"VXR".

Now, where might you have seen those initials?

If you are a keen fan of Touring Car racing and if you watched the battles in the British series last season, then you will have seen the Vauxhalls in action carrying VXR badging.

The sporting variant of Vauxhall’s Insignia is the VXR with its 325PS engine and four-wheel-drive and it is based on the successful 2009 European Car of the Year, and available in hatch, saloon and Sports Tourer body styles.

The HiPerStrut system is unique to the VXR and serves two primary functions: firstly, to reduce torque-steer, but also to maintain negative camber during cornering, thereby improving ultimate grip levels in wet or dry conditions.

The Insignia VXR rides on standard 19 inch alloy wheels (20 inch lightweight forged alloys are a cost option) with bespoke tyres, revised bushing and damper settings on both axles, and Brembo brakes with colour-keyed callipers and vented/cross-drilled discs.

The sporting theme continues in the Insignia VXRs cabin. Recaro front seats, a new VXR steering wheel, VXR gear knob and unique mouldings are standard on all cars, along with different instrument graphics, VXR sill plates and a black headlining.

All VXRs are available with a colour palette comprising Arden Blue, Power Red, Carbon Flash Black, Silver Lake, Olympic White and Technical Grey.

Topping the Insignia range, the new models are an important addition to Vauxhall‘s performance-bred VXR family, which already includes the Corsa VXR, Astra VXR and 562 horsepower VXR8 Bathurst S.

On the road this sporty Vauxhall is equally at ease in town or on the motorway and it delivers not only looks but a firm but comfy ride.

More facts on this the most attractive of the Insignia family, the VXR gets a CO2 rating of 268g/km, which all boils down to an annual VED of £405 and the insurance rating is 18E.