Car of the Year 2008 (in Europe), Car of the Year 2009 (in Portugal) and Fleet Car of the Year in 2015 (by Fleet Magazine). These are just some of the distinctions that the historic Opel Vectra replacement managed to achieve in its first generation.
Hence, it didn't seem like an easy task for the new Opel Insignia 2nd generation, launched in 2017. The good news is that the new Opel Insignia is better than its predecessor in every respect. All.
Opel knew how to listen to the criticisms that were directed at the first generation of the Opel Insignia — launched in the distant year of 2008 — and substantially reduced the weight of the set (consumption, behavior and performance gained), reduced the complexity of the center console ( it had too many buttons) and opted for a more passionate design (inspired by the Monza concept).
The remaining gains were natural consequences of the passage of time and the evolution of technique. Particularly in terms of technological content: Matrix LED headlights, head-up display, 4G wifi hot-spot, AGR seats (ergonomic certification), lane maintenance assistant, adaptive cruise-control and much more…
The best representative of the Opel Insignia range?
Usually, the most powerful and equipped versions are the most desired of all. They are also those that normally best enhance the range's potential.
That's why in my first contact with the Opel Insignia I wanted to test the most powerful version that was available for testing.
This Opel Insignia Grand Sport 2.0 Turbo D, packed with extras and equipment, is the exception to the rule. It is not, in my opinion, the one that best expresses the potential of the Opel Insignia range.
There is a culprit. Opel's 2.0 Turbo D engine, with 170 hp (at 3,750 rpm) and 400 Nm of maximum torque (from 1,750 rpm), is shipped and relatively spared. But it is not up to the level of the 2.0 liter engines of the competition in terms of running smooth. Whether this competition is a Volkswagen Passat, a Mazda6 or a BMW 3 Series.
When you enter the 50,000 euro championship — I've just invented a championship… — the competition doesn't forgive the slightest mistake. And this engine fails in this aspect, not compromising on the other items under analysis (performances and consumption). In other words, it's not a bad engine but more was required.
So what is the best rep?
After this test — recorded at the end of 2018 for our YouTube Channel — I had the opportunity to test the 1.5 Turbo with 165 hp gasoline (which will be published shortly) and 1.6 Turbo D with 136 hp of the Opel Insignia. Versions that, in my opinion, express the best of the Opel Insignia range. In other words, they maintain the good quality of this model (comfort, equipment and dynamic behavior) and say goodbye to the high price of the 2.0 Turbo D version, whose prices start at 49,080 euros — with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
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