4mpg compared to 57.6mpg in the BiTurbo) and CO2 figures thanks to the introduction of fuel-saving Start/Stop technology.
The Vauxhall Insignia BiTurbo comes in hatchback and Sports Tourer variations and is capable of propelling the large family car from 0-60mph in just 8.2 seconds, an improvement of a second over the standard 2.0-litre model.
More power, better fuel economy and lower emissions. The new Vauxhall Insignia is certainly making a strong case when comparing Vauxhall Insignia prices to that of its rivals such as the Ford Mondeo.
In terms of the car itself, you will get more for your £27,000. The lower-end price applies to the SRi specification model, a trim which includes some 17" alloy wheels, leather touches to the steering wheel and gear knob, sports pedals and all the other things needed to emphasise the more performance-led design of the car.
It also comes with must-have accessories such as air conditioning and a CD/MP3 player to help it bridge the gap between 'sporty' and practical.
Finally, all models come with Vauxhall's Flexride system, which adapts the dampers to cope with driving style and conditions. This is usually an optional extra in the region on £700 but comes as standard on BiTurbo models.
For a bit more money you get all-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox, while trim levels available with the new engine go all the way up to the high-spec Elite trim.
The new Vauxhall Insignia BiTurbo is available now in the UK and as an upmarket, well-equipped and attractive large family car or executive vehicle, it is already one of the ten best-sellers in 2011.
Throw in more power, lower driving costs and some desirable extras and when you compare Vauxhall Insignia prices to its rivals, and more premium manufacturers, suddenly puts it in a very good light.