It's been a while since we've heard about the upcoming Opel Insignia due out later this year, but we've got a vested interest in its development as it's likely to come to the U.S. sporting a Saturn Aura badge. We were initially teased with a darkened shot of the new Euro-sedan's tail lamp back in November, but today, another shot has surfaced that gives us a brief peek of the flagship's new fascia.
The Insignia is set to replace the Vectra (Saturn Aura in the States) and will grow in every dimension to include a sedan, wagon and five-door hatch. Built atop the new FWD Epsilon II platform, the new model will feature a number of four- and six-cylinder engines, with the possibility of a hybrid drivetrain pulled from the Malibu and fitted to the new Aura when it makes its way to the U.S. sometime in 2010.
[Source: Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
HAWC1506 @ Mar 11th 2008 8:40PM
I hope the wagon comes too...
greddy007 @ Mar 11th 2008 9:08PM
me too!!
Mars @ Mar 11th 2008 9:14PM
i like it!!! but..2010. it is a little long. can it be faster?
Torrent @ Mar 11th 2008 10:16PM
Think it'll look anything like this 2012 Saturn Aura?
http://www.gminsidenews.com/naias/revitalization/saturnria/aura.shtml
archknight @ Mar 12th 2008 7:29AM
If it does look anything like the original, my only gripe was that the antenna was sitting right up front in the middle of the roof. Hopefully they have resolved the issue with the panorama roof and moved the antenna to its usual place or found a way to integrate it somewhere else.
Richard S. @ Mar 11th 2008 10:44PM
Why ditch the brand name "Vectra". The Vectras seems to have had a some market success and are decent cars. Are they damaged in some way that GM feels the need to ditch this name and all the brand name equity and get a new name for its replacement?
Seems to me a bad move. Toyota and Honda have had their car names for decades without any negative effect.
jgp @ Mar 11th 2008 11:46PM
Because "Vectra" has a reputation for being company cars and fleet specials.
"Vauxhall Vectra" has the same reputation as "Pontiac Grand Prix".
Eric Biran @ Mar 12th 2008 2:24AM
MUCH more here of the headlights, all official:
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/03/opel-releases-new-insignia-teaser-shots.html
TBlueMax @ Mar 12th 2008 8:38AM
Great catch and interesting information on the Opel's headlight system. A good complement would be this article on American vs. Euro car lighting: http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature/tech/Motive_Tech_The_Difference_Between_US_and_European_Lights.shtml
I would be [pleasantly] surprised if we were to get such high tech headlights in the Saturn Aura due to the cost and regulatory differences.
Mirko Reinhardt @ Mar 12th 2008 2:40AM
The current Saturn Aura is not identical with the Opel Vectra. The only similarities are the shape of the front end.
They are both on the Epsilon platform, but no engines, gearboxes, interior parts or any exterior styling behind the A-pillar is related in any way.
They are on different wheelbases too.
Dazza @ Mar 12th 2008 9:36AM
Mirko: The Aura uses the extended Epsilon platform used in the Vectra estate and Signum. The Vectra sedan and hatch use the standard platform as also used in the Saab 9-3 and recently replaced Chevrolet Malibu.
jgp @ Mar 12th 2008 10:58AM
Yes, the Vectra resembles the 04-07 Malibu far more than it resembles the Aura.
If you compare the Vectra and the 04-07 Malibu, the side profiles are almost completely identical. The Vectra and Aura don't resemble each other one bit from the side.