Wednesday, November 23, 2016

2017 Opel Insignia GRAND SPORT at Nurnburgring Nordschleife

The next-gen Opel Insignia Grand Sport doesn't debut until the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017, but the German automaker is already turning up the heat on the teaser campaign for its upcoming liftback sedan. The company recently took one to the Nürburgring Nordschleife for fine-tuning the high-tech suspension system.

The Insignia Grand Sport boasts the latest version of Opel's FlexRide adaptive chassis system, and the company claims the tech gives the model sharper handling. The components include new speed-dependent steering, and the dampers can read the road 500 times per second for adjustments according to the mode that the driver selects. The Sport setting makes the steering and suspension firmer, improves throttle response, and holds gears longer before shifting. Touring maximizes fuel economy and softens the ride for easier cruising. Standard sits in the middle, and the system changes based on a person's inputs. For example, if someone chucks the Insignia into a corner, FlexRide immediately assumes a more aggressive demeanor for taking the turn.

Opel has other upgrades for the new Insignia that should improve handling, too. The new model is 386 pounds (175 kilograms) lighter than the outgoing one. In addition, the wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer (92 millimeters), but overall length jumps 2.1 inches (55 mm). Inside, the company drops the driver's seating position by 1.2 inches (3 centimeters) and positions the controls for easy viewing.

The regular Insignia powertrain range will reportedly include a range of three- and four-cylinder turbocharged engines. There'll also be a new 160-horsepower (118-kilowatt) biturbo diesel, and the Holden-badged version for Australia will be available with a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 making 308 horsepower (230 kilowatts) and 273 pound-feet (370 Newton-meters) A high-performance OPC variant will also allegedly get power from a turbocharged six-cylinder. Most of the Insignia's powerplants will send the output to the front wheels, but customers will be able to order some with all-wheel drive, too.

While it's still camouflaged, there are obvious cues from the Monza concept in the Insignia Grand Sport's front end, especially the sharp-edged headlights. The sloping roof appears to take inspiration from four-door coupes but without being so extreme as to compromise headroom for occupants in the rear seats.

Spy shots show that Opel is currently developing a new Insignia Sports Tourer wagon, too. The model dumps the swoopy rear in favor of a seemingly massive cargo area that looks capable of swallowing quite a lot of stuff.

Source: Opel
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