2012 Opel Insignia revealed ahead of Australian launch

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By Tim Beissmann | August 10th, 2011

The 2012 Opel Insignia update has been revealed ahead of its introduction to Australia next year.

This is expected to be the last update before the Opel Insignia goes on sale in Australia, meaning we now have our first look at how the vehicle will appear when it arrives in local showrooms.

Exterior upgrades have been kept to an absolute minimum, with new alloy wheel designs and a new paint colour expected to be the only changes to the 2012 Insignia line-up.

The real upgrades have taken place under the bonnet and on the technology front.

The 2012 Opel Insignia will be available in selected markets with a 1.4-litre turbocharged ecoFLEX petrol engine. Producing 103kW and 200Nm of torque, the engine is teamed with a six-speed manual transmission, start/stop technology, electric power steering, and aerodynamic enhancements including streamlined underbody panels and low rolling resistance tyres.

In sedan mode it sips fuel at a rate of just 5.7 litres/100km on the combined cycle, while the Sports Tourer wagon model averages 5.9 litres/100km. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 10.9 seconds.

Although the 1.4 ecoFLEX model is likely to be reserved for European markets, Australian customers may have a better chance of getting their hands on the 2012 Insignia 2.0 Turbo 4×4 model.

Previously producing 162kW/350Nm, the 2.0 now puts out 185kW of power and 400Nm, leading to a 0-100km/h sprint time as low as 7.5 seconds. Despite the power increases, combined cycle fuel consumption has decreased from 8.9 litres/100km to 8.4 litres/100km, thanks to the introduction of start/stop and low rolling resistance tyres.

Opel has applied the same efficiency upgrades to the 2012 model year front-wheel drive 162kW 2.0 Turbo model. Fuel consumption has been reduced to 7.6 litres/100km, down from 8.1 litres/100km.

Inside, Opel has fitted the 2012 Insignia with an SD card-based infotainment system. The satellite navigation now allows drivers to save points of interest and find the most economical route for their trip.

The front camera – already fitted to the Insignia for traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning – now has the added feature of Following Distance Indication, which measures the distance to the car in front and helps drivers avoid rear-end collisions with visual and audible warnings.

GM Holden, currently responsible for Opel Australia communications, is yet to confirm specific details about our 2012 Opel Insignia. Expect more details to surface closer to its launch.

aball

Hey Holden, how about a 2 litre manual & auto Commodore Omega and Berlina to appeal to private buyers?
Mr Gaspo

Great, Opel is going up market… Ok, I’ll just buy a VW then.

Dejavu

VW is only ‘up-market’ in Australia. Your over-priced Golf/Jetta is plain Jane everywhere else.

KM

Would prefer a 147tsi Jetta over this anyday. 185kw and 0-100 in 7.6 seconds for this Opel? Ahhh Vw & DSG work soooo much better.

Mike

Fantastic car, sorry Holden I have been waiting for you to give us a decent mid sized car with a manual box. I will be getting a Insignia. Saw these in the States and they look really good live.

Thrillhouse

I don’t think Holden will be too upset, seeing as the money will be going to the same place and all.
Phil

They probably won’t bother offering a manual in Australia. Too many lazy people here.

aball

Nice one, some of us have to drive autos not by choice. My stroke rendered my left arm and leg useless. But you ‘re right, way too many slackers out there. Shamefully small number of manuals sold in Australia

Peter Stone

Considering it’s holden importing these under the opel badge as their luxo arm, I’m sure they will be pretty darn happy at your choice lol

Shak

It will be interesting to see how the Astra competes with the Golf, and its own brethren from Holden. There isnt that much leeway in pricing so the Astra will either have to be pitched directly at the Golf or directly in the ring with the Corolla, 3, Cruze etc…

o

Even the base model golf is competing with the 3/corolla etc. I reckon the astra will do well its got a name that will sell if it is marketed right

Meanstreak

Thrillhouse, of course Holden will be upset. GM won’t, they still earn the dollars but as a Business unit Hokden will suffer if they lose vital sales to Opel. That could affect their future in Australia.

Damian

Meanstreak, as Holden will be the distributor of Opel cars in Australia it WON’T make much difference to Holden – the same as Holden is effectively distributing GM Korea (or whatever it is called) cars here.

upd

Astra and the brand OPEL are unreliable cars, seriously how many ASTRA’s on the road today are running problem free?

anthony

I had a late 2000 Astra TS sedan,which looked good and was great to drive,but became unreliable,and I swore NEVER AGAIN.

Alexander

My parents had a 2001 TS Astra, it was good to drive and looked nice, bit it was indeed very unreliable. The aircon controls stopped working, then the aircon itself broke, all four electric window mechanisms stopped working and the radio eventually died.

KD

I owned an AH CDX and still own an AH Astra Turbo and have never had a problem with either of them. I’ve also had many friends with TS Astras that have been utterly reliable

Frenchie

All depends on the user.

Woesie

I have been driving a ’06 astra diesel since 2006 without any problems, currently @ 170,000km. I’ve had an Opel Signum before that and corsa and Kadet, never had any problems.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1715760895 Charles Dean

My friend has a Vectra (previous gen) and it’s unreliable, gearbox stopped function, aircon and most of the electrical system was faulty..

Also the engines and drivetrains are so loud..

MisterTwo

Was that the one that was built in Australia?

Brenda Loots

Likely. I had a Belgium-built 2000 model which was a beautiful drive without any problems for 8 years.

Lazza

Bring on Opel. The more competition the better. Would be interested to know whether they’ll bring in the Insignia OPC.
rentakeyboard

I had a JR Vectra. Suimply the best car I have ever owned. Only cpmplaint was cost of parts and servicing.

I think these are a stunning looking vehicle and cant wait to buy one.
Steve

Saw these in Europe earlier this year. They were the stand out sedan for my pick. I hope in this day and age the past reliabilitiy issues are diminished. Personally, VW now = bland.
http://www.facebook.com/peter.zaharis Peter Zaharis

Give me the Tourer wagon with a diesel engine and I will be happy!
Mark

We had an Opel Insignia diesel in the UK last moth as a hire car. Looks nice enough, but the diesel was very noisy and the interior was very plasticy. On the plus side the seats were comfortable and it steered nicely.

Have owned a VW Jetta before and would much prefer a Jetta over the Insignia…