VAUXHALL has added an ultra-low emissions ecoFLEX diesel model and a new-to-range 1.4 Turbo petrol engine to its popular Insignia line-up.
With a 10 per cent improvement in CO2 - 115g/km as opposed to 129g/km - over the outgoing model, the new Insignia ecoFLEX diesel now falls in to the lowest 13 per cent Benefit-In-Kind tax band for the first time.
And there’s no vehicle excise duty on the hatchback and saloon, and no VED in year one on the Sports Tourer, while the 1.4 Turbo petrol model also offers low 15 per cent BIK for the 2011/12 tax year.
The 2.0 CDTi ecoFLEX’s combined emissions savings are achieved by the use of Start/Stop technology - available for the first time on an Insignia – along with aerodynamic measures and low rolling resistance tyres.
The Insignia’s two revised 2.0 CDTi diesel engines produce either 130 or 160PS of power and the improved economy isn’t at the expense of performance.
Even fitted with the lower-powered 130PS engine, the ecoFLEX has a top speed of 129mph, with a 0-60mph acceleration time of 10.4 seconds. The 160PS version posts a 137mph top speed and 0-60mph in 8.9 seconds.
For those who prefer petrol engines, the new 1.4 Turbo unit emits only 129g/km of CO2 and can return 51.4mpg in both hatchback and saloon body styles.
The new Insignia models also get updated 18-inch alloy wheels plus new sat-nav units offering UK and Ireland mapping and main road networks across Europe, or detailed European mapping.
Prices for the sub-120g/km diesel models start from £20,345 for the ES 2.0 CDTi (130PS) ecoFLEX Start/Stop Hatchback rising to £29,385 for the flagship SRi Nav Vx Line Red Sports Tourer (160PS) ecoFLEX.
The 1.4 Turbo is priced from £18,680 for the ES Hatchback up to £27,110 for the SRi Nav Vx Line Red Sports Tourer.