FOLLOWING Ford’s reductions on CO2 in its Mondeo engine range – see story Ford updates Mondeo with new diesel engines – Vauxhall has followed suit with its Insignia.

CO2 emissions have been reduced to as low as 129g/km – lower than the 139g/km for the 2.0-litre TDCi Ford diesel range – although the Insignia’s 160g/km 2.0-litre engine still has higher CO2 than the Ford’s: 144g/km compared to the Mondeo’s 139g/km.

Here are the changes to the Vauxhall Insignia range in detail.

The ultra-low emission Insignia, called ecoFLEX, now has CO2 emissions of 129g/km (previously 136g/km). Fuel economy is now 57.6mpg. This means that not only is the ecoFLEX cheaper to run, but since it falls under 130g/km, customers will pay no VED for the first year, says Vauxhall. For company car drivers, the benefit-in-kind tax rate is 18%.

Vauxhall adds the engine CO2 improvements also apply to the Sports Tourer estate. The Insignia Sports Tourer ecoFLEX has CO2 emissions of 134g/km and fuel consumption of 55.4mpg. EcoFLEX models have power output of 160PS, and torque of 350Nm from 1750-2500rpm.

The CO2 reductions to the standard 2.0 CDTi 160PS model now benefit from CO2 emissions are reduced to 144g/km (down from 154g/km), meaning a 2% drop in BIK tax for company car drivers for both Insignia hatch and saloon models.

The lower-powered 130PS version 2.0 CDTi engine emits just 136g/km (company car tax band 19%), thanks to an all-new turbocharger.

Vauxhall says that, in addition to the CO2 emission reductions of its diesel engines for the Insignia, there have been reductions to both noise and vibration for an improved driving experience.

Prices remain fixed, says Vauxhall – an added bonus for company car drivers.