The new Opel Insignia range will be launched here later this year and will be available as a five-door hatch, four-door saloon and sports tourer.
Opel claims the new Insignia is not only the lowest CO2 emitting car in its sector, but now also the most streamlined vehicle in the world in its class.
This is thanks to clever changes to its body design. Opel’s engineers have reduced the vehicle’s drag coefficient to under 0.25 for the Insignia hatchback and 0.28 for the sports tourer (estate ).
The Opel Insignia 2.0 CDTi ecoFLEX (140 PS ) model with start/stop also features an additional ultra-modern aerodynamic element: an active front air shutter. Air flowing through the front grille to cool the engine usually accounts for up to eight per cent of total vehicle air drag. To reduce this effect, a shutter in the lower front grille automatically closes to prevent air entering and causing turbulence.
For cold starts, an additional advantage is a faster engine warm-up, which also helps reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Whenever the engine needs air for cooling, the shutter opens automatically.
Opel also claims the Insignia is also the most fuel efficient diesel car in its class, thanks to a powerful 2.0 CDTI turbo diesel engine. The Insignia 99g/km CO2 (103kW/140bhp ) in four and five-door models with a six-speed manual gearbox as well as start/stop, consumes 3.7 litres of fuel per 100km (or over 76mpg ) over the combined cycle.
No compromise
in comfort
Despite its tight focus on fuel efficiency, Opel claims the new Insignia makes no compromises in terms of comfort while also making a host of chassis improvements, including dampers, roll-bars and steering, which result in improved noise and vibration behaviour and even higher levels of comfort. The Insignia now features new dampers and so-called rebound springs, while completely new suspension control arms and carrier housings were built into the axle architecture to improve driving comfort. In addition, the diameters of the front and rear anti-roll bars have also been altered.
Opel’s highly rates FlexRide premium chassis system, with its real-time adaptive driving style recognition, is also used in the new Insignia. The driver can choose from three driving modes: Standard for driving comfort, Tour for an even softer, more comfortable drive; and Sport for a more direct, sporty driving experience.
“The new Insignia delivers on performance through its efficient German engineering and stunning aerodynamic design without any compromise. These features not only contribute to a more dynamic driving experience, but also increase efficiency and lower running costs which will definitely be popular with customers here in Ireland,” says Dave Sheeran, managing director of Opel Ireland.
The Insignia range will also benefit from a new petrol 1.6 SIDI turbo engine with 125kW/170 hp and 260Nm (up to 280Nm with over-boost ) available from 1,650rpm. In four and five-door models, the 1.6 SIDI turbo requires 5.9 litres of fuel per 100km (nearly 48mpg ) and emits 139g/km CO2, while the sports tourer consumes 6.2 l/100km (over 45mpg ) with 146g/km CO2. This is an improvement of almost 16 per cent over models powered by the previous 1.6 turbo engine.
Opel says the biggest change existing Insignia customers will see when they sit in the new car is a completely re-designed centre console and instrument cluster. The centre console has been simplified and now has fewer buttons for more intuitive operation of common functions, such as air conditioning and infotainment, while the instrument cluster has new dials and a fresh, high-tech look.
Available as an optional extra across the range is an 8-inch (up from 5-inches in the outgoing range ), high-resolution colour infotainment display with touch-screen functionality and a new, upgraded instrument cluster. Drivers can access all functions and sub-menus such as radio stations, song titles, smartphone connection or 3D navigation in an intuitive and safe way. Up to 60 favourite menus can be stored from all functions and apps can also be downloaded via the car’s Bluetooth-connected internet.
The cluster incorporates two outer dials showing fuel and revs, while in the centre sits a speedometer that can be displayed in analogue or digital form, or changed to show functions such as smartphone or audio use, or navigation.
For more details on prices and specifications for Ireland closer to the launch here later this year, watch this space.
