Holden Insignia

Opel Insignia
Company type	Car model
Industry	Automotive
Predecessor	Opel Vectra, Opel Signum
Founded	2008
Defunct	2022
Headquarters	Rüsselsheim, Germany
Products	Large family car (D-segment)

The Opel Insignia is a large family car classified in the D-segment in Europe, manufactured by the German automaker Opel from 2008 until 2022. Drawing its name from a 2003 concept vehicle, it functioned as Opel’s premier model, positioned above the Astra and Corsa in the lineup. The Insignia consolidated the roles of both the Signum and Vectra into a single model range. It was offered in several body styles: a four-door sedan/saloon, a five-door liftback, and a five-door station wagon/estate.

Across various global markets, this vehicle was marketed under different brand names. In the United Kingdom, it was sold as the Vauxhall Insignia, while in North America and China it bore the name Buick Regal, where sales remain ongoing. In Chile, the car was introduced as the Opel Insignia rather than the initially intended Chevrolet Vectra. The second generation was sold in Australia by GM under the Holden Commodore badge until 2020, when both the model and the Holden brand were phased out.

Constructed on the GM Epsilon II platform, production takes place at Opel’s Adam Opel AG facility located in Rüsselsheim, Germany. The Buick Regal variant is exclusively manufactured by SAIC-GM in Shanghai for the Chinese market. Sales of the Vauxhall Insignia ceased in the UK in 2022.

History

In December 2006, Vauxhall declared that it would discontinue use of the Vectra nameplate. Carl-Peter Forster, then president of General Motors Europe, described the upcoming model as "a radical departure," which led to abandoning the "Vectra" designation. By late 2007, it was confirmed that the new model would be named Insignia.

Opel’s objective with the Insignia was to recapture market segments previously dominated by their executive-class Opel Omega.

First generation (G09; 2008)

The Insignia debuted as the Vauxhall Insignia at the 2008 British International Motor Show and became available across Europe in October 2008 for the 2009 model year. Initially offered as a five-door liftback and estate—marketed as Sports Tourer—it marked a departure from Opel’s traditional use of "Caravan" for estate models. This was also the first production vehicle to utilize GM’s Epsilon II platform, which it shared with models such as the 2010 Saab 9-5 and Chevrolet Malibu.

The interior space was expanded compared to its predecessor, providing an additional 30 mm of knee room. Both saloon and liftback versions measured 4.83 meters in length, while the estate extended slightly longer at 4.91 meters. All variants featured a common wheelbase of 2.73 meters.

This generation introduced updated badges for both Opel and Vauxhall; notably, Vauxhall removed its traditional "V" grille to create a distinct look.

Among its notable safety technologies were:

Adaptive Forward Lighting equipped with bi-xenon gas discharge headlights incorporating variable beam distribution, cornering lights, and LED daytime running lights—all dynamically adjusted via sensors monitoring traffic conditions and weather.
Opel Eye, a camera-based system capable of detecting road markings and traffic signs to provide lane departure warnings and memorize traffic signs. The Insignia was pioneering as the first production car featuring a dual-function frontal camera for traffic sign recognition.

A limited edition of 17 Insignia OPC units were customized by Erich Bitter under the name "Bitter Insignia." These cars sported unique exterior modifications and an upscale all-leather interior replacing most plastic components, powered solely by the 2.8 Turbo engine.

OPC

At the beginning of 2009, Opel launched the Insignia OPC, a performance-focused model equipped with a 2.8-litre single-turbocharged V6 engine produced in Melbourne, Australia. This powerplant generates and , with peak torque accessible from 2,000 rpm. It is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox and features Saab's Haldex active all-wheel drive system.

The Insignia OPC incorporates a specially tuned MacPherson strut front suspension known as HiPerStrut to mitigate torque steer, along with an electronic limited slip differential on the rear axle. Opel's FlexRide adaptive suspension system is included, offering three selectable driving modes: OPC, Sport, and Normal. A Sports Tourer wagon variant of the OPC was also introduced. In April 2011, Opel unveiled the Insignia OPC Unlimited edition, which removed the speed restriction.

Country Tourer

Presented at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Opel Insignia Country Tourer arrived as a station wagon with crossover-inspired styling, designed for buyers desiring a more rugged and adaptable option within the Insignia range.

Facelift

In June 2013, Opel revealed a significant update featuring refreshed exterior and interior styling, new engine options, and improved safety features. This revised version was officially showcased at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show before its market release later that year.

Notable enhancements included a redesigned driver’s cockpit with streamlined controls, twin eight-inch color screens, a four-way infotainment interface controlled by a central touchpad, steering wheel buttons, voice recognition, and advanced driver assistance technologies such as adaptive cruise control, imminent collision braking, rearview camera, lane change assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.

The second-generation Insignia was introduced in December 2016 under the new designation Insignia Grand Sport, highlighting its progression.

2008–2013

At its debut, the Insignia lineup consisted of four petrol engines: a 1.6 L (115 PS), 1.8 L (140 PS), 2.0 L Turbo (220 PS), and a 2.8 L V6 (260 PS), complemented by three diesel variants based on Fiat/GM JTD technology with displacements of 2.0 L producing 110 PS, 130 PS, and 160 PS.

In 2009, Opel broadened its engine range by adding a 1.6 L Turbo petrol unit rated at 180 PS, ecoFLEX diesel versions focused on lower emissions and improved fuel efficiency, along with performance-tuned OPC models.

Starting September 2010, the 2.0 CDTi diesel became available with Adaptive 4x4 drivetrain options. In 2012, a Saab-engineered 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI diesel delivering 195 PS was introduced in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive layouts. Six-speed manual transmissions were standard across all engines; select variants offered automatic gearboxes.

Diesel powertrains saw progressive emission reductions and incorporation of Start/Stop technology by 2011; petrol engines followed this trend later on. The introduction of a 1.4 Turbo (140 PS) with standard Start/Stop replaced the earlier 1.8 L unit, while the all-wheel-drive version of the 2.0 Turbo saw its output increased to 250 PS.

The ecoFLEX diesel models maintained their power levels while achieving CO₂ emissions as low as 114 g/km for the 130 PS and 160 PS versions; meanwhile, the BiTurbo diesel emitted 129 g/km CO₂.

Petrol engines
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note(s)	Year(s)
1.4 Turbo S/S	I4	1,364 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp)	200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft)		2011–13
1.6 VVT	I4	1,598 cc	115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp)	155 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft)		2008–12
1.6 Turbo	I4	1,598 cc	180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp)	230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft)
1.8 VVT	I4	1,796 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp)	175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft)
2.0 Turbo	I4	1,998 cc	220–250 PS (162–184 kW; 217–247 hp)	350–400 N⋅m (258–295 lb⋅ft)		2008–13
2.8T 4x4	V6	2,792 cc	260–325 PS (191–239 kW; 256–321 hp)	350–435 N⋅m (258–321 lb⋅ft)	OPC/VXR versions	2008–13
Diesel engines
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note(s)	Year(s)
2.0 CDTI	I4	1,956 cc	110–160 PS (81–118 kW; 108–158 hp)	260–350 N⋅m (192–258 lb⋅ft)
2.0 CDTI 4x4	I4	1,956 cc	160–195 metric horsepower (118–143 kW)^*}	350–400 N⋅m (258–295 lb⋅ft)		2010–13

2013–2017

The 2013 update brought a refreshed range of engines, blending current, enhanced, and newly introduced power units. At launch, diesel variants included the 2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX featuring Start/Stop technology, offered in 120 PS, 140 PS, and 163 PS versions, along with the well-known 195 PS BiTurbo model. A 130 PS diesel without ecoFLEX was available solely with an automatic transmission.

Petrol options comprised the existing 1.4 Turbo and 1.8 engines (depending on the market), plus the newly introduced 1.6 SIDI Turbo debuted in the Cascada, and the 2.0 SIDI Turbo.

All powertrains were paired with a standard six-speed manual gearbox; however, a six-speed automatic was available as an option for the 1.6 and 2.0 SIDI petrol engines and the higher-powered 2.0 CDTI diesels (163 PS and 195 PS). The Start/Stop system was standard across all except the 130 PS version of the 2.0 CDTI.

In September 2014, Opel unveiled a new generation of diesel engines starting with a 170 PS, 400 Nm 2.0 CDTI as part of its plan to introduce 17 new engines between 2014 and 2018. This engine reached availability from late 2014 into early 2015.

Petrol engines
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note(s)	CO₂ (g/km)	Year(s)
1.4 Turbo S/S	I4	1,362 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 4,900–6000 rpm	200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1850–4,900 rpm		123
1.6 SIDI Turbo S/S	I4	1,598 cc	170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 4,250 rpm	260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) (overboost 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft)) at 1,650–4,250 rpm		139
1.8 VVT	I4	1,796 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6,300 rpm	175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm		164
2.0 SIDI Turbo S/S	I4	1,998 cc	250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) at 4,500 rpm	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–4,500 rpm	A20NFT (used in Astra J GTC VXR/OPC)	169
Diesel engines
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note(s)	CO₂ (g/km)	Year(s)
1.6 CDTI	I4	1,598 cc	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4,000 rpm	320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm		109-104	2015–17
1.6 CDTI	I4	1,598 cc	136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) at 4,000 rpm	320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm		104-99	2015–17
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S	I4	1,956 cc	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4,000 rpm	300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) (overboost 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft)) at 1,750–2,500 rpm		99	2013–15
2.0 CDTI	I4	1,956 cc	130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) at 4,000 rpm	300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) (overboost 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft)) at 1,750–2,500 rpm	Available only with AT	119	2013–15
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S	I4	1,956 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 4,000 rpm	350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) (overboost 370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft)) at 1,750–2,500 rpm		99	2013–15
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S	I4	1,956 cc	163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp) at 4,000 rpm	350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) (overboost 380 N⋅m (280 lb⋅ft)) at 1,750–2,500 rpm		114	2013–15
2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX S/S	I4	1,956 cc	170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 4,000 rpm	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm		114	2014–17
2.0 CDTI Bi-Turbo ecoFLEX S/S	I4	1,956 cc	195 PS (143 kW; 192 hp) at 4,000 rpm	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm		125	2013–15

Awards

Since its launch, the Opel Insignia has collected more than fifty accolades both nationally and internationally. These include titles such as 'Best Executive Car' in the UK and Slovenia, twice winning 'Best Family Car' in Ireland, and being recognized as the top fleet vehicle in the UK, Austria, Denmark, and Portugal.

Named the 2009 European Car of the Year.
Earned a five-star safety rating from EuroNCAP.
In 2011, the German testing organization DEKRA acknowledged the Insignia for having the lowest defect rate within its category.
The Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung mbH ranked it first in used car quality in 2012.

Production and sales

Manufacturing commenced at the end of 2008 across key European markets. Early Vauxhall versions featured trims such as Exclusiv, S, SE, SRi, Elite, and VXR. The Insignia rapidly gained traction in the UK market, becoming the ninth highest-selling car in 2009—surpassing competitor Ford Mondeo but trailing behind the premium BMW 3 Series.

Trim offerings differed by region and expanded over time to include Business Edition, Selection, Active, 150 Years of Opel, and Innovation models.

By August 2011, global sales had exceeded 400,000 units; production reached a milestone of 500,000 Insignias on 26 April 2012. Manufacturing ceased in April 2017 to allow for the introduction of the second-generation Insignia.

Second generation (Z18; 2017)

Leaked images surfaced in December 2016 before the second-generation Insignia was officially unveiled at the International Motor Fair in Belgrade in March 2017, with a formal launch on 26 June. Its design was inspired by the 2013 Opel Monza Concept, and notably, the traditional four-door notchback sedan was removed from the lineup.

Constructed on an enhanced GM Epsilon II platform, this iteration was entirely developed by General Motors. After Opel's acquisition by PSA Group (later Stellantis), production continued under licensing agreements.

The OPC performance branding was replaced by the GSi badge, which also serves as the successor to Vauxhall’s VXR line. Internationally, this generation is marketed as the Holden Commodore ZB in Australia and New Zealand and as the sixth-generation Buick Regal across North America and China.

A facelift introduced in 2020 simplified the European range to a single 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine while introducing new 1.5-liter three-cylinder and updated 2.0-liter diesel engines that replaced previous variants.

In 2022, Vauxhall discontinued the Insignia due to a strategic shift towards electric vehicles and declining demand for D-segment sedans across Europe—a trend impacting rivals like Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat saloons as well.

Opel also ended Insignia production that year. Although PSA initially planned to reintroduce the Insignia nameplate as a crossover SUV for both Opel and Vauxhall in 2024, this plan was never executed.

Under Stellantis ownership, vehicles such as the Citroën C5 X and DS 9 now occupy the D/E segments within Europe.

Engines

Petrol engines
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note(s)	CO₂ (g/km)	Year(s)
1.5 SIDI Turbo S/S	I4	1,490 cc	140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 5,600 rpm	250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) at 2,000-4,500 rpm		133	2017–
1.5 SIDI Turbo S/S	I4	1,490 cc	165 PS (121 kW; 163 hp) at 5,600 rpm	250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) at 2,000–4,500 rpm		136	2017–
2.0 SIDI Turbo S/S	I4	1,998 cc	260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) at 5,300 rpm	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 2,500–4,000 rpm	Holden Commodores limited to 350Nm to preserve V6 flagship status	197	2017–
3.6 SIDI LGX	V6	3,564 cc	320 PS (235 kW; 316 hp) at 6,800 rpm	381 N⋅m (281 lb⋅ft) at 5,200 rpm	Exclusive to Holden Commodore and Buick Regal GS	215	2018–
Diesel engines
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note(s)	CO₂ (g/km)	Year(s)
1.5 CDTI S/S	I3	1,496 cc	122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) at 3,500 rpm	300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 1,750-2,000 rpm		105	2020–
1.6 CDTI S/S	I4	1,598 cc	110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) at 3,500 rpm	300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 1,750-2,000 rpm		105	2017–
1.6 CDTI S/S	I4	1,598 cc	136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) at 3,500-4,000 rpm	320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,000-2,250 rpm		114	2017–
2.0 CDTI S/S	I4	1,956 cc	170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 3,750 rpm	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm		136	2017–
	2.0 CDTI BiTurbo S/S 4x4	I4	1,956 cc	210 PS (154 kW; 207 hp) at 4,000 rpm	480 N⋅m (354 lb⋅ft) at 1,750–2,500 rpm		190	2017–

Holden Commodore (ZB)

In 2017, Holden declared the cessation of Commodore manufacturing in Australia, confirming that the model would persist as a fully imported vehicle. This move was influenced by consumer demand to maintain the storied Australian nameplate established in 1978.

Unveiled on 6 December 2016, the ZB Commodore was essentially a redesigned Opel Insignia B. It offered four- and six-cylinder engine options paired with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, marking a departure from the prior generation’s traditional V8 engines and rear-wheel drive layout.

The decision to retain the Commodore name sparked debate, as the ZB was smaller in size, lacked a V8 option, and adopted front-wheel drive. While this strategy helped sustain brand loyalty and sales volumes, some critics felt it missed a chance to reposition the model within the semi-premium segment.

By April 2018, the ZB Commodore recorded Australia's lowest resale value relative to its original purchase price.

Following sluggish sales and a strategic pivot toward other vehicle categories, Holden announced on 10 December 2019 that production of the ZB Commodore would end early in 2020, preceding General Motors’ eventual retirement of the Holden brand.

Buick Regal

In July 2023, Buick introduced a facelifted version of the Regal exclusively for the Chinese market, which included an updated triple shield emblem among other enhancements.

Motorsport

Thorney Motorsport introduced a Vauxhall Insignia VXR during the final round of the 2011 British Touring Car Championship as preparation for entering two cars in the 2012 season.

One vehicle participated in four rounds, with John Thorne behind the wheel for rounds one and two, and Tony Gilham driving in rounds six and nine. Subsequently, Tony Gilham’s Team HARD acquired both Insignias from Thorney Motorsport and entered one car in the last round of 2012.

In 2013, James Cole and Jack Goff campaigned both cars under RCIB Insurance Racing. The team sold these vehicles to BMR for the 2014 season, where Goff and Warren Scott were drivers. However, due to limited performance competitiveness, the Insignias were replaced mid-season by Volkswagen CC models.

Other rebranding

In Chile, the Insignia was initially launched in 2008 under the Chevrolet Vectra nameplate; by 2013, it transitioned to using the Opel Insignia badge after Chevrolet branding was dropped.

The model arrived in Australia as the Opel Insignia in August 2012. However, GM withdrew Opel from this market in 2013 because of poor sales performance, discontinuing the model. The Insignia reappeared in 2015 under Holden branding across Australia and New Zealand, positioned below the Commodore within the lineup.

2003 Insignia concept

The Opel Insignia name was first introduced on a concept car presented at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, previewing a potential full-size luxury vehicle (F-segment) for Opel during the mid-2000s.

Built on GM’s rear-wheel drive V platform—shared with the VY Holden Commodore and Statesman—the concept featured a fastback five-door liftback design. It housed a 344 hp LS1 V8 engine sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette C5 paired with a new seven-speed automatic transmission.

Innovative features included a configurable rear seat capable of switching between five-passenger seating and a 2+2 layout with a rear center console; LED headlamps containing 405 individual LEDs; and a customizable dashboard and center console equipped with air-conditioned storage compartments and a humidor. The rear sliding doors utilized pantographic hinges that eliminated external guide rails.

Primarily intended to showcase Opel’s design direction for that era, production was never planned. In early 2005, Opel confirmed that weight and cost factors prevented manufacturing. Nonetheless, design cues influenced subsequent GM vehicles such as the 2015 Buick Avenir concept (fastback/4-door coupe), the rear fascia of the 2008–2017 Opel Insignia/Buick Regal, roofline styling of the 2010–2016 Buick LaCrosse, and the liftback configuration adopted by later Insignia/Regal/Commodore models starting from 2018.

External links