The next-generation Vauxhall Insignia will grow up as it morphs into what has been designed as a truly global model.
The new car will be sold in Europe, the United States and China under Vauxhall, Opel and Buick badges.
Caught here undergoing tests in Germany, it’s thought that the car is around 12 to 15 months away from making its public debut. The biggest change for what will be the second-generation Insignia is expected to be a small stretch in the car’s wheelbase.
Although the new car’s styling theme won’t change much from that of the original, the swooping roofline is higher at the rear and the tail end is wider behind the rear wheels.
As well increasing rear space and making it easier to access the rear cabin (thanks to the taller door apertures the design allows), the Mk2 Insignia will get a bigger and more user-friendly boot
A new tailgate design and redesigned tail-light clusters should help to ensure that the car has a boot that is deeper, wider and taller than before, as well as matching the 565-litre capacity of the Skoda Superb.
Under the skin, the Insignia is based on a moderately updated version of GM’s familiar Epsilon 2 architecture. In the European markets, the most important engine upgrades will be the debut of the new 1.6 CDTi diesel engine in the Insignia, which will replace today’s economical but unrefined 2.0 CDTi unit.
With a newly engineered installation, General Motors will be targeting best-in-class refinement for the diesel Insignias. The new 1.6 CDTi unit will be offered in a range of outputs, starting at 136bhp and rising to around 170bhp.
Today’s Insignia is already available with GM’s new 1.6-litre SIDI turbocharged petrol engine in 168bhp form. This engine will also be offered in two lower-powered versions.
The Insignia will be offered with a new eight-speed automatic transmission, which is expected to improve overall fuel economy by around 3% compared with the six-speed manual versions.
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