Motoring Journalists Tell Me What They Think of the Insignia
I just got back from the media launch of the Insignia in Salzburg. I've had numerous discussions with journalists about the car and am pleased to see that it leaves them a very positive impression.
A French member of the Car of the Year(COTY) jury told me he really appreciates "Opel's tenacious and assiduous effort to re-invent its design" and then underlined in the article he wrote in Le Figaro how talented and successful the result was in the Insignia.
In particular, the journalists unanimously praise the radically new approach we’ve taken with the interior: they describe it as "elegant and flattering" or, like Jürgen Lewandowski, a member of the German COTY jury, describe it as "self confident". Many compared it to designs from premium brands. I like that.
As the head of engineering, it is always exciting to talk with experts outside the company after years of development and testing our technology. One question I was asked in Salzburg was whether a car with so many high-tech features is right for Opel. I can only answer a resounding “Yes” to that. Here’s why: We get to show off our engineering competence. We are one of the world’s leaders in engineering. More importantly, though, we are only introducing technologies that bring a real safety benefit, like the very sophisticated AFL+ lighting system or the unique Opel Eye. These aren’t gimmicks, but serious technologies that reduce accidents, injuries and even death. The journalists, who drove the Insignia at night, were really impressed by the operation of our lighting system and its ability to adapt to the traffic and weather conditions. "It reaches a level of perfection none of your competitors equal," one journalist told me when stepping out of his test car late in the evening.
Our biggest step forward in the area of road-holding and comfort is our new-generation mecatronics chassis, with newly developed front and rear suspensions. The FlexRide, which can even be enhanced by the Adaptive 4X4, offers more comfort, as well as safe and predictable behavior under all-weather or road conditions. Jörg Reichle, another German COTY jury member, said the Insignia was even a pleasure to drive "as a simple front wheel drive", due to "its perfect blend of dynamic talent and customer-friendly comfort." We are a leader in vehicle dynamics, and I can guarantee that our next-generation Astra will benefit from our work in the Insignia: I want to hear such comments again!
I truly think that a great car like the Insignia cannot sacrifice performance to economy (e.g. diesel consumption). So, we are currently fine-tuning the ecoFLEX version that will offer environmentally friendly driving without making any compromises on performance. It will be launched in the course of next year. In contrast to many other competitors, it is not a low-end model with barely more than 100 hp, but rather one that combines powerful propulsion and driving fun with high efficiency: This Insignia ecoFLEX with 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine and a six-speed manual transmission has an output of 118 kW/160 hp, but it will emit greenhouse gasses well below 140 grams. Again, these are the challenges that make my job as an engineer exciting.
Interestingly, the German motoring magazine Auto Bild had invited ten readers to participate in our media launch in Salzburg shortly after the opening of the Paris Motor Show. One of these readers, who currently owns an Audi and a Porsche 911, described the Insignia 2.0 Turbo he had driven and thoroughly tested with these words, which delighted me: It was a "fascinating blend of comfort, emotional speed and economy." His conclusion: The Insignia Sports Tourer - which he had seen pictures of in the magazines - "could become his first Opel ever"!
This Insignia Sports Tourer, which we premiered in Paris, will also be very important for us next year. It’s a great alternative to drivers who no longer want to drive a large SUV, but still need the space.
So you can understand that the enthusiastic feedback from the Salzburg press launch has re-charged not just me, but the whole Insignia team. We’re looking forward to the dealer launch and their comments too.
Hans Demant
GM Europe Vice President, Engineering and Managing Director of Opel
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- Posted in Vehicles |
- Comments (5)
Comments (5)
Andoni(Spain) said:
Hello Mr. Demant
The new OPEL insignia is really pleasing much. I don´t only see it like rival of ford mondeo or peugeot 407,I look this car a very serious rival for audi A6 or BMW series 5.
I am completely sure that will be able to attract buyers of premium brands.
The Spanish press defines it as the new OPEL.... !!
On the other hand, the change with respect to the Vectra is very high but recognizing the good car that is Vectra C, in my family we have a Vectra c 2,2 147, and it is very great car, no problem since 2003.
With respect to the interior , I have to say , that I like it so much, is very elegant and showy but without losing the German origin. I think that it is the key for the future opel cars.
Finally, I cannot avoid asking him If OPEL is thinking in a new luxury car like omega or senator...
The OPEL senator was and is a glory!!
A. Woodruffe said:
Dear Hans,
Really great read and lets face it, it will be an injustice if the Insignia isn't a nominee for the 'COTY'. With is sleek design and only best high-tech safety features OPEL is without doubt stepping on premium class toes, which will make some buyers question as to why they should give out so much money when the Insignia can deliver the same if not a better driving experience.
Which is what I fear when we take into consideration Saab. Most journalists mention the word struggling when it comes to this company and I feel the insignia isn't going to help matters. Under no circumstance am I implying that the Insignia shouldn't move up market. I think it is great but effectively Saab should be pushed further up the field too. The question is, can Saab sustain the premium / luxury playing field? My gut feeling is not a chance. However; if GM can find the funds to bring concepts like the 9-X Bio-hybrid and 9-X Air to production, without them being 'watered' down then Saab just might be able to be a real niche brand.
Congratulations on the Insignia but please try to refrain from stealing all of Saab's core values for OPEL's future products.
Jean-Charles jacquemin said:
Congratulations Mr Demant,
Moreover, I am very pleased on your comment about the new Astra.
Being a very satisfied Astra break customer since 2000, I'm glad that technological progresses are panned for this popular model.
Let me express my wish to have an "EREV AstraTourer" in very few months ahead. I'm sure this car could be very successful.
HotCarNut said:
Hans,
Congratulations on the Insignia! It looks like a wonderful vehicle. Hopefully those of us in the US will get it sooner rather than later. Even though the current Aura hasn't sold as well as GM thought, I believe that it brought a much different type of buyer to the Saturn brand. The handling was much sharper than the "Lazy-Boy" cars we normally get. Keep up the good work and don't compromise on performance!!
Hans Demant said:
Hello Andoni:
Thank you for the kind words on both the Insignia and the Vectra. With respect to a new Omega or Senator, those were certainly terrific cars and we are always looking at all of the various car segments, but there is no current plan to replace those models. With the new Insignia we believe we have a premium-looking and premium-driving vehicle that appeals to many people in many different segments. I agree the Senator was a glory, hopefully Insignia will be seen the same way. Thank you!
Hans