Road Test: Vauxhall Insignia 2.8T V6 4X4 VXR SuperSport 4dr

Irascible readers of the Daily Mail coughed up their kippers when, in 1989, Vauxhall proudly unveiled its collaboration with Lotus: the 176mph Carlton. There was a national outcry.

Seems Vauxhall wants to ignite yet more gratuitous spasms of casual hate, because it has replaced the Insignia VXR with... the Insignia VXR. Only this time, it's called the SuperSport. And this time, it'll do 170mph.

Barring the limiter being removed, blue Brembo lettering on the front calipers, additional increments on the speedo and a near £4k price cut, it's exactly the same as before.

But that price cut means this VXR is a bit of a performance bargain, because for £30,020 you can get yourself into a 321bhp, 4WD, 170mph sports saloon. That's 15mph faster at the top end and just under £10k cheaper than an Audi S4.

Of course, badge snobs won't go near it, and it remains a peculiar thing: it's calm, confident and hides an unbelievable turn of pace. But it is a bit boomy, a bit twitchy with the VXR button on, and the steering's lifeless.

If you can live with that - and the griffin - it's a fast, fine thing. Just don't tell the Daily Mail.