New concept:
Sporty mid-size class sedan
Wide choice:
Three body variants, seven Euro 5 certified engines
Leading
technologies: Opel Eye, FlexRide, AFL+, Adaptive
4x4
Ambitioniertes Konzept: Sportliche
Mittelklasse-Limousine
Große Auswahl: Drei Karosserievarianten,
sieben Euro-5-Motoren
Führende Technik: Opel Eye, FlexRide,
AFL+, Adaptive 4x4
ZUR DEUTSCHEN VERSION |
Opel Insignia: Sculptured design meets German
precision
With the launch
of the new Insignia, Opel redefines the mid-size class. With its coupé-like
roofline and strong design focus, the Opel Insignia brings much-needed panache
to a market segment that is turning around as people search for a well-designed
car that is fuel efficient but still fun to drive.
 Mid-size cars currently account for about 10 percent of the
European market, but it is an area that is expected to grow again as customers
abandon their large SUVs in favor of se-dans and station wagons. Following
the December arrival of notchback and hatchback variants, the dynamically
styled Sports Tourer will enter showrooms in spring 2009. “The Insignia
sets new technological standards in its class, next to top aerodynamics and
further innovative highlights like the adaptive FlexRide chassis, intelligent
all-wheel-drive Adaptive 4x4, AFL+ lighting and the Opel Eye. Designed,
engineered and built in Rüsselsheim, the Insignia also reinforces our
commitment to our German headquarters,” says Hans Demant, Managing Director
Adam Opel GmbH and Vice President GME Engineering. |
New Design: Insignia leads into Opel’s
future
The design of the Insignia takes Opel to a new level, showcasing the
brand’s new confi-dence with a bold, dynamic and sophisticated look
that underlines the model’s superb driving dynamics. “With the
Insignia, we have redefined our design vocabulary. We have combined sculptural
artistry with German precision,” says Mark Adams, Vice President of
Design for GM Europe. The designers use wing and blade themes to express
this philosophy. The Insignia exte-rior’s hallmark is its flowing graceful
silhouette. The body’s sculpted shape is accented by sweeping front
and rear light designs and enhanced by a bold radiator grille. With the
In-signia, a refined logo also debuts. It is one that proudly integrates
the Opel name into a wider border that circles the trademark lightning bolt.
The Insignia also sets new standards for Opel in perceptual interior quality,
matching the best in its class.
Excellent aerodynamics, exclusively Euro 5
engines
The Insignia was made to be a sleek, aerodynamic car with an exceptionally
low 0.27 CD drag coefficient. More than 250 components in the Insignia are
made from recycled mate-rials; and it is designed to be 85 percent recyclable
at the end of its life. The new Opel Insignia is sold from the start with
an exceptionally broad range of seven engines that are certified as meeting
Euro 5 emissions standards. The four gasoline engines range from 115 to 260
hp and three new 2.0-liter turbo-diesels offer power outputs of 110, 130
and 160 hp. In the coming months, the powertrain range will be expanded with
two new engines: a 1.6 gasoline turbo engine with 180 hp and a new 2.0 CDTI
BiTurbo featuring closed-loop combustion and a maximum output of 190 hp.
In addition, an ecoFLEX version with especially low CO2 emissions
will join the lineup later next year without compromising on performance.
In each of their respective power output classes these engines are among
the most environmentally conscious, offering low fuel consumption and low
CO2 emissions. All diesel and gasoline engines have four valves
per cylinder and all come with six-speed manual gearboxes. The top diesel
and gasoline units also are available with a six-speed automatic transmission.
All-wheel drive Adaptive 4x4 can be ordered with the 2.0 Turbo and 2.8 V6
Turbo gasoline engines and later with the more powerful diesel engines.
Insignia highlights Opel’s versatility
and innovation
A range of new or improved features on the Insignia highlights Opel’s
commitment to bring technical innovation at an affordable price. The Insignia
uses a new generation mechatronic chassis that allows personalized settings.
Together with the option of tailoring the riding experience for added driving
pleasure, the new Insignia’s chassis concept offers more comfort for
all, as well as safe and predictable behavior under all conditions. With
FlexRide, standard with the Sport trim level, drivers can individualize their
chassis and suspension setup at the press of a button. FlexRide allows the
driver to choose a dynamic and sporty ride (Sport mode) or a relaxed and
soft setup (Tour mode) in addition to the comfortable Standard mode, which
adapts itself to all driving styles. This provides optimal stability in all
driving conditions. In addition, from the launch, two strong turbocharged
gasoline engines under the Insignia’s hood can be delivered with
Opel’s latest-generation all-wheel-drive system. Called Adap-tive 4x4,
it improves handling and stability regardless of the driving conditions.
Offering optimal traction, it was designed to make the Insignia move more
dynamically as well. Adaptive 4x4 combines the best characteristics of
conventional mechanical and hydraulic all-wheel-drive systems. Hydraulic
disk clutch plates are electronically controlled to distri-bute torque from
zero to 100 percent between the front and rear axles. Up to 2700 Nm driveline
torque can be transferred to the rear axle. Additionally, the electronic
limited slip differential eLSD is available. Moreover, Insignia offers a
first-in-class safety innovation called the Opel Eye, following its philosophy
of making advanced technology affordable. This camera is located between
the windshield and the rear-view mirror and aids drivers in two different
ways. The Traffic Sign Recognition function reads and memorizes speed limit
and no-passing signs and displays them on the instrument panel. The Lane
Departure Warning alerts drivers when they unin-tentionally veer out of their
lane. Opel also presents a number of enhancements in its new generation Adaptive
Forward Lighting (AFL+) system, including automatic headlamp beam adjustment
for prevailing road profiles and visibility conditions. The system for the
first time features nine lighting functions. Vehicle sensors measure speed,
yaw rate, steering angle and rain; the high beam assistant’s optical
sensor collects information on road profile, driving status and visi-bility
conditions. In a split second, the system’s software decides which lighting
function is appropriate for the prevailing driving situation and adjusts
the headlamps accordingly. Opel Insignias with AFL+ headlamps also come with
LED daytime running lamps. Compared to conventional low beam headlamps, these
improve fuel consumption because they require considerably less electrical
power.
Holistic Approach from Production to
Service
The Insignia is manufactured at the Rüsselsheim plant inaugurated in
2002 designed with a commitment to excellence in manufacturing and quality.
The new mid-size car is made in one of GM’s most modern facilities,
with top materials and state-of-the art production techniques. It was designed
to retain its value after sale and, in the event of a collision, keep repairs
low. “GM Europe is investing nine billion euros by 2012 in the Opel
brand and in a new model offensive. Of that, our plant in Rüsselsheim,
where the Insignia will be built, will receive 900 million euros. This investment
is a starting point of a new Opel generation,” said Carl-Peter Forster,
President General Motors Europe. |
READER COMMENTS
Adam Opel AG, A member company
of the GM Group,
Ein Unternehmen der GM Gruppe,
General Motors Corporation
September 2008 |
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