Farewell to the Vectra - at last - and welcome the outstanding new Insignia from Opel , writes Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor
OPEL IS calling time on its Vectra, and not a moment too soon. The General Motors brand has made a habit of introducing family saloons that look dated the moment they were unloaded off the boat in Rosslare or Dublin.
All that changes with the new car. We've rarely driven a family car that attracted so much onlooker attention. Opel claims the car has coupé styling and while we're loathe to believe anything in press releases these days, the raw metal versions do retain the sleek lines of a coupé while retaining the rear doors.
A slight compromise is required in terms of rear seat headroom and avoiding the sloping roofline when getting in and out, but whatever extra effort involved in ducking to avoid the rear c-pillar is worth it when you see the car in side profile. The last time we admired an Opel this much was when the firm had the magic Manta models. This isn't quite on the same level of admiration, but they've done a fantastic job when you consider this car's predecessor.
Inside, and the eulogy continues.
The cabin is a vast improvement on the outgoing model. Everything from basic switchgear to textile and surfaces has been radically improved in this iteration of Opel's family saloon. Nice touches include the minor lip that runs under the windscreen and up to the doors, carrying the same material as the central console - either piano black or wood veneer. It's a little optical trick to make the cabin seem even bigger than it is - and it works a treat.
Moving along to the materials on the dashboard and doors, and the trim and plastics are soft to the touch. This might seem to be turning into a fashion review rather than a first drive, but this new car is worthy of attention to its interior, given the amount of time its owners will spend sitting in it in traffic.
We're not without our criticisms, however: when the electronic parking brake is fitted the system adds yet another "twist and click" dial that does exactly the same functions as the dial on the central dash. We'd also have appreciated a touchscreen system rather than the iDrive style controls.
Overall, however, for a family car the Insignia is incredibly well styled both inside and out.
Anyone who drove the outgoing Vectra will realise the uphill task that was facing engineers. The good news is that they have largely succeeded. That's due mainly to a completely new chassis that includes aluminium links in the front and rear suspension, higher strength steel in the body and bigger dampers and bushes.
At its core is the firm's new Flexride system that allows you to choose between "normal", "comfort" or "sports" settings via three buttons on the dash. Each makes slight adjustments to the suspension, handling, and throttle response.
Unlike previous incarnations of such systems, this is subtle enough to please mainstream motorists and the most obvious difference between the three is a more precise steering feel and throttle response in sports mode.
During our day-long test drive we mixed challenging Danish backroads with enthusiastic dual carriageway straights. Flicking between the three buttons didn't really offer up any radical changes to the Insignia's handling, and that's to its credit. Attempting to catch it out in a tight corner in comfort mode didn't leave us wallowing around in the apex either.
In reality the Flexride system is constantly at work, adjusting the settings depending on your driving style, so even if you opt to ignore the trio of buttons, once you start to throw the car aggressively into corners, the Insignia will automatically adopt Sports settings. What it means on the road is that the Insignia nestles well into the tarmac, while brushing aside the numerous uneven surfaces it encounters. At the same time there is very limited body roll and it's only in tight corners that the front nose weight starts to dial in a dose of understeer.
That's perhaps where the Mondeo might have an edge, but this is a world apart from the outgoing Vectra. In general the new car manages to match an acceptably subtle suspension with only the slightest degree of bodyroll.
Along with a responsive chassis, the steering feel is well-weighted, adjusting to the different speeds and conditions with aplomb. At motorway speeds it tightens up to give you the confidence and precision needed, while in town it's light enough to ease you around, even if rear visibility is not as good as we would have liked.
Our test cars were powered by Opel's potent 2.0-litre 160bhp diesel engine. It's got a real kick and plenty of torque on tap, well matched to a smooth-changing manual gearbox.
Five engines will be offered initially when the car arrives here in November. While there are three petrol engines in the range - a 1.6-litre, 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre turbo - none of them match the new 2.0-litre diesel for either fuel economy or carbon emissions. The diesel is offered in two power options - a 130bhp and 160bhp - but both record emission levels of just 154g/km when matched to a new six-speed manual gearbox.
At its current rating, the 2,0-litre diesel will carry a Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) of 20 per cent, compared to 28 per cent for the 1.6-litre petrol version. While the core audience of Irish family saloon buyers are loathe to leave their petrol variants, the diesel would seem the outright best buy for Irish buyer.
So Opel has a winner on its hands. However, the attempt to push family saloons upmarket means that buyers will be expecting better quality, not just in terms of exterior design and interior trim, but also build quality and reliability. It's an area that Opel knows it needs to work hard on.
If it all works, then Opel will have shaken off its dowdy image in this segment, and the Insignia will put them right at the heart of one of the most competitive sectors in the car market. For once you need not feel sorry for fleet drivers.
• Engines:
1.6-litre petrol(manual): 1598cc; bhp: 115; 155Nm of torque; top speed: 192km/h; 0-100km/h: 12.9secs; L/100km (com): 7.6; CO2: 179g/km; motor tax: €600
1.8-litre petrol(manual): 1796cc; bhp: 140; 175Nm of torque; top speed: 206km/h; 0-100km/h: 11.5secs; L/100km (com): 7.8; CO2: 184g/km; motor tax: €600
2.0-litre turbo petrol(manual): 1998cc; bhp: 220; 350Nm of torque; top speed: 242km/h; 0-100km/h: 7.6secs; L/100km (com) - 8.9; CO2: 209g/km; motor tax: €1,000
2.0-litre 130bhp diesel(manual): 1956cc; bhp: 130; 300Nm of torque; top speed: 202km/h; 0-100km/h: 11.3secs; L/100km (com): 5.8; CO2: 154g/km; motor tax: €290
2.0-litre 160bhp diesel(manual): 1956cc; bhp - 160; 350Nm of torque; top speed: 218km/h; 0-100km/h: 9.5secs; L/100km (com): 5.8; CO2: 154g/km; motor tax: €290
• Versions:
S trimcomes with: ESP, cruise control, air con, CD player, electric height adjustment and four-way lumbar support on the driver's seat
Prices:from €26,495
SC trimadds: 17" five-spoke 'Structure' wheels, chrome effect exterior window surround and sill plates, Prices: from €28,295
SE trimadds: Morrocana interior trim, 18" 13-spoke alloy wheels, six-CD auto-changer, electric parking brake
Prices:from €29,995
SRi trimis sports model and adds: lowered, uprated sports suspension, sports instruments and steering wheel, 18" 5x2-spoke light alloy wheels, front fog lights
Prices:from €30,995
Eliteis the top-of-the-range and adds: leather trim, adaptive forward lighting
Prices: from €33,495