Review: Opel Insignia (2012-13)

Overview

Released in October 2012, the Opel Insignia was available as a mid-size sedan or wagon (‘Sports Tourer’). Manufactured in Russelsheim, Germany, the front-wheel drive Insignia was available with 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol and turbo-diesel engines (the 2.0 Turbo and 2.0 CDTi variants, respectively); a six-speed automatic transmission was fitted as standard. Furthermore, the Insignia range consisted of standard and better-equipped ‘Select’ editions.

Dimensions

The Insignia sedan was 4830 mm long, 2084 mm wide, 1498 mm tall and had a 2737 mm wheelbase. The Sports Tourer wagon was 78 mm taller (at 4908 mm) and 22 mm taller (1520 mm), though other dimensions were unchanged. Cargo capacity was 1030 litres for the Sports Tourer, though this increased to 1530 litres when the rear seats were folded down.

Suspension

The Insignia was based on General Motors’ Epsilon II platform which also underpinned the Holden Malibu . As such, the Insignia was fitted with MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. While models with petrol engines had hydraulic power steering, the turbo-diesel models had electric power steering to minimise fuel consumption.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Opel Insignia included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with double pretensioners and load limiters. The standard Insignia was fitted with two-way active front seat head restraints, while Select editions were fitted with four-way active head restraints.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Insignia received a five star safety rating which included a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 79 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, chest protection for the driver was rated as adequate and all other regions were rated as good, while maximum points were awarded n the side impact test. In the more severe pole test, protection of the chest was adequate while all other body regions were rated as good.

Under ANCAP’s methodology , the Insignia received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.16 out of 37.

Features

Standard features for the Opel Insignia included 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 R17 97W tyres, a seven speaker audio system with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, Siena leather trim, heated front seats, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, power-operated park brake, two 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, alarm and immobiliser.

The Insignia Select was further equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 R19 98Y tyres and sports suspension, a premium audio system with SD card reader, satellite navigation with a seven-inch colour display, contoured front sports seats, a six-way power adjustable front passenger seat, perforated Sienta leather trim, ventilated front seats, bi-xenon headlights, headlight washers and piano black interior trim. Sedan models were also fitted with a rear lip spoiler. The xenon headlights also included an Adaptive Forward Lighting (‘AFL+’) system which automatically adapted to weather and driving conditions.

All Insignia models were fitted with a space-saver spare wheel.

Brochure

• Brochure: Opel Insignia (September 2012)

Related links

• Technical Data: Opel Insignia (July 2012)
• Wikipedia.org: Opel Insignia