Opel Insignia Officially Revealed!

[corvettekidc6]

wow, we actually gave the germans a car, cant ya tell that this is the new malibu?

[351E]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I disagree. I think Saturn should play up its perceived European heritage -- design, performance, the works!!
If GM were smart, there should be ZERO changes from Insignia to Aura, except for required localization requirements.
The vast array of buttons and European sophistication and "complexity" should remain.

It's arguable that the better European stuff is NOT laden with complexity. Note whenever they've done that, be it iDrive with BMW or Mercedes in general, they've generally gotten bad press. The better Euro stuff in this segment, be it VW or the lower-end BMWs, have a minimalist quality. European culture in general is not about ostentatiousness .. it's more minimalist. It'll be a cold day when VW, Audi, or BMW do an interior like this one.

The swoopyness of this Opel's interior, myriad of buttons with likely- confusing controls, and an exterior an Altima lover would love ... all make this a very unworthy Opel ... and would make many wonder why to buy it as a Saturn. There's nothing Euro about it. As a Saturn in the US market, it'll be perceived as some weird cross between a Chevy and a Buick trying to imitate, well, a Nissan.

Is this the work Nesbitt did while in Europe? The guy oughta stick to PT Cruisers.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by 351E

The day GM designs Opels based on what'll sell well as a Saturn, is the day both Opel and Saturn go down the tubes.

They already have. The VUE was the first, now this. The next Astra is getting a lot of Saturn input. Things are looking good as far as I'm concerned.

[FenwickHockey65]

You know, I'm not too concerned with this, but the fact that there's a very clear space for a nav. system on top of the center stack really kinda irks me that there isn't one installed.
But oh well. Do we have any MSRP estimates yet?

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

You know, I'm not too concerned with this, but the fact that there's a very clear space for a nav. system on top of the center stack really kinda irks me that there isn't one installed.
But oh well. Do we have any MSRP estimates yet?

You think they would show the top of the line model with all the options. Weird.

[djo165]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

It will get one. It's European.

Let's hope so, but past performance would suggest otherwise. Lot's of GM cars in Europe get things we don't get here.

[djo165]

The interior looks good. It is a bit button happy, but that's to be expected for a German model.

The exterior looks nice, but the front end is a bit weak. I knew the show car front end wouldn't make the cut, but I was hoping for something stronger and more unique than this.

I would be okay with GM rebranding Saturn as Opel sometime soon. Relaunch the brand and let everyone know that you can buy a car with "European" design and engineering at a no haggle price.

[Toto]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

They already have. The VUE was the first, now this. The next Astra is getting a lot of Saturn input. Things are looking good as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, the next Astra will have more cupholders. I hope the rest will be done by Opel. Vue/Antara is a Daewoo and not a Opel or Saturn, sadly IMHO.

[throwback]

This car indicates to me that SAAB will be sold. Opel is moving slightly upmarket to leave more room for Chevy in Europe. I don't see where SAAB has a place in Europe for GM. They are committed to growing Cadillac in Europe so why have SAAB? To bad, i love my 9-3.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by Toto

Yes, the next Astra will have more cupholders. I hope the rest will be done by Opel. Vue/Antara is a Daewoo and not a Opel or Saturn, sadly IMHO.

Yes, that's right. I forgot, Daewoo did that one. i think thye did a pretty good job. However they seemed to alinate the ones that liked the older VUE styling but on the other hand brought in new customers that preferred a more curvy look.

One of the salesmen I know at my local Saturn dealer was telling me how he was at the Volkswagen part of their mega dealership and parked his VUE demo outside while he ran in for something. One of the VW customers saw the VUE, but not the whole thing, only part of the profile and he assumed it was a VW. The customer mistook it for a Toureg and said to the salesman (not knowing he was a Saturn salsman) something like "oh hey, you've got one too? I just bought mine, I'm picking it up. It's so nice. How do you like yours?" The Saturn salesman responded with "That? That's a Saturn VUE, not a Volkswagen. And it is very nice. But I didn't pay $70,000 for it."

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by Toto

Yes, the next Astra will have more cupholders. I hope the rest will be done by Opel. Vue/Antara is a Daewoo and not a Opel or Saturn, sadly IMHO.

They also might want to think about a sedan if they want to sell more than 30k units.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by benroethig

They also might want to think about a sedan if they want to sell more than 30k units.

That's true too. I'm sure some will want the wagon as well, and it's not a bad idea, but sedans are still king in the USA.

[Toto]

Originally Posted by benroethig

They also might want to think about a sedan if they want to sell more than 30k units.

The Astra Sedan is build in Turkey since 2007. Blame GM NA for not bringing it state side.

[Toto]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

Yes, that's right. I forgot, Daewoo did that one. i think thye did a pretty good job. However they seemed to alinate the ones that liked the older VUE styling but on the other hand brought in new customers that preferred a more curvy look.

One of the salesmen I know at my local Saturn dealer was telling me how he was at the Volkswagen part of their mega dealership and parked his VUE demo outside while he ran in for something. One of the VW customers saw the VUE, but not the whole thing, only part of the profile and he assumed it was a VW. The customer mistook it for a Toureg and said to the salesman (not knowing he was a Saturn salsman) something like "oh hey, you've got one too? I just bought mine, I'm picking it up. It's so nice. How do you like yours?" The Saturn salesman responded with "That? That's a Saturn VUE, not a Volkswagen. And it is very nice. But I didn't pay $70,000 for it."

The most german car mags don't love the Opel Antara. The say it have to many Daewoo DNA under the sheet metal. Even the choice of material and the fit and finish are not good as it could. For me it looks good on photos but I never test drove one.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by Toto

The most german car mags don't love the Opel Antara. The say it have to many Daewoo DNA under the sheet metal. Even the choice of material and the fit and finish are not good as it could. For me it looks good on photos but I never test drove one.

A manual? I don't think that's available over here anymore. A lot of peple lamented that. Did this replace something in Opel's lineup, or was it a new segment for them? The VUE replaced something and came in heavier (but safer) very differently styled, but with a much better interior.