Vauxhall Insignia VXR Supersport: Understated grunt - XCAR

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A 165 mph Vauxhall? Oh yes, quite an entertaining one, too.
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[@moonbaby6134]

A quick remap on this thing turns it into an absolute beast. 321bhp grows to 375 and the torque to 500nmn(370lbs) The 0-62 time when tested is about 6 but that comes down to around 5.2 and the power delivery changes completely. It’s unbelievable. And a bargain for around £400.

[@DKH_Chemsenberg]

Hello , I want to buy this car, do you have experience about this remap ? Which problems can I meet after it ?

[@Nikko40691]

Having been a fan of XCAR since the early days, you guys are going from strength to strength!

[@hbade]

Simple reason to buy this car: 321 BHP and a manual gearbox. The latter is the deal maker, as it is difficult to find a wagon with a 6 speed that isn't an econobox.

[@asifnoaman8978]

@Zac Ariah no, manual is way more involving and more driver focused

[@asifnoaman8978]

@Zac Ariah because they are cheaper to make you dimwit and most people just want a car that does its purpose. Its all to do with marketing and census data

[@asifnoaman8978]

@Zac Ariah How am i being rude? Im stating facts. Stop being a baby!

[@debovsky123]

Simple reasons not to buy this car, haldex rear diff fault cost to repair 4k, Clutch,and flywheel wont last long cost 2k, Engine drive chain fault, cost 2,5k, Brake disks made of very soft alloy need change every 30k to 40k cost 1,5k

[@jamiewhelan31]

​@debovsky123 high performance bmw's & audi's will bring you the same costs to run if not more. If you service & look after the haldex it will be fine.

[@flyingphoenix113]

great film guys. i hate it when people write off a car because of the badge. the vxr's have been great and the vx220 is sublime. good job vaxhual!

[@andrei_p_86]

It was produced in the Lotus factory based on the Elise but powered by a GM powertrain. Similar to what they did with Lotus Omega/Carlton, except now they used a Lotus chassis. Anyway, both proved to be great cars.

[@ЯрашАбусалимов]

​@@andrei_p_86,шасси Лотус?Где у Лотос шасси седан?😢

[@eskimo427]

Bought one of these brand new 3 years ago and love it. Just a pity I don't drive it as much as I'd like to.

[@jacobbnjmn]

A lovely exposition on the car....great commentary! Looking forward to more reviews from this man...

[@kimchi1977]

Beautiful ride! An absolute perfect car.

[@andrei_p_86]

Well those who prefer a "German" will get Opel Insignia OPC. I'm not quite sure why Vauxhall is considered a British car since every model is rebadged from Opel which is designed in Germany. Only the name and driver's position remained British.

[@ridgeahmed3088]

sorry to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account..? I somehow lost my login password. I love any help you can give me.

[@juantate5978]

@Ridge Ahmed Instablaster :)

[@ridgeahmed3088]

@Juan Tate thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@ridgeahmed3088]

@Juan Tate it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thank you so much, you really help me out :D

[@juantate5978]

@Ridge Ahmed Glad I could help :D

[@nicolalewis304]

This car will be my third Vauxhall when I buy it later this year.

[@DocWolph]

Hey, Buick! There's your Regal T-Type for the US!!!

[@staggabob]

First time I've seen this channel- very good, entertaining review! I like the car too- looks a decent second hand buy- about £6k cheaper than the equivalent 5 year old Audi S4 but badge snobbery aside I think the Audi is far better looking and comes with the kind of interior only Audi can manage.

[@alfisti93]

Badge snobbery aside: the MMI-system in the audis are a nightmare to operate -who came up with the idea to place 15(!) similar buttons out of sight behind the gear leaver?? And then the fake aluminium and glossy interior surfaces start to blister after 3-4 years... www.motor-talk.de/bilder/klavierlack-wirft-blasen-am-mmi-drehknopf-usw-g43002092/a4-8k-mmi-bedienknopf-001-i204252729.html (in ours the whole shifting gate started to peel, so we have had our fair share of "premiumcabin" feeling ;) Granted, not everything is fine in the Insignia world as well, its rather small inside for its size / a bit too big and heavy compared to its competitors -depends which way you want to see it. But sometimes less bling is the better choice.

[@Ryy86]

badge snobbery aside I traded my bmw 320d m sport for a vauxhall.. the vauxhalls nicer seems quieter on the road with a less harsh suspension on the bumps and leaves it for shit.. all that swapped for a badge damn:/

[@Sean-qg1ms]

twin scroll turbo not twin turbo.

[@Sean-qg1ms]

@Zac Ariah I think you will find it's a twin scroll turbo and not a twin turbo. If you look under the bonnet the "single twin scroll turbo" sits between the engine cover and the battery.

[@flame5891]

This needs to come to the U.S.

[@luckystrike06]

Are we all unaware that this car is a "next-gen" Saab 9-3 Sportcombi Aero? It has existed in the US since 2007 (with the turbo V6) and since 2006 with the turbo 4 cylinder. Or if you want this exact style of car (available 6 years ago) look into the Sportcombi Turbo X.

[@BestCarSound]

Instantly reminds me a red Audi S4 Avant, but Superb 3.6 is a closer rival, but neither have a simple, but lovely 6-speed manual :)

[@darksideofmind91]

In the rest of Europe is that Opel Insignia OPC Supersport ?

[@horvathandras156]

Yes

[@HesteBremse]

Well it´s a very good alternative then - I would though never take it in red, since most of the new Vauxhall/Opel´s actually benefits from more subtle metallic colors enhancing the impression of quality - In real I am quite impressed with the design and living in Germany I don´t see to many of them, so they actually stand out slightly and always make a good impression for exterior design. In this review I missed some info about the handling, steering response and overall quality feel. Else it was a fine review, thanks ;)

[@robertdenton1159]

I'd give this car a chance. I might even buy it because it's not the obvious choice & it's practicality, power & ability to much miles in comfort. Wasn't that what rep-mobiles were built for in the first place?

[@markhorsten72]

I own one and i love it. Dont buy one, makes my car even more special between all audi's and beemers.

[@lukejohnson3755]

Sold!

[@rossxchristieful]

If you had travelled a mile or 2 past ipley crossroads towards beaulieu road station there is a nice set of long downhill open S bends, perfect for testing the handling at speed in this...Had a cavalier gsi about 20 years ago and I'm 40 next month so is it time to enter my midlife crisis with one of these!!? 😂

[@thisisbenji90]

I hope Buick picks this one up!

[@bighands69]

+benjamin reynolds Buick uses GM engineering just like Vauxhall does but they will not be building a lower spec European car that is for sure.

[@seantaylor2683]

+bighands69 they did, it's called the 5th gen Regal and the best version only has a 270hp 4cyl. and is fwd only

[@Alexander-rz4br]

This car to me is lightyears more cooler than anything German. I LOVE mainstream performance yes I do

[@AndrejGobec]

To me, the most understated GT is Skoda Superb 3.6 Estate. Even though I'm driving a Vauxhall ... I'm not convinced by this Insignia. I'm all for sleeper power and this is way too shouty for me.

[@CrusardModding]

Would buy it if I had the money

[@joshuaminke6629]

It has a single twin scroll turbo, not 2 turbos

[@MrMagnificentMedia]

Badman whip!

[@felixaitken768]

I think it's a bit of a tuners car. I would keep it to an Audior something

[@MikeeCZ]

Only this is also a German car, only with a british badge on it

[@FinneousPJ1]

Exactly.

[@eggbirdtherooster]

Vauxhall/Opel claims it is German... but its actually American.. build with GM money

[@spencer2519]

eggbirdtherooster Ah but they are German. Have Buick Regal T and it was imported from the German manufacturer.

[@MuspeeHD]

eggbirdtherooster It is a German buildt car... Just because its GM money doesnt mean its American..

[@MikeeCZ]

Taz1451 Definetly wouldnt say British car industry is dead, only british wether make brilliant cars or rubish cars, nothing in middle :-)

[@Sookmaplums]

I just bought a 12 plate Insignia Vxr and I love it ! It's such a great car. Don't car if lada made it! Vauxhall has delivered

[@mixatrixaafixaa4207]

Major1headtrauma how is it on petrol?

[@Sookmaplums]

Shit. Lol

[@mariosousa951]

Great video mates, as usual :) It's just a bit sad to see your videos are getting so few views, definitely not fair... :/

[@HURRICANEM5]

Hey there .. Why is it rubbish to steer ? I am looking for a Facelift INSIGNIA ST VXR. Is the steering indirect ?Not sharp enough? Not enough wheel Turn at minimum steer movement..? I really would like to know . And how is it compared to Audi RS and AMG Models? Not to speak about BMW M steering . Thanks for in advance ..

[@iNeedMorePSi]

Bring that to the US and it'll sell like hot cakes for under $35k. Keep it Vauxhall rather have that name over Buick and hopefully it would keep all the aggressive bumper covers too. How is it America always gets the ugly cars with garbage interior while oversea equivalents don't?

[@gibby7616]

Many people seem to forget that #GeneralMotors is #KingOfValue/#King of #BangForTheBuck...

[@apache1234657]

I think there gonna use it as a cop car in the uk, id buy one practical and fast, oh and I hate it when the rev gauge is on the side of the cluster it should be in the middle

[@K0K4NE]

Why doesn't he look at the camera ?

[@ScottPC]

How many does the standard VXR have?

[@kellyscott7738]

I have a normal insignia 2009

[@wafi0123]

Germany russelsheim plant is build insignia .

[@deancostello14]

It's not a Lotus Carlton though is it?

[@dickie8184]

Deano It never would be. As the Carlton is a legend. But this remapped. would be easliy as fast.

[@Jimbo8012]

@@dickie8184 - Probably not tbh. Remaps for an Insignia VXR go to 380 bhp tops and you may get to 420-430 on stock internals, but above that you'll be spending significant money. A 390 bhp Insignia would do 0-60 mph in about 5 seconds and 0-100 mph in about 12 seconds. Stull slower than a Lotus Carlton. The Lotus Carlton can be tuned to 500+ bhp meaning 0-100 mph in significantly under 10 seconds. The engine's just much more tuneable and doesn't have cooling issues at high BHP like an Insignia VXR. You've got to remember that the Lotus Carlton was a custom made vehicle with no expense spared and was extremely expensive when released in 1990. Close to £50,000. Adjusted for inflation that car would cost £120,000 in today's money!!!! So over 3x what a new Insignia VXR would have cost in 2017. The Lotus Carlton was much faster than even an equivalent BMW M5 and was marginally faster than a Ferrari Testarossa. It's was the hyper saloon car in its day. The modern equivalent would be a Tesla Model S Plaid.

[@Jimbo8012]

Of course it's not. The car's aren't remotely comparable. The Lotus Carlton was a custom made vehicle with no expense spared and was extremely expensive when released in 1990. Close to £50,000. Adjusted for inflation that car would cost £120,000 in today's money! So over 3x what a new Insignia VXR would have cost in 2017.

[@drakeheth]

So just a Buick Regal GS as a wagon.

[@RussellRobinson77]

Both the Buick and Vauxhall are just badge engineered Opels

[@123i123i1]

Russell Robinson thats what I wanted to say ^^ - so this rebadging considered it's nearly as german as an BMW or Audi...

[@drakeheth]

Well Opel just bought out some brands of GM's fleet so im guessing that they have a contract to make cars together. But it just shocking because Buick used to be for old people that have nothing better to do than play bingo but they have risen up to compete for the younger crowds.

[@RussellRobinson77]

Opel is 100% owned by GM. Opels were sold in North America under the Saturn badge until that was discontinued. Buick for some reason has huge popularity in China so thats why there is a push to make buicks "cool"

[@drakeheth]

Oh ok. I miss Saturn and Pontiac they were the only brands from GM in the US that made fun cars.

[@soton000]

Why R u boys speeding around New forest? ;-)

[@fidde47]

What's up with all those horses standing by the road?

[@jamesfgp2]

The reason why it's cheap is because of the badge. That's what basically dictates the price and how people think of cars these days. Would you rather have a Vauxhall badge or a BMW badge?

[@alexdaniel6172]

A BMW in these days in my country îs no less common then a Dacia so...an Insignia OPC îs more rare then a Bentley and with those 20" rims look absolutely gorgeous in my eyes, one of the most beautiful este car ever made and i m not an estate fan . So i choose Opel OPC for sure. Îs more coooler and rare

[@tilly0191]

its not twin turbo its twin scroll turbo

[@Daniel-td8xx]

The insignia have one Turbo Not two

[@tonieveritt7045]

getting one in march

[@hurricane2307]

Why Rubbisch to Steer ?? This Car has an directer Steering Feel then a new 5 Series .. or Golf 7

[@tomeis8499]

It's not all that bad but let's address the elephant in the room here: it's a opel insignia opc with different badges! I don't want a car from a company that only exists as a badge

[@favielruiz1600]

Look it's a dress up Buick!

[@JAnx01]

Not really, actually it's German-designed Opel.

[@theodorev666]

Don't know if it's the same with the Opel Insignia, but even though it looks alright for a family saloon, it eats up fuel & oil. These cars are just illogical for Europe's petrol prices. I see us all driving around in 2 cylinder smart cars soon...

[@brtdwchtr]

as an owner of a Opel Insignia OPC I can confirm that the review was a bit one-sided. No mention of the awful CO2 figures or the ridiculous fuel consumption.

[@Jimbo8012]

@@brtdwchtr - Fuel consumption is not bad. 26 miles to gallon. Not great but not terrible for a 2.8 V6 Turbo. You've also got to remember that this engine was first developed 17 years ago (10 years before your comment). My Mum and Dad had a Z31 Nissan 300 ZX Turbo from new and that did 18 miles to gallon so the Insignia is a big improvement on that. If you want fuel economy on the Insignia, you're probably best with the detuned 2.0 CDTI with just under 140 bhp. Not nearly as much fun to drive though.

[@millsaab]

Not a bad car but I prefer my Saab 9-5 V6 XWD.

[@Nite-owl]

What they're "missing out" on, by buying German in my experience, is unreliability.

[@arrbek2359]

I can handle big fast and cheap

[@nbrigdan]

How I feel when I watch almost all reviews: "Ha, stock."

[@keko738]

2:38 horse ?

[@Sinquinox]

Driving in the new forest

[@emminentvictory]

Wtf Buick! Regal GS is a joke compared to this! Get this here NOW!

[@creasybob]

No cos the timing chains are fucked and snap at less than 40k

[@timol125]

Drove the usual Insignia as a 175hp Diesel with automatic and it was sadly rubbish. Cabin felt cheep, even cut myself at the door lever twice. Couldn't shift to third gear in manual mode (There was seriously a sign telling me "Shifting not possible"), in sport mode it wouldn't shift before 4k rpm (in a Diesel), ride was way too stiff, seats were horribly uncomfortable. At least the steering wheel was nice and it looked premium.

[@thesrt8dodge]

Brilliant review indeed. Concerning the car. I'll have a Volvo V60 T6, less bling and much more classy than this thing and the Germans.

[@sukhmaidickoff]

...and probably also costs a LOT more than the Insignia with the same kind of engine and equipment.....

[@T.A.C.S.94]

First!

[@zzhughesd]

Old dull engine. No sound!!!

[@Offensiveword]

Richard Hammond?

[@99subigt]

And again all the good stuff stays in Europe and Asia😒 the only wagon that I can compare it to would be the saap 9-3 v6 turbo x