Opel Insignia

Opel Insignia Test Drive

The new leader of Russelsheim's model series for its dimensions clearly positioned as a representative of the modern D-class. Exteroir - look at the photo, but Insignia does not offer the decisions of the French avant-garde competitors or sculptural whistles of senior German. Perhaps, the exterior somewhere between strict the Passat and pretentious Mondeo. However, according to Mark Adams, vice president of design the European branch of GM, «Insignia» brings in the emotions and the Opel brand of passion, which will be characterized, and future models. Indeed, the time of a serious burghers passed. An active lifestyle fully developed personalities now in honor. And this is what offers Insignia.

At the heart of the machine is the so-called “mechatronic chassis”, in which power and electronic intelligence are intertwined so tightly that it was not understand what's more. There are two buttons on the dashboard: «Sport» and «Tour». Clicking of any of them puts the systems of the car to one of special-regime - sports (illuminates, among other things, wells appliances red glow) and designed for long journeys on country roads travel. And it is not just buttons and lines in the list of a fetches. The behavior of the vehicle changing radically: steering wheel, the reaction to the acselerator, the degree of interference stabilization system and the work of optional electronically managed Adaptive 4x4 all-wheel drive and shocks - it all depends on the selected mode. Moreover, the adaptive system FlexRide had an opportunity to determine the dynamics of road conditions and driver preferred management style. Thus Insignia may be imposing road dreadnoughts, and almost that card - though that it is required at this time. Is this great? Yes! But that's not all tasty features of configuration.

Interior contains hight quality plastic and trim a ... no, not “wood trim”... Rather, the material trim “imitate” what are in fact - it is certainly expensive plastic with a non-intrusive, but with a nice picture. It is a pity that the central console falls from all this luxury. However, it is not deadly and expensive models of its a simple plastic shaded by luxurious color display and functional buttons loose. And sitting in a comfortable ergonomic chair, the subject of legitimate pride opelelovers, one does not want to look for negatives. This is one desire - finally had to go somewhere, not paying attention to details.

And then again Insignia surprises in the form of modern management system head light AFL+. “Automatic” head light on Opel models are no longer a novelty. Back in 2003, such systems have got “Vectra” and “Signum”. But developed with Hella intellectual AFL+ should recognize breakthrough. Over a hundred kilometers of serpentine night, movement on the raining highway and the streets of small towns no need or desire to interfere in its work arose. And the drivers of oncoming and following vehicles was not protested.

In a test drive in the Austrian Salzburg we have been able to test the machine with only three of the seven available in Europe, engines. Yes, and configurations were “top”. Base car engine is a 115-horsepower 1.6 and the "hottest" is all-wheel drive Insignia V6 2.8 about 260 horse power under the hood. And what about crisis? Yes it will go away, hopefully, buyers' of Insignia will not save on expensive, but so attractive options. They are well worth it!

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