The Vauxhall Insignia has made quite a splash with the world’s media – and not only because of its dramatic entrance!
A raft of new details have been revealed for the crucial family car, including an innovative hot wash windscreen wiper system – plus the all-important price. The Insignia will start from just under £16,000.
A day ahead of the official public debut at the British Motor Show, Auto Express was on the banks of the River Thames for Vauxhall’s elaborate publicity stunt, which marked the Insignia’s touchdown on UK soil.
The car was hidden in a capsule lodged in the ground next to London’s Tower Bridge all weekend. This was intended to look like an unidentified flying object that had crash landed from outer space, and was hoisted by a huge crane. Then, all of a sudden, the Insignia dropped from the capsule and hurtled towards the ground.
Immediately after the display, four and five-door cars were revealed. But it wasn’t just a stunt for the sake of it. The next day at the show, the Insignia’s key details emerged – including a number of innovations.
The car has advanced adaptive headlights, plus a camera that reads passing road signs and displays them on the instrument panel.
Meanwhile, the hot wash function is designed to shift tough dirt from the windshield. Heated screenwash is squirted at the glass for better cleaning, and helps to prevent the wipers from freezing in the winter.
But the big news is the Insignia’s price. It starts from £15,935 for the entry-level 1.8-litre petrol – so it’s clear the firm is determined to meet its rivals head-on. Prices rise to £28,885 for the range-topping 2.8-litre V6 turbo model, which has four-wheel drive and an auto box. In all, 130 variations are offered from launch.
Bosses announced an emissions-busting ecoFLEX car is on the way, and is likely to be available as early as the spring. Figures for this version won’t be announced until the Paris Motor Show in October, but General Motors’ UK chief Bill Parfitt said: “This car has a low drag factor, and with the tweaks to the tyres and drivetrain, you can expect it to be very competitive!”
Also set to be introduced at the French expo is the Insignia estate. This will be the last model to arrive, following on from the four-door in December and the hatch in the spring.