2003 Opel Insignia Concept

[Saaber]

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In addition to its progressive, elegant and dynamic design, the Insignia features numerous innovations including extensive use of LED lighting technology and unique pantograph-action doors and tailgate. Further highlights include the versatile interior layout and excellent driving dynamics. Says Opel's Chairman and Managing Director, Carl-Peter Forster: 'The Insignia is not an expensive luxury car but an ambassador of Opel's new confidence. It emphasizes our message of the past few months, that Opel is back, and it also demonstrates the innovative ideas we come up with when we think about a big Opel.'

 

The driver-oriented, rear-wheel drive concept car can be transformed from a comfortable four-seater for day-to-day business purposes, into a sporty five-seat transport vehicle for weekend activities, family and recreation. The 344-hp aluminum V8 engine gives it a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically controlled), with acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in under six seconds.

 

Opel's New Design Language

 

With its well-balanced proportions and its progressive, elegant and dynamic lines, 'the Insignia shows how Opel's new design language translates to a large sized car for the very first time,' explains Opel's Executive Director of Design, Martin Smith. 'With its many creative ideas, this study is a vision reaching far into the future, showing how Opel defines such a new concept.'

 

This departure from a conservative notchback silhouette is evident in the coupe-style body lines and design details such as the long engine hood with sweeping A-pillars and the inward-tapering front and rear ends. The Insignia's short overhangs and balanced proportions (length/width/height: 4803/1914/1414 millimeters) and the long 2915-mm wheelbase are just as striking. The wide track (1666 mm) emphasizes the Insignia's dynamics even further.

 

The impressive radiator grille represents pride in the brand in three-dimensional form - a reference to the big cars that have always been part of Opel's tradition. It is milled from solid aluminum and flanked by large air intakes, thus dominating the front end and conveying an unmistakable sense of confidence. This is an Opel with genuine power under the boldly styled hood, accentuated by a characteristic crease down the middle and a V-shape that flows from the A-pillars, thus creating a strong link to the honeycomb-grille. Four sturdy crossbars (the top one carrying the prominent Opel emblem) emphasize the grille's significance in the front-end design.

 

High-tech Interior

 

The Insignia comes in even more guises. Continuing the long tradition of innovative interiors at Opel, for instance the Zafiras Flex7 system with fully retractable third-row seats or the multiple configurations of the Meriva and Signum FlexSpace concepts, the Insignia features yet another new idea: The section of the center tunnel that separates the two individual rear seats can be moved back under the trunk-floor to reveal a folded seat that can be raised electrically to make the Insignia a five-seater. The tunnel, covered with fine leather with exclusive Macassar ebony wood inlays conceals even more secrets: The designers have integrated a DVD player with folding screen, a cool-box large enough for two bottles of champagne and a humidor for storing fine cigars.

 

Despite these luxury accessories in the rear, there's never a doubt in the Insignia as to whos in charge: The cockpit, with its three-dimensional instruments and control satellites for the most important functions made of satin-finished and polished aluminum, is perfectly matched to the drivers needs so he or she can concentrate on the essentials.

 

All secondary control panels such as the infotainment system or the air-conditioning are hidden away under ingenious sliding covers in the center console.

 

Parallel sliding action

 

The future potential of the pantograph mounting and lever principle used for the two rear doors is also obvious. With its help, even large doors can be opened in small parking spaces or garages. Like a sliding door but without the sliding rails, the doors move parallel to the body rather than swinging outwards.

 

Because of their advantages, pantograph hinges with two pivot points have often been tried in automobiles, but this is the first time that the door has been successfully realized without multiple levers and without destroying the harmonious styling.

 

This is how the dictionary explains the mechanism: 'Pantograph - an instrument & consisting of four &bars jointed in parallelogram form.' Now that the Insignia has appeared, this definition will have to be re-written, as the Opel's engineers in the team led by Gerhard Mathes, have succeeded in designing a sophisticated but simple mechanism inside the pantograph support arm. When the door is closed, the aluminum support lever disappears elegantly into the door trim. 'The kinematics of the Insignias rear doors will puzzle many observers,' says Mathes with a smile. How it works will, for the time being, remain Opel's secret, as Hans H. Demant, Executive Director, Engineering, is positive that 'the pantograph has revolutionary potential'.

 

Observers can also study the advantages of the pantograph system at the rear of the Insignia, even though this is a conventional design, with articulated parallelograms. Both the large tailgate and its rear window can be opened parallel to the roof by remote control, which means that they can open even if the car has been reversed up to a wall - especially since they open with the aid of electric motors. A total of 45 electric motors are installed on the concept car. They not only open and close the doors at the touch of a button, for example, but also move the seats forward automatically to make access to the rear easier.

 

Rear-wheel drive and V8 engine

 

Opel's engineers chose an all-new GM rear-wheel drive architecture being developed for future global products as the basis for the Insignia's dynamic concept. With double wishbones and coil springs at the front and a five-link axle at the rear (decoupled for refinement), the Insignia delivers exemplary cornering behavior and high directional stability. Hydraulic load-leveling control compensates for changes in payload. In line with the dynamic character, the Insignia is powered by the Corvette's 344-hp aluminum V8 engine, which gives it a maximum speed of 250 km/h (electronically controlled), with acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in under six seconds.

 

Story by Opel

[Liang]

Hope to see the pantograph in the next version of Zafira! Just hope one of the 45 electric motors don't breakdown!

[Super7]

Opel Insignia

 

or mainstream makers, the executive car market seems a dead duck. Renault's Vel Satis tried to break the mould, but failed dismally. Peugeot's 607 sells in tiny numbers, Volkswagen's Phaeton isn't setting showrooms on fire, while Ford and Fiat have given up on execs altogether. Whether we like it or not, the battle is dominated by Germany's big three, Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

 

But that's not going to stop Opel trying to break into the big time. And this is the car it believes can deliver - the Insignia concept, which debuted at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Auto Express was invited to take the wheel of what will be the next Omega to see what is in store for fans of big Opels.

 

There's no doubt that the Insignia, seen here wearing Opel badges on our test route in Germany, cuts an impressive figure. Its imposing high-tail makes it stand out in a sea of conventional saloons. But unlike the wacky five-door Vel Satis, the tailgate is disguised as a coupe-style fastback.

Edited July 9, 2004 by Super7

[Super7]

Design chiefs say they wanted a "personal car that the driver would be proud to be seen in". The idea is that during the week the Insignia would be used as a business tool, but at the weekend could convert to a versatile five-seater family machine that can carry the children and cope with shopping trips.

 

Under the dramatic bodywork, engineers knew they would need lots of power and an agile rear-wheel-drive chassis to cope with the performance. So they turned to GM's Australian arm, Holden, and borrowed running gear from the Commodore and Monaro. Inside, though, the Insignia is like nothing else.

 

The cabin is a stylish mix of soft brown leather and exotic ebony wood inlays. All of the controls are grouped tightly around the driver, with some of the switchgear mounted on pods just millimetres from your fingertips.

 

To promote a sense of calm, though, only the essential switches are exposed. More complex buttons are hidden under flaps in the angled centre console.

Edited July 9, 2004 by Super7

[Silverarrow]

Just look at that grill. And we thought Audi's designers went crazy with something that loud. Next thing we know, Rover copied it for the V8. But Opel's is quite nicely done.

 

I must say the Insignia's arse looks like that of the Porsche 928's.

Edited July 9, 2004 by Silverarrow

[Super7]

In the back of the car, the seats are similar in layout to those in the Signum. They can be switched from three-abreast to twin chairs offering extra shoulder room or dropped down to transform the Insignia into a spacious estate.

 

The doors, which swing open and slide down the side of car, are impressive, although they're unlikely to make it to the production model. Slide behind the leather-trimmed steering wheel, hit the starter button and it's the 5.7-litre 344bhp V8 - also used in the new Vauxhall Monaro - which grabs the attention, though. The engine emits a deep growl that hints at serious performance: GM promises the car will cover 0-62mph in less than six seconds.

 

Slip the leather selector into gear and the Insignia slinks away with the poise of the best German cars. The driving position is excellent, the bolstered seats superb and the interior very light and airy.

The engine pulls exceptionally well and, even though this is a prototype, it's clear the Holden chassis is sporty and well balanced. If GM gives it the green light for production, which we've been told is more than likely, then BMW and Mercedes should start to look worried...

 

Article from: Auto Express

[Super7]

seats and door mirror...

[Tanzy]

That tail end looks very similar to the Audi A8 Sportsback. Looks like car designers are running out of ideas.

[Silverarrow]

That tail end looks very similar to the Audi A8 Sportsback. Looks like car designers are running out of ideas.

 

Yup. Copying of designs is becoming rampant in the industry. For instance, the Honda Edix MPV is such a blatant rip-off of the new Merc A-Class.

 

But notice how no one has yet to copy BMW's Bangled designs? I guess BMW has achieved their goal of being unique looking, although an early facelift of the ugly 7-Series may indicate that they are rethinking this strategy in the light of poor global sales.

[Seansene]

I'm very impressed, seeing that this is a production model. Not safe and sombre like the Big German Three, and not aesthetically challenging like the Vel-Satis. I think it deserves to succeed

[Rustycar]

U missed out the meter clusters.

[Liang]

Edix also copy the Fiat Multipla idea of 2 rows of 3 seats each!

Can't believe Today's motoring section on Sat. Writer said the Edix has a "unique" seating arrangement! I guess the writer must have just copied the press release from Honda, without doing much homework. The Multipla had the same arrangement since it was released in 2000! And Multipla just had a version 2.

[Silverarrow]

Edix also copy the Fiat Multipla idea of 2 rows of 3 seats each!

Can't believe Today's motoring section on Sat. Writer said the Edix has a "unique" seating arrangement! I guess the writer must have just copied the press release from Honda, without doing much homework. The Multipla had the same arrangement since it was released in 2000! And Multipla just had a version 2.

 

Good observation.

 

The Edix is mainly a rehash of old ideas plus the new designs of others. But the car's high selling price is a put-off. And some drivers will hate to have a 3rd passenger squeezed in front and invade their personal space.

[Silverarrow]

U missed out the meter clusters.

 

Holy crap! That's some seriously funky instrument meters.

 

Opel has been coming up with some good stuff lately despite the flop of the Signum. Hope they will continue to rock the marketplace with their innovations.

[Conned]

yeah..jus wait few months when they bring in the New Astra turbo!! yum..yum...hope tat car lives up to all the hype regarding it's handling n tech levels.esp the Lotus chasis.

[Rustycar]

This is S'pore, dun expect AutoEurokars to bring in an Astra SRi Turbo. Heard they only bringing in 1.6l Easytronic crap. Most likely strip bare of goodies.

[Conned]

oh no!! i've been duped!went down TransEuro & the S/M confirm they bringin in.So me booked! They even gonna homologate a 1.8turbo 6spd Manual @ LTA wz all de works...IDS-CDC,FLS..etc..

hw now?

Wud be great if the SRI comes in..gonna give those jappies boyracers some surprises..esp if u mod it!!

now i hav to go ask for my deposit back if only normal 1.6L..haiz

[Joey]

don't think they have 1.8 turbo in europe at the moment. These are the petrol engines options available for the new astra :

Edited July 15, 2004 by Joey