Test driving the Insignia

[Dazerc]

I recieved a email today letting me know i've won a place to test drive the Insignia at Millbrook proving ground.

I'm going on the 18th Oct
anyone else going.
should be good :grin:

[Jonathan]

Well, I'm going the 14th :D

[Dazerc]

Well, I'm going the 14th :D

Are you press or work in a Vauxhall dealer then?
as the only dates were 18th/19th or 25th/26th of October

[michael parkes]

;)Are you press or work in a Vauxhall dealer then?
as the only dates were 18th/19th or 25th/26th of October

he works at a dealers in birmingham;)

[Urban Splash]

I just had this email through also. Will check when the Mrs is available and book a place.

[andylyonette]

I'm going on 25th! :)

[napa1985]

yay i got one too :D

[Dazerc]

You better register quick as places are going fast only 23 places left for sat 18th there was 100 places for each time slot.

[Keith.B]

At the Ace Cafe last Tuesday Vauxhall had a raffle and gave 10 places away for the Test Drive at Millbrook and I was 4th out of the hat :D

just waiting for the email to confurm the date;)

[napa1985]

You better register quick as places are going fast only 23 places left for sat 18th there was 100 places for each time slot.

all done last one 26th at 11am oh yeah play time lmao

[Opera lout]

I'm on for 25 in the 10am slot...

[taylor vec]

yea im going on 19th for 12 oclock am really reved up and ready for insignia dont know about any one else looks awsome to me dont know about vxr one yet hope it will be just as good

[R i c h a r d]

I'm gonna wait until the VXR track day, true it might not be at the 2009 event but maybe the 2010 :D

[worsy]

we got no details yet fo colurs spec etc for the vxr i am serious about getting 1 next year and what the low down :)

[SpikeVXR]

Hey millbrook is just down the road from my dealership pop in for a cuppa lol :lol:

[roger]

has anyone had any letters / confirnation of times booked..?
i'm booked on the 18th oct.. but at 4,00
it said we would recieve letters etc..........not got mine yet .. !!!

[DaveDempsey]

Im there on the 16th :)

[Jonathan]

Going tomorrow :D Read it and weep lol

[Dazerc]

has anyone had any letters / confirnation of times booked..?
i'm booked on the 18th oct.. but at 4,00
it said we would recieve letters etc..........not got mine yet .. !!!

I'm going on the 18th at 12:00 and i havn't had any letters or emails. i'm going to give it till thurs then give them a ring up.

[DaveDempsey]

Going tomorrow :D Read it and weep lol

You on the morning or afternoon course?

[Jonathan]

I'm in the morning... could have gone to the PM session, but that involves over night stays and stuff...

[roger]

guys
just had a mail from vaux....
you should get your info tomorrow in post -- have been posted yesterday... enjoyyy

[roger]

jonathan
so....how did the day go.....does it drive like a dream...?
think it will sell....??

[Jonathan]

Wooo :D

Just got back in... scammed half a day due to the course and wow... it was rather impressive!

All you people going over the weekend etc, your sure to be impressed! Looks like they spent a small fortune on the set up at Millbrook. Very, very, very impressive.

Oh and the car... yeah thats not too shabby either ;) Think pick of the bunch was the SRI 4x4 2.0 Turbo... got a nice first hand feel of how the 4x4 keeps on you on the road, thanks to some pro driver.. can't remember his name now lol he won the world rally championship something, so he's fairly good :)

[Opera lout]

Wooo :D

Just got back in... scammed half a day due to the course and wow... it was rather impressive!

All you people going over the weekend etc, your sure to be impressed! Looks like they spent a small fortune on the set up at Millbrook. Very, very, very impressive.

Oh and the car... yeah thats not too shabby either ;) Think pick of the bunch was the SRI 4x4 2.0 Turbo... got a nice first hand feel of how the 4x4 keeps on you on the road, thanks to some pro driver.. can't remember his name now lol he won the world rally championship something, so he's fairly good :)

Come on, let us know what the activites are... I've still got to wait 'til the 25...

[roger]

hurray
just got in n on the floor is my passes 2 milbrook
u got urs darran..?

[Insignia VXR]

Wooo :D

Just got back in... scammed half a day due to the course and wow... it was rather impressive!

All you people going over the weekend etc, your sure to be impressed! Looks like they spent a small fortune on the set up at Millbrook. Very, very, very impressive.

Oh and the car... yeah thats not too shabby either ;) Think pick of the bunch was the SRI 4x4 2.0 Turbo... got a nice first hand feel of how the 4x4 keeps on you on the road, thanks to some pro driver.. can't remember his name now lol he won the world rally championship something, so he's fairly good :)

:cool4: Sounds good! So did Chris Atkinson ;) take you on the track or was it over a loose surface or water?

[Dazerc]

hurray
just got in n on the floor is my passes 2 milbrook
u got urs darran..?

No havn't got mine yet but i havn't been home to check the post did it come in a envelope with vauxhall on the front or was it just a plain envelope? I'm giving them a ring later

[roger]

mornin
no....it comes in a fancy black bubbly envelope..
theres no mistakin wot it is...lol

[Jonathan]

:cool4: Sounds good! So did Chris Atkinson ;) take you on the track or was it over a loose surface or water?

Actually thinking about it, I think his name was Justin...

He took us on the 'shoot out' track that fifth gear use. Rather good fun, just had to hang on a bit!!

[Dazerc]

mornin
no....it comes in a fancy black bubbly envelope..
theres no mistakin wot it is...lol

I have got mine came this morning.
I'm working away so had to phone dad up to check my post as he's coming with me. Should be a good day.

[napa1985]

got mine yesterday too really looking forward to it

[vxr bad boy]

make the most guys :(

[Dazerc]

Just got back from driving the Insignia.
It was a really good day. Started off by having some tea and danish while waiting for the breifing. The breifing was actually a little display of the new sport tourer it was the same stand as they had at the motor show. very flashing and very good.
We were split up into small groups where we were shown around a Insignia inside. Then it was on to the main action of driving. They had a loads of cars there about 50-60, 1.8, 2.0 CDTI, 2.0 turbo sri 4x4 and elite 2.8V6 turbos. We had 50 minutes to go around the alpine hill circuit and the high speed test bowl we had a limit of 100mph. I first got in a 2.0 turbo sri but it was a automatic. first impressions was good. its very nice on the inside.
I went with my dad so we swapped over this time to a 2.0 CDTI Diesel. then i drive the 2.8V6 Turbo Elite auto then dad drove the 1.8.
Advice for other people going is to split up so you each get to drive 4 cars. They also had audi's, VW's, BMWs and Hondas to compare against but we didn't bother as you only get 50 mins to drive them.

we then had a go in the Antara 4x4 on a off road course but only a few people got to drove so i sat in the back.

We then had a high speed run in a 2.8V6 turbo elite driven by some good instrucors. they turned all the traction control and ABS off to show the 4x4 system. They done some good rear out slides round the handling track i could never go that fast round the track they were inches away from the edge of the track and bollards.

Then we had some free lunch baguette, muffin and can of coke or tea coffee.

Overall a very good day very impressed by the insignia. I would have to get one with the 7 inch sat nav screen as the basic screen looks small and just has the time track number etc.

[stevea1234]

Sounds great, only wish I'd been invited. Registered with the website as soon as it was available.

Should hopefully get to see one in the flesh (no idea what spec) in a couple of weeks as our account manager from Vauxhall is visiting us and should have theirs by then.

[napa1985]

Just got back from driving the Insignia.
It was a really good day. Started off by having some tea and danish while waiting for the breifing. The breifing was actually a little display of the new sport tourer it was the same stand as they had at the motor show. very flashing and very good.
We were split up into small groups where we were shown around a Insignia inside. Then it was on to the main action of driving. They had a loads of cars there about 50-60, 1.8, 2.0 CDTI, 2.0 turbo sri 4x4 and elite 2.8V6 turbos. We had 50 minutes to go around the alpine hill circuit and the high speed test bowl we had a limit of 100mph. I first got in a 2.0 turbo sri but it was a automatic. first impressions was good. its very nice on the inside.
I went with my dad so we swapped over this time to a 2.0 CDTI Diesel. then i drive the 2.8V6 Turbo Elite auto then dad drove the 1.8.
Advice for other people going is to split up so you each get to drive 4 cars. They also had audi's, VW's, BMWs and Hondas to compare against but we didn't bother as you only get 50 mins to drive them.

we then had a go in the Antara 4x4 on a off road course but only a few people got to drove so i sat in the back.

We then had a high speed run in a 2.8V6 turbo elite driven by some good instrucors. they turned all the traction control and ABS off to show the 4x4 system. They done some good rear out slides round the handling track i could never go that fast round the track they were inches away from the edge of the track and bollards.

Then we had some free lunch baguette, muffin and can of coke or tea coffee.

Overall a very good day very impressed by the insignia. I would have to get one with the 7 inch sat nav screen as the basic screen looks small and just has the time track number etc.

wow i'm so excited now me play me drive.

[VXRDean]

Just got back from driving the Insignia.
It was a really good day. Started off by having some tea and danish while waiting for the breifing. The breifing was actually a little display of the new sport tourer it was the same stand as they had at the motor show. very flashing and very good.
We were split up into small groups where we were shown around a Insignia inside. Then it was on to the main action of driving. They had a loads of cars there about 50-60, 1.8, 2.0 CDTI, 2.0 turbo sri 4x4 and elite 2.8V6 turbos. We had 50 minutes to go around the alpine hill circuit and the high speed test bowl we had a limit of 100mph. I first got in a 2.0 turbo sri but it was a automatic. first impressions was good. its very nice on the inside.
I went with my dad so we swapped over this time to a 2.0 CDTI Diesel. then i drive the 2.8V6 Turbo Elite auto then dad drove the 1.8.
Advice for other people going is to split up so you each get to drive 4 cars. They also had audi's, VW's, BMWs and Hondas to compare against but we didn't bother as you only get 50 mins to drive them.

we then had a go in the Antara 4x4 on a off road course but only a few people got to drove so i sat in the back.

We then had a high speed run in a 2.8V6 turbo elite driven by some good instrucors. they turned all the traction control and ABS off to show the 4x4 system. They done some good rear out slides round the handling track i could never go that fast round the track they were inches away from the edge of the track and bollards.

Then we had some free lunch baguette, muffin and can of coke or tea coffee.

Overall a very good day very impressed by the insignia. I would have to get one with the 7 inch sat nav screen as the basic screen looks small and just has the time track number etc.

Jealous!!! :roll:looks like I missed a good day, I was invited to, today's one, but couldn't make it, glad you enjoyed it mate.;)

[Dazerc]

I saw quite a few Vectra VXRs, Astra Vxrs and a Astra Nurbergring too.
I will have to have a better look round the SRI 4x4 turbo when it comes out as i didn't have enough time to have a good play around with the leather seats with electric controls or the satnav with 7 inch screen. The climate control with split driver passanger controls is good.

Have to wait till the VXR version comes out to decide which one to get for sure. But it won't be a automatic, I found the automatic would drop down a gear too much when i didn't want it too. Maybe it was just my heavy right foot and i wasn't used to the automatic system otherwise it had smooth gearchanges

[roger]

mornin guys...
well ... wot can i add to wot darren has said...!!
it was a great day out -- was not sure wot we would be doing there...
its exacley as darrens says -- my advise is to drive the Insiginias 1st so u get time 2 try wot u r interested in... ---- then try driving the competition if u have time...BUT make sure u have time 2 go on the pro-drive......holly ****....we had a guy called greeko...(nic-name),,,and boy could he drive...as soon as we passed the marshall..it was foot 2 the floor...slidin it around every corner...right on the limits..!!! he was chattin-- and showing off i think 2 my misses as she was in the front -- scared crapless...!!! if u can...try a couple of runs with different drivers......thats was the really exciting bit of the day....!!!
the 4 wheel drive thing...i cud miss.. !! not my thing & not exiting at all
All i can say....is thx 2 Vauxhall 4 a great few hours of fun....( even if they did have 2 throw us out after 7pm....and we were last out..lol )

There was one other vectra vxr parked just after us...but no idea who you were...and u had gone b4 us.... wonder who u were..?

any one else goin......ENJOY....

[Thorney]

I've been speaking to a few people on this, I think its impressive that for the Vauxhall staff days Vauxhall have had the balls to have a couple of Audis and BMW's to drive in comparison to the Insignia, to have the front to compare to these brands does suggest that Vauxahll are confident that the Insignia is the next level up in terms of quality. Judging from the comments I've had back the Insigina trumps them all - thats impressive. I can't wait to drive one, we will have a VXR Sports Coupe as soon as the order banks open and we're looking forward to having one to race next year!

[Jonathan]

I have to admit, I was a bit suprised that Vauxhall had the balls to get the BMW's and Audi's in.

During the talk, much was said how they planned to go after non traditional rivals, but up to that point, inside all they had was a mondeo and a passat.

The Insignia is a great car, but I'm not 100% sure if it is going to convert your traditional 3 series BMW driver or A4 driver. It in my opinion, is probably the better car, but brand image matters a lot in that segment.

[Astra888]

im supposed to be goin on the 19th

[DaveDempsey]

I have to admit, I was a bit suprised that Vauxhall had the balls to get the BMW's and Audi's in.

During the talk, much was said how they planned to go after non traditional rivals, but up to that point, inside all they had was a mondeo and a passat.

The Insignia is a great car, but I'm not 100% sure if it is going to convert your traditional 3 series BMW driver or A4 driver. It in my opinion, is probably the better car, but brand image matters a lot in that segment.


The biggest hurdle the Insignia faces imo is the badge on the front. Swinging your Vauxhall keyring in the board room doesnt quite have the Qudos of the BMW keyring.......yet. Hopefully this car will see the Vauxhall brand image take another step forward as it has been doing over the last 5 years or so.

Write up from my day:
http://www.astraownersclub.com/vb/showthread.php?t=167888

[Cobers VXR]

Oh this looks fun, i am going on the 26th with napa

[Dazerc]

I've been speaking to a few people on this, I think its impressive that for the Vauxhall staff days Vauxhall have had the balls to have a couple of Audis and BMW's to drive in comparison to the Insignia, to have the front to compare to these brands does suggest that Vauxahll are confident that the Insignia is the next level up in terms of quality. Judging from the comments I've had back the Insigina trumps them all - thats impressive. I can't wait to drive one, we will have a VXR Sports Coupe as soon as the order banks open and we're looking forward to having one to race next year!

Will you be doing remaps for the SRI 4x4 2.0 turbo 220bhp?

[Insignia VXR]

Can confirm TMS will be producing an ECU map for the Insignia SRi 2.0T 4X4.

Thorney Motorsport will have a strong focus on the new Vauxhall Insignia from it's release 8)

[Thorney]

I have to say I think the Insignia moves the game on so much from Vauxhall, the level of technology and substance to it is just another step, we've even had to buy new technical equipment to work on them - Tech3, which makes the Tech2 look distinctly old hat, far more BMW in type.

We're looking forward to getting one to race let alone tune and we certainly plan to get a VXR version asap.

[Jonathan]

I have to say I think the Insignia moves the game on so much from Vauxhall, the level of technology and substance to it is just another step, we've even had to buy new technical equipment to work on them - Tech3, which makes the Tech2 look distinctly old hat, far more BMW in type.

We're looking forward to getting one to race let alone tune and we certainly plan to get a VXR version asap.


You know where to source it from :D *cough* :D

Kidding :oops:

[Thorney]

The Insignia is a great car, but I'm not 100% sure if it is going to convert your traditional 3 series BMW driver or A4 driver. It in my opinion, is probably the better car, but brand image matters a lot in that segment.

You are right to some extent but to counter that have a look where these brands have gone. Audi is still something pretty right, its got some silly estates out there but depreciation has murdered their entire range of late, V10 RS6's have lost 50% of their value almost overnight, without the R8 the whole range looks like a financial nightmare, I see B5 RS4's up for sale at £12k. Mind you the range does engender a little excitement, which is a strange thing to say for Audi.

But look at BMW? A few people here know we specialise in BMW as well as Vauxhall, indeed we were tuning BMW's before Vauxhalls but they have lost the plot of late. The E46 M3 is/was stunning sports coupe and BMW had the balls to convert to a near race car in the CSL (its no wonder we specilaise in these) but then they ruin it all with the E92 M3 which is more a GT cruiser than a sports Coupe. Then they release a brilliant little chassis in the one series coupe but ruin it but not giving it an LSD. They seem to spend more time in large SUV's these days than anything remotely sporty.

Now look at Vauxhall, yes its brand is 'lower' than BMW or Audi but its mix of models is arguably better, taking the VXR range Vauxhall have managed to engineer and develop a brand to rival Ford RS in a remarkably short space of time.

I think the combination of a revitalised brand and a truly decent product to rival the quality of the BMW's and Audis is a good chance for the Griffin to shine.

[Thorney]

You know where to source it from :D *cough* :D

Kidding :oops:

To be honest mate we have to buy them like the next man, we aren't a retailer you see. Mind you we tend to use one of our Performance Centres for vehicles and do get some lovely deals via sponsorship ;)

[Dazerc]

The inside of the Insignia is really as good as in the pictures. even without leather in the lower models its still good and a match which i think is better than BMW and Audi. The 7 inch screen is a must as without it the dash does look a bit under spec. The electric seats on the leather SRI and Elite i went in were good with a 2 memory settings for his and hers. not sure if it works from the key.
I would get a insignia over a BMW or Audi i'm not a badge snob.
We wasn't allowed to take any photos at Milbrook so sorry.

With the brilliant 4x4 system tuning is unlimited and can really be taken advantage of more than the astra or vectra VXRs could be taken too. In a year or so i expect there will be 500bhp insignia's running about

[Dazerc]

Another interesting thing i saw at Millbrook on Sat was the 160bhp Diesel they had inside someone popped the bonnet and it had a Garrett Turbo on it.
Not sure if they had Garrett turbos on the petrol cars or even if they have Garrett turbos on the current CDTI models?

[Insignia VXR]

Another interesting thing i saw at Millbrook on Sat was the 160bhp Diesel they had inside someone popped the bonnet and it had a Garrett Turbo on it.
Not sure if they had Garrett turbos on the petrol cars or even if they have Garrett turbos on the current CDTI models?

Petrols normally use KKK I think, current cdti use Garrett :)

[moeman]

Went and had a play at Millbrook today, took out the 2.8, 2.0T and the 160 CDTi.

Surprised by the go in the 2.0T but the 2.8 was much smoother, the CDTi was fine.

Received a rather enthusiastic yellow flag from one marshall :D and clocked 120 on the bowl :oops:

I wish I had timed the flying lap the demo driver did on the inner circuit as used by 5th Gear then I could compare it with VBH's time if she has a go in the next series.

Overall very impressed with the Insignia and the tourer does look good in the flesh.

[Insignia VXR]

Saab issued a video for the Turbo X launch on how 4x4 cars should be run in....Apparently Vauxhall will be doing the same for the Insignia:driving::-\":grin:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lOUw4E8c7bo (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lOUw4E8c7bo)

[Opera lout]

Anyone going on Saturday in the 10 o'clock slot?

[napa1985]

well i have just found out there is NO point in me goin tomorrow to my insignia test drive :mad: I'M NOT 25 OR OVER & i won't be allowed to drive these cars tomorrow because of this. WHY did no one tell me this before i have been really looking forward to tomorrow and now i'm ***************** off

[matrix]

well i have just found out there is NO point in me goin tomorrow to my insignia test drive :mad: I'M NOT 25 OR OVER & i won't be allowed to drive these cars tomorrow because of this. WHY did no one tell me this before i have been really looking forward to tomorrow and now i'm ***************** off

:( sorry to hear that mate

was looking forward to picking your brains what the insignia is like :(

[Dazerc]

:( sorry to hear that mate

was looking forward to picking your brains what the insignia is like :(

I went the other week. what info do you want on it?

[stevea1234]

For those that have seen it in the flesh, did you get to see the Elite with a black interior?

I decided to go for the Elite, but the beige interior and fake wood isn't me. Just hopping the black is a lot better..

[Dazerc]

For those that have seen it in the flesh, did you get to see the Elite with a black interior?

I decided to go for the Elite, but the beige interior and fake wood isn't me. Just hopping the black is a lot better..

I went in 2 Elites and they were both Beige. I thought the fake wood somehow looked good in the flesh must of been the SE Diesel i went in. I prefered the piano black thats in the SRI though.
The elite doesn't have wood just a beige plastics
Have you looked on the insignia website where you can see the different insides?
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/microsite/insignia08/index.html

If you go to hatch/Saloon
Then Stlye your Insignia
Then at the bottom right is style your interior.

the black elite looks good with the silver dash surrounds but not seen it in the flesh.

[stevea1234]

I went in 2 Elites and they were both Beige. I thought the fake wood somehow looked good in the flesh must of been the SE Diesel i went in. I prefered the piano black thats in the SRI though.
The elite doesn't have wood just a beige plastics
Have you looked on the insignia website where you can see the different insides?
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/microsite/insignia08/index.html

If you go to hatch/Saloon
Then Stlye your Insignia
Then at the bottom right is style your interior.

the black elite looks good with the silver dash surrounds but not seen it in the flesh.


Yes, I've seen it on the Vauxhall site but it's difficult to get a good feel from a picture. I've ordered it as a company car, and the timing forced me to either go for the Insignia without seeing it or chose something else.

I nearly went for the Mondeo but I'm hoping the Insignia was the right choice!! Currently got an end Jan delivery date which I hope is improved on, but who knows.

Thought about going for the SRI but the extras in the Elite spec and the little difference in the lease price made me go for the Elite.

[Dazerc]

Yes, I've seen it on the Vauxhall site but it's difficult to get a good feel from a picture. I've ordered it as a company car, and the timing forced me to either go for the Insignia without seeing it or chose something else.

I nearly went for the Mondeo but I'm hoping the Insignia was the right choice!! Currently got an end Jan delivery date which I hope is improved on, but who knows.

Thought about going for the SRI but the extras in the Elite spec and the little difference in the lease price made me go for the Elite.

What engine did you go for? 2.8V6 Turbo 4x4?

[stevea1234]

What engine did you go for? 2.8V6 Turbo 4x4?

I wish! Unfortunately as it's a company car it's taxed on the emissions so went for 160 diesel.

[dtox]

dam lol...

[stevea1234]

Finally got to drive one today! It was a pre-production 160 Diesel SE automatic hatch.

Generally very impressed. Didn't like the rear windscreen visibility though which is really poor, also there was a fair bit of engine noise when cold but only really noticeable when idling.

I like the dash layout and the seat position was great and the trim was also good especially given it wasn't a factory finished car.

Performance and driving was spot on and it handled much better than I expected. Didn't like the autobox but not going for that.

Apparently my car is being built first week in Jan so should be on track for end of Jan delivery. Can't wait!