Vauxhall Insignia ecoFLEX announced

Vauxhall has announced the launch of the Vauxhall Insignia ecoFLEX

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A few days ago we revealed that Vauxhall had launched a range-topping Insignia – the Vauxhall Insignia VXR, a 325bhp road burner. Well, in these eco-friendly times, it seems appropriately balanced that Vauxhall has now announced the arrival of the Vauxhall Insignia ecoFLEX, to balance the Co2 and testosterone the VXR produces.

The Insignia ecoFLEX, as you would guess, is all about economy and lower emissions. Utilising the same 2.0 litre diesel CDTi as its siblings, the ecoFLEX has had some significant tweaks to improve both economy and emissions. Fuel consumption improves to an impressive 54.7 mpg (a 10% improvement over the regular CDTi) and emissions drop to 135g/km Co2. But because the ecoFLEX uses the same 2.0 litre CDTi engine as the rest of the range, performance is much the same. 0-60mph comes up in 8.9 seconds, with a top speed of 135mph.

But these performance figures on eco cars are always a bit disingenuous. There is no doubt that they can be achieved (after all, that’s the point of official fuel economy figures) but you won’t get anything like the quoted economy if you use the performance to the full. However, if you want to play the game, and drive frugally, the changes to the Insignia ecoFLEX, which include longer first and second ratios, could give you a range of up to 840 miles.

But it’s good to have an eco-car that can still perform. The Insignia is a good family car (or rep-mobile), but even the family car driver likes to have a little blat from time to time, and the torquey 2.0 litre diesel gives a good thump for a green car, so when economy is a secondary consideration its nice to have a bit to play with.

Prices start from £19,600 OTR in the UK for the Exclusiv model. Full range and prices below.

Price (£)

VAT (£)

Total (£)

On- the-road

£17,500.00

£2,625.00

£20,125.00

£20,945.00

£16,330.43

£2,449.57

£18,780.00

£19,600.00

£17,021.74

£2,553.26

£19,575.00

£20,395.00

£19,200.00

£2,880.00

£22,080.00

£22,900.00

£19,456.52

£2,918.48

£22,375.00

£23,195.00

£20,982.61

£3,147.39

£24,130.00

£24,950.00

£21,673.91

£3,251.09

£24,925.00

£25,745.00

By Cars UK