The Vauxhall->ke92 VXR lineups is far and away one of the most feared lineups that GM offers, and that lineup has been undergoing some aesthetic changes lately. The latest of these changes hits the Insignia VXR SuperSport, which is regularly known as "UK’s fastest car under £30,000." Well, it not only retains that title through an increase top speed, but it also gets a nice revision for the end of the 2013 model year.

Available in its traditional hatchback->ke304 and Sports Tourer->ke143 variants, the new Insignia VXR gets a nice refresh to its front and rear fascias to help add a little extra style and aggression to the model. Not that it needs the aggressive look to scare most cars its size off of the road, but it certainly helps.

Unfortunately, this late-model-year refresh involve mostly just aesthetics, but then again, with 325PS (320 horsepower) under its hood, it’s all good.

We'll Vauxhall reveal all of the Insignia VXR Supersport's information at the Frankfurt Motor Show->ke235 on September 12th.

2013 Vauxhall Insignia VXR SuperSport

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Vauxhall Insignia VXR SuperSport
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 320 @ 5250
  • Torque: 321 @ 5250
  • Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Exterior

The late-2013 Vauxhall Insignia VXR SuperSport comes in two flavors: hatchback or Sport Tourer. The big differences for this revision are the new front and rear fascias. Up front, the VXR SuperSprt still bears the trademark "saber-tooth" look, but with a restyled grille that is highlighted by only one crossbar instead of two, a rounder lower-central air intake and a;; new headlights that are more streamlined than the ones they replace.

Around back, the VXR SuperSport retains the integrated dual exhaust, but gains a new set of taillights that wrap around a prominent rear appliqué. This gives the back end a touch of class while retaining the aggressive look that any Vauxhall VXR requires.

Interior

Though Vauxhall didn't unveil any images of the VXR SuperSport, it did let us in on some important changes. It features an all-new instrument panel and center console design that includes an 8-touchscreen, three-dimensional navi and voice control. Also added in for this revision is optional Bluetooth Internet connectivity.

Drivetrain, Suspension and Brakes

Under the relatively unimposing hood of this Vauxhall sits a 2.8-liter ECOTEC V-6 turbocharged powerplant that delivers an outrageous 325 PS (320 horsepower) and 435 Nm (321 pound-feet) of torque to all four wheels. This is good for a 0-to-60 mph sprint of 5.9 seconds in its hatchback form with a manual transmission and 6.1 seconds in a manual-equipped Sports Tourer. All four variants hit a top speed of 170 mph -- up 15 mph from the earlier model.

The VXR SuperSport's rear suspension system is also heavily revised, as 60 percent of its components are all-new. Up front, it carries the same HiPerStruts as the earlier model and new ESP software helps keep the sporty VXR glued to the track. Lastly, the FlexRide active suspension helps adjust the suspension's firmness based on the driving style.

Model

Hatchback

Sports Tourer

Engine

2.8i 24v ECOTEC-V6 Turbo

2.8i 24v ECOTEC-V6 Turbo

Output (Horsepower @ RPM)

320 @ 5,250

320 @ 5,250

Torque (Ft-Lbs at RPM)

321 @ 5,250

321 @ 5,250

Standard Transmission

Six-Speed Manual

Six-Speed Manual

Acceleration (0-60 MPH) (Manual/Automatic)

5.9 Sec / TBA

6.1 Sec / TBA

Top Speed (Manual/Automatic)

170 MPH / TBA

170 MPH / TBA


Pricing

Vauxhall has the new VXR SuperSport ready for order, but no delivery dates have been announced. The hatchback variant checks in at £29,749 OTR ($46,107) and the Sport Tourer is priced at £31,049 ($48,122).

Competition

2013 Audi S4

The Audi S4 Avant is likely the closest thing to the Insignia VXR SuperSport Sports Tourer over in the UK, as its 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 engine puts down 333 PS (328 horsepower) and 440 Nm (325 pound-feet) of torque. Where the S4 gets the Vauxhall is its 0-to-60 time, as the short gearing and quattro AWD system on the Audi sprints it to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds.

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2013 Skoda Octavia vRS

Available in both hath and estate, the xRS is significantly cheaper than the Vauxhall, but also significantly less powerful. It checks in with a 1,984 cc four-pot with 220 PS (217 horsepower) and 350 Nm (258 pound-feet) of torque. This is good for a 6.9-second run to 62 mph in its estate setup with a manual gearbox (7.1 seconds with an auto) and a 6.8-second run to 62 mph in its hatchback setup with a manual box (6.9 seconds with an automatic).

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Conclusion

The Vauxhall Insignia VXR SuperSport is on bad S.O.B. It is not just fast with its 170 mph top speed, but it is also lightning quick for its size and the refreshed outward appearance is a welcome sight. We're sure its revised interior will knock your socks off too. We'll find out when it makes its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 12th.