The lifted Opel Insignia celebrates its world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show (January 9-19, 2020) and will be available for order in Germany from February. After the sedan (Grand Sport) and the station wagon (Sports Tourer) were shown in December 2019, Opel is now publishing pictures and information on the sporty GSi. In addition, there is now information on the new engines of the civil Insignia versions (see separate article).
The facelift is most easily recognized by the cross lamella in the grill, which is now is now swinging mustache-like instead of as before, The GSi version stands out from the other variants due to the vertical air openings in saber tooth look and the special front apron.
While the car has so far been one 210 hp biturbo diesel was driven, the new version has a two-liter turbo gasoline engine with 230 hp under the hood. The maximum torque is 350 Newton meters, which are at 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. The unit has a cylinder cut-out to save fuel: the variable camshaft control switches off two cylinders at low load. The engine belongs to a new engine family, the Opel now introduces the Insignia facelift, which was still developed under the aegis of General Motors,
The eight-speed automatic is replaced by a new nine-speed transmission. The car also has an electro-hydraulic brake booster, a “mechatronic” Flexride chassis and a “Twinster” all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. Opel gives the NEDC fuel consumption at 6.9 liters.
The sportily coordinated all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, which can be activated at the push of a button, is unique in this segment, says Opel. With the 4×4 drive, two clutches replace a conventional rear axle differential. With this technology, the car should turn more agile and offer good cornering and traction. If the all-wheel drive is switched off, the drive is carried out most economically via the front wheels.
The new nine-speed automatic transmission can also be controlled with the shift paddles. The particularly dynamically tuned chassis offers an extremely high level of grip, according to the manufacturer. The red painted Brembo four-piston brakes and the steering have been further improved.
A new electro-hydraulic brake booster increases the braking effect and improves the pedal feel. In addition, the noise generated when braking is minimized – a comfort plus especially in stop & go traffic.
The driver can choose between the modes Standard, Tour, Sport and – exclusively for the GSi – Competition. It influences the accelerator pedal characteristic, the switching points of the automatic, the steering and the shock absorbers. Because the Insignia GSi gets a “mechatronic” Flexride chassis as standard. It adapts shock absorbers and steering in fractions of a second.
As before, the Insignia GSi is available as a sedan and as a station wagon. However, the official pictures only show the station wagon. Prices and launch date have not yet been announced. So far, the Insignia GSi as a sedan has cost 46,845 euros, for the station wagon 48,210 euros had to be paid.
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