It seems that Opel could use some better marketing these days and so does their new Insignia. Prepared to race, the new Opel Insignia OPC (or Vauxhall Insignia VXR) features a bespoke chassis, a 2.8 liter V6 single, twin-scroll turbocharged ECOTEC engine and some stylish 19- or 20-inch wheels. Capable of putting out a good 325 hp. the little beast sprints 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and a max speed of 155mph, the new Insignia OPC definitely made room for itself into our hearts. We’ll get to see it in detail from May 8th at the Barcelona Motor Show, so stay tuned.

For those who are waiting for their first clear look of the Opel Insignia OPC, here are surely the best possible pics of the vehicle captured since date. This one in blue was taking a testing stroll on the famous Nürburgring and it is being said that the lap around the circuit was done in just eight minutes. The car is being rumored to have an engine with 300+ horsepower, a pretty big step up from 2.8-liter V6 turbo Opel Vectra with 255 hp. With Brembo brakes to handle the extra pace on offer, the unveiling of the Insignia OPC is expected soon enough. When that does happen, we will see it without those black tapes, in its entire beauty. [via WCF]

Opel Insignia is a pretty popular choice among those who fancy their hand at creating custom tuning kits for cars and Steinmetz has unveiled its own version with a provisional tuning package. The tuning kit offered by Steinmetz comes with a ride lowering suspension system, black and white 20-inch alloy wheels and changes to the front grille and front spoiler. Even the rear silencer tailpipe and floor mats have been altered, despite which the Insignia still largely retains its original look. Dubbed as the new European Car of the Year, Insignia would surely attract many more automakers who will offer custom add-ons and this one from Steinmetz looks subtle and simple.

The new Opel Insignia is going to be presented on November 22, 2008, and we already have contestants to make it look prettier. Irmscher, the company’s long time tuner (they’ve been working together for the last 40 years) has already came up with a styling package specially designed for Insignia and should be available through Opel dealerships. What you’ll get with their styling package is a a honeycomb grille that sports a stainless steel upper bar molding, a front lower spoiler, side skirts, a deck lid spoiler and rear diffuser fitted to the standard bumper fascia. Other than that it includes 20-inch Irmscher wheels and a quad exhaust that will most likely give it the sporty looks. I wouldn’t need this to like the new Opel Insignia, but it’s welcome! – via WCF

Minutes after seeing the new Seat Ibiza ecoMotive, I got my eyes on Opel Insignia ecoFLEX. For a long time I’ve been smiling at that beautiful Opel Insignia, and now that they made it more eco-friendly that really … turns me on. Why? Because it delivers both performance in the most fuel efficient way possible. The engine is a 2.0 CDTI ECOTEC that sports 160hp (350Nm of torque @ 1,750 rpm), that emits less than 140 g/km of CO2 gases.

“By making a multitude of detailed improvements to the powertrain and to the road and wind resistance factors of the ecoFLEX model, our engineers are able to minimize consumption without affecting driving fun,” said Hans Demant, Managing Director of Adam Opel GmbH.

I’d get one in green … really green.

Regular readers will probably remember when we told you that Opel Insignia is getting official or the Opel insignia pictures. We even got a few messages that you really like it, so when I first saw the Hatchback version I knew this is definitely a must, to show you.Because I can’t see any sign of camouflage, it could mean that this model will hit the market at the same time with the sedan. Rumors say that an estate variant version is in the works and GM will release it next year.

There aren’t any big design changes except that the Opel Insignia Hatchback has an bigger rear window. Just like the sedan it will be equipped with seven engines to choose from, front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive systems.

I can’t wait to see it on the streets. Do you?

via WCF

I wasn’t much of a fan of the 2009 Opel Insignia when I first saw the camouflaged pictures, but I know I like it when I’m looking at these (still unofficial). Rumors say it’s going to be on the floor at the British International Motor Show, this summer.

Opel Insignia is the successor of Opel Vectra and it’s going to play against other D segment vehicles including the new Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6, Renault Laguna and the VW Passat. Though we don’t have any official data on motorization, speculations include a 1.6L and a 2.0L turbo, a 2.8L V6 that outputs 250 hp, a 1.9 diesel and a turbo, and a 2.9L V6 diesel that outputs near the 300 hp mark.

I’m waiting for prices and official info to make up my mind, because the design is sweet. What do you think?

Autoweek.nl via WorldCarFans UK

Some car manufacturers are having a really hard time covering their new models from our eyes or those spyshot photographers. Opel however, has been very clever and came out with a set of “official spyshots” of the 2009 Insignia covered with artful camouflage. The real car is supposed to be unveiled in July at the London Motor Show.

The new 2009 Open Insignia use moiré patterns to confuse the camera but still the silhouette is visible and pretty clear. I like it but I’m can’t see all the details I would’ve been interested in. Meanwhile, see the press release below:

CAMOUFLAGE AND DISGUISE: FIGHT AGAINST PROTOTYPE PAPARAZZI

Fishies, Flimmies and the art of misdirection

Bedfordshire, UK. Camouflage and disguise are crucial when new model prototypes first leave the well-protected confines of the design studio or workshop and head out onto the test track or open road. Although a great deal of today’s vehicle proving can be conducted in advance by computer simulation or on the test bench, there inevitably comes the day when all test results have to be validated, and the car must be released into its natural habitat – the road.

Now it’s the turn of Insignia – Vauxhall’s new mid-size car that debuts at the British Motor Show on July 22nd – to take to the public roads. With a highly attractive, completely new body line and sculptural design, Insignia is set to cause a sensation in its class – but surprises only work if they are not revealed beforehand.

The team responsible for camouflaging prototypes began making their preparations for the test phase when the new car first progressed beyond computer simulations and clay models. Together with chief designers and engineers, the team established which of the car’s characteristic lines should be kept hidden the longest from prototype paparazzi.

Together, they developed a “facelift” for the upcoming model that would disguise the prototypes as much as possible. One of the variants had an especially elegant, flowing rear section, for instance, so a pronounced spoiler was designed to mask it. A wooden model was built as a cast to form the plastic camouflage parts needed for around 200 test cars that have to be disguised in the run-up to series production.

Covers for other characteristic body components were also designed and produced using the same process. As always, the first prototypes were brought to a workshop in a particularly well protected area to be disguised as the initial test cars.

First “facelift” should make Insignia as ugly as possible

For this part of the camouflage operation, experts use special adhesive and foil, which ensures a smooth surface and remains flexible and tear-proof at temperatures ranging from minus 40 to plus 70 degrees Celsius. In other areas, the foil is shimmed with foam to change the car’s contours. This adhesive material is also used to camouflage characteristic window lines.

Small, highly contrasting covers are fitted to obscure other prototype body surfaces. For years, the practice at Vauxhall/Opel was to use a black and white chessboard pattern, but this has now been replaced by “Fishies”, rounded, fish-shaped diamonds designed to confuse camera lenses and spying eyes. This disguising job will soon be done even better by Flimmies, a new type of camouflage whose pattern creates a flickering effect.

If it has Vauxhall logo, it’s definitely not a Vauxhall

Fixing false brand and identification marks to prototypes is a popular trick in the camouflage business. So a test car with a Vauxhall-like logo is most probably not a Vauxhall.

Headlamps and rear lights are especially difficult to disguise as vehicle licensing authorities stipulate that a car’s – even a prototype’s – cone of light, brake lights and all other exterior functions must meet legal regulations. Unfortunately, headlamps and rear lights are a popular means for designers to make the cars’ brand easily recognisable, and therefore must be well disguised. To do this, camouflage experts fit simple, round lights from an accessories shop to the rear of the car, and make special components for the headlamps.

Another challenge for camouflage experts is that disguising elements also need to be removable. For certain tests, such as acoustics or aerodynamics, any body styling parts are a hindrance, regardless of security. That’s why some automakers favour large wraparound covers that can be attached to the car’s body with Velcro and lashing belts. Vauxhall opted for a different approach, as such large covers can come loose at high speeds, damaging the camouflage and endangering other road users.

Biggest obstacle in a perfect camouflage operation? People

The biggest potential compromise to camouflage operations is always going to be the technicians associated with the test car, which is why Vauxhall has a strict set of rules concerning prototypes. Rule 531 states that no camouflaged test car may stop in a public place, for instance, while the driver has a quick snack. A tarpaulin must also always be on board, as even Vauxhall prototypes sometimes break down during their test phase and must then be quickly covered over.

To protect plant secrets, prototypes are always accompanied by a second car on public roads, so help is always at hand if needed. Over long distances prototypes have to be transported in closed trucks, such as for test driving in Finland. In the past, resourceful photographers would all too often quickly lift up the truck’s tarpaulin and snap some shots while the driver was taking a well-deserved break.

But why such an effort? In short, the automobile industry lives and breathes new cars, and this is of great interest to two particular groups: competitors and the media. While competitors want to react to new products as quickly as possible with their own innovations, for the media, the news of any new innovations is a valuable means of attracting readers or viewers.

One of the most important characteristics of a new car is its exterior design. It is the customer’s first impression of the car, it defines a brand’s appearance for the public, and often lets judgments be made about what possible technological innovations are concealed beneath the bodywork. That’s why shielding new body styling from prying eyes has become an art form within the auto industry over past decades.

Prototype paparazzi: The nemesis of camouflage experts

The principal opponent of camouflage experts are specialist photographers called prototype hunters, or simply photo spies. The prototype paparazzi have a very go
od idea where the automobile industry’s preferred test circuits are located around the world.

These photographers face increasing competition from amateurs who happen to capture an unknown car on their camera phones. Or then again maybe not, as some pictures that land on editors’ desks are of series-production models that are only unusual because they are not for sale in the photographer’s country, and therefore seem exotic or mysterious.

Professional photographs, on the other hand, can command five-figure sums, depending on brand, timing and image quality, and are the main income of a small, but highly specialized group known as ‘Photoshoppers’. In the past, trained designers artistically adapted photos of camouflage cars with crayons and India ink to form often very accurate images of the latest innovations. Nowadays, it is Photoshop touch-up artists who try to create realistic images of these new models. To help them, they have prototype photographs and design concept cars, which automakers use to test public reaction at motor shows, and also to stir up anticipation of future series-production vehicles.