British Motor Show Preview: Opel Insignia to debut in hatch and sedan forms
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jul 3rd 2008 at 12:02PM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Opel Insignia.
GM's European branch is planning a big debut later this month at the British Motor Show in London for one of its most important mainstream models. The new Insignia is replacing the venerable Vectra and brings with it a whole new design language. We got our first preview of the new look on last years GTC and Flextreme concepts. In London, Opel will be displaying hatchback and sedan variants of the Epsilon II-based Insignia, with the sharp edged look of the Vectra replaced with smoother flowing lines and scooped out side panels. European drivers will have seven engines to choose from including four gas and three diesel models, all with six speed gearboxes. The four- and six-cylinder gas engines range from 115 hp to 260 hp, while the 2.0L diesel fours get 110-160 hp variants. The Insignia will also be available with a version of the Haldex torque vectoring all wheel drive system used on the Saab Turbo-X. GM plans to announce pricing for the new model on July 22 in London with sales later this fall, and don't be surprised if the Insignia makes the trip across the Atlantic and receives a Saturn badge in the process. The Opel press release is after the jump.
Gallery: British Motor Show: Opel Insignia
[Source: General Motors]
Opel Insignia celebrates double premiere at the London Motor Show
· Choice between equally elegant and dynamic notchback and hatchback
· Sleek, aerodynamic body has class-leading Cd value of 0.27
· The New Opel Insignia notchback and hatchback on sale before the end of the year
Opel will showcase to the public for the first time at the British International Motor Show (July 23 – August 3) both the four-door notchback and five-door hatchback versions of its new flagship car, the Insignia.
The new Opel Insignia highlights breathtaking design: Both body styles boast a flowing, muscular yet elegant silhouette with a coupé roofline. Designers of the new car deliberately created similar versions to retain the beauty of Opel's latest mid-sized car. The length of both the notch and hatchback, at 4,830 mm, and the wheelbase of 2,737 mm remain the same.
The Insignia's fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and driving dynamics benefit from the aerodynamic efficiency that was perfected during more than 650 hours in the wind tunnel. The result: A class-leading drag coefficient of 0.27.
Offering both the notchback and hatchback from the start is particularly important for markets such as the U.K. and France, where 5-door sedans traditionally enjoy a high market share of the mid-size class segment. German and Spanish customers, on the other hand, generally prefer notchback sedans. Prices for the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland will be announced July 22 in London and cars will hit German dealerships before the end of the year. Opel expects both models to sell in about equal numbers.
From the beginning, the Insignia will be launched with a broad line-up of motors. Seven engines will be available; all meet Euro 5 emissions standards and come coupled with six-speed transmissions. The four gasoline engines range from a four-cylinder 115 hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp. Three new direct-injection turbo-diesels exclusively developed for the Insignia feature a displacement of 2.0 liters and power outputs spanning from 110 to 160 hp.
The newly developed chassis can be enhanced with the innovative, integrated FlexRide mechatronic system, as well as the sophisticated Adaptive 4x4. Its lightning-fast distribution of torque over the four wheels ensures top stability and traction while improving dynamic handling performance.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
zamafir 12:10PM (7/03/2008)
Very nice. I like it when car companies really strive to produce something better and do an awesome job, vs say that 7 series that just broke embargo yesterday - yup, this car's more exciting.
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BLS 12:07PM (7/03/2008)
I would welcome seeing that on American roads over the Aura.
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Torrent 12:13PM (7/03/2008)
Or make this the new Aura and it's a win-win.
geo.stewart 1:29PM (7/03/2008)
funny how everyone LOVED the Aura when it was Euro only and the option was the Saturn L200 and now somehow the same car has all these detractors.
I wonder if the same will happen to the Insignia?
I still like the Aura. Yes, the Malibu is nicer now but the Aura was out 2 yrs before. you can probably get the Aura cheaper than the malibu.
I cant wait for this either but not because the Aura is 'awful', just that Aura laid the groundwork that Saturn stays around so we can get this. Same with the Astra, decent enough car but can wait for a the true replacement.
Keat 1:59PM (7/03/2008)
That's a damn good-looking car. I love those LED daytime running lights.
tekdemon 1:05AM (7/04/2008)
Stewart...everyone loved it because it was the better car at the time...yes we ended up getting the Aura, but wouldn't it have been that much more competitive if it had been here at the same time as it showed up in Europe? Before newer competitor cars came out and all.
GM should launch this thing ASAP here, I don't think they'll have trouble selling if they actually have a truly superior product for once, instead of something that's merely "competitive" but not really superior in every aspect.
Upthewazzu 12:08PM (7/03/2008)
Cue up, "Bring it over now!!!" demands.
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XJ 12:20PM (7/03/2008)
I'm gonna cue up the "it looks like a" C-class melted with a 5-series.
http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/Mercedes_Benz/C/Spy_shots/MB_C_Coupe_v.jpg
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/london-motor-show-opel-insignia-hatchback/899385/full/
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/5series/security/_shared/img/5series_security.jpg
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/london-motor-show-opel-insignia-hatchback/899394/full/
Brian 12:15PM (7/03/2008)
Can't wait for them to bring this over here. It looks fantastic! Its ashame that people will still by a camry over this though. I don't understand it. Alot of people don't do alot of shopping around for a new car nowadays. People just assume that the camry is the best just because its the best seller. This would would be my first choice.
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styleguy 12:21PM (7/03/2008)
Of course, we'd only get the hatch. But what ever happened to the worrying? http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/2010-saturn-aura-put-on-hold/
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mr.ed 5:14PM (7/03/2008)
We'd only get the sedan. Hatches don't sell. Check the Mazda6. Their 4 door hatches (one across the street) were a loser. The wagons (two on my street, including mine) sold only 16k in four years.
styleguy 7:00AM (7/04/2008)
where do you get the mazda6 from? I knew no hatch, but I thought it was "on hold".
TriShield 12:22PM (7/03/2008)
This car was going to replace the Aura, now that plan is "on hold" as GM's circling the drain accelerates.
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BGJ 7:49AM (7/04/2008)
In fact all new Saturn programs appear to be "on hold" or even cancelled. I smell a reduction in brands coming from GM. Hopefully with government help so that GM is not required to buy out every single dealership.
J M C 3 12:30PM (7/03/2008)
Just looking at this car...You just know it's a hit.
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Alex 12:31PM (7/03/2008)
If I'm correct about the platforms I think we may be looking at the profile for the next 9-5, rumored to have a hatch.
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Alex 12:37PM (7/03/2008)
Thanks god. About time SAAB brought back the rear hatch. It was their defining characteristic that set them apart from the rest.
J M C 3 12:35PM (7/03/2008)
I'd love to see a coupe version with Bentley coupe inspired styling and quad headlights like the upcoming Mercedes e class.
They need to do that for the US Malibu too.Maybe call it the Monte Carlo.
Just some ideas ,for what it's worth, GM.
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Alex 12:37PM (7/03/2008)
That is a really great looking car, inside and out. I'd certainly stop in the local Saturn dealer to check this one out.
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MikeInNC 12:54PM (7/03/2008)
Very nice work. Glad to see design finally (with few exceptions) making it's way into the GM umbrella. Thsi is a great looking machine and will sell well if priced correctly.
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