The New Opel Insignia - The Engine and Infotainment Revolution
09/10/2013
Opel
The new Opel Insignia makes its world premiere at the 65th International Motor Show in Frankfurt (September 12 - 22, 2013), when Opel presents the new edition of its flagship to the public for the first time. The top model shines with even more attractive interior and exterior styling, taking the award-winning design philosophy "sculptural artistry meets German precision" to the next level. New powerful and ultra-efficient direct injection engines like the two turbo gasoline units and the new 99 g CO2 turbo diesel expand the wide portfolio. This low emissions level puts the new 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine in the A+ efficiency class. In four and five-door models with a six-speed manual gearbox and Start/Stop, both output variants (88 kW/120 hp and 103 kW/140 hp) consume just 3.7 liters of fuel per 100 km over the combined cycle (according to Regulation [EC] No 715/2007), while the Sports Tourer achieves 3.9 l/100 km. As a result, the Opel Insignia 2.0 CDTI is the most fuel efficient diesel car in its class.. At the same time, engineers have made the new Insignia's body even more aerodynamic. With a drag coefficient of just below 0.25, the Insignia is now the most streamlined five-door hatchback in the world.
A host of chassis enhancements ensures higher agility and comfort. And a completely new infotainment system generation is now available for the Insignia. It integrates many smartphone functions into the car and can be operated intuitively and simply via a touchpad, touchscreen or steering wheel controls, as well as voice commands.
" Since its introduction, more than 600,000 first-generation Insignia's have been built. The new Insignia will thrill even more - with a more expressive design, high-quality cockpit, intuitive operation of infotainment systems and exemplary powertrains like our trailblazing 99 gram CO2 turbo diesel," says Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, describing the mid-size model's revolution. "Our flagship is now more sophisticated and eye-catching - but even in midst of all this elegance, don't forget what it's all about: to offer drivers and passengers a comfortable and safe driving experience with state-of-the-art technologies at a very attractive price."
The top model has been available to order in Germany since June as a four-door, five-door and Sports Tourer variant; prices begin at 24,325 euros (RRP incl. VAT in Germany.)
Sleek: Clearly arranged cockpit with new infotainment generation
The spotlight was on three criteria during the enhancement of the cockpit: clear, simple and thus intuitive operation, customization of the infotainment offer, and of course comfort and safety for driver and passengers, which is even higher thanks to lowest-possible distraction from road traffic.
The center console has a completely new feeling of subtlety and refinement, and it harbors a host of state-of-the-art technologies and functions. The control panel was drastically simplified. It now has just a few buttons so that operation of the infotainment system and e.g. air conditioning is fast and intuitive.
The new infotainment generation in the Insignia can be controlled over an 8-inch color display with touch operation. From the starting screen the driver can access all function and sub-menus such as radio stations, song titles, smartphone connection or 3D navigation map via button, touchscreen, voice control or the brand new touchpad. And the infotainment system can be individualized - up to 60 personal favorites (e.g. playlists, phone contacts, navigation addresses) can be stored.
The touchpad is ergonomically integrated in the center console and offers a completely new way of quickly and intuitively accessing the infotainment system. Its touch-sensitive surface reacts immediately to finger movements, vibrating lightly to give noticeable haptic feedback and making operation of the new infotainment generation child's play without distracting the driver from the traffic situation. Even individual letters - for instance when searching for a song title in the database or a city in the navigation system - can be entered by fingertip on the touchpad.
Additionally, the Insignia driver can control the newest generation infotainment system over newly designed, clearly laid-out steering wheel controls as well as voice commands. The advanced voice recognition function can be activated by the simple push of a button on the steering wheel controls and can also process more than one command at a time. The wide range of operating choices is the result of enhancements to the new infotainment generation.
Intensifying the man-and-machine information exchange is the newly designed instrument panel with an up to 8-inch high-resolution color display. In addition to the classic readouts like speed, rpm and fuel tank level, further details on navigation, smartphone use and audio options are directly in the driver's line of sight.
Top: New-generation 99 gram CO2 turbo diesel and SIDI turbo gasoline unit
The new Opel Insignia also makes a statement in terms of powertrain and chassis. While the mid-size model already received many accolades for driving comfort, handling and roadholding, the new edition plays in an even higher league. Opel engineers have made a host of chassis improvements, including dampers, roll-bars and steering, which result in improved noise and vibration behavior and even higher levels of comfort.
The broad, newly expanded engine portfolio is tuned to performance and comfort without any compromises. The new Opel Insignia offers the choice between the three propulsion alternatives gasoline, diesel and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas); power output ranges from 81 kW/110 hp to 239 kW/325 hp.
The Insignia 2.0 CDTI model is the 'eco' and fuel-saving champion. The new 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine with 88 kW/120 hp or 103 kW/140 hp enables CO2 emissions as low as 99 g/km (Sports Tourer: 104 g/km CO2) according to Regulation (EC) No 715/2007, placing it in the A+ efficiency class. Four and five-door models with a six-speed manual gearbox and Start/Stop consume just 3.7 liters of fuel per 100 km over the combined cycle (Sports Tourer: 3.9 l/100 km) - top values for this vehicle class. Both variants also boast superb torque, with the 88 kW/120 hp turbo diesel providing up to 320 Nm and the 103 kW/140 hp model even up to 370 Nm - thanks to an automatic overboost function which kicks in at full load.
The top-of-the-line diesel is the 143 kW/195 hp 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI. This high-performance diesel engine develops impressive torque of 400 Nm and is distinguished by its direct responsiveness, as well as exemplary pulling power across a broad rpm range thanks to its sequential, two stage turbochargers.
The most prominent gasoline engines are the two new direct injection units: the 2.0 SIDI turbo (SIDI = Spark Ignition Direct Injection) with 184 kW/250 hp and 400 Nm maximum torque and the all-new generation 1.6 SIDI turbo with 125 kW/170 hp and 260 Nm and even up to 280 Nm with overboost. Both boast superb power development and excellent running smoothness with high fuel economy. They can be coupled with a six-speed manual transmission and Start/Stop or with a new, low-friction six-speed automatic gearbox. In addition to front-wheel-drive, the 2.0-liter SIDI Turbo is in some markets also available with all-wheel-drive.
The entry-level gasoline engine at market launch is a frugal and extremely clean (Euro 6) 1.4 turbo with a six-speed manual gearbox and Start/Stop. It delivers 103 kW/140 hp and 200 Nm of torque (220 Nm with overboost), but needs only 5.2 liters of fuel per 100 km and emits 123 g/km CO2 (Sports Tourer 5.6 l/100 km and 131 g/km CO2 according to Regulation [EC] No 715/2007) - that means Best-in-Class Economy.
An alternative, extremely economical powertrain option is the 103 kW/140 hp Insignia 1.4 LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), with maximum torque of 200 Nm. Like the gasoline version, it meets stringent future Euro 6 emissions standards. With fuel consumption of 7.6 l/100 km (Sports Tourer: 7.9 l/100 km) over the combined cycle and low CO2 emissions of 124 g/km (Sports Tourer: 129 g/km CO2), the Insignia LPG is unrivalled in efficiency class A.
Exemplary fuel consumption is also a result of the new Insignia's aerodynamically optimized body design, incorporating many measures that lower its drag coefficient. An ultra-modern feature is the active front air shutter. This 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 provides fuel consumption and CO2 emissions benefits. Whenever the engine needs air for cooling, the shutter opens automatically. Taking all improvements into account, Opel engineers have succeeded in giving the new Insignia exceptionally low Cd values of just below 0.25 and 0.28 respectively for the Insignia hatchback and Sports Tourer, making them the most streamlined series production cars in their class.
A style of its own: Award-winning Opel design language with premium flair
The new Insignia evolves the multi-award-winning Opel design philosophy "sculptural artistry meets German precision" in the mid-size segment. The design theme articulates premium aspiration and dynamics with an unmistakable low-and-wide front graphic to visually pronounce its wide stance. The high-gloss chrome grille is wider and lower than before. The brand bar that cradles the Opel logo is leaner and includes winglets that link the eye to the re-designed headlamps. Depending on trim version, these come with bi-xenon lamps including the safety lighting system AFL+. All headlamps are executed in high gloss black with embedded chrome accents. The up-level headlamps include a wing signature daytime running light featuring energy-saving LEDs. The lower front fascia inserts are designed to appear slim and wide, in order to emphasize the upper grille size. Fog lamps are combined with wide black inserts and chrome accents. These grow from thin to thick as they near the wheelhouse to pronounce the width of the front design and the Opel Insignia's top-class design.
The side view of the new Insignia hatchback and notchback are clearly more differentiated than before through their unique tailgates and integrated spoiler design. The roofline of the five-door model only fades out when it reaches the spoiler trailing edge to emphasize a classic coupe silhouette. On the four-door variant, it continues along the edge of the spoiler, creating an elegant sedan profile.
This is also echoed in the rear, where the new Insignia features a wider and lower proportioned rear end design. The high-gloss chrome brand bar has been positioned lower on the tailgate and holds the brand logo. It extends into the tail lamps to include the slim-look reverse functions. The tail / stop functions of the split 2-piece tail lamps are executed as LEDs on all levels for hatchback and notchback. Characteristic for all body versions is the light design as a sharp "wing" signature.
The new Opel Insignia also offers a host of technology, safety and comfort highlights. These include state-of-the-art radar and camera-based assistance systems ranging from adaptive cruise control to side blind spot alert and forward collision alert, as well as premium seats with the AGR seal of approval and the keyless entry and start system "Open & Start", to name just a few.
Prices for the new Insignia start at 24,325 euros for the four-door model (RRP incl. VAT in Germany). With the 103 kW/140 hp 1.4-liter turbo gasoline engine (Euro 6) and Start/Stop, it already comes with extensive standard equipment. This includes a leather steering wheel, comfort seats, air conditioning and stereo radio 400 B.T. with 4.2-inch color display, MP3 compatibility, audio streaming, USB- and Bluetooth connections.