These are the first pictures of Opel's new Insignia Sports Tourer which will launch in Ireland this July, a month after the Insignia Grand Sport, writes Trish Whelan. Both will have their world debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show,
When order books open, the car will be available with a range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, along with latest generation transmissions.
The second generation Insignia looks more elegant and sporty, offers a specious interior and high levels of connectivity and safety equipment.
The track has been slightly increased and the wheelbase extended. Silver roof rails are standard across all equipment levels. A panorama sunroof is optional. Boot space is now 1,640 litres, and a kicking motion under the rear bumper opens the power tailgate.
The cockpit is driver-orientated and the car’s ergonomic front seats come with electric side bolster settings, massage, memory and ventilation functions. Other features include heated windscreen/steering wheel, heated front and outer rear seats, Lane Keep Assist, and Autonomous Emergency Braking, the next generation of the adaptive Opel IntelliLux LED matrix light system (which Opel say ‘turn night into day’) and an active hood which, in a collision, lifts up in milliseconds and so offers pedestrians improved protection.
High end connectivity with smartphone integration now offers a new Opel OnStar feature - the Personal Assistant which allows those onboard to book hotel rooms and search for parking via an OnStar Advisor.
Opel people say it is the first car made in Russelsheim available with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a 360 degree camera and intelligent all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, and that the car meets 'just about every kind of transport requirement. They refer to it as 'the spaceship from Russelsheim'.
