Opel Insignia Road Test

[agman25]

From Motor Trend

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ive/index.html

In Saturn guise, it'll start life with a 2.4L four and a V-6, but shortly after it will receive the excellent 2.0L turbo we tested. It kicks out a willing 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and can be had with either manual or auto transmission, both six-speed. We sampled it as front-drive, but AWD is optional.

The general weight and damping of the steering and brakes are matched to BMW and Audi rather than featherweight Japanese contenders. The steering has overstrong self-centering around the straight ahead, which makes it spear down an autobahn with confidence. I suspect this might be a measure to hide torque steer, which is pushed well into the background. However, overall, if you train your hand to ignore the odd changes of weighting, the system is accurate.

Indeed the overall ride quality is another asset. The body shell is rigid, there's no powertrain bounce and the suspension copes even with complex combinations of crests and potholes. Good insulation from chassis, wind, and road noise was a one of the best things about the Insignia's predecessor and is carried over here. It all adds to the sense of relaxation in a car that, at least in Europe, will be used by drivers who cover vast miles.

They'll appreciate the excellent seat support and the quality of the interior materials and build. Few old GM buttons or stalks have been carried over: This is a clean-sheet design. The whole cabin is a superb piece of work, with beautifully integrated major surfaces and switch panels floating a little ahead of them to give a quality effect. The principal interior downside is marginal rear headroom.

[Bvonscott]

Hope this car comes over as is