Opel revamps the Insignia

What's the news?
Opel has released the first images of the facelifted Insignia model that is set to take its bow at the forthcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. New looks and a new interior are complemented by a new range of engines with the standout unit a 2.0-litre CDTi option that offers 140hp yet emits just 99g/km.

Exterior
The styling of the new Insignia is meant to bring Opel's flagship model closer to the German premium models it wants to vie for sales with. To that end a deeper front bumper gives the car a more aggressive, dynamic looks while a new high-gloss chrome grille ramps the premium feel up. A redesigned wing motif houses the Opel logo while also leading the eyes towards new headlights that feature LED daytime running lights as standard.

The Insignia's C-pillar has received some attention to distinguish saloon and hatchback models with the crease line on the five-door models fading out before it reaches the spoiler to leave a 'coupé-like' silhouette. On the saloon this line continues to emphasise the car's length.

At the rear, new lights are bisected by a repositioned chrome bar and now feature LED bulbs as standard across the range.

Interior
Drivers will rejoice with the news that Opel's button-heavy centre console is no more, replaced by an eight-inch colour display taking over many of the controls. This touchscreen (much like that in the Adam) serves as the main input, housing controls for infotainment, satellite navigation and smartphone integration. The system can also be interacted with via a touchpad on the centre console, steering wheel controls and voice command. The touchpad is said to react immediately to finger movements to make operation of the new infotainment easy without distracting the driver from the driving 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.

In addition to a redesigned centre console the instruments have also received a refresh with an up to eight-inch high-resolution colour display. Along with the classic readouts like speed, rpm and fuel level, further information on navigation, smartphone use and audio options are directly in the driver's line of sight and can be adjusted.

Mechanicals
Much work has been carried out on the chassis of the new Insignia to deliver decreased noise and vibration and higher comfort, but the biggest news is on the engine front. Refinements to the 2.0-litre CDTi stalwart no mean that, while retaining its 140hp power output, it emits just 99g/km, which puts the Insignia into one of the lowest road tax bands at just €180 per year - while consuming 3.7 litres/100km on the combined cycle.

On the petrol front (not likely to be the biggest sellers in Ireland) are two Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) units. The 2.0-litre SIDI Turbo offers 250hp and 400Nm torque while the newest generation 1.6-litre SIDI has a 170hp Turbo with 260Nm of torque - or 280Nm with overboost. Both are said to offer excellent power and smooth running with high fuel economy. They can be coupled with a six-speed manual transmission and stop-start functionality or with a new, low-friction six-speed automatic gearbox.

Anything else?
The updated Opel Insignia will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September before going on sale in Ireland later this year.

"The successful Insignia has already won over more than 8,000 Opel drivers in Ireland since it launched in 2009. The new Insignia will thrill even more - with a high-quality and sleek cockpit, intuitive operation of infotainment systems, exemplary powertrains and even more expressive design than before," said Dave Sheeran, Managing Director, Opel Ireland.

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