Insignia goes back to the '80s

Remember the Lotus Carlton? Vauxhall does. It may be 23 years since the 377bhp, twin-turbo super saloon was launched, but that has not prevented Vauxhall from invoking its memory for the new Insignia VXR Supersport.

The new car has a little less power (325bhp) and a slightly lower top speed of just 170mph, but at £29,995 it costs in real terms less than half the £48,000 asked for the Carlton in 1989. Indeed Vauxhall claims it’s both the most powerful and quickest car on sale for under £30,000.

How has Vauxhall created this Supersport wonder child? Simply by removing the electronic speed limiter from the normal Insignia VXR and dropping its list price by nearly £4000.