Opel prepares for an offensive, reinforced with heavy weapons to match the main references in the D segment. Meet the new Opel Insignia.
The revised and improved Insignia, in the hatchback and Sport Tourer versions, is now joined by the newest member of the Opel family, the Insignia Country Tourer.
Still warm, fresh from the 65th edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show a few weeks ago, the top of the range from Opel presents itself to the world with a clean face and full of new technologies, with a more aggressive and attractive design, always allied to German precision.
The news goes far beyond the facelift. With regard to engines, new, more powerful and efficient direct injection engines will be available, including the new 2.0 CDTI turbodiesel and also the brand new 1.6 Turbo from the SIDI gasoline engine family, which will expand the range of available engines .
In this review of the model, the Opel Insignia evolved at the chassis level, with the aim of improving on-board comfort. In the cabin, we find a new instrument panel with an integrated infotainment system, which allows access to various smartphone functions and can be controlled in a simple and intuitive way through a touchpad (touch screen), through the multifunction steering wheel or through the controls of voice.
The evolution of the cabin was inspired by 3 topics: simple and intuitive use, personalization of the infotainment system.
From the home screen, the driver accesses all functions such as radio stations, music or a 3D navigation system, all through a few keys, touchscreen or using the new touchpad. The touchpad is ergonomically integrated into the center console and, like the Audi touchpad, it allows you to enter letters and words, for example, to search for a song title or enter an address in the navigation system.
The new Insignia has sold more than 600,000 units and promises to continue to fight in a segment that promises to become increasingly fierce. The top model German brand has always been praised for its comfort and dynamic behavior, now revised, the expectation is that it will ascend to a higher level.
Geared towards engines, the new range of powertrains is more focused on efficiency than ever. The new 2.0 CDTI is a champion when it comes to fuel consumption, thanks to the latest technology, the new 140 hp variant emits just 99 g/km of CO2 (Sports Tourer version: 104 g/km of CO2). When combined with the six-speed manual transmission and the “Start/Stop” system, they consume only 3.7 liters of diesel for every 100 km driven (Sports Tourer version: 3.9 l/100 km), reference values. Still the 2.0 CDTI manages to develop an expressive 370 Nm of binary.
The top-of-the-range Diesel version is equipped with the 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo with 195 hp. This high-performance engine is equipped with two turbos that work in sequence, ensuring a vigorous response in a wide range of regimes.
Purists will be pleased to hear that two supercharged and direct injection engines are available, the 2.0 Turbo with 250 hp and 400 Nm of torque, and the new 1.6 SIDI Turbo da with 170 hp and 280 Nm of torque.
Two engines that, according to Opel, value for being smooth and spare. We are only suspicious of the savings part. Both are coupled to six-speed manual gearboxes and have a “Start/Stop” system, they can also be ordered with a new low-friction six-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.0 SIDI Turbo version will be the only one to have front or four-wheel drive.
The entry-level version of the gasoline engine range is equipped with an economical 1.4 Turbo, with a 6-speed manual gearbox with 140 hp and 200 Nm (220 Nm with 'overboost') achieving an average mixed cycle of just 5, 2 l per 100 km and emit only 123 g/km of CO2 (Sports Tourer: 5.6 l/100 km and 131 g/km).
The OPC version will be available for the more affluent for €61,250, featuring a 2.8 liter V6 Turbo with 325 hp and 435 Nm, capable of launching from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6 seconds, reaching 250 km/h h maximum speed – or reaching 270 km/h if you opt for the “Unlimited” OPC pack.
With prices starting at €27,250 for the sedan, the Sport Tourer versions will have an increase of €1,300 to the value of the sedan. Once again, the Opel Insignia is a serious competitor to Volkswagen Passat, Ford Mondeo and Citroen C5.
Text: Marco Nunes