The Vauxhall Insignia I Sports Tourer, particularly the facelifted version introduced in 2013, represents a significant offering in the European D-segment (mid-size) station wagon market. While the Vauxhall brand is not directly marketed in the United States, the Insignia – and its Opel counterpart – were key models for General Motors in Europe, competing with vehicles like the Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat, and Peugeot 508. The Sports Tourer body style, essentially a station wagon or estate car, provided a practical alternative to the fastback sedan, offering increased cargo capacity and versatility. This article focuses on the 2.0i Turbo ecoTEC (250 Hp) Automatic variant produced between 2013 and 2017.
Vauxhall Insignia I Sports Tourer: Overview
The Insignia I, launched in 2008, aimed to elevate Vauxhall’s image with a more stylish and sophisticated design compared to its predecessors. The 2013 facelift brought revised front and rear styling, along with interior upgrades and, crucially, a new generation of ecoTEC engines. These engines focused on improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions while maintaining competitive performance. The 2.0i Turbo ecoTEC engine, producing 250 horsepower, was positioned as a premium offering within the Insignia range, appealing to buyers seeking a blend of performance and practicality.
Engine & Performance
The heart of this Insignia variant is the 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine, designated A20NHT or B20NHT. This engine utilizes direct fuel injection and an intercooled turbocharger to deliver a power output of 250 Hp at 5300 rpm and a torque figure of 400 Nm (295.02 lb.-ft.) between 2500 and 4000 rpm. This provides a responsive driving experience, with a 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration time of approximately 7.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 240 km/h (149.13 mph). The engine’s specific output is 125.1 Hp per liter, demonstrating a relatively high level of performance for a mainstream engine. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 8.1 l/100 km (29 US mpg) combined, with urban consumption at 11.4 l/100 km (20.6 US mpg) and extra-urban at 6.1 l/100 km (38.6 US mpg). CO2 emissions are rated at 189 g/km, meeting Euro 5 emission standards.
Design & Features
The Insignia Sports Tourer is a five-door, five-seat station wagon. Its design emphasizes a sleek profile with a sloping roofline, aiming for a more dynamic appearance than traditional estate cars. The 2013 facelift brought a more prominent grille, redesigned headlights, and updated taillights. Inside, the Insignia offered a comfortable and well-equipped cabin, with a focus on ergonomics and practicality. Standard features typically included air conditioning, power windows, a multi-function steering wheel, and an infotainment system. Higher trim levels added features such as leather upholstery, heated seats, a navigation system, and advanced safety technologies. The Sports Tourer’s key selling point is its generous cargo space, offering 540 liters (19.07 cu. ft.) with the rear seats up and expanding to 1530 liters (54.03 cu. ft.) with the seats folded down. Safety features included ABS, traction control, and multiple airbags, contributing to a respectable safety rating for the vehicle.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Vauxhall |
| Model | Insignia |
| Generation | Insignia I Sports Tourer (facelift 2013) |
| Type (Engine) | 2.0i Turbo ecoTEC (250 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production | 2013 |
| End of production | 2017 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Station wagon (estate) |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Fuel consumption (urban) | 11.4 l/100 km (20.6 US mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (extra urban) | 6.1 l/100 km (38.6 US mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 8.1 l/100 km (29 US mpg) |
| CO2 emissions | 189 g/km |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 8 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 8 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 7.6 sec |
| Maximum speed | 240 km/h (149.13 mph) |
| Emission standard | Euro 5 |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 6.9 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 4.3 kg/Nm |
| Power | 250 Hp @ 5300 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm @ 2500-4000 rpm (295.02 lb.-ft. @ 2500-4000 rpm) |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine Model/Code | A20NHT, B20NHT |
| Engine displacement | 1998 cm3 (121.93 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 86 mm (3.39 in.) |
| Piston Stroke | 86 mm (3.39 in.) |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Direct injection |
| Engine aspiration | Turbocharger, Intercooler |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity | 6 l (6.34 US qt | 5.28 UK qt) |
| Coolant | 8 l (8.45 US qt | 7.04 UK qt) |
| Kerb Weight | 1733 kg (3820.61 lbs.) |
| Max. weight | 2300 kg (5070.63 lbs.) |
| Max load | 567 kg (1250.02 lbs.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 540 l (19.07 cu. ft.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – maximum | 1530 l (54.03 cu. ft.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 70 l (18.49 US gal | 15.4 UK gal) |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%) | 1800 kg (3968.32 lbs.) |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes | 750 kg (1653.47 lbs.) |
| Length | 4913 mm (193.43 in.) |
| Width | 1856 mm (73.07 in.) |
| Width including mirrors | 2084 mm (82.05 in.) |
| Height | 1513 mm (59.57 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 2737 mm (107.76 in.) |
| Front overhang | 1020 mm (40.16 in.) |
| Rear overhang | 1156 mm (45.51 in.) |
| Minimum turning circle | 11.4 m (37.4 ft.) |
| Drivetrain | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 6 |
| Gearbox type | Automatic transmission |
| Front suspension | Independent, McPherson with coil spring and anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension | Independent multi-link suspension |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Tires size | 225/50 R17 |
| Wheel rims size | 17 |
The Vauxhall Insignia I Sports Tourer 2.0i Turbo ecoTEC offered a compelling package for buyers seeking a practical, stylish, and reasonably efficient station wagon. While not sold in the US market, it represented a significant product for General Motors in Europe, showcasing the company’s engineering capabilities and design direction during that period.
