Big company car, small tax bill

The new low-tax Insignia puts the large company car “back on the map”, according to BusinessCarManager. Testing the Elite Nav 2.0 CDTi 140bhp ecoFLEX, Ralph Morton says the revised hatchback is “subtly sharper” with class-leading aerodynamics. “But the real story is under the bonnet where Vauxhall’s engineers have refined the efficiency of the 2.0 CDTi diesel engine to produce just 99g/km of CO2 – quite simply the lowest in its class. There are two power outputs available with this 99g/km CO2 emission standard – 120bhp and a 140bhp. The engine of our car was fitted with the higher power 140bhp unit with 350Nm of torque. “With the 99g/km engine, the new Vauxhall Insignia slots into the 14 per cent company car tax band – the sort of tax territory usually occupied by efficient diesel hatchbacks in the Astra/Focus/Golf class. “Also available is a 2.0 CTDi engine with 163bhp (114g/km) and 1.6 petrol turbo engine producing 170bhp/280Nm, with CO2 emissions of 139g/km (19 per cent company car tax band).” With Vauxhall dropping the Insignia’s price by “some £3,000” drivers get the “double benefit” of lower CO2 emissions and a lower P11D. Another “revelation” is the smooth ride, and the engine is “whisper quiet” on motorways. The journey is “very comfortable” and the cabin feels “more upmarket”. For business car managers, there’s also “improved residual values, National Insurance Contribution savings and reduced whole life costs”. (Link: BusinessCarManager, 17 September)