Opel new Insignia 1.4-liter Turbo petro

Insignia is entering the 2012 model year with some modest upgrades that include the broader availability of the 1.4-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engines in more markets across Europe and new technology systems.

Even though Opel makes word of a new 1.4-liter Turbo petrol that replaces the naturally aspirated 1.8-liter unit with the same output, as well as a new 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol for the 4x4 model with 30 more horses for a total of 250HP, we know for a fact that both engines were already available in certain market.

That said, we reckon Opel means it will roll out the new engine options to all markets across Europe with the 2012 Insignia.

As a reminder, the 1.4-liter Turbo ecoFLEX offers the Insignia a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 205km/h, while returning a combined fuel efficiency of 5.9lt/100km (39.9mpg US with CO2 emissions of 134g/km.

The 250HP (184kW) 2.0-liter Turbo accelerates the Insignia 4x4 from zero to 100km/h) in 7.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). It consumes 8.9 lt/100 km (26.4mpg US) on average with CO2 emissions of 209g/km.

For the new model year, Opel will also enhance the 220HP 2.0-liter Turbo Insignia with front-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission, with a start/stop system, aerodynamic underbody paneling and rolling-resistance-optimized tires, all of which will help reduce fuel consumption by 0.5 to 7.6 liters per 100km and CO2 emissions from 189g/km to 179g/km.

Throughout the range, Buick Regal's European counterpart benefits from the new Navi 600 and Navi 900 Europa infotainment systems featuring SD cards, a revised front camera that adds a Following Distance Indication function to the traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning systems, new available leather trims and a new dark metallic lacquer “Luxor" exterior color.

The updated for the 2012 model year Opel Insignia will make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

GM’s Opel follows in the Footsteps of Ford

Those of you readers that have been with us for a while might remember our revealing post about Ford Motor Company’s shady marketing tactics (via its media agency) to attract attention and web traffic to the brand by asking bloggers to participate in a Ford website-linking contest and win a place in the company’s 2010 Model Year Drive event.

That said, we are no strangers to the mommy-blogger-type approach from marketing companies representing major automotive brands, but we never cease to be amazed. This time we were approached by a social media agency called Knallgrau on behalf of GM’s European Opel unit. When we received the first email, we believed it was a media / press invitation but upon our request for additional information, we discovered that wasn’t the case.

In a similar fashion to the Ford incident, the agency asked if we wanted to write about the new Astra GTC and participate in a type of contest, the winners of which will be invited to the official unveiling of the three-door hatchback at Opel’s headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

Here’s what the email read:

“We would appreciate you writing about the Astra GTC, out of the best blog entries, we will select 10 bloggers and invite them to Rüsselsheim, Frankfurt for a special preview of Opel’s new “baby“. Together with other selected Opel Facebook fans, you will be among the first ones to take a look at it.”

And here’s our response:

“We do not participate in any sort of written competition through our website, paid or not, and whatever the “prize” may be, as it goes against our journalism ethics and standards. We will write about the Astra GTC only when something newsworthy comes along and not because we are seeking to win a contest or a trip.”

Conveniently, the email we received doesn’t mention anything about the participating websites / bloggers informing their readers about the purpose of their post(s) if they were to accept. Makes you wonder how many (and which) of the upcoming stories on the Astra GTC around the web will be posted in order to take part in Opel’s event…

Understandably, it is one thing inviting journalists and bloggers to a presentation without preconditions to report and inform readers on a new product or the company itself, and a very different story when you try to make a competition out of it.

At least that is Carscoop’s (firm) stance on the matter, you of course can agree, disagree or simply have your say in the comments section below.

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New Opel Insignia OPC Unlimited Edition Ditches Speed Limiter topping out at 270km/h

More and more carmakers are quietly abandoning their gentleman’s agreement of limiting top speed of their production models to 250 km/h (155 mph), despite the fact that the only place in Europe to legally drive that fast is on certain sections of the German autobahn. The latest company to do so is Opel which has released a new version of its high-performance Insignia OPC called ‘Unlimited’ without an electronically-restricted top speed.

“We are responding to frequently expressed customer wishes,” says Alain Visser, Vice President Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Adam Opel AG. “Insignia OPC buyers are generally experienced and responsible drivers who want to enjoy the full technical possibilities of their car.”

By eliminating the 250km/h electronic speed limiter, the Insignia OPC Unlimited in sedan form with a manual gearbox can now reach a maximum velocity of 270km/h (168 mph). The Unlimited model is available with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission in all body styles including a four-door saloon, a five-door fastback, and the Sports Tourer station wagon.

The only other changes on the Insignia OPC Unlimited concern the blue Brembo logo and a newly-designed tachometer and speedometer, while Opel said that it is also preparing a special edition with a matt black wrapping.

Other than that, it’s business as usual with power coming from a 2.8-liter twin-scroll turbocharged V6 producing 325HP and 400Nm of torque channeled to all four wheels. Depending on the bodystyle and transmission choice, the Insignia OPC can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.0 to 6.6 seconds, while combined-cycle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions range from 10.6 lt/100 km [22.2 mpg US] and 249 g/km to 11.0 lt/100 km [21.4 mpg US] and 259 g/km.

GM offers a similar version of the Insignia OPC in the US under the Buick Regal GS nameplate. However, instead of the 2.8-liter Turbo V6 and AWD system, the American version gets a much less potent setup with a 255HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot and FWD.

Source: Opel via Autofans

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2011 Opel Astra GTC Sport Hatch

SCOOP: New Opel Zafira Grows up but Doesn't get FlexDoors

Opel and its sister company Vauxhall are pushing ahead with the development of the next generation Zafira minivan, which was caught here testing by our scoop photographers. The new seven-seat model is expected to grow in dimensions offering improved passenger and luggage space. Unlike the latest Meriva that boasts a pair of suicide doors, the new Zafira will continue to use conventional rear doors.

The sleeker shape of Opel's newcomer can easily be seen beneath the harlequin camouflage, while the pictures suggest that the minivan takes styling cues from both the Insignia and new Astra, including the wing-shaped head lamps.

The interior design will also be more or less inspired by the Astra, while the car's flexibility is reported to have been improved by a revamped three-row flexible seating system providing independent seating for all seven passengers.

The new Zafira will use hardware from the Astra range, so expect a suite of turbocharged diesel and petrol engines, including more eco-friendly and frugal EcoFlex versions and possibly even a sporty OPC / VRX variant.

Look for the next generation of Opel's people mover to make its world premiere at a major international motor show this year with European sales to start in late 2011 or early 2012.

There's no official word about a North American variant, but given that the Zafira is essentially the minivan version of the Astra (which itself forms the base for the new Buick Verano), as well as the fact that Ford is preparing the U.S. launch of the Focus-based C-Max, we wouldn't completely rule out the possibility.

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