Europe’s Car of the Year 2009, the Opel Insignia, is also the European car buyers’ first choice. With the new Insignia, Opel now leads the mid-size car segment in Europe, surpassing sales by all competition in the first quarter this year.
The Insignia’s leading edge technology is gaining popularity among customers of classic premium brands who look for performance and ability. A survey shows that 56 per cent of buyers choose new-generation Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) with nine functions. Another 80 per cent of orders include the DVD navigation system with colour display and 35 per cent choose the FlexRide Chassis system. Close to two-thirds of Insignia customers want to drive on the largest tyre combination. The most popular engine by far is the 160 hp 2.0 CDTI, ordered by every third customer. Finally, half the buyers opt for diesel engines which are all Euro 5 compliant with very low CO2.
The Insignia is Opel’s new flagship car which has won no fewer than 14 awards since it was announced on the market, including the esteemed Red Dot design prize awarded by an international expert jury for the car’s outstanding design.
The international Red Dot design award – allotted since 1955 under the aegis of the Design Zentrum North Rhine Westphalia in Essen, Germany – ranks among the largest and most renowned design prizes in the world. It is granted to products by an international panel of design experts who base their criteria on degree of innovation, functionality and formal quality.
GM Europe Vice President of Design Mark Adams said: “It is a very special honour to receive this endorsement from an international jury of non-automotive designers. It confirms that Opel is on the right track of offering bold, dynamic style.” The hallmark of Opel’s new design concept includes variations of wing and blade shapes which are seen throughout the car, such as a blade-form sculpted in the door panel and new signature wing-shaped day lamps.
Red dot awards have been presented to many companies known for their innovative design, including Apple, Nokia – and the same Opel. Three other Opel models – the GT, Astra GTC, the 1998 Astra G – have featured in past red dot design yearbooks archived at the Design Centre Museum in Essen, Germany. Last year, a fourth vehicle, the Opel Flextreme concept car, won a “design concept” prize from the red dot design centre in Singapore.
Other awards won by the Opel Insignia include Designbest by Autobest magazine and Executive Car of the Year by Top Gear in the UK. For viewing and test-drives of the new Opel Insignia visit the United Automobile Limited Showroom located in Abate Rigord Street, Ta’ Xbiex or call on 2132-0560.