Opel Insignia

Opel Insignia
Overview
Manufacturer	Opel
Production	2008–present
Body and chassis
Class	Large family car (D) Compact crossover estate (Country Tourer)
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Opel Vectra Opel Omega

The Opel Insignia (from Latin insigne = the emblem/coat of arms) is a large family car engineered and produced by the German automaker Opel. Production of the Insignia began in 2008 as a replacement for the Vectra and Signum.^[1] The vehicle is sold under the Vauxhall marque in the United Kingdom, and known as the Buick Regal in China and North America.^[2][3] It was launched in Australia and New Zealand under the Holden marque in 2015.^[4]

In Chile, the vehicle was originally due to be marketed as the Chevrolet Vectra,^[5] but is now sold as the Opel Insignia.^[6] The Insignia made its debut in Australia in 2012, badged as an Opel.^[7] but was dropped a year later after the brand was withdrawn from the market.^[8] The Insignia is produced in Opel's plant in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

2003 Insignia Concept

2003 Insignia Concept
Overview
Manufacturer	Opel (General Motors)
Production	2003 (Concept car)
Designer	Mark Adams Malcolm Ward
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Premium platform
Related	Buick Avenir
Powertrain
Engine	5.7 L LS1 V8
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,915 mm (114.8 in)
Length	4,803 mm (189.1 in)
Width	1,914 mm (75.4 in)
Height	1,414 mm (55.7 in)
Chronology
Successor	Buick Avenir

The Opel Insignia Concept is a full-size luxury car (F-segment in Europe) presented by the German automaker Opel at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.^[9][10] The car has a V8 engine from the Corvette with 344 PS.

The Insignia Concept has a hydropneumatic suspension system, a pantograph-like mechanism for the rear sliding doors, and LED lighting technology.

In early 2005, it was announced by Opel that this concept car cannot be built, because it would be too heavy and too expensive. This vehicle remained therefore a pure concept study. However, this concept car inspired the 2015 Buick Avenir.

• 

  Opel Insignia Concept at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show

• 

  Rear sliding doors

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  Rear view

Production

In December 2006, What Car? announced that Vauxhall was to ditch the nameplate from the previous model. Then–General Motors Europe president, Carl-Peter Forster, leaked the news to BusinessCar, explaining that the all–new car would be "a radical departure" from the current model, and that the "Vectra" name would be dropped to reflect this change.^[11] In March 2007, What Car? reported the car would première in 2008's British International Motor Show. Previously, it was thought it would première in 2008's Geneva Motor Show.^[12] In October 2005, Auto Express produced computer generated images, which showed an unused design.

In September 2007, What Car? produced computer generated images, showing how the replacement would look like.^[13] That month, What Car? gave an update, confirming the car would première in London, thanks to the success of the Corsa C.^[14] In November 2007, What Car? announced that Vauxhall had confirmed that the successor's name would be Insignia.^[15]

Insignia (2008–present)

Insignia
Overview
Also called	Bitter Insignia Buick Regal Vauxhall Insignia (United Kingdom) Holden Insignia (Australia & New Zealand)
Production	2008–present
Assembly	Rüsselsheim, Germany
Designer	Mark Adams Malcolm Ward[16][17]
Body and chassis
Class	Large family car (Saloon, Hatchback and Estate) Compact crossover estate (Country Tourer)
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door hatchback 5-door estate 5-door crossover estate (Country Tourer)
Platform	Epsilon II platform
Related	Chevrolet Malibu
Powertrain
Transmission	5-speed semi-automatic 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,737 mm (107.8 in)
Length	4,830 mm (190.2 in) 4,908 mm (193.2 in) (wagon)
Width	1,856 mm (73.1 in)
Height	1,498 mm (59.0 in)
Curb weight	1,470–1,610 kg (3,240–3,550 lb)

The Insignia debuted at the 2008 British International Motor Show in London on 23 July as the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. This reflected the Vauxhall brand that is unique to the United Kingdom.^[18] It then went on sale in European dealerships in October 2008 as a 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon, and 5-door estate, dubbed Sports Tourer – a departure for Opel which traditionally used the "Caravan" name to denote the estate bodystyle. The Insignia is the first production car to be based on the Epsilon II platform, which was also used on other models such as the 2010 Saab 9-5 and the Chevrolet Malibu.

The Insignia was the first car to debut new badges for both the Opel and Vauxhall brands, and for Vauxhall, it was the first car to dispense with the characteristic "V" grille that has adorned Vauxhall models since 1994, which differentiated them from the otherwise identical Opel models.

The Insignia was also the first Opel to debut many new and improved safety features, including:

• (an improved) Adaptive Forward Lighting – bi-xenon, gas discharge headlamps with variable light beam distribution in width, direction and range. Advanced Front-Lighting System (AFS), static cornering light, complemented by daytime running lights with LEDs. Sensors and software monitor the surroundings, traffic and weather conditions so that the system can activate the appropriate lighting function.
• Opel Eye – This uses a camera at the top of the windscreen to monitor the area in front of the vehicle. Information from the camera is continuously analysed to identify road markings and traffic signs. Road markings are used as the basis of the first of Opel Eye’s two functions: lane departure warning. Traffic signs are recognised and indicated to the driver in the second function: traffic sign memory. At speeds above 60 km/h (37 mph), Opel Eye warns the driver if the car is about to veer inadvertently out of the lane in which it is travelling. The system can detect road markings and, if they are sufficiently distinct, unmarked road edges. The Insignia was the first production car to feature a dual-function frontal camera with traffic sign recognition.

Design-wise, the Insignia offers 30 mm (1.2 in) more knee room than the Vectra. The saloon and hatchback variants have the same 4.83 m (190.2 in) length and wheelbase of 2.73 m (107.5 in). The estate version is slightly longer at 4.91 m (193.3 in) on the same wheelbase.

• 

  Rear of the Opel Insignia saloon

• 

  Opel Insignia hatchback (2008-2013)

• 

  Opel Insignia Sports Tourer (2008-2013)

• 

  UK-market Vauxhall Insignia

• 

  Holden Insignia VXR (Australia)

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  Interior

OPC

In early 2009, Opel revealed the Insignia OPC, a high-performance variant of the Insignia.^[19] Like the preceding Vectra OPC, it is powered by a 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 (Manufactured in Melbourne, Australia).^[19][20] The updated engine makes 239 kilowatts (325 PS; 321 hp) and 435 newton metres (321 lb·ft). Of this 435, 400 newton metres (300 lb·ft) are available from 2,000 rpm.^[21] It is paired with a six-speed manual transmission / six-speed automatic transmission and Saab's (Haldex) active all-wheel-drive system. The Insignia OPC has a modified MacPherson strut front suspension called HiPerStrut which reduces torque steer. Also standard is an electronic limited slip differential for the rear wheels and Opel's FlexRide adaptive suspension, which has three settings (OPC, Sport, and Normal). An OPC version of the Insignia Sports Tourer wagon has also been unveiled and is currently on sale.

In April 2011, Opel launched the Insignia OPC Unlimited, with no speed limiter.^[22]

• 

  Opel Insignia OPC

• 

  Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer

Country Tourer

Opel Insignia Country Tourer makes its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013: The Country Tourer's main competitors are the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack , Audi A4 Allroad, and Škoda Octavia Scout.

• 

  Opel Insignia Country Tourer

• 

  Rear view

2013 facelift

A major facelift was introduced in June 2013, with new exterior and interior styling, new engines, and new safety features. The car officially premiered at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, before going on sale later in 2013. The new design includes a newly designed cockpit with a simplified control panel and two 8-inch colour displays, a four-way infotainment system via new a touchpad in the centre console, an 8-inch touchscreen, steering wheel controls, voice command, radar and camera-based driver assistance and safety systems, such as full-speed adaptive cruise control and imminent collision braking, rear camera, lane-change assistance, blind spot alert, and rear cross traffic alert.

• 

  Opel Insignia facelift

• 

  Rear view

• 

  Opel Insignia OPC facelift

Engines

2008–2013

From launch, the Insignia was offered with four petrol engines – a 1.6-L 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp), 1.8-L 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp), 2.0-L Turbo 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp), and a 2.8-L V6 with 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) – and three diesel engines (all derived from the Fiat/GM JTD engine) – all 2.0 litres with 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp), 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) and 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp). In 2009, a 1.6-L Turbo petrol 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp), the ecoFLEX diesels, and the OPC versions were introduced.

From September 2010, the 2.0 CDTI Diesel gained Adaptive 4x4 as an option. A '2.0 BiTurbo' CDTI, with 195 PS (143 kW; 192 hp), in development with Saab, was expected to begin production in 2010, but due to the sale of Saab, production was delayed and began production in 2012, as 2WD (FWD) and 4WD.

All engines have a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with some engines having an automatic transmission as an option.

Since launch, all diesels have improved their emissions. In 2011, some engines gained Start/Stop, all diesel engines have this option, with more petrol engines expected to gain the technology in the future. A 1.4 Turbo 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp), with S/S as standard, is available, replacing the 1.8, and the 2.0 Turbo was upgraded to 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) only with four-wheel drive. The 2.0 Turbo with 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) remains as only FWD.

In 2009, a new range of ecoFLEX diesel engine offered same amount of power, but less CO₂-emission (g/km) and fuel consumption. The 2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX with 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) and 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) have emission of only 114 CO₂-emission (g/km), as well as a version with 2.0 CDTI 4x4. The 195 PS (143 kW; 192 hp) Bi-turbo diesel engine has 129 CO₂-emission (g/km).

Petrol engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note	Year
1.4 Turbo S/S	I4	1364 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) @4,900–6000 rpm	200 N·m (148 lb·ft) @1850-4,900 rpm		2011–
1.6 VVT	I4	1,598 cc	115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) @6,000 rpm	155 N·m (114 lb·ft) @4,000 rpm		2008–12
1.6 Turbo	I4	1,598 cc	180 PS (130 kW; 180 hp) @5,500 rpm	230 N·m (170 lb·ft) @2,200–5,500 rpm
1.8 VVT	I4	1,796 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) @6,300 rpm	175 N·m (129 lb·ft) @3,800 rpm
2.0 Turbo	I4	1,998 cc	220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) @5,300 rpm	350 N·m (260 lb·ft) @2,000-4000 rpm		2008–
2.0 Turbo 4x4	I4	1,998 cc	220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) @5,300 rpm	350 N·m (260 lb·ft) @2,000-4000 rpm		2008–11
2.0 Turbo 4x4	I4	1,998 cc	250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) @5,300 rpm	400 N·m (300 lb·ft) @2,400–3,600 rpm		2011–
2.8T 4x4	V6	2,792 cc	260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) @5,500 rpm	350 N·m (260 lb·ft) @1,900–4500 rpm		2008–
2.8T 4x4	V6	2,792 cc	325 PS (239 kW; 321 hp) @5,500 rpm	435 N·m (321 lb·ft) @5,500 rpm	OPC/VXR	2009–
Diesel engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note	Year
2.0 CDTI	I4	1,956 cc	110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) @4,000 rpm	260 N·m (190 lb·ft) @1,750–2500 rpm	N/A in UK
2.0 CDTI	I4	1,956 cc	130 PS (96 kW; 130 hp) @4,000 rpm	300 N·m (220 lb·ft) @1,750–2500 rpm
2.0 CDTI	I4	1,956 cc	160 PS (120 kW; 160 hp) @4,000 rpm	350 N·m (260 lb·ft) @1,750–2500 rpm
2.0 CDTI 4x4	I4	1,956 cc	160 PS (120 kW; 160 hp) @4,000 rpm	350 N·m (260 lb·ft) @1,750–2500 rpm		2010–
2.0 CDTI Bi-Turbo	I4	1,956 cc	195 PS (143 kW; 192 hp)@4,000 rpm	400 N·m (300 lb·ft) @1,750–2500 rpm		2012 –
2.0 CDTI Bi-Turbo 4x4	I4	1,956 cc	195 PS (143 kW; 192 hp)@4,000 rpm	400 N·m (300 lb·ft) @1,750–2500 rpm		2012 –

2013–present

Alongside the 2013 facelift came a new range of engines – some existing, some tweaked, and some brand new. Diesel engines available at launch include the 2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX (also with Start/Stop), with outputs of 120 PS, 140 PS, and 163 PS and the existing 195 PS BiTurbo. There is also a non-ecoFLEX engine with 130 PS which is only available with automatic transmission. Petrol engines include the existing 1.4 Turbo and 1.8 (only on some markets), and the all new 1.6 SIDI Turbo engine introduced in the Cascada, and new 2.0 SIDI Turbo. All engines come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a six-speed automatic available as an option on the 1.6 and 2.0 SIDI turbo petrol engines, and the 2.0 CDTI 163 PS and 195 PS diesel engines. All petrol and diesel engines have a Start/Stop system except the 2.0 CDTI with 130 PS.

In September 2014, Opel introduced its all-new generation of engines – Large Diesel engine, starting with 2.0 CDTI engine with 170 PS and 400 Nm, which is a part of new strategy in which Opel will introduce 17 new engines in period from 2014–2018. New engine will be available from end 2014/beginning of 2015.^[23]

Petrol engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note	CO2 (g/km)	Year
1.4 Turbo S/S	I4	1,362 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) @4,900–6000 rpm	200 N·m (148 lb·ft) @1850-4,900 rpm		123
1.6 SIDI Turbo S/S	I4	1,598 cc	170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) @4,250 rpm	260 N·m (192 lb·ft) (overboost 280 Nm (207 lbft)) @1,650–4,250 rpm		139
1.8 VVT	I4	1,796 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) @6,300 rpm	175 N·m (129 lb·ft) @3,800 rpm		164
2.0 SIDI Turbo S/S	I4	1,998 cc	250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) @4,500 rpm	400 N·m (300 lb·ft) @2,000–4,500 rpm		169
Diesel engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note	CO2 (g/km)	Year
1.6 CDTI	I4	1,598 cc	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) @4,000 rpm	320 N·m (240 lb·ft) @2,000 rpm		109-104	2015–
1.6 CDTI	I4	1,598 cc	136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) @4,000 rpm	320 N·m (240 lb·ft) @2,000 rpm		104-99	2015–
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S	I4	1,956 cc	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) @4,000 rpm	300 N·m (220 lb·ft) (overboost 320 Nm (236 lbft)) @1,750–2,500 rpm		99	2013–15
2.0 CDTI	I4	1,956 cc	130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) @4,000 rpm	300 N·m (220 lb·ft) (overboost 320 Nm (236 lbft)) @1,750–2,500 rpm	Only with AT	119	2013–15
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S	I4	1,956 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) @4,000 rpm	350 N·m (260 lb·ft) (overboost 370 Nm (273 lbft)) @1,750–2,500 rpm		99	2013–15
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S	I4	1,956 cc	163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp) @4,000 rpm	350 N·m (260 lb·ft) (overboost 380 Nm (273 lbft)) @1,750–2,500 rpm		114	2013–15
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S	I4	1,956 cc	170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) @4,000 rpm	400 N·m (300 lb·ft) @1,750–2,500 rpm		114	2014–
2.0 CDTI Bi-Turbo ecoFLEX S/S	I4	1,956 cc	195 PS (143 kW; 192 hp)@4,000 rpm	400 N·m (300 lb·ft) @1,750–2,500 rpm		125	2013-15

Awards

Since making its début, the Opel Insignia has won more than 50 national and international awards, including 'Best Executive Car' in the UK and Slovenia, 'Best Family Car' in Ireland twice, and best car for fleet customers in the UK, Austria, Denmark, and Portugal.^[24]

• The Insignia was voted 2009 European Car of the Year.^[25][26]
• The Insignia scored a five-star rating in EuroNCAP.
• In 2011, German institute DEKRA gave Opel an award for the Insignia as a car with the fewest flaws in its class.^[27]
• In 2012 Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung mbH/Association for Technical Supervision evaluated Opel Insignia as number one in terms of used car quality.^[28]

Production and sales

Production started at late 2008 on all major markets in Europe. At launch, the Vauxhall versions were produced in Exclusiv, S, SE, SRi, Elite, and VXR specification levels. It has been a popular choice with British buyers, being the nation's ninth-best selling car in 2009 – its first full year on sale, outselling its direct competitor the Ford Mondeo, but just falling short of the sales achieved by the more upmarket BMW 3 Series.^[29]

At the beginning several trim levels: Essentia, Edition, Sport, Cosmo, OPC, and later Business edition, Selection, Active, 150 years of Opel, Innovation all depending on market.

As of August 2011, over 400,000 Insignias have been sold, and on April 26, 2012, the 500,000th Insignia was produced.^[30]

Motorsport

The Vauxhall Insignia VXR-R of John Thorne competing in the 2012 British Touring Car Championship

The Thorney Motorsport team first ran a Vauxhall Insignia VXR in the last round of the 2011 British Touring Car Championship to prepare a two-car assault for the in the 2012 season.^[31] Although this was the plan, it turned out they could only afford to run a one-car assault in four rounds – 1 and 2 driven by John Thorne, and 6 and 9 driven by Tony Gilham. Tony's Team HARD bought the two Insignias from Thorney Motorsport,^[32] and raced one of them himself in the last round of the 2012 season. Driving both cars for the 2013 season were James Cole and Jack Goff, running under the RCIB Insurance Racing team name.

References

1. "New Opel Insignia: New Name for a New Era". General Motors. 2007-11-29. Archived from the original on 2008-03-30. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
2. Aziz, Nick (2008-11-05). "2010 Buick Regal: Insignia-based luxury sedan for China revealed". Leftlane. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
3. Aziz, Nick (2009-07-20). "Confirmed: Buick Regal coming to America in late 2010". Leftlane. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
4. Sam McEachern, Opel Returns To Australian Market, This Time Badged As A Holden, 1 May 2014, gmauthority.com
5. "Multiplicación de novedades". El Mercurio (in Spanish). 2008-10-18. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
6. "Opel Insignia" (in Spanish). Opel Chile. 2012-01-12. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
7. Flynn, Malcolm (2012-08-01). "2013 Opel Insignia On Sale In Australia". Themotorreport.com.au. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
8. Dowling, Joshua (2013-08-02). "Opel abandons Australian arm after less than a year after poor sales". News.com.au. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
9. "Opel Insignia : Concept Cars". Diseno-art.com. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
10. "Opel Insignia Concept". Supercars.net. 2004-03-01. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
11. "Vauxhall to ditch Vectra name". whatcar.com. December 11, 2006. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
12. "London launch for Vectra replacement?". whatcar.com. March 8, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
13. "First look at Vectra replacement". whatcar.com. September 4, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
14. "New Vectra launch update". whatcar.com. September 12, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
15. "Goodbye Vauxhall Vectra, hello Insignia". whatcar.com. November 29, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
16. "Malcolm Ward Appointed Director of Exterior Design". Theautochannel.com. 2009-04-22. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
17. http://web.archive.org/web/20131214225923/http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/media. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
18. "London show: Vauxhall Insignia". Autocar. 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
19. Pettendy, Marton (2009-04-16). "First look: HSV’s turbocharged Insignia mid-sizer". GoAuto. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
20. Torr, Feann (2005-08-09). "Opel Vectra OPC: First Look". WebWombat. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
21. Miercuri, Publicat (2009-07-15). "Cireasa de pe tort". AutoMarket (in Romanian). Retrieved 2009-10-08.
22. "New Opel Insignia OPC Unlimited Edition Ditches Speed Limiter topping out at 270km/h". Carscoops. 2011-04-15. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
23. "All-new Opel 2.0 CDTI: New Generation Large Diesel Debuts in Paris". Media Opel. 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
24. "Happy Birthday Opel Insignia – Europe’s Shooting Star in 2009". bloggersbase.com. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
25. "Rewind to 2009: Vauxhall Insignia.". Quicks. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
26. Tan, Paul (2008-11-17). "Vauxhall Insignia wins 2009 Car of the Year award". Retrieved 2008-11-17.
27. "DEKRA Faults Report 2011: Opel Insignia Gets Top Marks for Quality". Retrieved 2010-12-15.
28. "GTÜ Used Car Report – Opel Insignia is Again Number One". Retrieved 2012-09-17.
29. "Ford Fiesta is top in 09". Car Dealer Magazine. 2010-01-08. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
30. "The 500.000th Opel Insignia Leaves The Rüsselsheim Plant". scoopcar.com. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
31. Turner, Kevin (11 April 2011). "New BTCC team to run Insignias". Autosport. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
32. Chalcraft, Jodie (2012-10-16). "Two Vauxhall Insignias for Team Hard in 2013". Btcccrazy.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-12-14.

External links

• Official international Opel Insignia website
• Official Opel Insignia website (Ireland)