City braking that detects danger and can take over the braking in extremis is standard on all the versions.

I tried two of the new cars, one diesel, and, to compare refinement, one petrol.

As it happens, Vauxhall tells us that petrol-powered versions will account for only ten percent of all sales. I’m not surprised: the diesel I tried was a 1.6-litre manual car. It has 110 PS, reaches 62 mph in 10.9 seconds, emission of 112 g/km and claims an official combined cycle fuel return of 75.7 mpg.

This one proved to be a very impressive performer. The engine was super-smooth. Even when using engine braking to reduce speed on hill descents, there was no sudden roughness. The gearbox, a six-speeder, was a delight. I did once actually glance at the rev-counter to confirm that I was actually driving a diesel-engined car….yes, the red line was down at 5000 rpm.

Next up was the 1.5-litre (1490 cc, to be precise) petrol engine with 55PS more and a reasonable amount of torque – 250 Nm on tap from 2000-4500 rpm. Very pleasant and refined, quiet in the cabin, too. But not noticeably more so than the diesel. And when it comes to fuel consumption, the combined figure is 46.3, which is nearly thirty mpg worse. It may accelerate faster off the mark, sixty-two mph in 8.6 seconds, but that’s the limit of its superiority. Petrol emissions are 139 g/km.

On cross-country routes, my diesel indicated 59.1 mpg and the petrol managed an indicated 34.8.

Both cars were very comfortable to ride in and offered attractive trim and upholstery and quality workmanship, as far as I could tell.
The rear seats were especially easy to fold down, 60/40 if required and gave a useful extended flat luggage area in an already generous boot.

Car paints these days are getting to be expensive unless you’re happy with a couple of the base versions offered. But, I have to admit, there really are some fabulous new colours out there, with subtly sparkling effects, which catch the light really beautifully. The new test cars included ‘Coconut’, a colour that merely to call ‘brown’ would be unfair, and ‘Dark Moon Blue’, conjuring up visions of a deeply romantic idyll. Years ago, it would have perhaps just been Navy blue, but it is almost black and, again, with that deep, lustrous sparkle.

Very nice, these Insignia Sports Tourers, and, if around £21,000 for the cars tested (not including options), sounds OK, and actually rather cheap for what you get, then explore the range upwards, for more power, sophistication, connectivity and the other ‘must-haves’ in today’s marketplace.

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Car reviewed: Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Design Nav 1.6 – Base Price On the road £20,940, price as tested £23,525 0-60mph 10.9 secs Top speed 127 mph limited Fuel Economy combined 65.7mpg CO2 emissions 112g/km Engine 1598cc Turbo D ecoTEC Max Power 110PS@3500rpm Torque 300Nm@1750rpm Transmission 6-speed manual