Vauxhall has pulled the wraps off its new upper medium Insignia, which is tipped to give it the edge over class rivals within the core company car market. 

By far the most significant change for fleet operators is the CO2 level, which, in the new car’s cleanest 2.0-litre 120hp and 140hp CDTi Ecoflex diesel guise, is down to 99g/km.

That renders it the lowest-emitting model in the segment powered by a conventional internal combustion engine.

That level also sees the Vauxhall usurp the previous class leader, the Mazda 6 at 104g/km, and it comfortably undercuts rival sector stalwarts such as the Volvo S60 at 106g/km, the BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics at 109g/km and the Ford Mondeo’s low of 112g/km.

The aforementioned 120hp and 140hp diesel units are updated versions of Vauxhall’s existing 2.0-litre CDTi engine and will return official economy figures of 76.3mpg.

Another 2.0-litre diesel is also available with 163hp and key figures of 114g/km and 65.7mpg.

Two new petrol engines – a 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre – have also been added to the range with 170hp and 250hp respectively.

Both are available with 6-speed manual or new, low-friction six-speed automatic gearboxes, and the 2.0-litre model can also be had with four-wheel drive.

More of a facelift and all-round update than a completely new model, the styling changes to the Insignia include a softer nose and a restyled back end, which bring the styling up-to-date with more recent Vauxhalls such as the Mokka and the Adam.

Inside, the centre console and instrument cluster have been revised and an eight-inch (up from five inches) touch-screen infotainment system with internet connectivity is now an option.

Eight trim levels make up the range with Design and Tech Line models specifically kitted out to appeal to corporate operators. 

Standard equipment on all models includes equipment such as digital radio, Bluetooth and cruise control.

The firm is claiming potential savings in the region of £1000 in BIK against like-for-like versions of the VW Passat and Ford Mondeo over a three-year lease and whole-life costs that can supposedly undercut those of rivals by more than £3000.

The latter are credited to stronger RVs courtesy of the lower emissions and lower SMR costs.

Prices for the range start at £16,279, which, according to Vauxhall, is nearly £2000 less than the current range starting point.

See the 25 June issue of BusinessCar for a full analysis of the new Insignia, including interviews with Vauxhall’s key fleet personnel