When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
If it feels like we've gone from seeing the next-generation Opel/Vauxhall Insignia - which will also wear the Buick Regal and Holden Commodore badges, go from fully-camouflaged to letting it all hang out rather quickly, it's probably because we have.
Meet the all-new 2017 Insignia in all of its sleek, almost four-door coupe-like glory. Well, aside from a few pieces of black tape covering the emblems that is. Other than that, we're should pretty much feel unencumbered to analyze its rather Passat CC-rivaling appearance.
In other words, it looks sporty and elegant at the same time, plus the model caught by our spy photographers here is wearing the OPC-Line package (see badges underneath turn signals), 20" wheels and the spoiler package.
Since we're talking visuals, if you think the new Insignia definitely looks bigger than the outgoing model, it's probably because Opel made sure that would be the case. The new-gen car is longer by 5 cm (1.9 in), with an extra 9 cm (3.5) in wheelbase size. The tracks are also wider by 1 cm (0.4 in), while the roofline has been lowered by 3 cm (1.2 in) in an attempt to make it look more elegant.
On the road, the all-new Insignia should feature improved handling and fuel economy due to its overall weight being cut by 175 kg (385 lbs) compared to the current car - thanks to the use of lightweight materials.
Powering the Insignia will be a range of turbocharged petrol and diesel units, with the entry-level petrol rumored to get a new turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, replacing the old 1.4 liter one. As for the flagship (at launch) all-wheel driven Grand Sport model, it will get a 247 HP turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox available as standard.
2017 Opel Insignia Sport Tourer Also Spotted Without Any Camo
After the five-door version, the all-new Opel Insignia Sport Tourer also showed up in front of our spy’s camera fully undisguised, giving us the first proper look on the new wagon.
Just like the regular Insignia we showed you earlier, the Sport Tourer wagon version shown in the pictures is also an OPC-Line trim model as portrayed by the big 20inch alloys, the dynamic yet subtle body kit, the Brembo brakes, the dual exhaust pipes and of course the badging on the front fenders.
Compared to the outgoing model, the new generation of the Opel Insignia is significantly bigger, featuring a longer by over 9 cm (3.5 inches) wheelbase and a longer body by 5.5 cm (2.1 inches). However, Opel has reduced the height of the roofline by 3 cm (1.2 inches), giving the Insignia a much more purposeful look on the road.
It looks like the simplistic yet beautiful design language of the Monza concept has been transferred with success on the new Insignia, with the ST version featuring a very characteristic D-pillar that helps the wagon version look sexier.
Despite the big footprint, the new model will be lighter than the current Insignia by as much as 175kg (385lbs), mostly because of GM’s latest E2 modular platform which makes use of many lightweight materials.
The engine range will mirror that of the normal Insignia and will include the new turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol unit which replaces the old 1.4-litre. The range-topping versions will be the Grand Sport ones, up until the OPC versions arrive that is, which will be powered by a 247hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine paired to an eight-speed automatic and a new AWD system with torque vectoring control.
Opel is expected to debut the new Insignia at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show this March, with Buick also to offer it under the Regal nameplate and Holden as the new Commodore.
The sedan looks a little humpback'y... but overall looks to be attractive. One day, maybe America will appreciate wagons... like this Optima Wagon that doesn't make it to the U.S.
Outgoing gen Regal/Insignia had the high sport 6 MT with AWD in Europe that never made it to the States, we got the 6MT, but with FWD only.
The Opel-designed Buicks are clearly the best-built and most reliable ones...and have done a lot towards making Buick the Consumer Reports' #3 brand in reliability overall....right behind Lexus and Toyota. The bigger, American-designed Buicks (LaCrosse, Enclave) are generally one or two steps lower than the Opel-based ones in reliability...average to slightly above.
I think they both look great, especially that wagon. The sedan looks like it might be a bit of a slave to style, with a tighter back seat than other cars with conventional roof lines. Not to mention that mail slot they call a trunk opening.
As for Australians, if this is what GM had in mind for a Commodore replacement, they are going to be rightfully pissed the hell off. The current Commodore is WAY bigger and more conventionally styled, with a huge trunk and full size sedan interior room. If you know about the Chevrolet SS, that is basically the sport trimmed version of the Commodore(they make more affordable V6 versions of the big Commodore sedan as well) Big thumping V8, RWD, manual or automatic transmission. I mean this is a smaller than midsized FWD car with 4 cylinder engines, talk about a slap in the face to the Aussies. Not to mention that GM and Ford closed their factories in Australia, completely killing off the car industry down under. If I lived in Australia, I probably wouldn't buy a new Ford or GM car for the rest of my life.
Not the wagon for sure...we need more wagons than SUVs
I agree with you in principle (the wagon body style does make a lot of sense). But Americans, primarily because of the explosive growth of minivans and SUVs, pretty much gave up on conventional wagons decades ago. The only one left today that consistently sells well is the Subaru Outback (the Forester is considered an SUV). And the Outback, with its raised ground clearance and standard AWD, is as much an SUV as it is a wagon....though it drives more car-like than even most crossover SUVs.
Modern history in the U.S. market shows a number of failed attempts to sell wagons that have either been discontinued or continue to sell in low numbers....the Mazda6 Wagon, Toyota Venza, Volvo C70 and XC70, Cheveolet Malibu Maxx, Audi Avant/All-Road, BMW 3-and 5-series wagons, and Mercedes C and E-class wagons. None of these attempts have truly been successful in the American market, although some 5-door hatchbacks have had success in compact and entry-level price lines.
The Insignia Wagon will probably do well in Europe (and maybe in Australia with the Holden nameplate), but I don't see it doing very well in Buick showrooms. Yes, some customers might come in and Ooh-and-Aah the versatile body style, but the huge number of Encore and Enclave sales show that they will be far more likely to leave the showroom in an SUV. However, the Insignia/Regal sedan (if Buick decides to rebadge this latest version) will probably do better than its former slow-selling Regal sedan, for two reasons. First, the Verano, which stole a lot of Regal sales because of its lower price and value for the money, will be gone....relegated to the Chinese market. Second, the screwed-up E-shifter in the new Lacrosse will probably turn off a lot of traditional Buick buyers that bought the former Lacrosse in large numbers...and who may look at the Regal as a less expensive alternative. We're not likely to see a repeat of that E-shifter in the new Regal.
I'd rather continue to see SUV variants be the dominate "alternative" body style to the sedan. The hit in dynamics and FE is relatively low nowadays, the higher ride height helps in the snow, increases ease of ingress/egress in many cases, and many times provides a usefully taller cargo area. Many people like sitting up a bit higher as well. I just don't see the purpose of trying force people into wagons.
If the Insignia is anything like the new Opel Astra, then the rest of the world should really watch out. The new Astra went from being an also ran to a genuine VW Golf challenger/beater, what with having lost hundreds of pounds from its chassis but being even more rigid, resulting in a great driving hatchback. The new Astra interior also is class-leading/competitive.
I am going to look closely at the AWD Insignia as a possible genuine replacement for my current GS450h if the price is right.
Current Insignia started really well... lots of engines, equipment, special models. Crazy nice.... then few year later, a lot of problems with various things, huge discounts for new ones, resale value tanking.
12-05-16, 08:32 AM
All-New 2017 Opel Insignia Spied Undisguised; Previews Buick Regal & Holden Commodore
