Available as a five-door hatch, four-door saloon and sports tourer estate, the new model goes on sale with prices starting at £16,279, nearly £2,000 less than the entry-level model on the outgoing line-up.

In addition, new engine options are set to offer large cost benefits to fleets through improved running costs and reduced BiK for drivers. This includes the 2.0 CDTi unit, which is now available with a choice of three power outputs – 118bhp, 138bhp and 161bhp, offering CO₂ emissions of 99g/km (76.3mpg combined) for the lower two outputs and 114g/km (65.7mpg combined) for the higher output unit on hatch models. All models still offer solid levels of performance, with the 118 and 138bhp models producing up to 236 and 273lb.ft of torque respectively, and the 161bhp model up to 280lb.ft.

For company car drivers, the new diesel engines offer low tax costs, with both the 118 and 138bhp ecoFLEX Hatch qualifying for the 14% BiK bracket for the 2013/14 tax year.

Vauxhall adds that, thanks to the new low CO2 engines, the Insignia Design 2.0 CDTi (118bhp) ecoFLEX with Start/Stop saves company car drivers £992 in BiK tax over a three-year period against a Ford Mondeo Edge 1.6 TDCi (113bhp) and £1,118 over a Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion Tech S 1.6 TDI (103bhp).

Also new to the engine line-up are two direct-injection petrol units: the new-generation 1.6-litre SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) producing 168bhp/207lb.ft that recently launched in the 2013 Cascada convertible, and the 2.0-litre SIDI, producing 247bhp/295lb.ft.

Exterior design has also been revised and includes a redesigned grille and headlamps at the front as well as a new tailgate and rear spoiler on the hatch and the saloon.

The new model also introduces changes to the interior design, with a completely re-designed centre console and instrument cluster. The centre console has been simplified and now has fewer buttons for more intuitive operation of common functions, such as air conditioning and infotainment, while the instrument cluster has new dials and a fresh, high-tech look.

Optional across the range is an 8-inch screen infotainment display (up from 5 inches in the outgoing range) and a new, upgraded instrument cluster with an 8-inch, high-resolution colour display.

The new Insignia range also sees the trim levels streamlined to a total of eight, starting with Design, and going up to Elite. Two of the trims, Design and Tech Line, are aimed at company car drivers, with the former including DAB radio, cruise control, alloy wheels, Bluetooth, USB, climate control and LED daytime running lights. 

‘The new Insignia family not only offers refreshed styling, new engines and cutting-edge infotainment, but also big savings for company car drivers,’ said James Taylor, Vauxhall’s fleet sales director. ‘Against key rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and the VW Passat, company car drivers can save over £1,000 in BiK tax as well as getting more standard equipment and better fuel economy.’

The new Insignia is on sale now with first deliveries to customers in October after its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.