Opel Insignia

Opel will present the Insignia, an automotive vision of the future and a design study with a new formal concept, for the first time at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (September 13 to 21, 2003). In addition to its progressive, elegant and dynamic design, the Insignia features numerous innovations including extensive use of LED lighting technology and unique pantograph-action doors and tailgate.

Opel’s Chairman and Managing Director, Carl-Peter Forster: “The Insignia is not an expensive luxury car but an ambassador of Opel’s new confidence. It emphasizes our message of the past few months, that ‘Opel is back’, and it also demonstrates the innovative ideas we come up with when we think about a ‘big Opel’.”

The driver-oriented, rear-wheel drive concept car can be transformed from a comfortable four-seater for day-to-day business purposes, into a sporty five-seat transport vehicle for weekend activities, family and recreation. The 344-hp aluminum V8 engine gives it a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically controlled), with acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in under six seconds.

This departure from a conservative notchback silhouette is evident in the coupé-style body lines and design details such as the long engine hood with sweeping A-pillars and the inward-tapering front and rear ends.

Seen from the side, the surfaces and lines are equally dynamic. The striking shoulder lines grow out of the front and rear fenders like muscles. Says Stefan Lamm, Designer: “This is a new interpretation of the ‘wedge’ theme. Strong emphasis on the contours makes the Insignia look powerful from this perspective, too.”

Discreet chrome frames accentuate the clear, elegant window graphics with no disturbing B-pillars. The design of the large 21-inch aluminum wheels, satin-finished with polished elements, echoes the body’s styling cues and provides an eye-catching finale to the Insignia’s silhouette.

The Insignia comes in even more guises. Continuing the long tradition of innovative interiors at Opel, for instance the Zafira’s Flex7 system with fully retractable third-row seats or the multiple configurations of the Meriva and Signum FlexSpace concepts, the Insignia features yet another new idea: The section of the center tunnel that separates the two individual rear seats can be moved back under the trunk-floor to reveal a folded seat that can be raised electrically to make the Insignia a five-seater.

The tunnel, covered with fine leather with exclusive Macassar ebony wood inlays conceals even more secrets: The designers have integrated a DVD player with folding screen, a cool-box large enough for two bottles of champagne and a humidor for storing fine cigars.