Insignia set to challenge Mondeo
30 Nov, 2007
53 Comments 
With Mondeo already doing so well in Europe, Vauxhall (familiar to us as Holden’s mostly bygone Opel range) has today announced it will up the ante with its Vectra replacement Insignia.
Seen first at the Geneva Motor Show this year as the GTC Coupe Concept, these pics are our only insight in to the styling cues Insignia may adopt. Vauxhall plans to release the true to life pre-production models at the London Motor Show in July next year.
With styling focused at provided a more swept and flowing feel than the model it will replace, Insignia is said to be powered by a 2.8-litre V6 and may yet be AWD.
Holden now importing from Korea, it seems we’ll miss out down under and will for now have to be content with nice pictures - or perhaps a Mondeo instead.
Location: Home / Car News / ...
Rate Post: 
(4 votes, average: 3 out of 5)
Loading ...
-
Print it:
![tc AMVR 6 [800x600].jpg](http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/gallery/2008amv8vr/tc AMVR 6 [800x600].jpg "tc AMVR 6 [800x600].jpg")
November 30th, 2007 at 7:10 am
Looks nice, especially from the rear. I can see Astra in those tail lights. Shame GM stopped bringing Opels / Vauxhauls here, I owned two of them and they always performed well and felt solid to me.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Holden still brings in Vauxhauls, just check out the massive Astra range still available. They have however stopped importing the Barina and Vectra (replaced by the Epica). So expect to see the next Vectra only in HSV’s range in future, if Europe releases a performance variant.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 8:53 am
I wonder if it will be in the large car segment judgeing by the HSV/VXR looking rims and just the general stance of it?
what will ruin it is if they go for that plastic interior vaushall are so infamous with
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Bubba, check this car and its interior out at www.carbodydesign.com
It’s a great site filled with large, high resolution pictures of significant concept cars and production models. The car above is called an Opel GTC Concept.
It’s Wallpaper Heaven.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 9:26 am
There were rumours on Autoblog about this being a Epsilon 2 based car with a possible twin turbo drivetrain - which may form the base for the Torana/Insignia VXR, if it ever comes back.
This car’s coming out in diesel too of course. Good.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Early days yet, leftlanenews has some spy pics of a heavily glad production version. expect it to be a little more mundane.
i personally think the concept is a little bland.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Looks good but as we know in most cases, the real production model will be far more conservative then that…Unless they follow ford’s lead with the Kuga/Mondeo
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
golfschwein………thats a good site!Interesting styling….I reckon a small child could get lost in those exhaust extensions
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
The tailend and side profile look a little too much like some Mazda concepts we’ve seen previously - in fact, it looks like a 2-door version of the new Mazda 6!
The front styling looks a bit cumbersome to me, with a ‘Grandpa’ grill next to some sporty looking lightset & air vents. Maybe they should have given the body styling to the GMH boys who did such a good job with the VE and the Pontiac G8.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Not a bad look except for the silly vertical front intakes (unless they are intercooler intakes for twin-turbos…now that would be cool). Not a fan of the stacked exhaust either.
The side profile looks kinda classy, overall it looks good. Love those rims.
By far the worst thing about it is the badge
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Actually, I don’t like the name “Insignia” either. Call it “The Stignia” is so much better.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Glad you think so, Bav Mis! There’s something there for everyone, including you Roaring Fordies.
When I saw this car, I easily imagined to be the new Monaro, but the front wheel drive overhang gives the game away.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Yup Golfschwein, that’s what I thought too, and thanks for the link.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
i think they should target this at the jap nissan and honda etc performance range. or even the new supra.
thats where it looks alike it should be
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
That’s what I don’t get.. Why would Denny Mooney stop importing Opels such as the Corsa and Vectra in favour of Daewoos yet continue to import the Astra..?
The Astra is a popular car but so was the other Opels. This is why I regard Mooney to be the worst Automotive CEO ever. He Took the Credit for work that Peter Hannenberger had started - the VE Project which was 90% complete.. yet he refuses to admit that the Denny-Daewoo plans a failure.
I hope Chris Gubbey makes the decision to switch back to Opel soon
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Agreed Wheelnut, I think if Peter Hannenberger saw the Holden range at it’s current state, he’d probably have a heart attack.
But (Mooney) only coming to Australia a minute before becoming the CEO of Holden, meant that Denney Mooney had no perception of the Aussie market.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
So it looks good.
But…will it have a proper chassis & suspension?
& will the engineers tune the thing to go around corners and make it ride?
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
A Vauxhall? Not a chance in hell unless they ask Lotus for help.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
who gives a shit what GM/Holden are sprucking on about - all they are trying to do is save face amoungst the crap they have got now.
Until GM/Holden actually deliver any half-hearted cars outside the quality challenged Commodore range it is nothing more then just fruitless hype.
Holden hits out at Toyota with the so-called Camry killer Epica of which is now destined as the ‘2007 New Car Dud Of The Year’ while Ford actually provides us with a car of substance as with Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Subaru.
Holden is becoming a lost-course and die hard Holden clowns live in a world of ‘what could have been’ and ‘what could be’ and not actually the wonder world of ‘what is’.
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
There’s always someone to turn every post into an anti-Holden tirade. *yawn*
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Hey Import Jap……..where do you live? What state? Your still up!
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
S.A, Bavarian. Maybe not for much longer though.
I’m always up
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Where you moving to? Always up???? Lucky girl you have!hahaha
(Report)
November 30th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
So what do you drive? Its not Euro or Australian I take it?
(Report)
December 1st, 2007 at 12:03 am
Hehehe, I’m looking to move to Melb or Brisvegas soon, just need the work.
I do drive a Euro actually, a 2004 Audi A4
(Report)
December 1st, 2007 at 12:42 am
I’m up, and I don’t know why…dog tired.
(Report)
December 1st, 2007 at 11:06 am
Dingo, I reckon it’s Ford’s turn to have its range sorted. Once Orion arrives, Ford’s showrooms will have a cohesiveness lacking since the Escort/Cortina and Laser/Telstar days, so long as you don’t miss Fairlane and Ltd.
But, remember these words; Festiva, Consul, Maverick.
(Report)
December 1st, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Dingo - it’s not such a bad idea of thinking about what “could be” because it shows that you are planning for the future and have contingencies for whatever the future brings be it good or bad.
As they say in by failing to plan you’re planning to fail. I mean these days given the advancement of technology both people and business must be able to react as quickly as possible to certai events inorder to survive.
And given that Holden are so heavily involved in variuos GM projects I feel that Holden could still be in Australia long after Toyota has left.
Again I am looking into the future as to what could happen based upon what is happening with GM-Holden at the moment.
My reference to Toyota leaving was based on a statement from the 2IC at Toyota at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Oh by the way the term is “Lost Cause” not “Lost Course”
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:11 am
what all the anti holden people need to understand is that the GM Daewoo replacement for the epica, and therefore holdens replacement for the epica, will be based on this very car. It will simply be a re-bodied version of this car and therefore should be very similar to this car in almost every single way… but shhhhhhhhh! that would be stuffing up the anti holden argument!!!
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:23 am
Import Jap………you drive an Audi????????Whats with import jap then? Im so confused????? Brisvegas………what another one that will live in QLD??????? Economy better over here though if your looking for work…..lifestyle good .
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:55 pm
This car is just a concept so at this stage it might not even make it into production.. If it does however; I hope looks nothing like this.. particularly from the front.
Therefore; I think that HSV will be able to persuade Holden to import the Vectra; Corsa as the replacement for the Epica and Barina [and hopefully the GT]
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Well Bavarian Missile….
It seems like Brisbane is the place to be!!! LOL!
good point about this “insignia” wheelnut, I think the whole shape looks concept and if it goes into production, it will have changes to the exauhst tips and as you said the front.
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Pfttt,over rated.plus to close to the mother in law!!hehehehe
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Wheelnut - HSV does not have even close to that much influence over Holden. HSV may however choose to import the VXR versions of the car just as they do with the astra VXR even if Holden doesn’t import the rest of the range. It’s no secret that HSV is trying to expand their own range beyond commodore derived products
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Richo: I beg to differ Because if HSV didn’t have as much influence at Holden if any..
Then I doubt that Holden would do any modifications to cars that were destined to become HSVs on the assembly line as they did with the Coupe 4 and do now with the Clubsport-Maloo.. Holden do quite a bit of work for HSV at Elizabeth so HSV can focus on the Engine; Driveline Suspension and Brakes - The machine that forms the panels for the unique HSV taillights is at Holden not HSV
Nor would Holden allow HSV to be involved in the design; research and development stages of the new VE as they were.
Holden would just say to HSV “here’s a car now try and do something with it.”
HSV have been involved in the R&D process since the VT and since then the performance and quality of both Holden and HSV cars has gradually improved
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Missile,
brizzy used to be quite a good lifestyle too but slowly everyone is realising we have space and quality lifestyle up here and also you used to have a good range of houses under 200k.
bloody southerners are finding it out in absolute truck loads
yeah i know a few people who have gone to WA chasing the $$$$
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:28 pm
As long as they stay out of the Redlands where I live. Don Seccombe don’t give a damn about wildlife and population.
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:35 pm
actually redlands is one of the big boomers as far as ive been told.
gee you must love it over there living in the pocket of paul morris ha ha ha ha ha
it must be exciting to drive past his facility every day ha ha ha ha ha
sucks to be you ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:38 pm
You know what I realized tonight reading something…….it took Holden 30 years to make 300 kws ……..and that was care of Callway! Phase 3 1971 !!!!!!!!!290 kws Hows that for catchup !!!!!!
Ill get the figures tomorrow on the rest…….1/4 mile times ect!
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Houses under $200,000??????No wonder Andrew!!!!!
Perth got voted the most boring city in Australia!!!!!!!
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:48 pm
The last thing on my mind is Paul Morris - but I do go past the Mt Cotton training centre in Logan and the winnery when I head south.
But yeah, Redlands had really boomed through the 70s,80s,90s and now after it was a small farming community. In the 40s, a Ford dealer started in Cleveland and it was owned by…….
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:51 pm
$200,000 OH Those days!!!! Now it’s almost all $800,000! - Thank you southerners!! HAHA!
(Report)
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Bav Mis, is it true that the HO’s output was measured as SAE horsepower, not DIN horsepower?
I’ll very happily be proven wrong on this, as my 77kw Golf tubodiesel shows me to be no kilowatts slave, but I just can’t be fagged looking stuff up after 3 red wines (I had to drink it all, as the cork fell through).
Anyway. Like I wuz sayin. SAE and DIN are engineering/measurement protocols and anything measured in the old SAE, before the DIN standard was adopted universally, looks a little fruitier in the numbers dept.
Anybody?
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:53 am
MMMMMMM…..one for my Husband I think………as its still 6.30 am here hes not up yet! You would think SAE anyway but there isn’t that much difference from what I know ! The American version I would have thought was still being used then not the German DIN that is Australia’s equivalent !
I was talking to him last night about the article I read….I had thought it was closer to 350 HP he thinks 330hp!
However that being said The VX GTS that finally wrestled the title of “most powerful Australian car”away from the 30 year old Ford .It also managed to better the HOs performance figures{as it should}running a 14.00 sec 1/4 mile against the HOs 14.2.
Their original price $95,000 and have devalued to around $40,000 below! Hos well enough said!
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:39 am
Holdenclowns - what you poeple have to get into your head is the fact that apart from the Crapodore 9but even that in so many ways)is that Holdens fleet is already so far behind that of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda and Subaru to name just only a few and while most you people live in ‘hope with you fingers crossed’ - all the other manufactuers are moving forward at a great rate of knots on an already solid standing that will only strengthen as the years pass.
So, what i am saying is very basic - nothing will come easy or lightly for GM if they want to catch up to the ever increasing pace of all the other wonderful manufactuers out there that i consider are leaps and bounds ahead of Holden/GM.
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Bavarian, I’m a Jap car enthusiast and hobbyist, but my daily’s an Audi for obvious reason (comfort, quality and economy mostly).
Where abouts do you live? I’m a web developer by trade these days, and Melb and Brissy are offering more money for that sort of thing.
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Hey Import Jap………….I live in Perth W.A !
Web developer then you could live anywhere really????
Your not like the other slack ones we have employed in the past I hope……….hehehe! Na we use to think our eldest son was slack for not updating our site that he built so we tried employing a couple of new ones they took ooooooo about 2 months to do a couple of new pages!!!!!!
Make the changes ourselves now!!!
So you do graphic design stuff like my son then? He works at Snap Printing !!!!!!!
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
I’m more programming based. I ain’t slack either, as my very happy clients know! No one gets anywhere being slack
I have a major in Computer Science and another in Physics rather than Graphic Design though I’m often asked to do artwork.
Do mostly Flash (like online games and sites etc) and CMS (Website content management/automation) development, though I am also called upon these days to do 3D animation and the like. It’s a fun job, just can’t get the pay I require in SA.
Perth is great but a lot more expensive these days than I remember as a young lad!
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Also judging by the ve front bonnet and grill it reminds of the opel monza it was the first shaped commodore/reckord in a coupe design
if it does go into production i reckon it will be a ve coupe and by the way thanks for the site recomendation golfshwien the work computer wont let me in so i gotta find another puter.
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:51 pm
I know ……..I worry about my kids being able to afford a house should they stay in Perth………When I moved down to Perth 7 years ago the median price in our Suburb was $160,000
now its $450,000 ! My son is renting a house with his girl friend pretty average house in an average suburb $260 a week!
Ah programing………yep ……smarter than the average bear then! Maybe your in the wrong Country……dont a lot of people like yourself go to UK for that type of work…..pay would have to better in Pounds even though lifestyle is expensive,depends if you get a package offered I guess!
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Bubba Ganush - development of the VE Coupe is well under way. During a recent visit GM Design Chief Mike Simcoe said that we [aussies] can expect a new Monaro within the next couple of years.. about the same time as the new Camaro [2010]
As the insignia is just a Concept it’s future is uncertain. If it gets the green light it will go through an extensive R&D program etc so I expect the Monaro will make it here before the insignia [or anything like it]
It appears that the insignia uses the Alpha platform [same as the TT-36].. I wonder if Holden will build an A9-X or SS
Torana
(Report)
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Hey golfschwein got an answer for you………SAE more than likely had no accessories on it when they measured the HOs 351 The VTS however would of been DIN and with accessories attached! However saying that its interesting to see the 1/4
mile times of both !
(Report)
December 13th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
See on the cover of the latest issue of Motor theres an image of the New Torana designed as an A9-X style hatch.
After looking at the images inside the CGIs were obviously taken from the design of the car in the above pics.. particularly from the rear.
The Torrie looks a lot better and is another reason why GM-Holden should [correction] will most likely give the car the go ahead - next year in time for a 2012 release as expected.
(Report)