In 2008 Vauxhall replaced the Vectra. No matter how good the
replacement might have been, had Vauxhall retained the Vectra badge it would have
almost certainly been a flop such was the distain for the "Vectra". Vauxhall
needed to get this model right and optimistically introduced us to the Insignia, a
car which promised to revitalise the family hatchback market. 6 years on and
the Insignia is a common sight on our roads. But how many of these are fleet
sales where the buyer has no choice? Have Vauxhall offered them at massively
discounted rates to fleet buyers or is there a good car to be had from Luton? Let’s
find out.
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| At Opel at some stage... |
Firstly, I must apologise as this is a pre-facelift model so
not entirely up to date but given the facelift is just a nip here and a tuck
there the fundamental car remains the same. Unlike most replacements the Insignia
is the same size as the Vectra but still manages to offers 30mm more rear
legroom. It was the first model to do away with the prominent V-shaped grille
that had adorned Vauxhall snouts for some 15 years. In its place is a round,
swept back front end meets big, broad shoulders and finish in a rounded derrière.
What has always struck me about the Insignia is how little glass area there is,
almost as though the designer started too high on the piece of paper and then ran
out of space to draw the intended roof height. The roof chop may look sporty
but it does the proportions no favours. It is a vast improvement over the
Vectra and whilst I can’t quite stretch to call it good looking; it is smart
and handsome car.
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| Pre-FL hatch next to a facelifted Sport Tourer |
The Insignia takes the dash from the Astra and runs with it;
successfully. Whereas the Astra is a sea of unpleasant plastics awash with haphazardly spread buttons the Insignia's cabin is a more refined execution of the same ethos. The result is convincing and a much pleasanter place to
sit. The major drawback is the dark trim, dark plastics and small glass area which
combine to give a grim, dim and dingy cabin. Equipment levels are generous as I
am coming to expect from Vauxhall with this SRI model having built in sat nav and
digital radio. A wide range of adjustability makes getting comfortable behind
the wheel an easy task but again the high window line meant I couldn’t have the
seat quite as low as I would have preferred without obstructing my view ahead.
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| Flowers are optional |
Getting underway is a simple process provided you’ve
depressed the clutch before turning the key and that you can accept the limitations
of an electric handbrake. In day to day living the reality of this electronic
annoyance is that you tend to rely on the footbrake at traffic lights rather
than use the handbrake. Still, underway you’ll uncover the pinnacle of this car - the engine. The 2.0 CDTI produces 160bhp through a six-speed manual gearbox
and provides effortless cruising. It’s a gem and lets not forget that the Insignia
is a car designed for covering great distances with ease. Thanks to this power plant
that is certainly possible. Cruise control makes maintaining a given speed a
breeze and unlike it’s underpowered, smaller engined, brethren the CDTI has the
umph to maintain the speed uphill.
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| Plenty of room for product samples |
It isn’t all good news though. Whilst the engine makes for a
competent motorway companion the suspension most certainly does not. I
encountered a tropical storm off the coast of China once and was thrown about
less than when I crossed the recently re-tarmaced M62 in the Insignia. This is no exaggeration - it
really is that bad. The ride is the most unsettled, choppy and crass I think I’ve
ever experienced and it comprehensively ruins the Insignia’s long distance
conquering credentials to devastating effect.
Leaving the motorway network behind I headed for the
uncharted wilderness of north Wales to see if the choppy ride was the result of
some finely tuned suspension betstowing the Insignia with handling characteristics appropriate of
an SRI. The CDTI ensures that covering ground is never an issue - torque is
available from low revs and there isn’t much need to swap cogs - meaning you
can charge between corners without strain. Throw the car into a turn and the
body leans over the outside wheels whilst the chassis tends to want to go
straight ahead. Hold your line, lift off the power and the Insignia will tuck
in and haul itself around the apex but there is no getting away from the bulk
of the car and the soft set up. Drama is never on the agenda but the spongy,
wallowy suspension ensures there is no fun to be had. B roads uncover a car
with ubiquitously numb electric steering and an entirely uninspiring and
confidence devoid chassis. I wouldn’t have a problem with that if it meant the
car had a cosseting ride elsewhere but it doesn’t. This most unusual of
configurations successfully renders the potent power plant wasted and has the
Insignia at the bottom of any ‘driver’s car’ list.
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| Ugly rear windscreen wiper |
There is much to like about the Insignia. A cavernous boot,
well equipped interior and diesel engine which produces strong performance and
reasonable economy. It is perfectly suited to reign the outside lane like the
Carlton 3.0s of old. It has everything needed to become a bestselling, class
leading family hatchback yet its attributes are ruined thanks to Vauxhall’s
Suspension Department going on strike on the day the Insignia project was signed
off. A big shame.
