Opel Insignia Select Sports Tourer Diesel Road Test
Review by Tristan Tancredi - 8 May 2013
The Sports Tourer is available as either the Insignia Sports Tourer or the Insignia Select Sports Tourer. The Select comes with added luxuries and comforts, or as Opel have marketed it as "refined luxury in a sleek and sporty form". Notable added luxuries include; 19" Alloys, Lowered Sports Chassis, Premium Ergonomic Leather Seating and a Navi900 Premium Audio system.
Both model variants come with either a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine. Both are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
We were given the keys to the Insignia Select 5 Door Sports Tourer rocking a 2.0L Diesel engine. Let's take a closer look at the car Opel claim to be "the best car Opel has ever built".
|
| QUICK LINKS | ||||
| Drive | Engine | Exterior | Interior | Safety |
Drive: 4/5
Ultimately, the Insignia Select Sports Tourer is very competent on-road. Paired with a 6-speed automatic tranmission, the Tourer is a little sluggish from a stand still. In fact it reaches 0-100km/h in 10.1 seconds. To put this in perspective, its competitor the VW Passat Highline Diesel Wagon reaches 100km/h in 8.8 seconds.
However, the 2.0L Diesel engine provides enough satisfaction once the vehicle is cruising. A smooth, steady and reliable driving experience is granted to any whom sit behind the wheel of this Opel. Bumps and potholes are brushed aside as this large family wagon floats along city and country roads alike. Combined with super comfortable seating for all occupants, a sore bum is out of the question.
Handling and Traction is bolstered with a dynamic lowered sports chassis. MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear suspension system provide impressive driving dynamics. There is also a manual mode available, however the lack of paddle shifters make the use of manual mode next to useless. Hill Start Assist is also a driving aid standard across the Tourer range.
Perhaps the weakest driving aspect of the Sports Tourer is the restricted views. The side mirrors provide poor access, whilst the rear vision mirror is even worse. Don't drive this car with a crook neck, head checks are a neccessity.
With a turning circle of 11.4 metres, it's best to not get stuck in any tight situations.
The Diesel engine is genuinely amazing with its fuel effiency drinking on average 6.0L per 100kms. For a large family wagon this is mighty impressive and to be honest we were a little bit gobsmacked with these figures. (On the flipside, the notably quicker and more responsive Turbo-Petrol drinks 9.0L per 100kms).
.
Engine: 4/5
The Opel Insignia Sports Tourer is available in 2 engine variants that are both mated with the 6-speed Automatic Transmission. A 2.0 litre Turbo Petrol engine and a 2.0 litre CDTi common-rail turbocharged diesel engine. We were lucky enough to drive the 2.0L diesel engine.
The diesel engine is overall a very quiet engine. Albeit, a little rattly when hammering the throttle. Nonetheless, this engine noise is limited, as is tyre and environment noise. This results to a very mellow and tranquil cabin.
The 6-Speed Automatic transmission does its job admirably and without fuss. "ActiveSelect" for sequential shifting provides seamless and optimally timed gear changes to minimise fuel usage and maximise driving performance.
The 2.0L diesel outputs 118kw of power at 4000rpm and maximum torque of 350Nm at 1750-2500rpm. (The 2.0L Turbo-Petrol engine outputs 162kw of power at 5300rpm and maximum torque of 350Nm at 2000-4000rpm).
Exterior: 4.5/5
The Insignia Sports Tourer strikes quite an imposing figure. Everything seems to flow elegantly from the outside. Smooth style lines run the length of the vehicle and neatly wrap around the front grille and rear tail gate. These are aided by chrome tips on the exhaust and around the windows.
The neat and aerodynamic style of the Insignia is one of the many reasons as to why this vehicle is so ridiculously fuel efficient. At any angle, front, profile or rear, the Insignia Sports Tourer is simply a beautiful car.
Front and Rear Fog lights, 19" Alloy wheels and as mentioned Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) Bi-Xenon headlamps are standard for the 'Select'.
Safety: 5/5
The 2013 Opel Insignia was awarded a 5-star ANCAP safety rating with a score of 35.16 out of 37.
Dual front airbags, dual front side airbags, dual curtain airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), traction control, anti-lock braking system, active headrests and pedal release system are standard safety features across the range.
As mentioned, Hill Start Assist is also standard across the range. The Opel Insignia also scored a Greenhouse rating of 6/10 (CO2 - 206g/km).
Interior: 3.5/5
Let me repeat, we were driving the Select Insignia Tourer. That means, the higher quality of the two model variants. All the features of the 'Select' are on the highest end on the Opel scale.
First off, the Select Sports Tourer offers premium perforated leather trimmed ergonomic sports seats. Awfully comfortable and offering adequate lumbar support. The black leather flows throughout the entire cabin, from the steering wheel, rear seats and piano black interior decorative appliques. A wonderfully modern and stylish interior design that indulges occupants in comfort.
However, the interior of the Opel Insignia Select Sports Tourer does become a bit of a mixed bag. On one side the full leather interior is of high quality, offers supreme comfort and looks stylish and modern. Yet, on the other hand there are a few quirks which lower the quality of said product.
The modern interior is awash with an abundance of black leather with silver/metallic and black gloss trimmings yet on the downside is cluttered with an assortmemt of buttons.
A turning knob (much like the Audi control) sits next to the transmission lever. We had difficulty navigating through the menu and settings of the 7" display screen using the dial. In comparison, the Audi system seems a lot more user friendly and responsive. The Navi900 Premium Audio system, accessed via the 7" display screen, comes with a CD player, Sat Nav, MP3 compatibility, SD Card Readers, iPod connectivity, an AUX input and 7 speakers that provide awesome beats.
The large family wagon has heaps of space due to its wide arc. There is plenty of leg room for front and rear passengers. An Electro Mechanical Handbrake creates space in the centre console and with the back seats in position there is 500L of bootspace available. Smart storage pockets are also neatly placed throughout the cabin.
Other added luxuries for the Select Insignia Tourer include; Rear privacy glass, AFL+ Bi-Xenon Headlights, Sports Alloy Pedals and Front Seat Ventilation.
Overall: 4/5
The Opel Insignia Select Sports Tourer is a classy wagon. It looks good, drives well, sets high safety standards and provides adequate comfort. There's a reason Opel claim it to be the best car they have ever built!
Winner of the 2009 European Car of the Year, the Insignia is a well balanced, finely engineered machine. The Select Sports Tourer 2.0L Diesel is priced at $50,490. Entering the market at a steeper price than its close competitor, the 2.0L Diesel VW Passat Alltrack ($45,790) is a concern. (The base model 2.0L petrol tourer starts at $41,990).
Nonetheless, be sure to check out the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer today.
* Prices are manufacturer list prices only, for the drive away price please contact your local authorised Opel dealer.
| Pros: | Cons: |
|
|
Comments on the review? The Car? Your Car? Email us.
