The Vauxhall Insignia GSi Is Somehow Faster On Track Than The Old VXR

The Vauxhall Insignia GSi has lapped the Nurburgring 12 seconds faster than the old Insignia VXR, despite the latter being 20bhp more powerful.

Believe it or not, the warmed-up and 10mm lowered repmobile actually has a decent turn of speed. It’s 160kg lighter than the old VXR, for one thing, and with Michelin Pilot 4S tyres, Brembo four-pot brakes and a new ‘mechatronic’ FlexRide chassis, which sounds like something out of Transformers, it has all the ingredients to make more out of less.

The performance difference is down not just to the 256bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and eight-speed slushbox, but to the new car’s increased agility and precision, says Vauxhall’s Director of Performance Cars and Motor Sport, Volker Strycek. He said:

“The lightweight architecture, excellent chassis configuration and unique all-wheel drive system, along with the performance tyres make the GSi as precise and sharp as we wanted it to be.

“Where the course becomes more demanding and requires the car to react with more agility and precision, such as in the corners or stretches with low friction, the GSi is definitely faster and easy to control.”

The GSi has a unique fourth mode within its FlexRide drive mode settings. Joining Standard, Tour and Sport is Competition, which switches the traction control off and allows more yaw movement. Lift-off oversteer, anyone?

Vauxhall is planning to build it in both Grand Sport hatchback and Sports Tourer estate body styles. It looks like Vauxhall finally makes a fast wagon!