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VAUXHALL Insignia Sports Tourer Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 2009
Engines: Gasoline, Diesel
Body style: Wagon (station wagon, estate, combi, touring)
VAUXHALL Insignia Sports Tourer photo gallery

Vauxhall introduced a facelifted version for the Insignia's first generation in 2013, adding more flair to the car's look and improving the cabin and the engine lineup.

Some automakers didn't like to call their station wagons just like that, so they invented various names for them. Either if it was T-Modell for Mercedes-Benz cars, Avant for Audi, or Touring for BMW, they tried different monikers. On the other hand, Vauxhall used the "Sports Tourer" to determine that spacious vehicles based on regular hatchbacks or sedans, such was the case for the Insignia.

Vauxhall went through some tough times during the world financial crisis of the 2010s, but it still had to improve its lineup, which happened in 2013. As a result, the Sports Tourer also got a new look. At the front, the car sported high gloss black with embedded chrome accents, creating a sportier look for the vehicle. In addition, depending on the trim level, the Insignia Sports Tourer featured bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights. The upper grille was adorned by three v-shaped chromed slats and a wider one above them that sported the brand's badge. From its profile, the long roof was slightly sloped down towards its end, with a raked-forward tailgate at the back.

Inside, Vauxhall worked hard to improve the vehicle and redesigned the center stack, which could've been optioned with a touchscreen above it, between the vents. Inside the instrument cluster, Vauxhall installed a mixed instrument panel with an LCD and regular gauge that flanked it.

Under the hood, Vauxhall installed a range of turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines paired with six-speed manual or automatics, depending on the options. Power went at the front axle or in all corners, depending on the customers' choice.

full description and technical specifications
VAUXHALL Insignia Sports Tourer photo gallery

Vauxhall introduced the Insignia range in 2008 at the London Motor Show in two shapes: sedan and liftback, with the station wagon version following in 2009.

While the automotive world crumbled under the world financial crisis, GM's European arm was weakened even more by strikes. It even considered selling the Opel to a Russian holding led by Sberbank, but it changed its mind and rescued the plant. Thus, it also saved the Vauxhall, which couldn't survive alone. Therefore, Opel built the Insignia for both sides of the English Channel.

The car kept the same front fascia with its unique boomerang-shaped daytime running lights inside the headlights. From its sides, the more extended, slightly sloped roof made the vehicle looked sportier. The car was longer than its siblings due to the extended rear overhang. In the back, the liftgate featured a particular detail. When it was opened, an additional set of lights mounted on the D-pillars remained in place so the car could have been seen from a distance, even in a pitch-black night, with the liftgate opened.

Inside, the Insignia gathered more innovations. Its front seat seatbacks were thicker by 2 cm (0.8"), offering softer support for their occupants. The rear knee room was bigger by 3 cm (1.2") than the outgoing Vectra. A new infotainment generation included a seven-inch color monitor with a 3-D map view, digital travel guide, and improved scroll and zoom functions. In the back, the split-folding bench increased the trunk size from 540 liters (19 cu-ft) to 1,530 liters (54 cu-ft).

Vauxhall didn't take all the Opel's engines and started with a 1.6-liter turbocharged unit, while a 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 powered the most potent version. The Insignia Sports Tourer was available with either front or all-wheel-drive.

full description and technical specifications