Vauxhall Insignia VXR

Expert Rating:

What is it?

The VXR is Vauxhall's flagship Insignia, a sporting model that tops the range with sporting posturing designed to take on the best from the premium players. The VXR badge usually means a raucous, riotous drive, but with the Insignia the engineers have finessed the big saloon (available as a hatchback or estate, too) into a rapid, but ultimately underwhelming machine.

Is it any good?

Apparently the VXR people drove 10,000km around the Nurburgring in Germany to hone the VXR's performance. That focus on the famously difficult and testing ribbon of tarmac results in a car that even on its most intense 'VXR' setting on the variable FlexRide damper system delivers a decent ride quality. The other, less impressive result is a car that needs to be driven like it's on track to get the most from it. Power comes from a 2.8-litre V6 engine that is turbocharged to produce 321bhp. That peak power arrives at 5,250rpm, along with the peak torque, meaning you need at least 4,000rpm on the Insignia's VXR-detailed rev-counter to really feel like you've got a high-performance engine under the bonnet.

At ordinary speeds the VXR feels no more special than its V6 brethren, it rarely feeling as quick as its quoted 5.6-second 0-60mph time and so failing to live up to the sporting promise suggested by its menacing looks. The steering is quick and accurate - more so in VXR mode - but despite the inclusion of four-wheel drive, an electronic limited-slip differential and unique VXR suspension it never feels like anything other than a front-wheel drive car. Except in terms of traction perhaps, which is impressive, but there's none of the throttle adjustability of a BMW 3 Series or Audi's recently introduced S4.

Hence there's no real incentive to drive it quickly; the VXR's engine note is only fleetingly naughty when the exhaust burbles and pops on occasion on the overrun and the six-speed gearbox's action is not particularly crisp in its action through its gate. The big Brembo brakes promise to be excellent on track and the cool Recaro seats hold you in tightly, but the VXR simply doesn't goad you to drive it like you would its rivals. That's a problem in itself, but read the stats and the BMW 335i and Audi S4 not only beat it on emissions and economy, but better its performance and are within a few thousand pounds of its list price. The Insignia looks great, inside and out, but you'd need to be a serious Vauxhall fan to pick this over its premium German rivals.

Should I call the bank manager?

As it's the most expensive Insignia in the range you might just have to. The bank may send you packing in the direction of its premium rivals too with their promise of better residual values and cheaper running costs - on road tax at least. Priced from £30,995 for the saloon or hatchback you'll need to find another £815 if you want satnav, and an additional £1,325 if you want the rather smart looking Sports Tourer (estate). Add the 20-inch alloys - which don't seem to adversely affect the ride quality - and leather for those seats and you'll be looking at a near £35,000 Insignia.

Summary

Sports saloons based on mainstream machines need to over-deliver to justify their loftier price tags and positioning among premium rivals. The VXR, while undoubtedly competent and rapid, fails to deliver the excitement you'd usually associate with the VXR badge. That it cannot better the Audi S4 and BMW 335i on emissions, economy or raw performance is also significant, so it's very difficult to argue for the Vauxhall against such established and premium-badged rivals.

Kyle Fortune