By Dan Trent
02 October 2008 18:18:32

Vauxhall Insignia estate debuts at Paris

London saw the international debut for the all-new Vauxhall Insignia and for Paris we’ve got the estate version. Of course, over here they speak Opel rather than Vauxhall but ignore the badging and it’s all the same thing.
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer (Image © Microsoft/Magiccarpics.co.uk)
Vauxhall Insignia estate: click images to enlarge
It’s certainly a sleek looking beast too and to underline the fact it’s being dubbed a Sports Tourer rather than an estate, much in the way we weren’t officially supposed to refer to the Insignia as a family car as if this would somehow damage its premium pretensions.
 
How Vauxhall, sorry, Opel (let’s settle on GM…) can allude to anything other than family friendly practicality with this new estate is anyone’s bet but if you feel the need to ask anyone expect the word ‘lifestyle’ in the reply. Like its saloon brother it’s a great looking car too, the substance better even than the hype would suggest.
 
Vauxhall Agila Ecoflex (Image © Microsoft/Magiccarpics.co.uk)
Vauxhall Agila Ecoflex
Paris also sees an expansion in the engine range for the Insignia, with the timely introduction of a powerful new diesel and downsized turbocharged petrol. The 2-litre BiTurbo diesel boasts a stonking 187bhp and the turbo 1.6 petrol 178bhp and both will likely go down a storm with the fleet buyers GM is targeting.
 
For those really looking to drive down emissions and fuel-based driving costs the additional announcement of the Insignia ecoFLEX will also be of interest. Full facts and figures will be released shortly but forget VW BlueMotion style base-spec piety – in GM’s world eco friendliness and luxury can walk hand in hand.
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Paris Motor Show 2008 - your vote

  1. Which car unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2008 do you most want to own?

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  1. Which car unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2008 do you most want to own?
    1. New BMW 7-Series
      12%
    2. Chevrolet Cruze
      1%
    3. Ferrari California
      23%
    4. New Ford Ka
      4%
    5. Lamborghini Estoque
      36%
    6. Lexus IS 250 Cabriolet
      4%
    7. New Renault Megane
      2%
    8. New Toyota Avensis
      4%
    9. Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
      3%
    10. New VW Golf
      11%
28336 responses,