Opel Insignia Grand Sport, a new formula for success

New Opel Insignia Grand Sport

The official presentation of the new Opel Insignia Grand Sport will take place at the next Geneva International Motor Show in March 2017, but in the meantime, we can see images and learn some details about the new Opel large saloon. The first generation was a great success, as more than 900,000 units were sold and it was named “Car of The Year 2009”.

Exterior and interior design based on the Opel Monza Concept.The new Insignia Grand Sport is based on a completely new architecture. Its interior and exterior design is inspired by the Opel Monza Concept. The result is an elegant saloon with the silhouette of a coupé, whose aerodynamic coefficient (Cx) is just 0.26. It has grown slightly compared to its predecessor (4,897 metres), the wheelbase has grown by 92 mm, the front and rear overhangs have been noticeably reduced and the tracks are now 11 mm wider. Furthermore, in the new generation, 60 kilos have been saved in the bare body. In total, the new generation weighs up to 175 kg less than the model it replaces.

The front stands out for its prominent grille and slim headlights that give it a very sporty look. The side windows feature a chrome strip on the top, instead of a full frame. The simple rear design, combined with the LED tail lights with the distinctive double-wing shape, also helps give the car a wider appearance. The third brake light, also with LED technology, has been mounted on the roofline.

New Opel Insignia Grand Sport

In the interior, attention has also been paid to detail with much simpler lines than in the previous generation. The instrument panel is oriented towards the driver and features a wide horizontal design. The driving position, perfectly aligned towards the driver, sits three centimetres lower than in the previous model, achieving a more sporty driving posture. Rear seat occupants greatly benefit from the new design and revised proportions, which offer 32 mm more hip room, 25 mm more shoulder room and knee room, and 8 mm more headroom. Boot volume remains generous, offering 490 litres, rising to 1,450 litres with the rear seats folded down.

FlexRide chassis adjustable via the “Normal”, “Sport” and “Tour” modes.Many functions can be controlled via the touchscreen, thus simplifying the buttons. There are three functional control zones designed for quick and intuitive operation: the upper ones control the main functions of the IntelliLink multimedia system, the central ones control the climate control system and the lower ones control the driver assistance systems.

The engine range will be revealed later, but it is known that it will feature state-of-the-art turbo engines and different transmissions. The new eight-speed automatic gearbox will initially be available in combination with four-wheel drive. The FlexRide chassis has been renewed, providing better handling in any driving situation. It adapts the damping, steering, throttle response and shift pattern in automatic cars, either independently or through the “Normal”, “Sport” and “Tour” modes. The new Drive Mode Control software is the heart and soul of the adaptive chassis.

It also features the intelligent all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring. It is combined with a new five-link independent rear suspension. Two electronically controlled multi-plate clutches replace the usual rear differential, delivering power to each rear wheel with much greater precision, regardless of whether the surface is dry, wet, icy or snowy.

Interior of the New Opel Insignia Grand Sport

The new Opel Insignia Grand Sport includes a wide range of intelligent technologies, such as modern comfort and driver assistance systems. One of them is the IntelliLux LED adaptive matrix lighting system. The second generation of this system allows lighting patterns to be adjusted more precisely and transitions between the different lighting modes to be smoother. To improve visibility when cornering with high beams, engineers have added an innovative cornering light function that provides additional lighting up to 400 metres, with an additional long-range LED flash function.

It incorporates the IntelliLux LED adaptive matrix lighting system.Other driver assistance systems featured on the new Opel Insignia Grand Sport include: a head-up display (HUD), 360º camera, Adaptive Cruise Control with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist with automatic steering correction and Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The “Open&Start” keyless entry and start system of the Opel will be standard on all trim levels, allowing easy and comfortable access to the vehicle. Drivers can also enjoy infotainment and connectivity systems powered by the most advanced IntelliLink multimedia systems compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The smartphone can be charged without the need for a cable.

The Opel OnStar assistance service, is also available on the new Insignia Grand Sport, offering automatic crash notification and assistance in locating a stolen vehicle. With the Insignia, a new “booking management” service will be launched, allowing occupants to ask OnStar advisors to suggest a hotel and make the reservation for them. In addition, it has a 4G/LTE WiFi hotspot included in the OnStar services, which allows up to seven devices to connect simultaneously.

Source | Opel