!NEW! All-New Opel Insignia Grand Sport: Lighter, More Dynamic, More Agile to Drive

• Lighter: Up to 175 kilograms less than on outgoing model
• Fully integrated: Tailored sitting position and driver-oriented cockpit
• Always active: Adaptive FlexRide chassis with Standard, Sport and Tour modes
• Individual: Customizable Sport mode and self-learning software

More dynamic: All-New Opel Insignia Grand Sport has shed up to 175 kilograms compared to its predecessor.

Opel has given the Insignia Grand Sports everything a middle class sedan requires to ensure improved vehicles dynamics and a more agile drive. The newcomer has shed up to 175 kilograms compared to the outgoing models, which obviously benefits both the handling and the driving performance. The athlete is 29 millimeters flatter than its predecessor, the track has been increased by 11 millimeters, the overhangs have been reduced considerably and the wheelbase extended by 92 millimeters – this provides additional directional stability at high speeds. The further refined FlexRide chassis adapts dampers, steering and propulsion automatically or via the selectable ‘Standard’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Tour’ modes. This can best be put to the test on the legendary Nordschleife of the Nürburgring. The circuit is extremely challenging with its changing surfaces, straights and corner combinations. Every new Opel is put through its final paces here.

The team around Insignia chief engineer Andreas Zipser travelled to the test-drives on the Nürburgring with camouflaged prototypes. And the engineers the 21-kilometer long Nordschleife to search for the final percentage points en route to a perfectly tuned vehicle.

“You can feel that the Insignia has been developed from a white sheet of paper as soon as you get into the car. The integration of the driver is outstanding and this provides a much better feel for the car. The Insignia has become much more agile, even with the same engine,” said Zipser who is already looking forward to the next fast laps.

The chief engineer heads out of the paddock and takes the Opel Insignia Grand Sport onto the Nordschleife. He soon pushes the 5-door sedan to its limits, dives into the course section known as “Brünnchen” before skillfully mastering the “Pflanzgarten” – a section famous amongst motor sports fans. Opel’s new flagship is driving fast. Zipser enjoys the new, precise, speed-dependent steering and the position in the driver-oriented cockpit. The driver’s position is three centimeters lower than in the outgoing model and creates a feeling of actually being part of the car – the center console provides addition support, the instruments face the driver and all controls can easily be reached. All this results in a position similar to the one provided in a racing touring car and is ideal for a dynamic outing – not only on the Nürburgring.

For such a dynamic outing, the driver should ideally select the ‘Sport’ mode of the FlexRide chassis: The dampers are stiffened, the steering and throttle response are more direct. Furthermore, the ESP anti-skid system intervenes later, thus give the driver more leeway. In combination with an automatic transmission, the ‘Sport’ mode shifts up through the gears later – the Insignia is completely set-up for dynamic driving.

On the return route from the Nürburgring the driver can select between three modes according to the road characteristics and own preferences:

• Standard: The automatic control selects the best set-up based on the information collected by the vehicle sensors.
• Tour: Comfortable chassis configuration, propulsion settings for favorably consumption – the right mode for relaxing long-distance drives.
• Sport: Brake dive is reduced, the chassis angles considerably less when cornering at high speeds and the steering provides more direct feedback on the road conditions.

The FlexRide chassis electro hydraulically adapts the dampers to the road and the prevailing driving situation 500 times per second or 30,000 times per minutes. Furthermore, the driver can save personal preferences for the steering characteristics, throttle response and dampers via the Sport button.

“The new central ‘Drive Mode Control’ software is the heart and soul of the adaptive chassis. It continuously analyzes the information provided by the sensors and setting and recognizes the individual driving style. The individual systems are then optimized for the best traction and road position,” explained Zipser.

If, for example, the Opel Insignia Grand Sport is driving along in ‘Standard’ mode and the driver decides to attack the corners on a winding road with a bit more vigor, the software recognizes the more dynamic style based on the acceleration and braking value and immediately switches the chassis and propulsion components to sporty.

!NEW! Opel Grandland X: New Crossover Model for the Compact Class

Opel X family gets new member: Opel Grandland X joins MOKKA X and Crossland X

Rugged and elegant meets comfort and practicality: Grandland X joins MOKKA X and Crossland X in the Opel X family.

New Opel Grandland X is something like the big brother of the Opel Crossland X. Both completely new crossover models (CUVs) will be launched in 2017 and combine the coolness of a SUV with a high level of driving dynamics. The Grandland X perfectly matches the active lifestyle of today with its irresistible off road appeal, raised seating position, good all-round visibility, easy ingress/egress and plenty of space for luggage. The styling cleverly combines ruggedness with elegance and the interior design concept offers plenty of comfort paired with a high level of practicality.

New Grandland X will extend the extensive Opel offering in the especially popular compact class where it will join the successful Astra, Car of the Year 2016, and the recently launched seven-seat Zafira.

“The name Opel Grandland X stands for an adventurous type always prepared to explore something new – in both an urban or rural environment. Our new crossover model looks fantastic and will help excite new customers for the Opel brand,” said Opel CMO Tina Müller.

The Grandland X is part of Opel model offensive that will see 29 new models launched from 2016 to 2020. The new CUV will enter a booming market: In the space of ten years, from 2007 to 2017, the European share of SUVs/CUVs will have increased from seven to 20 percent of all new vehicles sold. The Opel Crossland X and the Opel Grandland X will continue to drive this growth.

The Opel Crossland X will enter the B segment in the first six months of 2017 – a segment where Opel’s compact SUV, the MOKKA X, has already been sold more than 600,000 times. The Opel Grandland X will sit one segment above its siblings as of fall 2017 – in Europe, every fifth new car sold belongs to the compact class.

!NEW! Customers Rank Buick Highest Among Mass Market Brands for Sales Satisfaction

J.D. Power study notes new owner education key to higher satisfaction

As Buick continues to delight customers with its beautiful, whisper-quiet and quality-driven cars and SUVs, it is also ensuring they have the greatest possible experience learning about their vehicles. J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study ranks Buick the highest among mass market brands.

A brand’s ability to help new-vehicle owners understand technology and enhance the overall ownership experience are key to high SSI rankings. In brand sales satisfaction rankings, Buick earned the highest marks with a score of 809 (based on a 1,000-point scale).

“We know a positive customer experience goes well beyond great product,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. “Our sales satisfaction ranking shows that our ability to deliver a meaningful purchase-to-ownership process is paying off for our customers well beyond when they leave our stores.”

The SSI Study is a comprehensive analysis of the new-vehicle purchase experience that measures customer satisfaction with their dealer. It is based on responses from nearly 29,000 buyers who purchased or leased their new vehicle in April or May of 2016.

For more about the 2016 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study, visit http://www.jdpower.com/resource/us-sales-satisfaction-index-ssi-study and http://www.jdpower.com/pr-id/2016224