The Vauxhall Insignia is a sensible car – well-priced, practical and relatively economical, but not necessarily the most exciting thing on four wheels. The Insignia GSi aims to redress the balance.
Available in Grand Sport saloon or Sports Tourer estate guises, GSi-badged cars get a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 257bhp and 295lb ft. All-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic gearbox, sports suspension and Brembo brakes means that this Vauxhall has all of the kit to be something a bit special.
Those opting for the more practical Sports Tourer have another engine to choose from. A twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine might produce less power than the petrol — 198bhp — but a hefty 354lb ft of torque.
How fast is it? We don’t know. Vauxhall neglected to release any official performance data on the cars, however, we do know that it has spent some development time at the Nürburgring.
A more sporting bodykit features on the Insignia GSi bringing reworked bumpers, skirts and a subtle boot spoiler. 20-inch alloy wheels and a set of dual exhaust pipes are a less subtle means to define this new range topping Vauxhall.
While clearly the least sober Insignia of the range, these are still cars that people will use everyday, and so things like fuel economy are important. The petrol is said to return 32.5mpg and the diesel 38.7mpg combined.
Pricing has yet to be announced, but the new Vauxhall Insignia GSi will hit the road in early 2018.
Gallery: Vauxhall Insignia GSi