The British version of Opel, Vauxhall has just unveiled the new Insignia ecoFLEX, a car that promises eco-friendlyness destined for the UK market. The Opel Insignia ecoFLEX will extract power from a 2.0-liter CDTi diesel engine that delivers 160 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque at 1750-2500rpm with CO2 emissions of just 136g/km. The comapny manages to offer the same performance as a standard 2.0 CDTi model in a package that is both cheaper and with reduced running costs that needs 5.2 liters of fuel to cover 100 Km. All that is achieved thanks to a list of improvements that include better aerodynamics, a 10mm lowered ride and low rolling resistance tires. Performance figures for the Vauxhall Insignia ecoFLEX indicate a top speed of 217 Km/h (135 mpg) and a 0 to 100 Km/h (60 mph) time of 8.9 seconds.
The Vauxhall Insignia ecoFLEX price starts at 19,600 GBP OTR for the Exclusive version with a full list detailed in the press release below.
Vauxhall press release :
Generating combined C02s of just 136g/km and with performance similar to that of its regular 2.0 CDTi 160 sibling, the new Insignia ecoFLEX is set to provide company and private buyers with significant reductions in taxes and running costs, but without the pain of reduced driveability.
Available initially in hatch and saloon versions, and in all trim levels apart from SRi, the Insignia ecoFLEX is on sale now with a starting price of £19,600 OTR for the Exclusiv model.
The ecoFLEX’s reduced combined C02 figure means that business drivers will pay just 18 per cent Benefit in Kind tax – the second lowest band for a diesel car – down from 21 per cent for the already competitive 2.0 CDTi models. The lower C02s also mean that all Insignia ecoFLEX owners will be better off by £25 per year due to its lower VED band.
And with all drivers keeping a keen eye on the fuel gauge these days, the Insignia ecoFLEX rewards with an official combined figure of 54.7mpg – a 10 per cent improvement on the 2.0 CDTi model – which puts it among the best in class. It also means that the Insignia ecoFLEX now has a potential range of over 842 miles.
But since the Insignia ecoFLEX uses the same 160PS 2.0-litre engine found in higher-powered versions of existing 2.0 CDTi models, there’s little change in performance. Top speed remains at 135mph, while 0-60mph takes just 8.9 seconds, making it one of the quickest green derivatives in its class.
Aerodynamics have played a major role in the Insignia ecoFLEX’s overall efficiency. Designers have streamlined the car, adding panelling to its underside, while also lowering the ride height by 10mm. As a result, the Cd figure drops from 0.27 for the regular hatch to 0.26 for the ecoFLEX. Low rolling resistance Michelin tyres are also standard on all models.
A higher first and second gear ratio, combined with a higher final drive ratio are the only changes that have been made to the ecoFLEX’s powertrain, ensuring that the generous torque from the 2.0 CDTi 160 engine (350Nm from 1750-2500rpm, with overboost to 380Nm) remains to ensure optimum driveability. But to help drivers get the best from their ecoFLEX’s economy, a graphic is displayed in the instrument panel recommending the best change-up points.
Hatchback and Saloon On- the-road
S £20,945
Exclusiv £19,600
Exclusiv Nav £20,395
SE £22,900
SE Nav £23,195
Elite £24,950
Elite Nav £25,745
