Vauxhall Insignia Turbo spotted in Melbourne

By George Skentzos | April 14th, 2010

An avid reader has sent in a photo of what appears to be an Vauxhall Insignia snapped on the freeway leading up to the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne.

With the Holden Epica and Vauxhall Insignia vying for the same position in the Holden line-up, any hope of the Insignia arriving down under had been largely lost – until now.

We are told that the Insignia badge on the boot had been taped over, although the Vauxhall crest can still be seen along with a discreet black ‘turbo’ badge on the bottom right of the boot lid.

This could allude to any of three turbocharged engine options available in the Vauxhall Insignia internationally, including two four-cylinder engines (1.6-litre and 2.0-litre) and the flagship 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 engine found in the Opel Insignia VXR.

The latter is obviously the most appealing prospect for the Australian market – and surprisingly the most likely – with HSV Managing Director Phil Harding telling CarAdvice that Vauxhall Insignia VXR was one of the cars he was seriously considering as an addition to the HSV range.

Thanks to Daniel for the tip!

JC Rules

hmmm…interesting…though it could just be a yobbo with a grey import =/

D

It’s not far from Holden HQ so it is mostly likely from there

D

Looks more like a Vauxhall badge to me.

Mr Pee Pee

Could that be because it’s a Vauxhall?

D

I know. When I wrote the comment the article said that it was an Opel Insignia that had been seen and it had an Opel badge, obviously the article has now been changed and so my comment is redundant.

Caradvice should indicate that the article has been updated.

shag

The Cruze should be the same position as the Astra.

Bad luck for Aus for not having the new Astra and Insignia, shame on Holden for bringing cheap & low quality korean cars

Jon Leong

Yeah… Cruze is the small car segment (use to be Astra) , and the Insignia is in the mid-large car segment. (currently the rubbish Epica). Why on Earth would the writer say they are fighting for the same position??? If the car spotted is the Astra, then its a different case. The Insignia comes with 1.6 Turbo, 2.0 Turbo, 2.8 V6, 2.8V6 Turbo, and 2.0 Turbo Diesel. Tell me how does that fit into the Cruze’s market position? Hopfully they will replace the current Epica with the Insignia, and bring the VXR to HSV.
Jon

I kindly don’t like Cruze, importing both new Astra and new Insignia would be nice!

Deco

It was an easy decision for Holden. 35k Astra or 23k Cruze?

ABMPSV

Astra CD auto base price was in 2009 $24,290. Top of the range convertible was $47,790. In Germany cheapest new Astra 1.4 engine is $23,300.

Lazybones

A base model Astra was never 35K!!! More like 25k.

Andrew

I think the point was that the reason the Astra has been discontinued is because they could not keep the vehicle at the same price point, although I doubt it would have reached $35k.

Shak

CA the Insignia is vying for the Epica’s position, whereas the Cruze competes with the Astra. Even then, maybe this is a hint of Holden’s future line up…
JEKYL & HYDE

insignia is epica,camry,mazda6 size.not cruze,corolla.looks a hell of a lot better than a epica on road.please bring it in,holden…..
Jim

Epica replacement???
Paul

What are Mondeo vs Epica sales like? I have a feeling the Mondeo is killing it. Holden need a European mid sized sedan to
compete properley with the Mondeo, 6, Euro.

Get rid of the bloody Dawewoo stuff already!!!

Jon

How come Australian Ford dont sell Manual Mondeo, expect only XR5. Most European Mondeo, even police cars are Manual, some of them are auto. I am British and am disappointment!

Shak

Wait are you a disappointment because your British or is Ford a disappointment?

geegee

Shak,
Why are you always so negative? You need to stop being so rude and dis respectable. I think everybody is over the whole British jokes. Australians are very similar if not identical to the British.

By the way, the British make some really good, WORLD WIDE DESIRABLE & popular cars(Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini etc) – What do Aussies make?—- Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon—Whoooo Hooooo

Shak

I neither had a go at the British nor their cars. I had a go at his bad grammar. And quiet a few people seem to agree with me.
Devil’s Advocate

LOL @ Shak. Not that I am an English master, far from it, but I find it amusing that he is having a go at someone about their grammar when he made a grammatical error himself in the same post. Quiet instead of quite.

Andrew

The only people likely to want a manual transmission are likely to buy an XR5, consumer demand is why the rest of the range is automatic.

It’s like back in VY Commodore days, the manual transmission was dropped from all but sports and light commercial models, as manual sales in VX Executive had made up just 1% of the previous model sales.

Stoney!

Wrong actually, the Epica is outselling the mondeo (await ford fans to blame it on a supple issue)

Stoney!

Lazybones

Total Mondeo/Epica sales for last 12 Months

Mondeo 4660 monthly average 388
Epica 1623 monthly average 135

Source: VFACTS

Robin Graves

Oh no! This may mean no DSV (Daewoo Special Vehicles), what a tragedy
Alexander

I distinctly remember that there was a black insignia spotted in melbourne last year, same one?

Shak

Yeah i think it was the same one.Im beginning to believe the European’s are just using our beautiful country as a testing round, and then not giving us the best they have to offer.

Discus Champion

Maybe we’re getting Buick? Buick Verano (Astra), Buick Regal (Insignia), et al.

Regards, Jong Chen.

Gary

Wow, Holden is honing to admit they have made bad decision? Trying to use cheaper model to compete well established japan/Europe models? Hiw about Opel Corsa? Time to face the truth current barina has failed.

Shak

Im with you Gary. I think Holden have realised that not all Korean model are for our Market. While the Cruze and Captiva have been a huge success for Holden, the Barina and Epica were not so much. So why not import the Insignia and Corsa in their places, and give one the Barina name and the Other the Insignia name.
Deco

It hasn’t failed, apart from the Epica, everything is selling like hotcakes.

With the new under a year away, I’d say Holden wouldn’t even be concerned looking at Opel for a light class car.

Shak

I guess you are right. While it hasnt failed in sales, in the eyes of Drivers it is an appalling mess. The Aveo better be a hell of a lot better than this Barina.

timmy201

I had a conversation with a taxi driver in Norway.. He used to work in the Opel factory and was pretty convinved they were ready to bring the insignia here soon

Reckless1

Last conversation I had with a Taxi driver went like this

Where to?

Wheeler’s Hill.

How do you get there?

Put it into your Tom Tom, you dufus.

I think he used to work in a factory too.

Frenchie

What do you expect for $5 an hour!

Able

I remember reading on the ADRs website that someone had received certification to import one of these, and I reckon this is it. Sorry to spoil all the wet dreams out there! Of course I could be wrong, Holden could be considering importing one, but it’s not thaaat likely. The taping of the Insignia badge could mean something…

Still stunning however! Give me a 2.0T wagon!
Valet Dabess

coooool makes me wanna go car hunting
Lazybones

My guess is this would be a badged as HSV, and Holden are considering bringing over small numbers of the performance versions of the Insigna + Astra because there is no sporty version of either the Cruze or the Epica.

@Paul “What are Mondeo vs Epica sales like?”

For March Sales Mazda 6- 758, Mondeo – 455, Epica – 159

Andrew

It’s been well reported that HSV are looking to develop the Cruze when it switches to local production, so I’d say the chances of the VXR Astra reappearing are slim. However, the Insignia seems to have a better chance of coming over…

Shak

Actually i can directly quote the MD of HSV from Wheels a couple of months back saying they: “would not give the Cruze the HSV treatment.”

Andrew

The reason for my comment, September 2009:

“HSV managing director Phil Harding said at this week’s E Series 2 media launch that HSV already had examples of the Cruze at the company’s headquarters in Clayton, Victoria, where the styling department was working on design changes to suit an HSV version.

But Mr Harding said a decision on whether the HSV small car would be based on the Cruze sedan or hatch – both of which will be built at Holden’s Elizabeth plant in South Australia from the third quarter of next year – would not be made until the end of this year”

Perhaps you have seen a quote since to different effect, however I don’t give that much of a rats fat backside to be reading into everything Holden are doing RE the Cruze. I’m not going to buy one, and nor am I going to masquerade interest in doing so.

Lazybones

Surely it would be better and cheaper to import a performance Astra rather than spend shed loads of cash trying to develop the Cruze. Its not like Holden has the dosh to throw around these days.

Shak

GM spent the money Getting Elizabeth ready just before the GFC so everything is ready, Holden is just getting geared up, and letting parts flow in.
Lazybones

Yeah true Shak, I know they are tooling up for the Mystery Looking Cruze Hatch, but all i’m expecting is a Hatchback in the usual 3 flavours of CD/CDX/Diesel.

I’m not expecting any kind of performance model to appear. And by that I mean proper performance as in upgraded suspension, turbo, 175KW+, body kit. decent rims etc.

Shak

I dont think Holden is interested in that market anymore. Either way im only saying what i read. Maybe the MD of HSV will change his mind soon.

Devil’s Advocate

I agree. Holden’s largest customer, the fleet market, is not interested in those kind of models…

cfc

Where do you get sales figures for individual models like that? I’ve been looking for ages!

Lazybones

That come from automotivepersonnel .com .au, you’ll have to sign up.

Hjalle

Im on europe at the moment, and ive been to a local Opel dealership and sat in the new Astra and Insignia, and personally i dont like either of them. I would rather have a Focus or a Golf than the Astra and probably an Accord Euro or Mondeo inseatd of Insignia. The interiors feel cramped and dark and the seats arent very comfortable. Saying this they are still better than the Erpica and Cruze…

Hjalle Jamasjay

Hi there, Im on australia at the moment.

Andrew

That’s what she said

Deco

Your opinion, but it contradicts practically every review.

MisterTwo

Holden have had this car for a while and aparrently it is very quick (I know someone in Holden who has driven it). I would guess the 2.8 turbo but it could easily be the 2.0 turbo.

Shak

I remember an article about one being spotted on the lawn of a Holden employee in Melbourne with full Vauxhall livery.

axle

It could just be doing some reliability testing (unrelated to Australian release)
Stoney!

Could it have anything to do with the fact the 2.8 turbo is built in Autralia, possibly further engine development…

Stoney!

Shak

I dont think so, becasue GM have announced that the 2.8 litre turbo will soon be phased out in favour of a twin turbo 3.0, possibly the one from our SIDI range.

Stoney!

well unless they are going to detune the crap out of the 3.0TT then the insignia won\’t have it.

I think you will find the 3.0tt will be completely unrelated to the 2.8, the 3.0tt might replace the high tuned 2.8t the Insignia VXR OPC, but i doubt it will replace the standard 2.8t in the top of the range cooking insignia.

Stoney!

Shak

What i meant was that the 2.8 is disappearing completely, and GM is introducing a 3.0TT. This will obviously be for the next gen of vehicles currently using the 2.8. I dunno if the OPC will get a different engine or not.

Stoney!

Well if it’s “disappearing entirely” then wouldn’t that mean it’s getting a different engine?

Stoney!

Deco

Remember the 3.0l I6t that BMW uses is only 400NM and 220kw.Im sure GM could detune there 3.0l TT too around those levels.

shaunib

i read this somewhere regarding buicks product planning

A new Lucerne is pitched as a possible step up from the LaCrosse. This model is rumored to be built on Holden’s so-called “Super Epsilon” platform, an FWD/AWD platform that is longer and wider than the LaCrosse’s Epsilon II architecture. MT notes that this platform will cannibalize Commodore (aka Pontiac G8) sales in Australia, but conveniently omits any mention of possible Caddy DTS/STS cannibalism.

could this car have anything to do with this platform being developed in australia??

Shak

First of all the Super Epsilon is not a Holden platform ,and no Holden models ride on it. Secondly it wont cannibalize Holden sales as no GM products sold in Australia currently ride on it. And thirdly the Insignia rides on the Epsilon platform much like the Regal(Buick’s insignia), and the new SAAB 9-5. I’m not being cruel, just getting you the proper facts.

BrentJM

I think you mean Epsilon II

shaunib

i know that the commomdore rides on the zeta platform and a new form of the chassis which is lighter and more economical is being developed atm.i understand that no holden model rides on the “super elpision” platfrom but from what ive read holden is developing a variation of the elpision II for full size car applications.as the insignia rides on the elpision II platform i thought this car might have somthing to do with it but my best guess now is its just engine development.

Leon

I prefer Holden Epica than Vauxhall Insignia

JEKYL & HYDE

and thats why drugs are bag things…..
Deco

I support Holden, but this made me lol…
MisterTwo

You have never driven either then?

Troy

What a great proposition – not so much the Insignia (too big for our family!) but the fact that Holden have put the Opels back on the menu (hopefully!) should lead to the sexy new Astra hitting our shores. I’ve had 2 Astra’s and would happily pay a higher price for a new one; it would still be a budget priced Euro in comparison to the competition (VW, BMW etc etc)! I’ve always been a Holden (nowadays rebadged holden fan) and firmly believe that they can stick their average Korean propositions up their proverbial. Poor form. Bring back the bloody Opels!
Mr.Rumps

I like the Cruze – it’s the only decent ‘global’ car from GM Product catalogue, but the Epica is rubbish as well as the Barina. Sat in both – drove friend’s barina and it sounded like a korean hum drum clunk of crap, not to mention my face had disintegrated from the firm suspension.

The Insignia and other Euro Opel replacements would be a good choice (Opel have come along way with their new models) for Holden, but the problem is cost and Holden can’t be bothered CKD the cars and putting them together in Elizabeth, and that’s where the costs begin to show.

I think Holden should just concentrate on producing cars here. Bring a home grown Barina and the Torana back, a home grown Jackaroo (instead of the unreliable and deceptive Captiva). After all Holden is Holden not Chevy, not Buick and there was a time when Holden was just Holden…but was such a long time ago…

Shak

Unfortunately in the modern globalised world, holden has to be Holden, Buick, Chevrolet, Saturn, Pontiac, Opel/Vauxhall Daewoo etc etc etc. It is actually more of a good thing as Holden has access to awesome product lines from around the world.

matt

still getting around. saw this near capel st in west Melbourne just the other day. beats the cruze any day.
Dion

get rid of the Epica and import this car please Holden!!!
MikeyMike80

Maybe it’s a Holden with Vauxhall badges on it…. oh no wait, tossers only do that with Chev badges…. my bad