After several leaks the last few days, Opel has finally taken the wraps off the all-new Insignia sedan.
The Opel Insignia competes against the Ford Mondeo, Mazda6, Citroen C5 and Honda Accord in Europe. The Insignia is going to replace the Vectra in the Opel lineup and could eventually make it to the US in some form as a Saturn (next-gen Saturn Aura).
The Insignia is larger than the Vectra and will come in three versions, saloon, wagon and hatchback. Buyers have the option between three diesel (110-160 hp) and four gasoline-powered engines (115-260 hp). The engines are mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission and the power is put to the ground either through front or all-wheel-drive.
The 2009 Opel Insignia will be in showrooms in Europe this November.
PRESS RELEASE:
Opel Insignia: A New Design Language For A New Era
* Sculpted design with a flowing coupé silhouette
* Four-wheel drive, active chassis and seven engines available at launch
* World premiere July 2008 at the London Motor Show
Rüsselsheim. A new name, a new car, a new ambition. With its groundbreaking design and sophisticated technology, the Insignia makes a quantum leap toward rejuvenating the brand and providing the perfect opportunity to discover Opel. The styling of the new 4.83 meter five-seater clearly expresses Opel's strategy to make advanced technology and attractive design affordable.
The Insignia boasts a flowing, powerful silhouette with a coupé-like roofline. The body's sculpted shape is accented by a distinctive radiator grille with a newly-designed Opel emblem. Unmistakable design elements include a sweeping front and rear light "wing" signature and a "blade" side contour that begins directly behind the front wheel and glides through the entire side of the body. Both details give the Insignia's a muscular but graceful allure.
"With Insignia we are introducing an exciting new sophisticated design vocabulary, which combines sculptural artistry with German precision," says Mark Adams, Vice President Design, GM Europe. "Our aim was to develop a confident look which compels the world to experience for themselves the superb driving dynamics the Insignia radiates."
Echoing the exterior, the interior shapes and surfaces, which articulate this promise for exciting mobility, are crafted with high quality materials. The dashboard wraps around from the instrument panel to the door in a very sophisticated way, embracing the occupants. This wing theme will be echoed across all Opels. Red ambient lighting, which also will be featured in future Opel models, vibrate a warm, luxurious aura. A lot of emphasis too has been put into the seating, which set the highest standards in ergonomics, comfort and safety.
Opel's pioneering role and unique expertise in lighting technology continues in the Insignia with the latest generation AFL Adaptive Forward Lighting system: Nine different light beam settings automatically adjust themselves to cater to various driving conditions, simultaneously enhancing safety and driving excitement. Another new element on the AFL system is the LED daytime running lights, which consume considerably less energy than a conventional system featuring halogen lamps, thereby lowering CO2 emissions from 6 g/km to nearly zero.
"As each feature demonstrates, the Insignia is the result of our quest to develop a car that combines striking design, excellent driving dynamics and innovative technology" says Hans H. Demant, Managing Director, Adam Opel GmbH.
The Insignia is offered from the start with front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The "Adaptive 4X4" system's proactive, instantaneous torque distribution not only ensures optimal traction but also enhances driving stability and dynamic handling performance. In the all-wheel drive Insignia, the FlexRide mechatronic chassis system with its Adaptive Stability Technology helps the car adjust to prevailing driving conditions and allows the driver to select settings to match his mood. FlexRide is also available in the front-wheel version.
The Insignia will launch with an exceptionally broad range of seven engines. All meet Euro 5 emissions standards and come with either manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. The four gasoline engines range from a four-cylinder 115 hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp. The three new direct-injection diesels feature a displacement of 2.0 liter and outputs spanning from 110 to 160 hp. Subsequently the Insignia engine line-up will be expanded with an EcoFLEX version offering very low CO2 emissions in addition to other, more powerful variants.
"The Opel Insignia sets new standards in technology and innovation -- this will be obvious right from the launch. But we are keeping several cards up our sleeves when it comes to environmental compatibility, excitement and safety, which we will play strategically overtime" says Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, GM Europe.
The Insignia notch- and hatchback will debut July 22, 2008 at the London Motor Show and hit showrooms starting in November. The Insignia was developed at GM Europe's International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, which also is home to its production. The Rüsselsheim facility is one of the most advanced car plants in the industry.
Comments (24)
My shortest comment ever...
Looks nice... reminds me of the new VW Passat CC
Posted by GT Fan | April 17, 2008 10:39 PM
Posted on April 17, 2008 22:39
now this is good stuff.
Pity that, besides Euro-Accord (=USA Acura), C5 and Ford Mondeo wont come to the US. Giving GM yet another excuse for witholding this very good car from its shores.
In 5 years time, well yes, with the production equipement ammortised, yes you can expect a Saturn version...
Posted by lowest iq | April 17, 2008 10:42 PM
Posted on April 17, 2008 22:42
It looks great!
But a Gasoline version with 115hp? This is what a 4 bang, 1.6L engine? Only Europeans could buy a car this big without a V6. I can understand a 110hp diesel, since they have so much more torque. But a 115hp gas? WTF?
260Hp is adequate, I guess, but nothing extraordinary. It won't scare any Camry/Altimas out there. The style would certainly ask for a 300/315 hp version. It does looks tight and sporty. What a shame.
Posted by Sphere | April 17, 2008 11:50 PM
Posted on April 17, 2008 23:50
That's a sexy car...
Posted by Gary | April 17, 2008 11:54 PM
Posted on April 17, 2008 23:54
Sex on wheels
Posted by Carguy | April 18, 2008 1:47 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 01:47
the back looks like solara sport edition with more decorative. Front looks like one of the brand we have in US but can't recall the name. The rear side window looks like a G37 and front like the ......overall, it still looks nice
Posted by jfk | April 18, 2008 3:22 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 03:22
wow, if they bring it over, I'd trade in my bmw 325... :)
well I'd test drive it first.
i'd go with the awd and the 260HP v6...
Posted by tko | April 18, 2008 3:32 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 03:32
wow, if they bring it over, I'd trade in my bmw 325... :)
well I'd test drive it first.
i'd go with the awd and the 260HP v6...
Posted by tko | April 18, 2008 3:33 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 03:33
The Insignia is not a bad looking car. But still to me some things aren't just quite proportioned right, even though I cannot pinpoint exactly what, It's like a mix between a BMW, the front of a Hyundai Sonata and the rear of a Hyundai Lantra.
Fortunately the Opels have been improved immensely over the years as far as handling, so I don't think there will any complaints there. Perhaps the car will look better in person, but for now, I'm not 100% convinced :P
Posted by Dave | April 18, 2008 4:51 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 04:51
Nice looking, but it's probably much smaller than the pictures show. And Opel quality is not and have never been even near that of a BMW or Audi. But not the pricetag either ;-)
I'd buy a Saab instead. The mechanical in a 9-3 is the same but the bodywork is much better.
Posted by Perzyfied | April 18, 2008 6:07 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 06:07
Nice looking, but it's probably much smaller than the pictures show. And Opel quality is not and have never been even near that of a BMW or Audi. But not the pricetag either ;-)
I'd buy a Saab instead of Opel anyday. The mechanical parts in a 9-3 is the same (opel made Vectra parts) but the bodywork is much better.
Posted by Perzyfied | April 18, 2008 6:09 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 06:09
This car is exactly why GM should fire all their US designers and just use their European ones.
Posted by D! | April 18, 2008 7:38 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 07:38
Ahhhhhhh.......sexy but a complete rip-offf from the vw passat!!!! won't trade my bmw for nothin unlike tko:p
Posted by kurt | April 18, 2008 7:50 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 07:50
@Sphere
Speak for yourself. I've lamented repeatedly that the cars I tend towards rarely have small, fuel efficient engines.
115 might be pushing it (though if you completely trust HP numbers, it's hard to understand why my 330i outdrags V6 mustangs with higher HP ratings), but I do think there's a market.
My commuter car (as opposed to my touring car) rarely gets above 70, spends most of its time around 40, doesn't need to accellerate... it's a corolla (looking at trading it on a Prius). I'd love a TSX, C-Class, or the like, not because they accellerate better than my corolla, but because they are more comfortable, have more safety features, are better appointed, and stop and turn better.
Please give me an upscale mid-sized car that gets 28/32 or better (the corolla is 33 in real mixed driving). Right now I can only get the Camry Hybrid (low trunk space, not as nice as the cars I mentioned, expensive for what I get) or the Prius (so-so ride).
Posted by JerryL | April 18, 2008 8:43 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 08:43
From what I've read in european press, its most common engine configuration (for most european countries) will be a 1.6lt turbo gasoline engine with 180HP. The same already equipped on many Opel Astra GTC models.
Posted by Varkon | April 18, 2008 9:18 AM
Posted on April 18, 2008 09:18
Now that's better looking than ANY American sedan.
Posted by Noya | April 18, 2008 2:37 PM
Posted on April 18, 2008 14:37
Gee if GM would put this much into their american car lineup as they do with their european car lineup they would be in trouble.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | April 18, 2008 3:25 PM
Posted on April 18, 2008 15:25
yes, this will make one sexy taxi!
Posted by statler and waldorf | April 19, 2008 12:57 AM
Posted on April 19, 2008 00:57
did with Photoshop some two-tone paint on the car (following the 'zic-curve' on the door). Looks great! Try at home.
Posted by rene | April 19, 2008 1:05 AM
Posted on April 19, 2008 01:05
I like the next-saturrn insignia. But the Ford Mondeo and the Citroen C5 must come here.
Posted by paul | April 19, 2008 9:40 AM
Posted on April 19, 2008 09:40
Saturn dealers, close your mouths you'll attract flies.
Posted by hater | April 19, 2008 2:15 PM
Posted on April 19, 2008 14:15
looks a little too much like an Acura.
anyway, GM how about you re-badge this as a Saturn???
Posted by SVT | April 21, 2008 5:43 PM
Posted on April 21, 2008 17:43
I love the style even more than my 08 AURA XE V6
which is a great looking and driving car on it's own. I bought it new for the price of a sub compact in todays market. I will trade for the 2010 when it arrives,super expensive styling for cheap $$$$$$ SATURN has arrived .......2 years ago with the AURA.
Posted by JJ | May 27, 2008 3:06 PM
Posted on May 27, 2008 15:06
I found an image from the interiour, looks very nice! http://www.carchannel.be/nl/artikel/opel/nieuw-de-opel-insignia-tot-de-kleinste-details
Posted by Jean Montare | July 28, 2008 12:41 AM
Posted on July 28, 2008 00:41