Vauxhall didn't miss to make the Sports Tourer greener, too. More power, less fuel consumption, less CO2 . Looks like these engines don't have limits and everything is inside the software. We are much eager to see how an enormous 2.0 liter 160bhp estate car will manage to make 826 miles with one tank of fuel.

Following the success of the Insignia ecoFLEX hatch and saloon, the Insignia Sports Tourer now takes the green-hued limelight with an ecoFLEX version providing company and private buyers with significant reductions in running costs, without sacrificing performance or practicality.

With a combined CO2 figure of just 139g/km, the ecoFLEX Sports Tourer drops four BIK tax bands to 18 per cent for company car drivers, compared with the regular CDTi Sports Tourer. And with a 12.3 per cent improvement in combined fuel consumption (53.7mpg vs 47.1 for the regular model) drivers can enjoy a filling station-free range of up to 826 miles.

But as with all Insignia ecoFLEX models, parsimony has not affected its performance and driveability.  Retaining the 160hp, 2.0-litre CDTi diesel seen elsewhere in the range, the ecoFLEX Sports Tourer still achieves a top speed of 134mph and will sprint from 0-60mph in just 9.3 seconds. A healthy slug of torque (up to 380Nm with overboost, to be precise) also allows it to pull slightly higher gearing, thanks to a revised final drive ratio.

Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer (2009) - picture 1 of 4
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Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer (2009) - picture 4 of 4

A raft of aerodynamic changes is responsible for the ecoFLEX Sports Tourer's enhanced efficiency. Modified front air inlets feature, as do two under-body spoilers which direct air over the rear axle, reducing drag and lift. The upper front grille has also been closed, while the ride height has been reduced by 3mm at the front and 14mm at the rear. Specially developed low-resistance tyres and aero fins fitted to the rear screen complete the package.

None of this has dented the ecoFLEX Sports Tourer's practicality, of course. A capacious, 540-litre luggage area (rear seats up) matches the best in class, and is complemented by 40:60 split rear seats incorporating a ski-hatch, which fold to liberate a maximum capacity of 1530-litres.

ecoFLEX Sports Tourer prices start at £21,515 for the generously equipped Exclusiv model, and extend through S and SE trims to the Elite Nav at £27,750.

Sports Tourer Price (£) VAT (£) Total (£) On-the-road RRP (£)
Exclusiv 2.0CDTi 16v (160PS) ecoFLEX 17,995.65 2,699.35 20,695.00 21,515.00
Exclusiv Nav 2.0CDTi 16v (160PS) ecoFLEX 18,704.35 2,805.65 21,510.00 22,330.00
S 2.0CDTi 16v (160PS) ecoFLEX 19,104.35 2,865.65 21,970.00 22,790.00
SE 2.0CDTi 16v (160PS) ecoFLEX 20,856.52 3,128.48 23,985.00 24,805.00
SE Nav 2.0CDTi 16v (160PS) ecoFLEX 21,565.22 3,234.78 24,800.00 25,620.00
Elite 2.0CDTi 16v (160PS) ecoFLEX 22,708.70 3,406.30 26,115.00 26,935.00
Elite Nav 2.0CDTi 16v (160PS) ecoFLEX 23,417.39 3,512.61 26,930.00 27,750.00

Performance / environmental information

0-60mph 9.3 seconds
Top speed 134mph
CO2 emissions 139g/km
Urban 40.9mpg
Extra-Urban 65.7mpg
Combined 53.7mpg
VED band E
BIK band 18%

Engine

Capacity 1956cc
Max power 160PS @ 4000rpm
Max torque 350Nm from 1750-2500rpm (with overboost to 380Nm)
Configuration 4 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts
Fuel/induction Variable geometry turbocharger with intercooler. Common rail fuel injection
Service intervals 20,000 miles or 1 year (whichever occurs sooner)