The new Opel Insignia GSi conquers the Ring, being 12 seconds faster than the previous OPC

It wasn’t long ago that the German brand wanted to revive a legend. A legend whose name is associated with three simple letters that carry a story behind them. The protagonist of this article is the new Opel Insignia GSi, which carries on the legacy left by its predecessors and sets aside the OPC badge that preceded it.

And not only does it leave the OPC badge behind, it also goes beyond it. The new Insignia GSi has proven at the Nürburgring to be faster than its previous generation, which is very impressive considering the OPC had more than 300 CV. Specifically, it has shaved 12 seconds off the lap time, showing that the tuning this new sports saloon receives is very effective.

The new Opel sports saloon features intelligent all-wheel drive that improves the distribution of engine power between its axles and, at the same time, its cornering. In addition, the GSi is 10 millimetres lower than the standard Insignia and 120 kg lighter than the old OPC. The combination of these elements makes the Insignia GSi a saloon that is very capable of providing driving fun and, at the same time, offers great versatility.

The Opel Insignia offers the ability to travel comfortably on the road and carry all your luggage in its 490-litre boot (560 litres in the Sport Tourer version) while, at the same time, you have 260 CV under your right foot for driving fun like never before on the track. Producing this power is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that delivers 400 Nm of torque. The Opel Insignia GSi also features firmer, sportier dampers, designed to minimise body roll as much as possible.

To support the GSi’s performance, there are also Brembo brakes with four-piston calipers that aim to bring the German saloon to a stop as effectively as possible. But the sportier Insignia also wants to be versatile, which is why it lets you choose between three driving modes: Standard, Tour and Sport. Each of these modes affects steering, suspension and engine response in a different way, contributing to the versatility of the new Insignia.

But the GSi is not only offered as a petrol variant. The German brand also gives buyers the option of choosing the diesel version of the Insignia GSi. This engine produces 210 CV and delivers 480 Nm of torque, making it a very worthwhile option as it offers a perfect balance between consumption and driving fun.

Without a doubt, the new Opel Insignia GSi is a saloon with a strong presence, as it aims to put its main premium-brand rivals under pressure. For now, Opel has not revealed the price of its new vehicle, but it is generating very high expectations and could well position itself among the most sought-after saloons.