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2009 Vauxhall Insignia VXR revealed

The official details and specifications surrounding the hotly anticipated Vauxhall Insignia VXR have today been released, revealing a rather impressive mid-sized performance sedan.


The potent new flagship for the highly awarded Insignia range boasts some genuinely exciting performance credentials, including a "Nürburgring-proven" chassis with all-wheel-drive and a turbocharged V6 engine with race-bred design features.

Available in hatch, saloon and Sports Tourer body styles, the Insignia VXR will be Vauxhall’s first VXR model to adopt all-wheel-drive technology, joining the Corsa VXR, Astra VXR and Australian-sourced VXR8.

Using a bespoke chassis developed through countless hours of testing at the gruelling Nürburgring circuit in Germany, the adaptive all-wheel-drive system feature an electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) to ensure maximum traction and optimise handling.

This is underlined by a HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) front suspension system which is unique to the VXR, reducing torque steer as well as maintaining negative camber during cornering, thereby improving ultimate grip levels in wet or dry conditions.

‘The Insignia VXR is not just about absolute power, but a combination of usable performance and chassis sophistication which is the match of premium rivals, such as Audi’s new S4,’ said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director. ‘In essence, it’s an ultra-fast performance saloon that will appeal to buyers who appreciate subtle yet distinctive styling, but who need to know that there’s real substance below the car’s metal.’

Under the bonnet of the Insignia VXR is Vauxhall’s advanced 2.8-litre V6 twin-scroll turbocharged ECOTEC engine producing 239kW and peak torque of 400Nm channelled through a six-speed manual transmission.

The result is zero to 100km/h performance of less than six seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

Vauxhall hasn't saved money in the wheel and brakes department either, with 19-inch alloy wheels with bespoke tyres and a Brembo brake package with colour-coded callipers and vented and cross-drilled rotors as standard.

Distinguishing the Insignia VXR is a new front bumper design which incorporates twin mesh grilles either side of the main grille, a sublet rear lip spoiler and bespoke rear bumper moulding incorporating dual matt chrome exhausts.

Inside the Insignia VXR features Recaro front seats, a new VXR steering wheel, VXR gear knob and unique mouldings are standard on all cars, along with different instrument graphics, VXR sill plates and a black headlining.

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