Opel reveals facelifted Insignia
Upgraded Insignia unveiled just eight months after Opel flagship's local launchOpel has revealed a midlife makeover for its five-year-old Insignia, just eight months after it was launched in Australia.
Due on sale in Australia early next year, the facelifted mid-size sedan and wagon range will make its world public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
Key changes include new front and rear styling, a fresh instrument panel, more efficient new engines and revised chassis tuning that aims to improve ride quality.
New exterior design elements include a wider, lower chromed grille, revised bi-xenon headlights with daytime running lights, new tail-lights and a different rear bumper and spoiler.
Opel says it aimed to reduce drive distraction with the Insignia’s interior overhaul, and the result is a cleaner dashboard fascia with fewer controls, thanks in part to a new eight-inch colour touch-screen.
Similar to the upgraded VF Commodore’s, the latter includes the display and control of audio, smartphone and navigation functions, while Opel’s voice-recognition system has also been upgraded.
Employing haptic feedback technology, a touch-sensitive pad allows users to operate infotainment functions like searching for songs and locations by tracing words onto the centre console unit.
Among the revised four-cylinder petrol and diesel powertrain range is the new 125kW/260Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol SIDI engine that will make its Australia debut in the revised Astra GTC Sport next month, as well as a high-output 184kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-four.
Diesel buyers will be catered for by a new 143kW/400Nm 2.0-litre BiTurbo oil-burner, plus 88kW/320Nm and 103kW/370Nm turbo-diesels that consume as little as 3.7L/100km.
Opel is yet confirm which engines it will offer in Australia, where the Insignia is currently powered by 162kW/350Nm 2.0-litre petrol and 118kW/350Nm diesel engines.
Chassis changes, aimed at enhancing ride comfort and reducing cabin noise, are said to extend to revised damper, stabiliser bars and returned electric steering, there are no changes yet for the range-topping Insignia OPC.
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