MacGuffin
Forum Addict
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2008
- Messages
- 8,329
- Location
- Wilhelmshaven, Germany
- Car(s)
- '17 Ford Mustang GT Fastback
I have been curious about the Opel Insignia ever since it came out. Because it's supposed to be the car that saves Opel from bankruptcy. And on a worldwide scale it currently represents General Motors' sharpest weapon, the most competitive and most important platform. In essense the future of Opel was always connected with the success of the Insignia. It is the showcase for the current state of the art at GM for family saloons, where competition is fierce and where they have to face excellent cars from the Japanese, Korean and European carmakers all over the globe.
The Insignia carries such a heavy load of hopes and expectations, that in my opinion it is hardly possible for the Insignia to live up to them. Nevertheless the first reviews (in the middle of Opel's struggle for survival) were cheerful. But ever since the enthusiasm for the Insignia in the press has cooled down a bit. Was it arificially hyped? Also the sales numbers never really lived up to the expectations. Why?
My theory always was, that the Insignia might be a good car but that it didn't really appeal to the classic Opel clientele. The most important question therefore always was: Is this clearly identifiable as an Opel? Or is it a car, that can easily be mixed up with any Japanese or Korean brand out there?
You see, carmakers like VW, Mercedes, Audi, Ford Europe, BMW and all the French and Italian brands have something, that makes them identifiable. They have certain characteristics, that are typical for the brand, which makes it easy for the car enthusiast to tell them apart. That is something, that -- except for a few niche products -- the Asian carmakers until this day haven't been able to accomplish. They turned arbitrariness into a business model. However, a European carmaker like Opel cannot afford that. The Insignia mustn't be arbitrary.
I used to be an Opel person. My first two cars (from 1985 to 1992) were Opels - a 1979 Ascona B and a 1981 Rekord E. Those were the times, when driving a VW or an Opel was a matter of ideology, a statement.
VW drivers and Opel drivers were rivals, almost enemies. VW mechanics made fun of Opel and Opel mechanics made fun of VW. The rivalry between Golf GTI and Manta GT/E is legendary and has produced a whole sub-culture and two movies. Opels were blue collar cars, VW's were cars for suits. Opel was never supposed to be what is today called a "premium brand".
It was generally acknowledged, that Opel made the technologically inferior but more reliable cars, while VW offered the more modern but less tough products. Old school vs. new school. Old engine technology vs. new engine technology. And last but not least: Rear wheel drive vs. front wheel drive.
My Opels were rear wheel drives. All good Opels have always been RWD ones. Up until the Opel Omega/Vauxhall Carlton was buried without a replacement. When Opel switched to front wheel drive, the long and painful downfall began.
So the most important question is: Is the Insignia a true Opel?
Because if it isn't, the traditional Opel customers will not understand, why they should buy the Insignia and not turn to GM's cheaper in-house competion from Chevrolet (a.k.a. rebadged Daewoos). Or at Kia or Hyundai. Because that is where many former Opel drivers went.
An Opel has to be practical, reliable, uncomplicated, safe and equipped with an uncritical road behaviour.
So, to find out about that and after some time and many passes on getting one, curiosity finally won me over. So I got this for the weekend:
It's the 5-door version with a hatch and it's got the 2-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine with 160 HP. Gearbox is a 6-speed manual. Entry price: Around 32.000 Euros.
And this weekend I fill find out, if it is a true Opel an old Opel fan can warm up to or not.
Stay tuned. More to come.
The Insignia carries such a heavy load of hopes and expectations, that in my opinion it is hardly possible for the Insignia to live up to them. Nevertheless the first reviews (in the middle of Opel's struggle for survival) were cheerful. But ever since the enthusiasm for the Insignia in the press has cooled down a bit. Was it arificially hyped? Also the sales numbers never really lived up to the expectations. Why?
My theory always was, that the Insignia might be a good car but that it didn't really appeal to the classic Opel clientele. The most important question therefore always was: Is this clearly identifiable as an Opel? Or is it a car, that can easily be mixed up with any Japanese or Korean brand out there?
You see, carmakers like VW, Mercedes, Audi, Ford Europe, BMW and all the French and Italian brands have something, that makes them identifiable. They have certain characteristics, that are typical for the brand, which makes it easy for the car enthusiast to tell them apart. That is something, that -- except for a few niche products -- the Asian carmakers until this day haven't been able to accomplish. They turned arbitrariness into a business model. However, a European carmaker like Opel cannot afford that. The Insignia mustn't be arbitrary.
I used to be an Opel person. My first two cars (from 1985 to 1992) were Opels - a 1979 Ascona B and a 1981 Rekord E. Those were the times, when driving a VW or an Opel was a matter of ideology, a statement.
VW drivers and Opel drivers were rivals, almost enemies. VW mechanics made fun of Opel and Opel mechanics made fun of VW. The rivalry between Golf GTI and Manta GT/E is legendary and has produced a whole sub-culture and two movies. Opels were blue collar cars, VW's were cars for suits. Opel was never supposed to be what is today called a "premium brand".
It was generally acknowledged, that Opel made the technologically inferior but more reliable cars, while VW offered the more modern but less tough products. Old school vs. new school. Old engine technology vs. new engine technology. And last but not least: Rear wheel drive vs. front wheel drive.
My Opels were rear wheel drives. All good Opels have always been RWD ones. Up until the Opel Omega/Vauxhall Carlton was buried without a replacement. When Opel switched to front wheel drive, the long and painful downfall began.
So the most important question is: Is the Insignia a true Opel?
Because if it isn't, the traditional Opel customers will not understand, why they should buy the Insignia and not turn to GM's cheaper in-house competion from Chevrolet (a.k.a. rebadged Daewoos). Or at Kia or Hyundai. Because that is where many former Opel drivers went.
An Opel has to be practical, reliable, uncomplicated, safe and equipped with an uncritical road behaviour.
So, to find out about that and after some time and many passes on getting one, curiosity finally won me over. So I got this for the weekend:
It's the 5-door version with a hatch and it's got the 2-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine with 160 HP. Gearbox is a 6-speed manual. Entry price: Around 32.000 Euros.
And this weekend I fill find out, if it is a true Opel an old Opel fan can warm up to or not.
Stay tuned. More to come.
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