Big and clever but not funny
FAST AND A LITTLE BIT lashy, 1990’s new 24v version of the Carlton GSi 3000 was a family car built with the driver in mind. It was particularly popular with uncles rather than dads, but not because of any lack of legroom. The new GSi version of the Insignia is dierent in every way from that Carlton, of course, but trying to pull o the same trick.
The adaptive sports suspension, which sits the GSi 10mm lower than other Insignias, is combined with torque vectoring via a dual-clutch rear dierential, which sends torque to the wheel best placed to provide rapid cornering. It works, but feels inert.
It’s not a VXR – the changes are to the chassis, not the engine. We’ve only driven the diesel version, not the more powerful, slightly faster petrol. They’re both all-wheel-drive, with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and they’re both available as a hatch (the Grand Sport) or estate (Sports Tourer).
It’s a decent car, but the world has moved on. People spending £35k want a crossover, coupe or something more ‘premium’. Their loss? Probably not. Just because something is out of sync with what’s trending doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. But £35k for a roomy, comfortable, reasonably powerful ive-seater with less than sharp handling? That much money should be enough to net you a bit of magic. Instead what you get is a car that has many solid virtues but little excitement. It’s a fuss-free, modern take on a traditional idea. But… this or a used Audi A6? No contest.