2015 Holden Insignia VXR

Overview

Released in Australia in June 2015, the Holden Insignia VXR was a mid-size, performance sedan. Manufactured in Russelsheim, Germany, the all-wheel drive Holden Insignia VXR was powered by a 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Upon its launch, the Insignia VXR had a manufacturer’s list price of $51,990 (excluded on-road costs such as stamp duty, dealer delivery, registration and, where required, CTP insurance.

LP9 Turbo V6 engine

Like the closely-related Opel Insignia OPC , the Insignia VXR was powered by General Motors’ 2792 cc LP9 V6 petrol engine which had an aluminium alloy block and cylinder head, a twin-scroll MHI turbocharger which provides maximum boost pressure of 0.9 bar (13 psi), double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder (including sodium-filled exhaust valves), variable intake and exhaust valve control, twin individual variable inlet manifolds and a compression ratio of 9.5:1.

The Insignia VXR’s engine required 98 RON premium unleaded petrol. Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption was 11.3 litres per 100 km.

It is understood that the Insignia VXR can accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds.

Dimensions

Compared to the VF Commodore , the Insignia VXR was 105 mm shorter (at 4842 mm), 13 mm taller (1484 mm) and had a 178 mm shorter wheelbase (2737 mm).

Suspension

The Insignia VXR had ‘HiPerStrut’ front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. Compared to conventional MacPherson struts, HiPerStruts had reduced kingpin inclination and a shorter spindle length to reduce camber loss when cornering and reduce torque steer reactions.

As standard, the Insignia VXR’s suspension included General Motors’ ‘FlexRide’ system which continuously monitored the roll, pitch and yaw of the vehicle, adjusting damping rates on each wheel to optimise ride and handling. The FlexRide dampers contained magnetorheological fluid which consisted of magnetic particles suspended in a synthetic fluid. When an electric current was applied to the fluid, it created a magnetic field that changed the direction of the magnetic particles within the fluid and, hence, the flow rate of the fluid.

FlexRide enabled the driver to select from three pre-configured settings – Standard, Sport and VXR – which also adjusted throttle response, gearshift mapping, the level of power steering assistance and the willingness of the AWD system (detailed below) to transfer torque to the rear wheels.

Steering

The Insignia VXR had electric power-assisted steering.

Holden Insignia VXR specifications
	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
Insignia VXR	2.8-litre turbo petrol V6	6sp auto	239 kW at 5500 rpm	435 Nm at 5500 rpm

AWD system

As per the Saab 9-3 Turbo X , the Insignia VXR had a fourth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system. In normal conditions, the system provided a 90:10 front:rear torque split. As a pro-active all-wheel drive system, however, electronics could pre-tension the clutch and activate all-wheel drive before wheel slip occurred. Furthermore, the electronic limited slip rear differential (eLSD) could transfer up to 40 per of the available torque between the rear wheels – to whichever wheel had more grip – in order to generate a yaw effect.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Insignia VXR included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

As standard, the Insignia VXR was also fitted with the following safety technologies:

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): maintained vehicle speed and used a radar sensor to monitor the distance to the vehicle ahead. If the Insignia VXR were to approach the pre-selected distance to the vehicle ahead, the brakes would be automatically applied to maintain that distance;
Forward Collision Alert (FCA): used the same radar as the ACC to monitor the distance to the vehicle ahead. If the distance rapidly decreases such that a collision was considered a risk, audible and visual warnings would be issued;
Auto Emergency Braking (AEB): in the event that the driver did not respond to the Forward Collision Alert (FCA) warnings, AEB could apply the brakes autonomously to prevent or reduce the severity of any subsequent collision;
Lane Change Alert (LCA): Lane Change Alert used a rear facing radar with a range of up to seventy (70) metres to detect and warn of approaching vehicles in the left or right parallel lanes. If the driver indicated to change lanes and a vehicle is approaching from behind – in the right or left lanes – or is in the driver’s blind spot, a visual signal would be displayed in the respective door mirror;
Lane Departure Warning (LDW): could detect if the Insignia VXR crossed lane markings with the driver having previously activated the indicators. To alert the driver, audible and visual warnings would be issued;
Blind Spot Alert: used the rear facing radar to detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spot. If the driver indicated to change lanes and a vehicle is approaching from behind – in the right or left lanes – or is in the driver’s blind spot, a visual signal would be displayed in the respective door mirror; and,
Rear Cross Traffic Alert: could detect and warn of approaching traffic that may cross the vehicle’s path as the driver was reversing.

Brakes

The Insignia VXR was fitted with 355 mm by 32 mm cross-drilled front brake discs with four-piston Brembo calipers.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the 2009 Opel Insignia – on which the Insignia VXR was based – received a five star safety rating, including a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 79 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, chest protection for the driver was rated as adequate and all other regions were rated as good, while maximum points were awarded in the side impact test. In the more severe pole test, protection of the chest was adequate while all other body regions were rated as good.

Features: Insignia VXR

Standard features for the Insignia VXR included 20-inch five spoke alloy wheels with 255/35 ZR20 97Y tyres, a seven speaker sound system with digital radio (DAB+), MP3-compatibility, a CD player and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod/SD card reader), Holden’s ‘MyLink’ infotainment system with an eight-inch touch screen, satellite navigation and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with voice control, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, Recaro front sports seats, perforated Siena leather seat trim, eight-way power adjustable and heated front seats, bi-xenon headlights with daytime LED running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking and proximity key, power windows, power adjustable and heated mirrors with passenger-side tilting on reverse, power folding mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, driver’s seat memory settings, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, an electric park brake, push-button start, 12 volt power outlet, carpet mats, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

The bi-xenon headlights included an Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) feature which used a forward-facing camera to adjust the beams to the driving conditions by selecting from nine different modes; AFL+ could also activate and dip the high beams automatically.

Paint colours

The Insignia VXR was available in Summit White, Carbon Flash Black, Arden Blue and Silver Lake paint finishes; the latter three finishes were deemed ‘Prestige paint’ finishes and cost an additional $550.

Brochure

Holden Insignia VXR Brochure (June 2015)

Categories

Review: Holden Insignia VXR (2015-17)