The refreshed Vauxhall Insignia looks the same as before but has jazzy new lights

From bolt-on spotlights to sleek pop-up headlights, huge oblong lights to rows of tiny round ones, a car’s headlights have always done far more than illuminate the road ahead, defining not only its technology but a good part of its design character. But today automotive lighting is changing so fast that cars are having to be redesigned to accommodate the latest advances – such is the case with the latest Vauxhall.

The saloon’s refreshed looks centre on the front end where in place of the chunky old lights are Vauxhall’s IntelliLux LED headlights. They instantly give the car a more contemporary look, plus the all-important new daytime running lights signature, while offering the advantages of “next generation” lighting tech. So important are they Vauxhall says the Insignia’s front end has literally been reshaped to accommodate them.

Why so special? The super-slim new headlights contain 84 LEDs aside, arranged in three rows within each unit, that constantly react to different light, weather, road and traffic conditions. The control unit behind it is a camera-based system that scans the road ahead and then makes precise adjustments to beam brightness and direction within milliseconds.

The lights, which Vauxhall says are class-leading, are more powerful but more energy efficient than before, and allow safer driving at night. The beams automatically switch between main and dip with such precision that glare for oncoming drivers is reduced. Curves in the road, parking, bad weather, town or motorway driving and parking are other situations for which the lights have been optimised.

The new Insignia is not all about its lights. The facelifted design front and back gives the saloon profile a clean new look with a more assertive stance and bolder Vauxhall identity, especially with the chromed-up flagship Grand Sport version.

The top Insignia comes with a slew of safety-related features which include for the first time rear radar sensors to warn of traffic approaching from behind at up to 90 degrees and 20m away on either side, useful when reversing into a busy road.

More than 1.2 million Vauxhall and Opel Insignias have been sold since the model first came out 10 years ago, although recently it has been marginalised by more premium-badged saloons and a sea of SUVs, even in its traditional company car sector.

One thing the Insignia has always had going for it though: it’s a lot of car for the money and it makes a bargain used buy. Look out for the latest model with its clever headlights on forecourts everywhere in a couple of years’ time!