The all-new Vauxhall Insignia has been unveiled ahead of its 2017 Geneva Motor Show debut.
Known as the Insignia Grand Sport, it’s based on a completely new vehicle architecture with revised proportions. This results in a more spacious interior, and gives the car a more ‘athletic appearance’ and an improved road stance, says Vauxhall. The new Insignia also has ‘class-leading’ aerodynamics with a Cd (drag coefficient) figure of 0.26.
Optimised packaging and the use of lightweight materials have helped cut the weight by up to 175kg, and new features include an all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring, next generation IntelliLux LED matrix lighting, Lane Keep Assist, Head-up Display and premium seats, front- and rear-seat heating and a heated windscreen, for example.
Safety features include a Head-up-Display providing information on speed, traffic signs as well as speed limit or navigation directions - projected onto the windscreen in the driver’s direct line of sight. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) adapts the speed accordingly and will initiate automatic emergency braking if the distance decreases abruptly. Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning provides gentle steering wheel movements (and LDW alerts if necessary) to help drivers avoid accidents due to unintentionally drifting out of their lane. Rear Cross Traffic Alert system uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to detect objects coming from up to 20 meters at 90 degrees from the left or right side behind the vehicle. The Insignia is also the first Vauxhall with an active aluminium bonnet, improving pedestrian protection considerably.
On the inside, the ergonomic seats are certified by “Aktion Gesunder Rücken” - Campaign for Healthy Backs - offering a combination of side bolster settings, massage, memory and ventilation functions in addition to the standard setting possibilities.
Infotainment and connectivity features include the latest generation IntelliLink with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and while the smartphone is integrated it can also be charged wirelessly. Vauxhall’s OnStar will launch with a new Insignia Grand Sport concierge service, enabling its occupants to ask an OnStar advisor to select a hotel and proceed to room reservations for example. Furthermore, up to seven devices can be connected to the Wi-Fi Hotspot.
Design wise, a ‘prominent' grille and the slim-line headlamps enhance the wide horizontal face of the front end and provide it with a bold appearance. The grille sits lower than on the outgoing model and 'further emphasises its solid stance'. The side window graphics feature an upper chrome strip, rather than a full-chrome treatment, and the coupé-like roofline ‘pulls the car down and emphasises its stretched appearance’ according to Vauxhall. At the rear, clear lines combined with the double-wing LED signature, continuing the Insignia's wider look and are joined by the newly-designed high-mounted LED stop lamp.
Available with a wide range of turbocharged engines and transmissions when it is officially launched next year, a ‘highly efficient’ eight-speed automatic transmission is new to the line-up. The gear ratios have been extended and shifts are described as extremely smooth and hardly noticeable - initially it will only be available in combination with the all-wheel drive system.
All-wheel drive with torque vectoring debuts on the Insignia, and combines with Vauxhall’s refined FlexRide chassis, providing the basis for 'optimal, situation-based driving behaviour'. FlexRide adapts the dampers, steering, throttle response and shift points (on automatics) independently or based on the modes ‘Standard’, ‘Sport’ or ‘Tour’, which can be selected by the driver.
The Geneva Motor Show runs from 9-19 March 2017.