| All-new model | Vauxhall/Opel Insignia |
The Insignia marks a sleek new chapter in Vauxhall's family car history as it replaces
the Vectra in July. It will make its debut at the
British International Motor Show and goes on sale in the UK in October in saloon and hatchback forms.
With sleek styling and a coupe-esque roof line, the Insignia is a radical departure from Vauxhall's conservative family car past. Mark Adams, vice president of GM Europe, said: "Our aim was to develop a confident look which reinforced the car's superb driving dynamics and also made it clear that this is a premium product, though still at a highly competitive price."
Much of Vauxhall's efforts to give the Insignia a more premium feel have centred on the interior. It features a dash that wraps around into the door panels and Vauxhall promises that the mix of materials and trim finishes will be much improved over the Vectra, which is often accused of being drab.
Vauxhall has also introduced ambient lighting for the Insignia's interior. The seats have undergone special development to make them as comfortable as possible while making them safer in the event of an accident.
Another safety feature is Vauxhall's adaptive lighting, which has nine different settings to account for different driving conditions. This sets the headlight beam to optimum height, giving more illumination on dark country roads while lowering the beam in well lit city streets.
The Insignia will also have the option of an adaptive chassis called IDS-Plus. This is a combination of different systems that can tailor the car to the conditions or let the driver fine tune the car's responses to suit his or her driving style.
Vauxhall will offer the Insignia with front-wheel drive across the range, while four-wheel drive will be an option with the more powerful engines. When the Vauxhall goes on sale in October in the UK, the engine line-up will consist of two four-cylinder petrol units and a V6 with 256bhp. Turbodiesel options are taken care of by a new direct injection 2.0-litre engine in 128- and 158bhp guises. An EcoFLEX low emissions model will join the Insignia range some time in 2009.
Vauxhall will announce prices for the Insignia saloon and hatch at the British International Motor Show in July. An estate version will follow early in 2009.
Alisdair Suttie - 18 Apr 2008