Opel reveals more of Holden's MY18 Commodore

GM Europe has revealed the first images and a design video of its new-generation flagship passenger model, the Insignia, offering a more extensive look at its Holden-badged Australian twin, GM Holden's MY18 Commodore.

Although there's no new information beyond what Holden announced this morning, when five renderings and a computer generated action video of the first imported Commodore were released, these 15 fresh shots show the German-made large car in more detail.

As well, the video hosted by GM Europe design chief Mark Adams, who reiterates the company's promise to deliver seven new models in 2017, reveals the design details behind the 2013 Monza concept-inspired Insignia -- inside and out -- ahead of its world debut at the Geneva motor show next March.

While the latest Insignia goes on sale across Europe around mid-2017, Australians will have to wait more than a year – until February 2018 – for the Holden-badged version to arrive in local showrooms.

By then, a yet-to-appear wagon version – likely to continue to be called the Commodore Sportwagon here, and expected to form the basis of a crossover derivative due Down Under later in 2018 – will have been revealed in Germany. It should go on sale simultaneously with the new Commodore 'sedan' in early 2018.

Of course, as you can see from this white car (with brown leather trim), which is identical to the red and silver Holden Commodores (with black interior) also pictured here, Opel's next Insignia is actually a five-door liftback.

Opel is calling its new Insignia 'sedan' the Grand Sport and Holden has referred to its version as the Sportback. However, Audi owns that trademark globally – including in Australia – so expect the radical new hatchback to again be simply called the Commodore here.

As in Europe – including the UK, where the new Insignia will again be badged as a Vauxhall – Holden's first imported Commodore will be a direct rival for the largest passenger sedans from brands like Volkswagen (Passat), Ford (Mondeo) and Mazda (6).

As such, Opel is keen to stress its bigger, sleeker body compared to the old Insignia, which is available from Holden in top-spec VXR form here, including a 92mm longer wheelbase, 29mm lower roof and slipperier 0.26Cd drag coefficient.

However, compared to our final homegrown Commodore (the VFII) -- a final MY17 version of which, including special-editions, will be released early next year – the Insignia Grand Sport is 74mm shorter (4897mm), 36mm narrower and 3mm higher.

Inside, rear headroom (-13mm), shoulder room (-58mm) and hiproom (-44mm) are all down compared to VFII, but the transverse engine layout helps rear knee room and front head room remain unchanged, and split/folding rear sesats liberate between 490 and 1450 litres of cargo space.

Based on General Motors’ latest E2 front/all-wheel drive architecture, Opel says the 2017 Insignia weighs about 175kg lighter than before, but it will be up to 300kg lighter than the Australian-engineered, Adelaide-made, Zeta-based Commodore.

Opel is staying mum about Insignia powertrains, but the Holden model range will be topped by an all-wheel drive version powered by a naturally-aspirated 230kW/370Nm V6 engine driving through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

For the first time in a Commodore, there will be no rear-wheel drive, no V8 and no ute, and lesser models will come with 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel and petrol engines driving the front wheels via an eight-speed auto, which should bring big efficiency gains.

They won't be standard across the range, but new technologies will include a torque-vectoring Twinster twin-clutch all-wheel drive system, three-mode FlexRide adaptive suspension, IntelliLux LED matrix lighting, a frameless 8.0-inch touch-screen, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, 360-degree camera and speed limiter.

Other new options will include massaging seats, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, one-touch folding rear seats and, for the wagon, a powered tailgate.

“In its proportions as well as in each detail, we wanted the new Insignia Grand Sport to deliver an upscale quality feel,” said Adams.

“Its design combines flowing lines and subtle surfaces with crisp, precise lines to even exaggerate its dramatic proportions: it looks longer, lower and wider than it actually is, and it definitely looks upscale.

"Every design feature conveys technical know-how and utmost precision. The new Insignia is an excellent value proposition with the aura of a car from the premium, upper class.”