Stay Alert, Stay Safe: Opel Grandland X Warns of Driver Fatigue

• Increased safety: New compact SUV offers Driver Drowsiness Alert
• First-class portfolio: Ultra-modern assistance systems on board
• IAA debut: Order books now open, at dealerships shortly after Frankfurt Motor Show

Safety first: New Opel Grandland X comes with an outstanding portfolio of ultra-modern assistance systems.

The all-new Opel Grandland X will make its premiere at the 67^th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt (September 14-24) and be at dealerships shortly thereafter. The Opel Grandland X has a first-class portfolio of ultra-modern assistance features: Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking and pedestrian detection, Advanced Park Assist and the 360° Camera – all standard with INNOVATION trim – are just some highlights. Systems such as  Adaptive Cruise Control with stop function, which maintains the selected speed and distance to the vehicle ahead and brakes or accelerates the Grandland X when required, increase safety even further. Moreover, there is another highlight, a very caring assistance system called Driver Drowsiness Alert.

In Germany, a study of motorways showed that drivers who fell asleep were responsible for one in four of fatal car accidents (according to the ADAC^[1].). Systems that are designed to recognize the signs of fatigue and advise the driver to take a break are commonly found in premium class automobiles. Opel is now bringing such safety benefits to a wider audience, for example, with the new Grandland X, the exciting new compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with prices starting at €23,700 (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

Driver Drowsiness Alert on the Opel Grandland X triggers a warning if the trajectory of the vehicle suggests driver fatigue or inattention, issuing a message in the driver information cluster and an acoustic signal. After three warnings at the first level the system issues a second alert with a different message in the driver instrument cluster and a louder acoustic signal. The system is reset by driving at speeds below 65 km/h for 15 consecutive minutes.
 

“Driver fatigue is a danger for all road users, not just for drivers themselves,” said Managing Director Sales and Aftersales, Peter Küspert. “The Driver Drowsiness Alert system in the Opel Grandland X can detect typical signs of fatigue and remind drivers to take regular breaks during long journeys, before something worse happens.”

In addition to Driver Drowsiness Alert, the Opel Grandland X also offers further first-class assistance and safety systems. Opel’s new challenger in the hotly contested SUV market also delivers optimum nighttime visibility without dazzling others. The optional AFL LED headlamps produce a bright white light that effectively turns night into day and automatically adapt to the driving situation.

Peace of mind for Opel Grandland X drivers is available from Opel OnStar. In addition to offering services such as Stolen Vehicle Assistance or a Wi-Fi Hotspot^[2] for outstanding connectivity, the personal connectivity and service assistant can help tired drivers find a carpark^[3] or book a hotel room^[4]. If an emergency should occur, the “guardian angel” automatically responds to crashes, connecting vehicle occupants to a helpful advisor, not a machine.

   

^[1] ADAC flyer “Müdigkeit im Straßenverkehr”, page 6
^[2] OnStar Services require activation and account with OnStar Europe Ltd. Wi-Fi Hotspot Services require account with nominated network operator. Charges apply after expiry of applicable trial periods. All services subject to mobile network coverage and availability. Check [LOCAL SITE] for service limitations and charges.
^[3] Via Parkopedia.
^[4] Via Booking.com. Email address and credit card required.

J.D. Power: Opel ADAM and Opel Insignia most dependable cars in class

• Study on vehicle dependability: Opel top in city cars and mid-size segment
• Auto Test Winner 2017: Opel Ampera-e biggest “Technical Innovation”

Joint awards ceremony: Auto Test winners and the results of the J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey have been announced jointly since 2008.

Champion of personalization and dependability: Opel ADAM tops its class in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study.

The J.D. Power market researchers are an institution when it comes to quality and customer satisfaction. In the biggest automobile customer satisfaction survey in Germany, the VDS (Vehicle Dependability Study), car owners were asked about the quality and reliability of their one to three-year-old vehicles. Drivers of the Opel ADAM and Opel Insignia gave their cars excellent ratings – the best in their segments. At the joint awards ceremony with the trade magazine Auto Test yesterday evening in Cologne, Opel Vice President Quality Elvira Tölkes accepted the trophies for the victorious duo. 

Best in class: In the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study owners gave the Opel Insignia the highest marks for cars in the midsize segment.

In addition, Jürgen Keller, Opel Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales Germany also collected another prize: the Opel Ampera-e, with its electric range of 520 kilometers (according to the New European Driving Cycle) is Auto Test Winner 2017. The electric car received the award for best “Technical Innovation” of the year.

At the awards ceremony in Cologne, Elvira Tölkes said, “We place very high value on the quality of our cars delivered to our customers. In addition, the J.D. Power study shows that Opel also sets high standards in terms of reliability and durability across the entire portfolio from the chic urban car Opel ADAM to the Opel Insignia. So we are delighted to have received both of these awards.”

“Beyond high quality, what also distinguishes Opel is that we make future technologies accessible to so many people. Good examples of this are the personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar as well as the current market launch of the revolutionary electric vehicle Opel Ampera-e. Our electric car is a true range champion, without a doubt a major innovation and thus a worthy Auto Test winner 2017,” added Jürgen Keller.

This year J.D. Power surveyed 14,000 people about their experiences with their car in online interviews. The study’s questions are grouped into the categories quality/dependability, appearance and running costs. All responses result in a ranking in which the brand or model with the lowest number of faults emerges as the winner. J.D. Power analyzed a total of 71 car models.

Auto Test winners and the results of the J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey have been announced jointly since 2008.

!NEW! 2018 Buick Regal GS Makes World Debut

Premium sport sedan offers all-new 310 horsepower V6, nine-speed transmission and intelligent AWD with active twin clutch

 

2018 Buick Regal GS

Where spirited driving meets attainable luxury and sleek, sporty design meets modern usefulness, you’ll find the 2018 Buick Regal GS – a car for commutes that are anything but common. As the brand’s most dramatic expression of design and dynamics, this all-new model balances these key characteristics to provide customers excellent driving performance every day and in every season.

The 2018 Regal GS advances the nameplate with 51 more horsepower than the model it replaces, more refined transmission and AWD technology, all-new, heated/cooled and massaging performance seats and the added functionality and style of a five-door sportback design. Starting at $39,990 with destination charges, the Regal GS offers luxury features at a price more attainable than competitors from Audi and BMW.

“This is a sport sedan designed for everyday driving, but one that makes every drive special,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, Global Buick and GMC. “The new Regal GS is in the sweet spot of the market: more refined and luxurious than the mainstream, more value for the price with style and premium features on par with higher-end competitors, and with standard features like AWD with active twin clutch and a rear sportback design that will surprise customers with its usefulness.”

 Regal GS Highlights:

• New 3.6L V6 with 310 horsepower and 282 lb-ft of torque featuring direct injection, cylinder deactivation and stop/start technology
• Standard nine-speed automatic transmission and intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) with active twin clutch for improved vehicle control, and five-link rear suspension
• GS-specific, AGR-certified, performance seats that are heated, cooled and massaging with adjustable seat and seat-back bolsters as well as thigh support
• Second-generation Continuous Damping Control (CDC) capable of 500 adjustments per second and Interactive Drive Control with GS and Sport modes
• Unique sport front and rear fascias, side skirts and rear spoiler
• Standard 19-inch wheels
• Performance brakes with Brembo front calipers
• Sport-tuned exhaust system
• Sport flat-bottom steering wheel and metal pedals
• Available head-up display

 

Buick’s most advanced new propulsion components come standard on the new Regal GS. With 310 horsepower, its refined 3.6 liter V6 provides more power than an Acura TLX A-Spec or a Lexus IS350 F-Sport but offers seamless auto stop/start technology and can cruise on four cylinders. The V6 engine is complemented by a sport-tuned dual exhaust system.

Regal GS’ intelligent AWD system with an active twin clutch can precisely transfer torque between the rear wheels for more refined and efficient performance, and the GS receives one of the first applications of the nine-speed automatic transmission in the Buick lineup that’s mated to AWD. This advanced new transmission will soon be offered across five different Buick models.

Every Regal GS also features Buick’s Interactive Drive Control, allowing the driver to tailor the car’s dynamics based on different drive experiences through a standard setting or Sport and GS modes selected via the center console. Interactive Drive Control utilizes Buick’s second-generation Continuous Damping Control (CDC), which is able to adjust suspension damping up to 500 times per second.

Versus a standard 2018 Regal Sportback, the GS also has standard Brembo brakes for more confident stopping power.

“With the all-new 2018 Regal GS, we set out to make a driver-focused, engaging and entertaining sport sedan without sacrificing the smooth ride and refined character expected of any modern Buick,” said Martin Hayes, chief engineer for the Buick Regal GS. “Our new V6 and nine-speed transmission, intelligent AWD and CDC all work to deliver excellent driving performance.”

Outside, Buick’s signature sculptural beauty presents the car’s sporting nature in an understated way with aggressive front and rear fascias, standard 19-inch wheels, a rear decklid spoiler and GS badging front and rear. Full LED headlamps are an option.

Inside, the Regal features unique perforated GS-specific performance seats with integrated headrests and adjustable lumbar and thigh support bolsters. The seats are heated and ventilated and come standard with a massage function. The interior also features a standard heated flat-bottom sport steering wheel and GS-specific pedals and sill plates.

The 2018 Regal GS offers a cohesive and connected infotainment experience with an 8-inch diagonal touchscreen and 8-inch diagonal reconfigurable instrument cluster as standard equipment. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility both come standard. A full-color head-up display is available with an optional Driver Confidence II package that also includes several safety features including Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Automatic Braking.

The Regal GS is a highest performance expression of the 2018 Buick Regal GS Sportback. Other Regal Sportback models will offer a standard 2.0T engine and sleek new design at a starting price -- $25,915 – that’s approximately $2,000 lower than the 2017 Regal.

The first-ever Regal TourX, which combines car-like handling and SUV capability, launches with limited availability of select higher trim levels later this year. TourX models with a starting price of $29,995 are expected to be available at dealers in February 2018.

!NEW! Sports Machine for Connoisseurs: Opel Insignia GSi Makes the Difference

• Sharper: Sporty front and rear design plus eye catching 20 inch wheels
• More precise: FlexRide chassis and Brembo brakes tuned to optimum at Nürburging
• Efficient: Lightweight, turbocharging and friction optimized eight speed automatic
• Higher grip: All-wheel drive with torque vectoring, strong performing Michelin sports tires
• Better control: New AGR certified seats with high lateral support and comfort
• Quicker: GSi leaves more powerful OPC predecessor behind on Nordschleife
• Center stage: World premiere at Frankfurt International Motor Show mid-September

Sharper: New Opel Insignia GSi with sporty front and rear design plus eye catching 20 inch wheels.

Sharper, more precise, even more efficient. The new Opel Insignia GSi is a sports sedan for those who like something special. A driver’s car for maximum fun on all kinds of roads. The chassis with its very dynamic set-up and the particularly high level of grip, in combination with all-wheel drive, ensures a rewarding driving experience as well as maximum safety. The new eight-speed automatic transmission can be operated via shift-paddles at the steering wheel – like a racing car – for an even more active driving experience. Typical of the new Insignia-generation is the combination of lightweight design, low center of gravity and 2.0-liter turbo power. This results in excellent balance and a very good power to weight ratio. Such internal values deserve a special exterior. With large chrome air-intakes at the front and a neat rear spoiler for the necessary downforce on the rear axle, the GSi’s looks perfectly match the performance. The leather upholstered, integrated sports seats (specially developed for the GSi), the leather sports steering wheel and the aluminum pedals add the finishing touches. 

Fine tuning in the best Opel tradition has led to the most efficient Insignia ever that makes the new GSi dynamically different to the already agile Insignia Grand Sport. A new level of modern sportiness characterized by superb grip and razor-sharp precision – talents that fans of sporty midsize sedans will appreciate, which can also be seen on the stop watch. “The new Insignia GSi is clearly quicker over one lap of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife than the more powerful Insignia OPC of the previous generation” concluded Director Performance Cars & Motorsport, Volker Strycek after testing. One of the reasons is that the GSi is 160 kilograms lighter than a comparable Insignia OPC 2.8 V6 Turbo. Just like a lean athlete.

“It is this combination of low weight – especially on the front axle – low center of gravity, easy handling, high power over a wide rpm-band and best traction which makes the GSi so fast” says an enthusiastic Strycek. “That is pure efficiency. The high grip level is perfect for the Nordschleife and a fun-to-drive as well as safety advantage on public roads.”

On the “Green Hell”: the toughest race track in the world

The finishing touches were put to the Insignia GSi on the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Here in the Eifel mountains Opel runs a test center for setting up its performance cars. The Opel engineers have developed an all-new chassis for the GSi on the Nürburgring, which triple F1 world champion Jackie Stewart famously described as the “Green Hell”. Shorter springs lower the GSi by 10 millimeters and special sports shock absorbers reduce body movements to a minimum. The powerful Brembo four-cylinder brakes (diameter 345 millimeter) and the already direct steering were adapted accordingly. The Insignia GSi is equipped as standard with the mechatronic FlexRide chassis. It adapts shock absorbers and steering in fractions of a second; the control unit also changes the calibration of the accelerator pedal and the shift points of the eight-speed automatic. The driver can choose between Standard, Tour and Sport modes. Subject to the chosen mode, steering and throttle-response is then even more direct. Exclusive to the GSi is the Competition mode, which is activated via the ESP button. A double-press allows skillful drivers more yaw and switches off traction control – for a fast lap of the Nordschleife, for example

The sports-chassis, developed in combination with the extra grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires and big 20-inch wheels, offers almost limpet-like levels of adhesion. A major contribution comes from the all-wheel drive with torque vectoring fitted as standard, which is unique in this segment. In this high-tech system a conventional differential on the rear axle is replaced by two clutches, which can accelerate each rear wheel individually in fractions of a second, depending on the driving situation. Annoying understeer, where the front wheels push towards the outside of the corner, is therefore almost banished from the Insignia GSi. In other words, the GSi takes a neat line through a series of turns.

The sports sedan is powered by an impressive gasoline turbo engine that combines fuel efficiency with performance. The powerful 2.0 liter turbo produces 191 kW (260 hp) and develops generous torque of 400 Newton meters (NEDC fuel consumption: 11.2 liters per 100 km urban; 7.1 l/100 km extra-urban; 8.6 l/100 km combined; 197 g/km CO₂). The four-cylinder unit is mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. The driver has the option of shifting gears via paddles at the steering wheel. With the transmission shifting automatically the driver can even preselect the shift points in Standard and Sport modes. In addition to the 2.0-liter gasoline turbo, the GSi will also offer a powerful new diesel engine.

Sporty features: From new Opel performance sport seat to rear spoiler

The sporty capabilities of the Insignia GSi are matched by design cues, technology-highlights and accessories. At the top of the list is the new sports seat developed by Opel, which provides increased lateral support as well as long-distance comfort. The premium sports seat is AGR-certified (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) and therefore ergonomically ideal. Just like in the Insignia Grand Sport it offers ventilation, heating, massage and adjustable side bolsters. In the GSi the tall seatback also features an integrated head restraint. The routing of the seatbelt at shoulder level is ideal, which is not a given for integral seats. The customer can choose from two leather combinations, each decorated with a GSi emblem. The logo also proudly adorns the rear of the car, which carries an efficient spoiler for the required downforce on the rear axle. The rear apron looks similar to a diffusor and features two chrome-edged exhaust pipes. Similarly chrome-edged air-intakes are located ahead of the front wheels. Fans will also appreciate the appropriate ambience in the interior, such as in the flattened lower area of the leather-wrapped steering wheel, the aluminum pedals and the black ceiling – in the best style of a very special sports sedan.

33-year tradition: GSi models from Opel

The Insignia GSi continues a long tradition of sporty Opel cars named GSi. The first to stir up excitement were the Manta GSi and the Kadett GSi (115 hp from 1.8-liters) in 1984. Only four years later the 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve engine in the Kadett 2.0 GSi 16V delivered 150 hp. The first Astra also featured this engine and in 1993 there was a 1.8-liter 125 hp alternative in the Astra GSi. There was also a GSi with various generations of the Corsa, beginning with the 100 hp Corsa A (1988) that has become a much sought-after classic. At the (provisional!) end of the line was the Corsa D in August 2012.

But now the new Opel Insignia GSi will make its world premiere at the IAA Frankfurt International Motor Show (September 14-24, 2017) and will be available to order in Germany in mid-October.

!NEW! Navi 4.0 IntelliLink: Integrated Navigation and full OnStar Functionality for Opel KARL, ADAM and Corsa

• All-new infotainment system Navi 4.0 IntelliLink
• Embedded satellite navigation and Opel OnStar with Destination Download
• Best connections: compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Opel Corsa drivers can now enjoy integrated navigation with Navi 4.0 IntelliLink.

A new infotainment system named Navi 4.0 IntelliLink is immediately available for Opel’s small car champions, KARL, ADAM and Corsa. Drivers can now enjoy infotainment with integrated navigation and all the benefits of OnStar, Opel’s personal connectivity and mobility assistant – including Destination Download – to reach their destination with high precision and convenient routing.

In addition to the advantages of the R 4.0 IntelliLink system – seven-inch touch screen display, Bluetooth-connectivity as well as both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility – Navi 4.0 IntelliLink features European roadmaps displayed in 2D or 3D and dynamic route guidance via TMC. With the Opel OnStar “guardian angel” at their side, drivers can also have destinations sent straight to the navigation system (Destination Download), either by the OnStar advisor or via the MyOpel app.

With the lean, clear menu structures of Navi 4.0 IntelliLink and its intuitive usability, the Opel KARL, ADAM and Corsa belong to the best connected small cars on the market.

“Best Economical Diesel 2017”: Opel Astra 1.6 CDTI Wins Green Mobility Trophy

                                             Opel Astra 1.6 CDTI

• Strong showing: Opel Astra wins its category ahead of BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E Class
• Strong second: Opel Ampera-e wins silver medal in best electric car category

And the winner is: the Opel Astra 1.6 CDTI with 81 kW/110 hp (NEDC fuel consumption: urban 3.9 l/100 km, extra-urban 3.1 l/100 km, combined 3.4 l/100 km, 90 g/km, efficiency class A+). The bestseller from Rüsselsheim won the Green Mobility Trophy 2017 and was named “Best Economical Diesel”. Of the 7,400 Auto Zeitung readers who cast a vote, 28.1 percent chose the frugal limousine with the Blitz on the grille. This put the Opel Astra ahead of the second-place BMW 520d and the Mercedes E 220d in third place. 

The range champion Opel Ampera-e is also popular with Auto Zeitung readers. The electric car took home the silver medal in the “Best Electric Vehicle” category. With 520 kilometers according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the Opel Ampera-e offers an unchallenged higher range than the closest competitor in the segment.

“We are delighted with these knowledgeable readers’ verdict. With this, our Astra wins another major award after it already captured the European “Car of the Year 2016” as well as 13 national ‘Car of the Year’ titles,” says Jürgen Keller, Opel Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales Germany.

Safety First: Additional Driver Assistance Systems for Opel Crossland X

• Orderable now: Opel Crossland X with new pack of optional safety equipment
• Stop! Forward Collision Alert, pedestrian detection and Automatic Emergency Braking¹
• Take a break: Driver Drowsiness Alert extended by drowsiness detection system

Higher safety: Opel Crossland X is now available with a new pack of optional safety equipment that helps to avoid frontal collisions and detects signs of driver drowsiness.

Opel is now offering additional driver assistance systems for the crossover model Crossland X. The newcomer with the cool SUV look already provides outstanding innovations that make everyday driving safer, more comfortable and easier. High-tech full LED headlights, head up display and the 180-degree Panoramic Rear View Camera along with Advanced Park Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Sign Recognition and Side Blind Spot Alert are just some examples. The new optional pack further extends this generous offer and consists of Forward Collision Alert with pedestrian detection and Automatic Emergency Braking, together with the addition of drowsiness detection to Driver Drowsiness Alert.

“Opel democratizes future technologies and makes them available to everyone” says Vice President Vehicle Engineering Europe, William F. Bertagni. “This approach stretches back throughout the history of the brand, as demonstrated by our new Opel Crossland X and its wide range of high-tech driver assistance systems such as Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking and Driver Drowsiness Alert.”

Forward Collision Alert with pedestrian detection and Automatic Emergency Braking monitors the traffic situation in front of the vehicle with the Opel Eye front camera and is able to detect mobile and parked cars as well as pedestrians (adults and children). The system sounds an alarm and gives a visual warning and also brakes automatically if the distance to a vehicle or a pedestrian ahead decreases rapidly and the driver does not react.

The drowsiness detection system is an extension to the Driver Drowsiness Alert fitted as standard to the  Opel Crossland X, which alerts the driver after two hours of driving at more than 65 km/h. The extended system triggers an alert if the trajectory of the vehicle suggests driver drowsiness or inattention, issuing a message in the driver information cluster and an acoustic signal. After three warnings at the first level the system issues a second alert with a different message in the driver instrument cluster and a louder acoustic signal. The system is reset by driving at speeds below 65 km/h for 15 consecutive minutes.

Another feature increasing the overall safety offered by the Opel Crossland X is the innovative lighting solution that it brings to the segment. Full LED headlamps are paired with functions such as cornering light, high beam assist and auto levelling to guarantee optimal illumination of the road ahead and ensure best-possible visibility.

Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) with Full-LED headlamps ensures outstanding visibility in the dark

In addition, the optional head up display helps Opel Crossland X drivers to keep their eyes on the road ahead; the most important information such as speed, prevailing speed limit, set speed of speed limiter and cruise control or navigation direction is projected into their direct line of sight.

Eyes on the road: Optional Head-Up Display of the Opel Crossland X shows forward collision warnings and other information such as speed limits and actual speed.

The risk of overlooking other traffic is reduced by Side Blind Spot Alert. The ultrasonic sensors of the system detect other road users except pedestrians and the driver is warned via an amber icon in the wing mirror.

The Opel Eye front camera also processes diverse data thus forming the basis for driver assistance systems such as Speed Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning. Speed Sign Recognition displays the prevailing speed limit on the driver information cluster or the optional head up display, while Lane Departure Warning gives audible and visual warnings if it calculates that the Opel Crossland X is unintentionally leaving the driving lane.

The new member of the Opel X family also makes reversing and parking more comfortable. The optional Panoramic Rear View Camera increases the angle of sight behind the car to 180 degrees so that the driver can see other road users approaching from either side when reversing; and the latest generation of Advanced Park Assist recognizes suitable parking spaces and parks the car automatically. The same applies to leaving the space afterwards. In each case, the driver only needs to operate the pedals.

 ^1] Optional. Works automatically above 5 km/h and below 85 km/h. From 5 to 30 km/h the deceleration metric to reduce the impact speed of the collision is 0.9 g. From 30 to 85 km/h the system reduces the speed by a maximum of 22 km/h. After this threshold, the driver needs to brake him/herself to reduce the speed even further. Operational speed range of AEBPD depends on the detected obstacle (mobile target: from 5 to 85 km/h; fixed target: from 5 to 80 km/h; pedestrian: from 5 to 60 km/h). Opel driver assistance systems are intended to support the driver within the system-immanent limitations. The driver remains responsible for the driving task.

Euro NCAP Five-Star Rating Confirms: All-New Opel Insignia with Strong Safety Concept

• Top crash test performance: Euro NCAP awards new Insignia five stars
• New active hood: Provides clearance to hard structures in engine compartment
• Automatic Emergency Braking: Detects pedestrians as well as vehicles

Optimum pedestrian protection: The active hood of the new Opel Insignia receives special praise in the latest Euro NCAP safety ratings.

Euro NCAP has confirmed the integrity of the new Opel Insignia’s total concept. In its latest safety ratings published today, Euro NCAP awarded the Insignia Grand Sport and Insignia Sports Tourer the maximum five stars. The all-new Opel flagship achieved high scores in each of the categories assessed – adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist.

Commenting on the new Insignia’s crash test performance, Euro NCAP made special mention of two of the car’s innovative safety systems in particular. The all-new active hood, which in a collision lifts up in milliseconds, thus increasing the distance to the engine and offering pedestrians improved protection, “operated robustly for a variety of pedestrian statures and over a wide range of speed”. The refined Automatic Emergency Braking system, which can detect pedestrians as well as other vehicles “performed well … (and) … at highway speeds showed good performance, with accidents avoided or mitigated.”

“The top marks from Euro NCAP demonstrate that the individual safety components of the new Insignia form a total system” says Managing Director Sales and Aftersales, Peter Küspert. “But safety first at Opel applies not only to our flagship; the youngest members of our product portfolio, the Crossland X and Grandland X also offer front collision warning with Automatic Emergency Braking, as we want to offer all our customers the latest safety technologies. After all, as our new brand claims says, the future is everyone’s.”

In addition to the active hood and Automatic Emergency Braking, the new Opel Insignia impresses with many more ultra-modern assistance systems. No other car in this class offers such a wide range of intelligent technologies as the new generation of the Opel flagship:

 

•  IntelliLux LED  Matrix light: The 16 LED segments in charge of the high beam function that are integrated into each of the very slim headlamps of the Insignia enable the various light patterns to adapt to the prevailing traffic situation with the highest precision. Transitions between the multiple lighting patterns are faster and more seamless. 

• Head up display: Information such as speed, traffic signs, set speed of speed limiter and adaptive cruise control along with navigation direction is projected onto the windshield. Drivers thus have everything in their direct line of sight, ensuring that they keep their eyes on the road.

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with automatic emergency braking: Uses a camera and radar sensors to measure the distance to the vehicle ahead and adapt the speed accordingly. If the distance decreases abruptly when the driver ahead suddenly brakes, red LEDs in the windscreen/head up display light up and an audible warning sounds. At the same time, ACC initiates automatic emergency braking – faster than a person could normally react.

• Lane Keep Assist with automatic steering correction: Driving always requires undivided attention, but if the system registers that the car is unintentionally drifting out of its lane, it also provides gentle steering wheel movements to counteract this and shows this on the display when the car is travelling at speeds between 60 and 180 km/h.

These are complemented by assistance systems that provide the Insignia driver with excellent all-round visibility, which really come into play in urban driving:

• For the first time at Opel, the 360°camera: It consists of four individual cameras, one on each side of the car. The combined system enables an optional 360-degree bird’s-eye view, facilitating every parking and low-speed driving maneuver. The driver can thus keep everything in view over the IntelliLink display in the center console – no uncomfortable neck-craning necessary.

• Rear View Camera: Shows the area behind the vehicle on the IntelliLink touchscreen as soon as reverse gear is engaged. Dynamic guidelines based on the steering wheel angle are shown on the display and facilitate accurate reversing into a parking space.

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The system uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to detect objects coming from up to 20 meters at 90 degrees from the left or right side behind the vehicle and warns with visual and acoustic signals, a very useful function when reversing out of a parking spot with limited visibility.

• Advanced Park Assist: Ultrasound sensors on the Insignia’s front and rear bumpers identify suitable parking spaces and detect possible obstacles. When the parking spot is detected, the system automatically parks the vehicle without the driver touching the wheel. The driver just controls the pedals and gear shifting.

A host of further radar and camera-based automatic assistants complete the portfolio and make driving in the new Opel Insignia even safer. These include established systems such as:
 

• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert. Rearward directed radar sensors cover a range up to 70 meters behind the left and right exterior mirrors, thus alerting the driver to road users approaching in the adjacent lanes. In this way, the system prevents impending collisions if a driver tries to change lanes into oncoming traffic.

• Following Distance Indication in central information display: Uses the front camera or the front radar to detect moving vehicles on the road ahead and calculate the distance to them in seconds, which is more helpful to drivers for their assessment than a meter indication. A stylized green car symbolizes the vehicle in front. If the distance is insufficient, the distance warning is activated and the symbol turns amber.

• Forward Collision Alert: Assists drivers in avoiding or mitigating the impact of front-end collisions with situation-dependent emergency braking settings. If the Insignia nears the vehicle ahead too quickly, the system warns the driver with a loud audible alarm, a visual warning in the instrument cluster and an LED projection on the windscreen. The driver can choose between ‘near’ ‘mid’ or ‘far’ settings.

• Traffic Sign Assist: This newest-generation TSA can detect and display round traffic signs such as speed limits and derestrictions as well as many rectangular signs. The system processes data provided by the front camera as well as map data provided by the optional navigation system. Speed limits are also visible in the head up display if it is on board.

Overall, the new Opel Insignia impresses with highly intelligent safety technologies and excellent value for money, making it a rival that even premium brand models have to reckon with.