New Opel Insignia debuts at Geneva

The next-generation Opel Insignia Grand Sport and Grand Tourer debuted at the Geneva Auto Show, giving New Zealand drivers a glimpse into the Holden Commodore’s future under the German nameplate. The Insignia range will feature under different nameplates worldwide; the Opel Insignia in Europe, the Vauxhall Insignia in the United Kingdom, the Buick Regal in the United States, and the Holden Commodore in Australia and New Zealand. The Insignia is inspired by the 2013 Opel Monza concept, and GM Australia Design Director, Richard Ferlazzo, said the European team worked closely with the GM Australia team to create a vehicle silhouette reminiscent of a Commodore. “We’ve been in discussions with Mark’s Opel team for a long time and have made sure the Commodore DNA is strong in the car,” Ferlazzo said. “Commodore influence is also strong for the interior.” Engine options for the Insignia begin with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol producing 103kW of power and 250Nm of torque, and stretch up to a 2.0-litre turbo petrol generating 191kW and 400Nm of torque. Opel engineers and executives have promised the Holden Commodore range will contain the flagship V6 engine when it arrives in Australia and New Zealand. The Insignia is available in both sedan and sportwagon body styles, and features various driver assistance systems, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, speed limit cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision alert, side blind-zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert. The next-generation Holden Commodore will go on sale in New Zealand next year.