IT'S stylish and well put together - but what really makes Vauxhall's Insignia Sports Tourer stand out is the power-packed diesel under the bonnet.

The BiTurbo part of this Insignia's moniker implies some tweaking in the engine compartment and a twin-sequential turbocharged oil burner offering lots of horsepower doesn't disappoint.

Based on Vauxhall's existing 2.0-litre diesel unit, the BiTurbo version produces more power and lots of extra torque.

It shifts a lot of car a long way in a short space of time - 62mph from a standing start being achieved in a shade over eight seconds with the Sports Tourer capable of reaching 140mph before crying enough.

The engine's secret is hidden in the tricky-sounding ‘twin-sequential' bit of the turbocharging. Put simply, at lower speeds the smaller of two turbos is in charge so eliminating ‘lag' while providing lots of pulling power for not a lot of revs. Then as speed and revs increase both turbochargers work together with the larger one eventually taking star billing when you're cruising on the motorway.

The performance is achieved without belching clouds of poisonous gases into the atmosphere - thanks to a package of eco features including an engine Start/Stop function - so the 2.0-litre power unit achieves a relatively low carbon dioxide-emission figure of 134g/km.

Vauxhall also include a clever system called FlexRide which reacts to how you are driving the car and adapts damper settings to ensure smooth progress is made.

Drivers can also select Eco, Tour and Sport buttons, and configure the throttle, steering and damper settings in Sport mode separately if they so desire.

The Insignia BiTurbo is available as a five-door hatchback as well as the Sports Tourer model I drove in SRi, SRi VX-Line and Elite trims.

The SRi I drove has an impressive amount of kit including electric windows, air conditioning, heated front seats, cruise control, electric parking brake, automatic lighting control, plus electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.

There are also snazzy 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, a radio/CD player with connections for an MP3 player.

Safety is covered by driver and front passenger airbags as well as side and full-size curtain airbags and an electronic stability programme. It also has anti-whiplash front head restraints and an alarm goes off if anyone in the rear has undone their seatbelt.

The interior is stylish and roomy with close attention obviously paid to fit and finish. The driver's seat offers four-way lumbar adjustment as well as being height adjustable.

The leather-covered steering wheel can also be moved to suit the driver and a variety of controls can be operated from it. There are nice touches throughout including rear-seat drinks holders and a front armrest with storage space.

The exterior is similarly good looking, sporting smooth lines and a chrome-effect side window surround.

The boot swallows most loads a family will require but, as my daughter found out, you have to watch the unusual wraparound tailgate or you will bump your head.

The BiTurbo has the option of Vauxhall's new front camera system, with traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning, plus adaptive cruise control - which allows the driver to maintain a set distance from the car in front.