Insignia OPC/VXR Revealed, fantastic

[Paulie]

Autoblog Coverage

What a really nice car.👍 325hp is pretty good, and for all you specific power output-loving people, that's from a 2.8L V6. I think it looks good, if I was in the market for a new car, and this was sold as an HSV I would even have to consider it.👍

 

[-ultraflow-]

Nice car and the turbocharged 2.8L V6 is a good engine + Adaptive 4X4 . . .

I presently have a Opel Vectra GTS from 2003, maybe in the future I will change for one of this!

 

[Paulie]

It looks planted as on the road.👍

 

[Robin]

Being a Vauxhall fan I really love the Insignia, one of the best current looking Vauxhalls along with the Antara. VXR versions always look and perform extremely well (due to German tuning input). The new Corsa doesnt really do it for me.

Robin.

 

[TheCracker]

I can almost feel the torque-steer from here.

Or i would if the steering wasn't as dull and feel free as i'm sure it will be.

 

[Paulie]

I can almost feel the torque-steer from here.

Or i would if the steering wasn't as dull and feel free as i'm sure it will be.

No.

Highlights are a 'HiPerStrut' (High Performance Strut) front suspension system, Adaptive 4X4 with electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) and a 10 millimetre reduction in ride height over the Insignia SRi.

The HiPerStrut system is unique to the VXR and serves two primary functions: firstly, to reduce torque-steer, but also to maintain negative camber during cornering, thereby improving ultimate grip levels in wet or dry conditions.

 

[Famine]

Being a Vauxhall fan I really love the Insignia, one of the best current looking Vauxhalls

Seriously?

From the back they're not so bad, but the front is just dull. It's like the planning meeting was:

Lead Designer: "So, what fresh, new look do we need for the nose?"
Design Team: "Toyota Avensis."
Lead Designer: "Brilliant. Right, that's sorted. Let's go crown green bowling!"

The first one I ever saw on the road (consciously - I may have seen a few earlier but just completely missed them) was cardigan beige and it took me a few minutes to recover from the coma to realise it was a new Insignia.


As for the numb-steering issue... I cannot say anything in particular about the Insignia, but I'm not hopeful. They managed 13 years of Vectra (20 in Europe) without ever making one where the steering wasn't as numb as Stephen Hawking's legs. Form is not on their side.

 

[Paulie]

I like the look of the Insignia all over, but my favourite view is from the side, which also happens to remind me of an XF.

 

[Robin]

Seriously?

From the back they're not so bad, but the front is just dull. It's like the planning meeting was:

Lead Designer: "So, what fresh, new look do we need for the nose?"
Design Team: "Toyota Avensis."
Lead Designer: "Brilliant. Right, that's sorted. Let's go crown green bowling!"

The first one I ever saw on the road (consciously - I may have seen a few earlier but just completely missed them) was cardigan beige and it took me a few minutes to recover from the coma to realise it was a new Insignia.

As for the numb-steering issue... I cannot say anything in particular about the Insignia, but I'm not hopeful. They managed 13 years of Vectra (20 in Europe) without ever making one where the steering wasn't as numb as Stephen Hawking's legs. Form is not on their side.

It does have a 'corperate' front end but I still think it looks good, the lights could be slightly sharper. I think the VXR version in bright red or blue would look the business!

If you remember they took the front end of the Insignia concept and the rear end of the Opel GTC concept to make this car and I think it came out really well.

As for the steering, most Vauxhall's have that issue. My Corsa has really light steering and it seems to be floating everywhere and can get twichy on the motorway but I don't really have a problem with it, especially if your doing long distances. I guess this is why its so popular with girls...

Robin.

 

[TheCracker]

I've seen a few on the road now. The odd thing is, they either look quite nice or they look like a dull generic mid-sized saloon. I can only surmise that it comes down to whether or not the owner ticked the Xenon headlights option when the spec'd it. They do really make or break how it looks. I'm sure colour does play a big part in it too, white or beige are always going to make this shape of car look like a utility room appliance.

 

[Joey D]

Why do they call it a 4x4 system instead of an AWD system? 4x4 makes it sound like an offroader, not a sporty saloon. Seems like the marketing division failed on that one.

Other then that I find the car boring, nothing really stands out for me. The styling is bland and since it's AWD I'm guessing it's going to understeer...and since it's GM I'm guessing it's really going to understeer. I'm also going to go out on a limb here and say the interior will be crap. Maybe GM will surprise the automotive world here but I'm guessing no and we will be left with cheap plastics and other materials. I will agree that at least the engine is on par as far as displacement v. output, kudos to GM for doing what other companies have for years.

It seems like it will be a middle of the road car, better than some but not as good as others, it's pretty what I've come to expect from every single GM product. The only thing that will save it is the price, if it's cheap enough then I think it could work.

 

[mafia_boy]

I like the look of the Insignia all over, but my favourite view is from the side, which also happens to remind me of an XF.

An XF, are you serious Paulie?? How does an Insignia look anything like this............

I want whatever weed it is you have up there in QLD if XF's look like Insignia's.

 

[Famine]

Jaguar XF...

 

[Robin]

The colour really does make a difference, as does the light clusters.

I hope the VXR has a body kit to make it look more like the GTC concept...

 

[Tornado]

and since it's GM I'm guessing it's really going to understeer. I'm also going to go out on a limb here and say the interior will be crap. Maybe GM will surprise the automotive world here but I'm guessing no and we will be left with cheap plastics and other materials. I will agree that at least the engine is on par as far as displacement v. output, kudos to GM for doing what other companies have for years.

And you complained when I said you were biased? Simply astounding.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Oh my god, that is horrible!

 

[Joey D]

Now that you posted a more front on shot of the car, what in god's name is up with the chrome fangs? The whole front looks out of proportion or something. The normal version of the car at least got scale correct although I still think the styling is bland for a new car. I can agree with others though that the colour makes quite a bit of difference, light colours do not suit this car at all. It looks better in black and that dark silver.

 

[Robin]

Those 'fangs' have come from the GTC concept...

Guess that answers my 'will it have the GTC bodykit?' bit!

Robin.

 

[homeforsummer]

Again with the hotlinked netcarshow pics

I quite like the look of the Insignia - definitely preferable to the current Mondeo and probably roughly equal with the current Accord which Honda ruined slightly from the previous model. Not as nice as the Mazda 6 though.

As for the interior, in the numerous examples I sat in at the Brit motor show a year or so back, I thought it was quite a nice place to spend time. The VXR version should be interesting inside, though I'm sure Vauxhall will equip it with the stupid uncomfortable rectangular gearknob that's made it's way into the Corsa/Astra VXRs (though perhaps not, if you read the comments of the Insignia's engineer in that link).

 

[YSSMAN]

RE: Joey and the Interior

I believe the Insignia won COTY based partially on the successes with the interior design for 2008. I know, its insane that GM can do a nice interior. Problem is, we won't be seeing this car for a while. A long, long while. And it will probably be wearing a Buick badge anyway.

Although if you want to get something similar:

Saab 9-3 TurboX

God I want one. So bad.

 

[Jondot]

Sorry if I'm being dim, but what exactly have they changed here? All I can see are the new alloys (that should have been available in the first place) and the fangs.


...what do you mean 'that's it'?

I guess the Insignia will always leave me cold... I don't dislike it particularly, it's just never really made me think 'ooh, I want one'. Sort of like an Argos filing cabinet. Which I think I'd prefer, actually.

 

[mafia_boy]

Jaguar XF...

Doh. Didn't think of that one, with Paulie's natural affection to Aussie cars, I thought he meant the Ford XF.

I could see this being renamed for here as the new version 4x4 Calibra.

 

[Joey D]

RE: Joey and the Interior

I believe the Insignia won COTY based partially on the successes with the interior design for 2008. I know, its insane that GM can do a nice interior. Problem is, we won't be seeing this car for a while. A long, long while. And it will probably be wearing a Buick badge anyway.

That's barring Buick or GM for that matter live long enough to put out the new LaCrosse. I am a bit baffled why GM bothers with Europe for their interiors but gives the finger to us Americans. Is it just because GM North America doesn't care or is it that they are convinced they can force crap on us and we'll buy it?

Although if you want to get something similar:

Saab 9-3 TurboX

God I want one. So bad.

I am so glad Saab made that AWD because when I first heard about it all I could think of was "Viggen" and "hideous torque steer".

 

[Philly]

Am I the only one who likes it? The body mods make it look very smooth, yet very aggressive at the same time I think.

 

[CamryFan]

I liked it and I wanted it.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-insignia-opc-vauxhall-insignia-vxr/1493877/
Until I saw that.

 

[YSSMAN]

I am a bit baffled why GM bothers with Europe for their interiors but gives the finger to us Americans. Is it just because GM North America doesn't care or is it that they are convinced they can force crap on us and we'll buy it?

I know you haven't been around for a bit, but my frustration with GM over issues like this, particularly the absurd timelines that have been put forth on international models (The Cruze, Orlando, Insignia, Spark, etc) are driving me up the wall. If the company is on the verge, but knows they need great cars to get people back in the dealerships, THEN GET THE DAMN THINGS HERE.

*sigh*

Maybe that's where my illogical Ford love has been coming from?

I am so glad Saab made that AWD...

*Ahem*

That would be "XWD," or "Cross-Wheel-Drive." Its the new Generation IV Haldex all-wheel-drive system, a mish-mosh of a bunch of fancy controllers to produce an outstandingly stable car in all conditions. As the awesome goes, apparently its good for sports sedans and light-duty crossovers (9-3X comes to mind). Still, it isn't cheap. Although, I'd be very interested to see it stacked up against the VW 4MOTION and BMW xDrive systems as they've been updated as well.

 

[Paulie]

Am I the only one who likes it? The body mods make it look very smooth, yet very aggressive at the same time I think.

No, I think it looks brilliant too.👍

 

[-ultraflow-]

No, I think it looks brilliant too.👍

+1
👍

 

[C-ZETA]

Yes! An Insignia VXR! I'd love to! The Corsa VXR was good, the Astra great, the VXR8 even better and now this! I just can't wait.

No, I think it looks brilliant too.

+1 to this!

:tup: to Vauxhall!

 

[Paulie]

Yes! An Insignia VXR! I'd love to! The Corsa VXR was good, the Astra great, the VXR8 even better and now this! I just can't wait.



+1 to this!

:tup: to Vauxhall!

Aycorumba, you make it sound like this is on top of the VXR8. This is supposed to slot in under the VXR8. Then again, if I remember correctly and the story was truthful, around The Ring at least, it is very quick indeed, possibly quicker than the VXR8 even.