Today I had the pleasure to test drive three models within the new Insignia range, available from January 2009, at the Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire.
The models driven were the 2.0CDTi 16v (160PS) SE Manual Saloon
2.0CDTi 16v (160PS) SE Auto Saloon
2.8i V6 24v Turbo 4x4 Elite Auto Saloon
The interior on even the 'basic' model is attractive, very comfortable, being shaped around both driver along with passenger, and gives the former a mass of instrumentation within easy reach to play with!
Undoubtedly though, as you would expect, the Elite is fully loaded, with "Sport" and "Tour" suspension and drive settings as standard, including an "adaptive" 4x4 system that can specify what % split you need for the front v. rear. This is the car that could replace my current V6!
Along with this is a very impressive inteligent headlight system that recognises were you are driving at night and adapts the lights to suit the situation, even seeing around corners, with 'day lights' as standard. All the models I tested had steering wheel controls for the audio system. There were a lot more controls I did not have a full chance to investigate, but there are many devices that are advanced such as the colour screen (Elite) on which you can programme your car settings before a journey (like F1?!) and of course enjoy Satnav, with other computer read-outs to inform you. One item that seemed very useful however was the forward viewing camera recognition system that gives visual warning of speed signs, white line 'restriction'. including if you start drifting out of your lane.
My grumbles with the interior were:
It seemed much smaller than the Omega Saloon
The vision through the rear window is too restricted, as is indeed through the windscreen itself with the large, self dipping mirror and forward camera system at times obsuring your view of objects to the left of the car!
The head room at the rear is very restricted due to the tappering down of the rear roof, which not only gave me (at just 5' 7") a problem when entering the rear passenger area, but once seated inside anyone over 6 foot will have their head against the roof lining!
Out on the track I was limited to just 100 mph officially (
), with use of the far outer, highly banked, lane prohibited due to pro drivers testing cars at very high speeds
. However, the two SE's handled beautifully, accelerating briskly to 100/110 mph, with great positive stearing that held you firmly on track, with in my opinion road noise slightly loader than in my miggy. Wind noise was almost non-existant though, with this 0.2% drag efficiency car. The Elite, with turbo kicking in, pushed me from 40 to 100 mph in, I estimate, 3 seconds and took me quickly to 135 mph 8-) 8-) 8-) at a tweak of the pedal, which no doubt would have kept me accelerting to a good deal more, but there where cameras all round the track, and I didn't want to get thrown off the site!!
. At the 135 mph I tested the car at you held the road with an iron grip, without any wander, effortlessly switching from lane to lane at will, in complete safety and comfort!
Looking ahead to when some of us may be able to buy these cars (secondhand?!
), the straight 4 engine compartment appears very straightfoward to work on, although it is completely sealed underneath with a plastic (?) weather shield that would have to be removed for any lower end engine maintenance. The V6 compartment is as cramped, if not more so, than the Omega's!
My highlight of the visit though was a pro-driver taking me out onto what they call the "hot circuit" where he went up to speeds of 80 mph in the V6 Elite Turbo 4x4, demonstrating the handling of the car in "sports" mode, going around double bends and corners generally with the tyres ( and me!!
8-) 8-)) squealing their pleasure as the car was thrown around, but did not once lose the rear, or front, end!!
Absolutely impressive handling, but regretfully I couldn't tempt the driver, Antonio, to let me have a go!
All in all very impressed with the Elite in particular, but would have been happy to have taken away one of the SE's. At the moment though I can still more than live with the miggy!
Obviously all the above is my opinion only and as I am not a Jeremy Clarkson I can only truthfully state what I discovered without any jounalistic flair, major racing driver / mechanical knowledge, or bullshit of which there was plenty during the 'presentations' given before the test drives!
Indeed there was more atmospheric smoke being produced than even my failed cam covers gaskets could manage at their worst!
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Topic: Insignia Millbrook Test Drive (Read 1743 times)