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Eco-Insignia to launch with high-power diesel
Date: 05 August 2008
Vauxhall has surprisingly opted to use the higher-powered of three diesel engines for the green Ecoflex version of its new Insignia, the year's most important fleet reveal.
While other makers with green sub-brands have launched cars with more modest power outputs, Vauxhall's Ecoflex will bypass the 110 and 130PS versions of the 2.0-litre CDTi and use a modified 160PS unit producing 135g/km and around 55mpg, a move designed to offer both performance and eco credentials in one package. The standard 160PS produces 154g/km.
"In development we used the 160PS engine and it will be class leading for CO2," claimed Hans Demant, GM Europe's head of development, although fleets should bear in mind the 130g/km Renault Laguna 1.5 dCi or the 123g/km BMW 318d.
Demant explained the reason for using the higher-power diesel: "You don't want a car that's an embarrassment," referring to the 110PS version that's not coming to the UK.
Regarding price, Demant said: "This technology will not come for free, so we need to see how much people want to pay for it."
As for the prospect of a petrol Ecoflex, Demant said:?"People have written a lot about a petrol, but we're not making that announcement yet."
However he hinted that the most likely option is a 1.4-litre 120PS engine.
