Power and leather in top of the range Insignia

Opel"s new Insignia is proving a winner. The great style, good equipment levels, and extensive model range have, despite the poor market conditions in terms of car sales, meant it has done well in Ireland. The segment of the market in which Opel"s new Insignia competes is probably one of the most fiercely competitive in the motor industry. Not only must a car in this segment appeal to a variety of family users with all their various demands but these cars also must pass the scrutiny of the bean counters and fleet managers in large firms who purchase such cars for their fleets. In all these areas the new Insignia seems to have got it just right. The sports version, the Insignia SRi, has already impressed. A review of the most popular model - the 2.0 turbo diesel - is coming in the not too distant future but this week it"s a closer look at the top of the range Insignia 2.8 V6 petrol. Many will say (and rightly so) that not be many of these will sell in Ireland these days as it falls into the top level of road tax of more than €2,000 per annum due to the emissions of 276g/km. Nevertheless it is worth a look to see what Opel can produce in terms of a luxury car. The new Insignia is available in hatch and saloon body styles, with 1.6i, 1.8i, 2.0 Turbo, and 2.8 V6 turbo petrol engines and two diesel units of 130bhp and 160bhp with five trim levels, S, SC, SE, SRi and Elite. It is not short on options. First Impressions The Insignia V6 Elite is an attractive car, without doubt one of the best-looking in its class. It looks distinctive, with dramatic lines and details in the body panelling which make it stand out from the crowd. All in all it gets top points for style. Slip inside and the individualistic theme continues with a cabin that looks and feels truly modern yet doesn"t jar. The build quality is beyond reproach and the level of standard equipment is impressive. The V6 Elite gets multiple airbags, active head restraints, ESP, ABS, cruise control, sat-nav, MP3 compatible CD stereo system, electric leather seats, automatic climate control, automatic lighting control, auto wipers, auto dimming rear view mirror, park sensors, permanent all wheel drive, an optional six-speed auto gearbox, 19-inch alloys, Flex-ride, which is an electronically adjustable suspension (Sport and Tour modes) and additional leather trim to the steering wheel and gearlever and rather nice instruments, which change illumination colour depending on mode - Sport or Tour. Accommodation front and rear is good and surprisingly that sloping rear roofline does not encroach on rear headroom. The boot is pretty big too and will accommodate a host of luggage. The rear seats split fold 60/40 further enhancing versatility. Performance The 2.8 litre V6 petrol engine is also turbocharged and delivers a mighty 260bhp. It is, as you would expect, a super silky smooth engine that delivers power aplenty. Mated to either a six-speed manual or in this case a six-speed automatic, it is a lovely engine. Top speed is 250kmh and zero to 100kmh is dispatched in just 7.1 seconds. But that does not tell the full story, power delivery is so refined you really appreciate the benefit of those six cylinders. With massive mid-range punch, the V6 Elite never feels off the pace no matter what gear it is in. On the fuel economy side there is of course a price to pay and average consumption works out at 10.9 litres per 100km, giving a range of about 490 to 500km between refuels. Road Behaviour The optional 4x4 or all-wheel-drive has an electronic limited slip differential which enhances the driving dynamics of the car. The adaptive Flex-ride suspension allows the driver to choose between a firmer Sport setting or a more normal Tour setting with a more supple ride. In addition, Sport mode alters the dynamics by giving a faster throttle response and adjusting the torque distribution of the 4x4 drive system, which effectively gives the driver two cars in one, all available a the touch of a button. As you can imagine this car rides and handles beautifully, equally it proves a refined and luxurious motorway cruiser. In short it is a rewarding car to drive. Verdict The 2.8 litre V6 Insignia is a fine car. That engine is beautifully refined, the leather clad cabin is tastefully finished and the list of standard specification is high. The V6 Elite costs €45,995.