BETTER PARTSThe wide throw from Rüsselsheim?
Rüsselsheim, 7 December 2016
In the summer of 2008, Opel sawed off the Vectra and the Signum and brought a brand new model on the market, the insignia. After a moderate facelift in June 2013, the redesigned mid-size Opel rolled in September 2013 from the main plant in Rüsselsheim, Germany. The first generation has thus already more than eight years under his belt. Time for something new? Time for something new! And curtain on the brand new Opel Insignia Grand sport. If the next generation of the Opel flagship has earned the new title?
Grand Design: Inspired by the concept of Monza
"In the design of the new Insignia Grand sport we have gone further than in all previous series vehicles by Opel", says Mark Adams, Vice President design Europe. So, the ILO study called Monza concept stood Godfather at the shape of the body. The grille deep-seated in the new insignia and the narrow headlights (on request with evolved matrix LED technology) as reminiscent of the design concept from the year 2013 as the Coupé-like roof. Rear LED taillights in the Opel typical double swing scene shine. The drag coefficient of the very seeming hatchback is 0.26. The sedan will be dropped due to lack of demand.
Grand dimensions: flatter, longer, wider
The new Insignia Grand sport is 55 millimeters longer, compared with its predecessor 29 mm flat and he has a 11 mm wider track. Opel has also significantly reduced the body overhangs and 92 mm extended wheelbase. It calculated following dimensions: 4.90 meters length, 1.47 meters height, 1.87-meter-wide and 2.83 m wheelbase. The modified proportions to provide significantly more space on all seats. And also the trunk can be seen with 490 up to 1,450 litres maximum capacity.
Grand weight reduction: new platform can be jumbled pounds
The new generation has slimmed down alone with the body to around 60 kilograms. Overall, the new design brings up to 175 kg of less weight depending on the model. Together with a new "FlexRide chassis" that 500 times electro-hydraulically adapted the shock absorbers based on the choice of modes "Standard", "Sports" and "Tour" per second, the new insignia should be "dynamic and driving active".
Grand Power: New automatic and a variable all-wheel drive
The market launch next year (Opel does not call an exact date yet) the Insignia Grand rolls for sports always turbocharged engines before (also here the manufacturer abides still covered). In addition to the manual six-speed transmission, there is a new gear box highlight that Opel offers a vehicle with an eight-speed automatic transmission for the first time in the company's history. An intelligent four-wheel drive with torque vectoring is an another treat. Two electrically controlled multi-plate clutch replace the differential on the rear axle.
Grand technology and Grand comfort Interior
The cockpit design with IntelliLink Infotainment system and including paged climate control, the new Insignia Grand sports focuses on the smaller Astra. The control units are aligned on the driver, three centimeters lower than its predecessor sitting optional on EGR stalls with massage and ventilation function. Passengers in the rear can enjoy greater convenience: because as well as driver and passenger, they come at a premium on the two outer squares to enjoy of heated seats. New assistance systems are a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, an adaptive speed control, an active lane keeping assist and a transverse transport Warner. Also there is a car, a wireless charging function for the Smartphone, a Wi-FI hotspot and the online services by OnStar Apple CarPlay, Android.
A "Grand sport in the best sense"?
"With the new Insignia Grand sport a great success is once again managed Opel. He carries all the virtues of its successful little brother Astra in itself and is continuing at a still higher level. "With a unique blend of elegance, lightness and athletic, our future flagship represents a new size: a Grand sport in the best sense", says Opel Chief Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. What is this quote really on it, will ultimately show initial personal contact with the car at the premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017. Then, probably even more details about the technical data, the performance and prices will be announced. (ml)