Car of the Year 2009, Opel's flagship Insignia, has been launched in Malta by agents United Automobile.
The Insignia's design takes Opel to a new level, showcasing the brand's confidence with a bold, dynamic and sophisticated look that underlines the model's superb driving dynamics.
Its green credentials are also good: more than 250 components in the Insignia are made from recycled materials; and it is designed to be 85 per cent recyclable at the end of its life.
There is a range of six engines meeting Euro 5 emissions standards. The three gasoline Ecoflex engines range from 140 to 260 hp and three new 2.0-litre turbo-diesels offer power outputs of 110, 130 and 160 hp. The range will be expanded with two new engines: a 1.6 turbo engine with 180 hp and a new 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo with a maximum output of 190 hp. An Ecoflex version with low CO2 emissions (sub 140g/km) will join the line-up later next year.
The Insignia introduces the Flexride chassis. This new generation mechatronic chassis allows personalised suspension settings, tailoring the ride experience by allowing drivers to personalise their chassis and suspension setup at the press of a button. This feature is standard on both sport and cosmo trim levels.
The adaptive 4x4 improves handling and stability regardless of driving conditions, and is designed to make the Insignia move more dynamically. Adaptive 4x4 combines the best characteristics of conventional mechanical and hydraulic all-wheel-drive systems, distributing torque from zero to 100 per cent between the front and rear axles. Adaptive 4x4 can be ordered with the 2.0 turbo and 2.8 V6 turbo and later with more powerful diesel engines.
The Insignia comes with the new-generation adaptive forward lighting (AFL+) system, including automatic headlamp beam adjustment for prevailing road profiles and visibility conditions. The system features nine lighting functions. Vehicle sensors measure speed, yaw rate, steering angle and rain; the high beam assistant's optical sensor collects information on road profile, driving status and visibility conditions. In a split second, the system's software decides which lighting function is appropriate for the prevailing driving situation and adjusts the headlamps accordingly.
A first-in-class safety innovation is the Opel Eye, a camera located between the windscreen and the rear-view mirror to aid drivers. The traffic sign recognition function reads and memorises speed limit and no-passing signs and displays them on the instrument panel. The Lane Departure Warning alerts drivers when they veer out of their lane. This option will be available later this year.
The Insignia is available as a four-door saloon or a sporty five-door hatchback or notchback and in four equipment variants: Essentia, Elegance, Sport and Cosmo.
The 1.8i 140bhp petrol or 2.0 CDTI 110bhp diesel start at €25,600.
For more information, visit the Opel showroom in Abate Rigord Street, Ta' Xbiex, call 2132 0560 or see www.opel.com.mt.