Vauxhall's Insignia GSi is a deceptively quick package. Jonathan Crouch takes a look..
The fastest Vauxhall Insignia, this GSi model, isn't quite as wild as its Insignia VXR predecessor was but it's smarter and arguably faster in the real world. Four wheel drive is still a key part of the package based around diesel power, with near 150mph performance. Plus hatch and estate options, a slick 8-speed auto gearbox and some clever electronics to get torque to the tarmac. It's a lot of car for under £35,000.
Given this Insignia Gsi's lack of the throaty V6 powerplant used in its VXR predecessor model, you might be surprised to hear that Vauxhall has timed it as being faster around the industry's benchmark test track, the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife; 12 seconds faster in fact. That was with a 260PS 2.0-litre petrol turbo plumbed in beneath the bonnet, a unit Vauxhall doesn't now offer. So UK Insignia Gsi buyers must be satisfied with a 210PS CDTi turbo diesel. But of course it's not what you have but how you use it. This Gsi model's sophisticated intelligent all-wheel drive system uses a state-of-the-art rear torque vectoring system. Here, a clever twin-clutch set-up - the so-called 'Twinster diff' - can apply torque to one or both of the rear wheels independently. When cornering quickly, more torque is sent to the outside rear wheel, improving traction and ensuring that there's far more of a feeling of precision when you turn in. That's ideal if, for example, one of your wheels happens to be slightly off the ground, as it might be if you were taking a fast, bumpy turn at speed. The CDTi engine is mated to a freshly designed, super-slick 8-speed auto gearbox that comes with the requisite steering wheel paddles. It offers 480Nm of torque and a 62mph sprint time of 7.4s. The brand's 'FlexRide' driving modes system is standard, complete with adaptive damping.
Vauxhall emphasises the performance-per-pound value proposition of this car: that'll depend on your perspective of course. Prices start at around £33,000 for the Gran Sport hatch CDTi model. There's a £1,500 premium to pay if you want to move into the Sport Tourer estate body style. The asking figures include 20-inch wheels, a Gsi bodykit, a special sports chassis and the FlexRide driving modes system with adjustable damping. Customers can specify the seats in one of two leather combinations, each featuring the prominent Gsi emblem. Infotainment is taken care of by a 'Navi 900 Intellilink' system that comes with a large 8-inch screen. As with other Vauxhall models, you also get the brand's 'OnStar' package that allows you to create in your car a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, plus there's a smartphone app that can remotely lock or unlock the doors, check your oil life or, if you've lost this Vauxhall in a busy carpark, it can sound the horn or flash the lights. Plus if your Insignia is stolen, 'OnStar' can disable it so it can't be started.
There's been a subtle change of emphasis in the move from VXR to GSi branding for this hot Insignia - but that'll probably net this variant more sales. It doesn't have the smart street presence of smart premium German rivals, but it's arguably as capable as any of them. The improvement in quality brought about by the second generation Insignia design means that choosing one of these over a warmer BMW 3 Series or Audi A4 is no longer as laughable a prospect as it once was. If you're not afflicted by badge snobbery and you get the right deal, there's much to like here.
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