22 Jul 08 11:24
Video: Vauxhall Insignia
The Vauxhall Insignia, the car that will go head-to-head with the Ford Mondeo in the large family car market, has been unveiled at the British Motor Show.
Vauxhall thinks it can trump the Blue Oval with its coupe-like styling and raft of innovations; the Insignia will boast an all-new chassis, striking styling and an abundance of new technical gizmos.
Five engines will be offered at launch: three petrol units, including a 140bhp four-cylinder, 260bhp V6 and two 2.0-litre diesels (130bhp and 160bhp).
More powerful versions, including a VXR, will follow, along with a super-economical efficiency-optimised EcoFlex version. A torque-on-demand four-wheel-drive system will also be an option with the V6.
GM has updated the IDS Plus active chassis system and new features include adaptive forward lighting with nine different headlamp beam settings that adjust according to weather conditions.
Other innovations include the 'hotshot' - a windscreen jet that fires hot water to defrost the screen in icy conditions. The Insignia also features the 'Opel Eye' camera system that reads road signals - particularly useful when speed limits change - as well as lane departure warning, which beeps when the driver veers outside the road markings.
As well as a new name and an all-new design, the Insignia also features a redesigned griffin on the Vauxhall badge, which the company says represents a 'rejuvenation' of the brand.
Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer of General Motors Europe, said: 'We think this car will revitalise the large family car segment with its looks and its driving dynamics. It's such a bold design - when I look at it all my problems seem to disappear.'
The cabin of the Insignia, successor to the Vectra, has a curved dashboard, chrome accents and amber night-lighting. It features a white-lit instrument cluster, though at the touch of a 'Sport' button, the dials turn red. The fitment of an electronic parking brake has freed up space to leave room for plenty of storage, and there are new multi-function controls on some models.
It is due to go on sale in the UK in January 2009.
Check out the rest of our British Motor Show coverage.
