Vauxhall Insignia in Detail

Press Release

Design

• Aerodynamic: Spectacularly low drag coefficient of 0.27
• Harmonious: Unique design cues for interior and exterior
• Sporty: Coupé silhouette on both saloon and hatchback

With its groundbreaking design and sophisticated technology, the new Insignia takes Vauxhall’s new-found design language to another level. The premium styling of the new five-seater clearly defines Vauxhall’s philosophy of making advanced technology and attractive design affordable.

Vauxhall has a long and successful tradition of building aerodynamic cars - remember the 1990 Calibra with its Cd of 0.26? With a drag coefficient of 0.27, the Insignia is more streamlined than competitors with underbody shields. The Insignia’s fuel consumption and driving dynamics benefit from its sleek, flowing styling which was optimised during more than 650 hours in the wind tunnel.

In addition to its streamlined body shape and sporty roofline, the Insignia boasts numerous details designed to improve aerodynamic performance. These include the front bumper corners, boot-lid spoiler edge, the exterior mirror’s wing form and the profiled rear axle’s lower control arm. The future ecoFLEX version, designed to produce low CO2 emissions, will take these improvements stage further.

Fresh and innovative design

Like the signature crease on the bonnet, a blade form can be seen in the side of the car, highlighting a styling element that will become a defining characteristic of future Vauxhalls. Other design elements of note include a distinctive front grille with a newly-designed Vauxhall Griffin badge, as well as sweeping front and rear light lenses.

“We have redefined our design vocabulary. Opel/Vauxhall’s philosophy behind the new Insignia is 'sculptured artistry meets German precision’,” says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design for GM Europe. "We have created beautiful, sculptural, fluid shapes, which are accented by crisp intersecting lines. This makes the Insignia look muscular, sporty, yet very elegant and graceful.”

The shapes and surfaces of the exterior are also echoed in the Insignia’s interior. Crafted in high quality materials, the new car’s dashboard wraps around from the instrument panel to the door, embracing the occupants. The bold exterior “blade” graphic is picked up in the shape of the interior door grab handle, the steering wheel and the gear-shift surround.

New European Design Center

The Insignia was designed in GME’s European Design Centre, which opened just two years ago. The facility provides state-of-the-art technology required for production and advanced vehicle design. Some 400 people work in the growing design function, creating new products for Vauxhall, Opel and Saab.

The new facility features a Virtual Reality Center with massive high definition screens that allow designers to “build” and test designs and examine them in various environments. Computer programs help designers explore a not-yet built interior and exterior with a 360° view from any level and any perspective, including 3-D visualization.