Engine range for the Vauxhall Insignia unveiled

Vauxhall has unveiled the engine range for its new Insignia, as well as more details of the new, top-of-the-range GSi model.

The new Insignia promises to be one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment. Low-friction gearboxes, an electro-hydraulic brake booster, mechatronic suspension and four-wheel drive with torque vectoring combine to present an athletic, attractive and class-leading flagship model.

The new Insignia engine range features three and four-cylinder units, beginning with a 1.4-litre 143bhp petrol engine and a 1.5-litre 120bhp diesel.

The three-cylinder engines are up to 50kg lighter than their predecessors. Above these are two 2.0-litre petrol engines with 197bhp and 227bhp, as well as a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, which will be introduced later this year.

The 2.0-litre petrol units are also the first Vauxhall engines with cylinder deactivation. Unless the driver needs a lot of power, a variable camshaft control will deactivate two cylinders, significantly reducing fuel consumption.

The low-friction gearbox configurations will also provide comfortable, seamless gear shifting. Insignia customers have the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox - a particularly economical, step-less transmission - or an eight or nine-speed automatic.

Also unveiled is the new Vauxhall Insignia GSi. The top-of-the-range model features a sporty Twinster four-wheel drive with torque vectoring unique to its segment. In all-wheel drive mode, two clutches replace a conventional rear differential to deliver the perfect power transfer at each wheel in every driving situation.

With this technology, the new Insignia GSi is more agile in curves, offering the best cornering and stands out with excellent traction. For an even more active driving experience, the new nine-speed automatic transmission can be operated by the paddles on the steering wheel.

Put through its paces on the legendary Nurburgring in Germany, the Vauxhall Insignia GSi features a tuned chassis for extremely high grip. Powerful Brembo four-piston brakes (with red calipers) and the direct steering have also been further improved. The Insignia GSi comes as standard with mechatronic FlexRide suspension, which adapts shock absorbers and steering in fractions of a second.