New Opel Insignia (Holden Vectra) revealed
April 18, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Holden pulled the Vectra model from the Australian market in 2005 amid slow sales and the rising import cost, but that might all change now that Opel has come out with a new Vectra, better known as the Opel Insignia.
Not only does it look absolutely brilliant, but the new car may go a long way in helping GM’s ailing fortunes. The Insignia will be sold as the next-gen Saturn Aura in the States and there is speculation that it may even return to Australasia as the new Vectra (or possibly change name to Insignia),
Update – GM Holden would not comment about the possibility of a Vectra comeback to Australia.
The new Opel will be in European dealerships this October with five engines choices which all meet Euro 5 emissions standards. All variants are available with manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.
Buyers can pick between a hatchback or saloon and the car sits five. Some of the new features include a peculiar new headlight system which works out where to point the headlights (nine different settings) under different conditions.
The entry model will be powered by a four-cylinder 104kW petrol engine, hard hitting torque will be available via 2.0-litre turbodiesels tuned to 97kW and 120kW. There is also an EcoFLEX version available which promises very low CO2 emissions. At the very top sits a V6 engine with 194kW.
The new Insignia/Vectra will be on display for the first time at the London Motor Show in late July.
Should Holden bring back the Vectra? Would it succeed against Ford’s gorgeous Mondeo?
Print it: 
The front looks a bit like the Epica, Ford Mondeo still has more class, the main question if this Opel was to appear here in OZ which models or how many models will Holden drop like the Epica, Viva etc, in their line up, I think Daewoo is here to stay GM has invested too much money in the Korean company…..
that has got to be the fugliest looking car GM could have. It looks as though they have squashed it end to end and made the roofline go pointy. Side profile is a triangle shape. Bring it to Australasia…it will certainly help Mondeo sales!
This will be a stunner from GM and will impact Toyota Camry and Aurion sales if priced sharp and heaps of extra. Love the look I admit!
I think it will impact all sales on any medium to large car market, it can be appealling to people originally after a falcon/mondeo/Commodore/Camry/Aurion. People will start thinking “if I step down on the size I want a bit I can get this”, judging by the previous models it should be a real winner. And these days the market is more competitive, so price would be a key factor.
in UK the mondeo starts from 16thousand pounds which is 34 thousand dollars here and that is LX spec so we really are good priced if insignia can do this awell.
Whow, what a gorgeous looking car. Please Holden add this to your list. The Holden line up, bar the VE (very very nice) is looking very aged. As much as you rubbish the Epica it is a very competant car. I am currently driving a Camira 2ltr (owned since new) with over 520000 klms on the original engine. This is in very good condition but need to upgrade to a bigger car. I don’t like the fact that the Epica only has a six cylinder option. I would pay the extra money if Holden was to bring this new Insignia out. How about at least matching the base model Mondeo price.
Davidt – not so sure the Vectra name has been binned yet. Vauxhall are likely to use it (a mistake I belive) in the UK.
As for Australia – it could do it but as its larger than the current one and nearly the same size as the Commie and costing nearly as much its not really likely. Sadly you Australians want the best cars but at the cheapest prices, this is where the superior Euro designed product cannot fulfill Holdens profitablilty requirements. Remember you already rejected the current Vectra in favour of a Daewoo. The Mondeo sells cheaper in Australia for the base version than the UK, same will go for the Insignia probably.
Well down GM! The cars profile sorta reminds me of the mercedes-Benz CLS (only the coupe slopping roof). Looks great! Good competitor for the Mondeo too!
Bye, bye epica! And hello Insignia!
And for europe…………..bye good vectra hello BETTER Isignia!
^Except one thing for sure is that it needs indicators on the mirrors.
I drive one of the last ZC Vectras and find it to be a great car. Was quite upset when GMH went the way of the Korean rubbish instead of the facelifted ZC Vectra. Problem was price. The imported it at the wrong price. That’s why it didn’t sell. For those that have driven one will know they are a great car. Like the VXR that HSV released, they could have released a VXR Vectra which is one hell of a machine but in comparison to the Astra, the VXR Vectra would have been up there in Clubsport type costs and just would not have sold.
I originally saw the concept of this car and was disappointed with Opel’s direction but the ‘finished’ product looks the goods.
It’s funny that when rumours that the Crapica was going to replace the Vectra the response was almost universally negative, but Holden DIDN’T LISTEN. The result = poor sales.
When Holden showed off the TT36 (Torana) concept car they got a very positive response but they DIDN’T LISTEN.
Now they have the oportunity to import this new Insignia which has also had a very positive response. I bet they don’t listen because after all, they know better than you what you like.
I still think they should make the new Torana, but I’m only the customer, one who isn’t buying a Crapica.
wile i agree that holden should definatly make the mid sized rwd torana i dont think replacing the vectra with the epica was a really bad decision. vectra was selling poorly any way and was costing a bundle to get in from europe. why not sell just as many cheap epica’s and make a better profit
Hugo: Its not that Holden haven’t listened to peopes reactions over the TT-36 infact The TT-36 Tornana Concept Car; or something that looks very similar in terms of size let alone design is most likely going to get the go ahead for production as Bob Lutz wants it to become the New Pontiac G6 which is expected to be released by 2010-12
The thing is that in because of the size of the size of the
Australian Market it takes up to 8 years for a car to go from design; R&D to Production. Therefore; there are 4-6 years to go
As for importing the Insignia it to is expected to get the go ahead from Holden to replace the poor selling Epica not only because of its size performance and features etc but because HSVs new CEO is pushing for it so they can add a mid sized perfomance sedan to their range. Particularly considering the Insignia is going to have AWD as an option
^FPV would probably follow in and do something similar, probaly with their mondeo.
Adam, forget the VXR Vectra, and go Irmscher instead! (www.irmscher.de/uk).
I don’t understand why people are complaining GMH didn’t listen re:- Torana. The bonnet, headlights, and front doors are straight off the concept (I’m looking at the front cover of Motor January 2008 as I write), and the styling over all is very similar (particularly A pillar and roof line), it’s just toned down and stretched for 4 doors.
Hell, even the panel joint lines are identical!!
Are you lot blind, or what?!
Perhaps it’s me who’s blind, because the vehicle featured on the cover of Motor January 2008 is touted as the Torana concept car (it’s a 2 door coupe), but it is vastly different in design to the 4 door Torana concept car that featured at the various motor shows.
Whoever photoshopped the front cover obviously took all of their styling cues from the new Opel, because as I said previously the two examples are remarkably similar!
holdens chance to downsize maybe even replace the woefull ve worst holden i have ever owned,been buying new holdens since 1977.bring on the insignia.
sell it only as a desiel so it dont kill commmodore out