If you liked what you saw from the pictures that were released a couple of days ago, then you’ll be happy to know that Opel’s new mid-size sedan looks even better in this official promo video. The Insignia, that will replace the Vectra in Opel’s range and hopefully, the Aura in Saturn’s line-up, will go on sale in
Showing posts with label Opel Insignia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opel Insignia. Show all posts
Video: 2009 Opel Insignia, and Possibly, the 2010 Saturn Aura
If you liked what you saw from the pictures that were released a couple of days ago, then you’ll be happy to know that Opel’s new mid-size sedan looks even better in this official promo video. The Insignia, that will replace the Vectra in Opel’s range and hopefully, the Aura in Saturn’s line-up, will go on sale in 
Opel Insignia Officially Unveiled!
Following a series of leaks – the latest being a new set of images that we posted earlier today, Opel finally decided to officially take the wraps off the all-new Insignia. Designated to replace the Vectra in Opel’s European line-up, the Insignia will be available in the 
Opel’s new 4.83 meter / 190.1 in. mid-size sedan boasts a sexy silhouette that’s clearly inspired from the 2007 Geneva Show GTC Concept. “With Insignia we are introducing an exciting new sophisticated design vocabulary, which combines sculptural artistry with German precision,” says Mark Adams, Vice President Design, GM Europe. “Our aim was to develop a confident look which compels the world to experience for themselves the superb driving dynamics the Insignia radiates.”
For the first time, and apart from the front-wheel versions, Opel will be offering its mid-size sedan with an all-wheel drive system dubbed “Adaptive 4X4”. Both versions of the Insignia will can be combined with Opel’s FlexRide mechatronic chassis system with Adaptive Stability Technology that helps the car adjust to prevailing driving conditions and allows the driver to select settings to match his mood.
The Insignia’s initial engine line-up will consist of seven units, four gasoline engines ranging from a four-cylinder 115 hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp and three new direct-injection diesels featuring a displacement of 2.0 liter and outputs spanning from 110 to 160 hp. -Continued
“The Opel Insignia sets new standards in technology and innovation -- this will be obvious right from the launch. But we are keeping several cards up our sleeves when it comes to environmental compatibility, excitement and safety, which we will play strategically overtime” says Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, GM Europe.
The Insignia notch- and hatchback will make their debut on July 22, 2008 at the London Motor Show with sales set to start in
2009 Opel Insignia: Image Gallery Update
This will probably be our last “unofficial” post on the 2009 Opel Insignia sedan as the German carmaker is slated to release all official images and data on the Vectra’s successor over the next couple of days. The gallery that we’ve included after the jump consists of eight new pictures of the Insignia that is schedule to arrive in European dealerships this fall (more details here). –Click through for the image gallery
2009 Opel Insignia: Engine Range To Include 1.6 and 2.0 Turbo Units
We still have a few days left before Opel officially unveils the new Insignia, but since a whole set of images were leaked into the net the other day, there’s no point for hiding anymore. Apart from the pictures without watermarks, we also have initial details on the Insignia’s engine range.
Starting off with gasoline models, the Vectra’s successor will be offered with five petrol units: 1.6-liter with 115 Hp; 1.8-liter with 140 Hp; 1.6-liter Turbo with 180 Hp; 2.0-liter Turbo with 200 Hp and 2.8-liter V6 Turbo with 260 Hp. The Insignia’s diesel engine range will include four units: 2.0-liter available with 110, 130 and 160 Hp and a top notch 2.9-liter V6 with 250 Hp.
In 2009 Opel will enhance the Insignia’s range with the addition of an OPC version that will be equipped with a 300 HP 2.8-liter V6 Turbo engine combined with an all-wheel drive system. The Insignia will go on sale in
2009 Opel Insignia: Prematurely Leaked on the Web
While Opel was busy handing out camouflaged images of the Insignia, the guys at Dutch magazine AutoWeek managed to get there hands on the first official images of Opel’s forthcoming mid-size sedan. As you can see in the pictures, the Insignia, which will most probably be sold in the States as a Saturn (Aura) and in 
We don’t have the official details on the mechanics yet, but in
2009 Opel Insignia: New Image Gallery Released
After releasing pictures of the taillight - headlight treatment and an initial set of camouflaged shots (click here), Opel has followed up with a new image gallery of its upcoming Insignia sedan that will replace the Vectra in While the Insignia shown in these pictures is once again covered with that annoying black adhesive tape, the new images give us a clearer view of the mid-size sedan’s exterior styling which is heavily inspired from the 2007 GTC Concept. 
The Insignia which is based on GM’s Epsilon-2 platform, is to be unveiled at the
About a year later, Opel plans to unveil a sporty edition of the Insignia bearing the OPC logo that will be powered by an updated version of the current Vectra OPC’s 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine delivering approximately 300 HP. Unlike the top-notch Vectra however, the Insignia OPC will get a four-wheel-drive system. –15 high res pics after the jump
2009 Opel Insignia: Official Spy Shots and Details on the Creation of Camouflaged Prototypes!
Opel’s 
Usually, press releases are as intriguing as watching a pair of flies make love (we would have been more vulgar but you get our point…), but not this one. Opel / Vauxhall give us an interesting inside view on what goes around behind the scenes. For example, we learn that the carmaker created a special flowing rear section to hide the car’s arse, so a pronounced spoiler was designed to mask it. A wooden model was built as a cast to form the plastic camouflage parts needed for around 200 test cars that have to be disguised in the run-up to series production. –Details & more images of the Insignia after the jump
CAMOUFLAGE AND DISGUISE: FIGHT AGAINST PROTOTYPE PAPARAZZI
Fishies, Flimmies and the art of misdirection
Now it’s the turn of Insignia – Vauxhall’s new mid-size car that debuts at the British Motor Show on July 22nd – to take to the public roads. With a highly attractive, completely new body line and sculptural design, Insignia is set to cause a sensation in its class – but surprises only work if they are not revealed beforehand.
The team responsible for camouflaging prototypes began making their preparations for the test phase when the new car first progressed beyond computer simulations and clay models. Together with chief designers and engineers, the team established which of the car’s characteristic lines should be kept hidden the longest from prototype paparazzi.
Together, they developed a “facelift” for the upcoming model that would disguise the prototypes as much as possible. One of the variants had an especially elegant, flowing rear section, for instance, so a pronounced spoiler was designed to mask it. A wooden model was built as a cast to form the plastic camouflage parts needed for around 200 test cars that have to be disguised in the run-up to series production.
Covers for other characteristic body components were also designed and produced using the same process. As always, the first prototypes were brought to a workshop in a particularly well protected area to be disguised as the initial test cars.
First “facelift” should make Insignia as ugly as possible
For this part of the camouflage operation, experts use special adhesive and foil, which ensures a smooth surface and remains flexible and tear-proof at temperatures ranging from minus 40 to plus 70 degrees Celsius. In other areas, the foil is shimmed with foam to change the car’s contours. This adhesive material is also used to camouflage characteristic window lines.
Small, highly contrasting covers are fitted to obscure other prototype body surfaces. For years, the practice at Vauxhall/Opel was to use a black and white chessboard pattern, but this has now been replaced by “Fishies”, rounded, fish-shaped diamonds designed to confuse camera lenses and spying eyes. This disguising job will soon be done even better by Flimmies, a new type of camouflage whose pattern creates a flickering effect.
If it has Vauxhall logo, it’s definitely not a Vauxhall
Fixing false brand and identification marks to prototypes is a popular trick in the camouflage business. So a test car with a Vauxhall-like logo is most probably not a Vauxhall.
Headlamps and rear lights are especially difficult to disguise as vehicle licensing authorities stipulate that a car’s – even a prototype’s – cone of light, brake lights and all other exterior functions must meet legal regulations. Unfortunately, headlamps and rear lights are a popular means for designers to make the cars’ brand easily recognisable, and therefore must be well disguised. To do this, camouflage experts fit simple, round lights from an accessories shop to the rear of the car, and make special components for the headlamps.
Another challenge for camouflage experts is that disguising elements also need to be removable. For certain tests, such as acoustics or aerodynamics, any body styling parts are a hindrance, regardless of security. That’s why some automakers favour large wraparound covers that can be attached to the car’s body with Velcro and lashing belts. Vauxhall opted for a different approach, as such large covers can come loose at high speeds, damaging the camouflage and endangering other road users.
Biggest obstacle in a perfect camouflage operation? People
The biggest potential compromise to camouflage operations is always going to be the technicians associated with the test car, which is why Vauxhall has a strict set of rules concerning prototypes. Rule 531 states that no camouflaged test car may stop in a public place, for instance, while the driver has a quick snack. A tarpaulin must also always be on board, as even Vauxhall prototypes sometimes break down during their test phase and must then be quickly covered over.
To protect plant secrets, prototypes are always accompanied by a second car on public roads, so help is always at hand if needed. Over long distances prototypes have to be transported in closed trucks, such as for test driving in
But why such an effort? In short, the automobile industry lives and breathes new cars, and this is of great interest to two particular groups: competitors and the media. While competitors want to react to new products as quickly as possible with their own innovations, for the media, the news of any new innovations is a valuable means of attracting readers or viewers.
One of the most important characteristics of a new car is its exterior design. It is the customer’s first impression of the car, it defines a brand’s appearance for the public, and often lets judgments be made about what possible technological innovations are concealed beneath the bodywork. That’s why shielding new body styling from prying eyes has become an art form within the auto industry over past decades.
Prototype paparazzi: The nemesis of camouflage experts
The principal opponent of camouflage experts are specialist photographers called prototype hunters, or simply photo spies. The prototype paparazzi have a very good idea where the automobile industry’s preferred test circuits are located around the world.
These photographers face increasing competition from amateurs who happen to capture an unknown car on their camera phones. Or then again maybe not, as some pictures that land on editors’ desks are of series-production models that are only unusual because they are not for sale in the photographer’s country, and therefore seem exotic or mysterious.
Professional photographs, on the other hand, can command five-figure sums, depending on brand, timing and image quality, and are the main income of a small, but highly specialised group known as ‘Photoshoppers’. In the past, trained designers artistically adapted photos of camouflage cars with crayons and India ink to form often very accurate images of the latest innovations. Nowadays, it is Photoshop touch-up artists who try to create realistic images of these new models. To help them, they have prototype photographs and design concept cars, which automakers use to test public reaction at motor shows, and also to stir up anticipation of future series-production vehicles.
