Opel's Insignia, Car of the Year 2009, has arrived in Malta. Local agents United Automobile Limited are giving the public a sneak preview today.
The Car of the Year is a designation awarded by 59 senior motoring correspondents from 23 European countries. They chose the Insignia from 37 contenders in this year's competition. Twenty journalists placed the Insignia first.
Panellists take into consideration criteria such as design, safety, handling and performance; technical innovation and value-for-money are particularly important factors.
Opel's Insignia obtained five stars for safety by the European traffic institution Euro NCAP. The Insignia has also been awarded four stars for child protection and two stars for pedestrian protection - the best ratings given so far in the large family car segment. The independent institute earlier confirmed the high quality of the Insignia's head rests for protection against whiplash.
By making a multitude of detailed improvements to the powertrain and to road and wind resistance factors of the Ecoflex model, Opel's engineers minimised consumption without affecting driving fun. The Ecoflex model emits under 140 g/km.
The Insignia's look also signals a new direction for the brand and shows the new design elements that will be seen in future models. Opel's designers spent years refining the surfaces, carving the crisp intersecting lines and colours; testing the textures, feeling the materials and ensuring all the surface finishes were of the highest quality.
"With the Insignia, we have redefined our design vocabulary," said Mark Adams, responsible for the design of the Insignia project.
"The Insignia is athletic and powerful, yet very elegant. It has movement; surfaces flow harmoniously, with crisp intersecting lines that define the dynamic form, so that you never tire of looking at it.
"Our aim was to develop a confident look which reinforced the car's superb driving dynamics but also one that made it clear that this was a beautiful vehicle with premium appeal," Mr Adams said
The Insignia will be on display at the United Automobile showroom in Abate Rigord Street, Ta' Xbiex, today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.