Vauxhall wow the crowds at this year’s British International Motor Show with the world premiere of Insignia – the company’s all-new mid-size model – as well as an array of fresh and exciting new derivatives from its other ranges.

Insignia:
Debuting at London, and in showrooms at the end of 2008, the Vauxhall Insignia promises to breathe fresh air into the UK’s mid-size sector with its unique combination of elegant design, superb performance and dynamics, and new technology.

But with prices starting at just £15,935 for the exceptionally well-equipped S model, the Insignia still upholds Vauxhall’s tradition of making new technology and cutting-edge design affordable.

Summed up as sculptured artistry meets technical precision, Insignia’s styling brings sporty coupe design to the mid-size class without compromising interior space. It also helps the car achieve an impressively low Cd of just 0.27, bringing with it benefits in fuel consumption, cabin refinement and fuel consumption.

There are five engines across the Insignia range: a four-cylinder 1.8-litre petrol and turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol; two new 2.0-litre turbodiesels with outputs of either 130PS or 160PS, both of which achieve 58.9mpg on the extra-urban cycle; and a 260PS turbocharged petrol V6 range topper, capable of powering Insignia from 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds, and all the way to a top speed of 155mph.

The Insignia launches with two body styles - saloon and hatchback - and is available in five trim levels, with even the entry level model benefiting from air conditioning, front side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESP, a heated windscreen washer and cruise control. Estate and ecoFLEX versions of Insignia will be available in the near future.

Featuring all-new chassis architecture, partly honed in the UK by Vauxhall’s Engineering Centre at Millbrook, the Insignia is available from the start with front-wheel and all-wheel drive, as well as Vauxhall’s FlexRide system with its Adaptive Stability Technology.

High levels of technology can also be found in Vauxhall’s latest generation Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) with its nine light beam settings increasing visibility and making driver safer. This will be complemented soon after launch with the Front Camera System, which can read and memorise road signs, as well as alert drivers if they unintentionally veer of the road.

Corsa VXR Arctic Edition:
Riding on the success of the current Corsa VXR, the Arctic Edition will have a production run of just 500 cars in the UK. Instantly recognisable by its bespoke Glacier White paint and contrasting black details, the car also comes complete with the optional Remus Sports exhaust, increasing the power output of the standard 192PS turbocharged 1.6-litre engine by up to 15PS. Complementing this are black 18” wheels with 225/35 ultra-low profile tyres as standard, dark-tinted rear windows and an electronically operated sliding glass sunroof, unique to this model.

VXR8 LS3:
With its potent new 6.2-litre V8 engine and sporting new optional 20” alloy wheels, the mighty VXR8 offers even more performance with an improved output of 431PS. New colour and equipment options are now available, including the distinctive Heron White of the London show car.

Astra Nurburgring:
Completing the all-white VXR trio is the 240PS Astra Nurburgring. Each individually numbered car comes with lightweight 18” alloy wheels, bespoke ultra-low profile Dunlop tyres and distinctive body graphics. Like the Corsa VXR Arctic Edition, the Nurburgring comes with a Remus Sports exhaust developed with Vauxhall’s BTCC race team, boosting power by up to 15PS

Flextreme Concept:
The dynamic, versatile Flextreme concept car uses plug-in electric technology to achieve an emissions-free range of up to 55kms. A 1.3-litre turbo-diesel engine generates additional electricity to replenish the battery and extend the vehicle’s range when fully charged. Flextreme also features FlexDoor, rear-hinged doors that allow easier access to the cabin, and FlexLoad, two tailgate doors that open from the side and swing upwards.

Courtesy: Vauxhall, UK

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 28 July, 2008 3:20:54 PM IST #