Testing of the next-generation Vauxhall Insignia has been ramped up in preparation for its launch next year, with the main focus concentrating on making the car larger, lighter and more efficient.
The next Insignia will be a global car, and will be sold under the Vauxhall, Opel and Buick badges across Europe, the United States and China.
Caught here undergoing testing in Germany, it is 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.
The latest spy shots suggest the new Insignia will get an evolutionary look, with only minor styling changes. Among them is a new swooping roofline which is higher at the rear, and a wider rear end.
As well as increasing rear space and making it easier to access the rear cabin (thanks to the taller door apertures), the Mk2 Insignia will get a bigger and more user-friendly boot. A new tailgate design with redesigned taillight clusters should help to ensure that the car has a deeper, wider and taller boot 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 European markets, the most important engine upgrades will be the debut of the new 1.6-litre CDTi diesel in the Insignia, which will replace today’s 2.0-litre CDTi unit.
With a newly engineered installation, General Motors will be targeting best-in-class refinement for the diesel Insignias. The new 1.6-litre CDTi engine 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.
Additional reporting by Matthew Griffiths
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