...and here is the OPC grille installed on a friend's car! Now you have the complete picture ;-)
Showing posts with label Opel Insignia OPC (VXR). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opel Insignia OPC (VXR). Show all posts
OPC radiator grille in real life
Back in October, I did a research on the radiator grille alternatives for Opel Insignia (earlier post). The OPC grille arrived and I went today at my dealer in order to check it out. I had some doubts about the aesthetic result, due to the honeycomb mesh design and the matte finish of the upper insert.
I also asked about the price of the rear chrome fillet, as the matte one would look better if the OPC grille is fitted. It costs around €300!!!
To be honest, considering that the front bumper will have to be removed in order to replace the grille, I don't think I will be bothered with the it....
Press Release: Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer races ahead with another award
Essen. The Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer took the “Best Sport Car of the Year” award Friday in the station wagon category at a ceremony sponsored by Auto Bild SportsCars, the sister publication of the German car magazine Auto Bild.
Some 51,000 readers and the editors of Auto Bild voted for their favorites from a palette of more than 300 vehicles. The Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer dominated the station wagon category, the German publishing house said. Second place was the Audi S4 Avant. The Mercedes C63 AMG T-model took third place. The winners were announced during the traditional Race Night on the sidelines of the Essen Motor Show.
“What a great honor, what a great car,” says Hans Demant, Managing Director Adam Opel GmbH. “This is a car that cut its teeth on the Nürburgring. It was designed and built to be a premium car that is exciting to drive.”
With 239 kW/325 horsepower and 435 Nm torque, the 2.8 liter V6 Turbo engine on the new Insignia OPC is the most powerful motor installed in an Opel production car ever. It features high-tech elements like a lower, reworked mechatronic chassis with FlexRide, an Adaptive 4x4 transmission with an electronic rear limited slip differential (eLSD) and purpose-built Brembo brakes – all complemented by spacious station wagon functionality with 1530 liters of load capacity.
Some 51,000 readers and the editors of Auto Bild voted for their favorites from a palette of more than 300 vehicles. The Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer dominated the station wagon category, the German publishing house said. Second place was the Audi S4 Avant. The Mercedes C63 AMG T-model took third place. The winners were announced during the traditional Race Night on the sidelines of the Essen Motor Show.
“What a great honor, what a great car,” says Hans Demant, Managing Director Adam Opel GmbH. “This is a car that cut its teeth on the Nürburgring. It was designed and built to be a premium car that is exciting to drive.”
With 239 kW/325 horsepower and 435 Nm torque, the 2.8 liter V6 Turbo engine on the new Insignia OPC is the most powerful motor installed in an Opel production car ever. It features high-tech elements like a lower, reworked mechatronic chassis with FlexRide, an Adaptive 4x4 transmission with an electronic rear limited slip differential (eLSD) and purpose-built Brembo brakes – all complemented by spacious station wagon functionality with 1530 liters of load capacity.
Source: GM Media
Radiator grille alternatives for Opel Insignia!!!
Updated on 23 Oct
Modified OEM grille
Modified OEM grille
Modified OEM grille (the upper part has been painted in white and the rest chrome parts have been painted in black)
Modified OEM grille
Modified OEM grilleOpel Insignia is a nice car (ok, at least IMO), but if you own one in Sport trim (which has no chrome on the door handles), you may find the radiator grille a bit too much with all those chrome bits. At the end of the day, it's supposed to be the Sport version...
I have seen the Irmscher and Steinmetz offerings, but in the first case I was put off by the installation instructions (a saw is required!!!) and the old Opel logo used, while the latter one is not to my liking.
Billykom (member of Insignia Club) supplied also some photos showing a few alternatives based on the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) grille, but again I didn't like the result, except the one where the two lower parts have been painted black. The big question though is the durability of the paint... One solution could be the complete removal of the lower parts, but in order to do that, the bumper has to be removed in order to open the clips from the inside.
Therefore, I started thinking the next option. Fitting the OPC grille! I phoned my local dealer and they are expecting one at the beginning of November. They will check out, on a demo car, if it is easy enough to install it and then, they will let me know.
Since the order was placed a couple of weeks ago, I started having some doubts about the aesthetic result, due to the honeycomb mesh design and the matte finish of the upper insert. Also, the lower grille is different and the OPC one doesn't fit in the "normal" Insignia.
A friend of mine had the opportunity to take some shots of an OPC next to a "normal" Insignia and my fears came true... take a look and judge by yourself.
I have already emailed Irmscher, in order to find out whether the new Opel logo can be fitted. I will keep you up to date on this matter.
Installation instructions for Irmscher Radiator grille insert (i4101050 / i4101055)
...and the Opel of my dreams is an Insignia Sports Tourer!
I really do like Insignia, especially the Sports Tourer. I was always very keen to fast estates (e.g. Audi RS2 & RS4, Volvo 850 T5 etc.) and a fast Insignia Sports Tourer is indeed my cup of tea.
Since I managed to find some free time, I visited the German Opel site and used the configuration tool. I thought not to get too excited and thus, I built my "ideal" Sports Tourer equipped with the 2.0L Turbo engine. Final price... €48.955! OK, so I ticked the OPC-Line pack, the OPC-Line Recaro seats and many more boxes, but I guess I went a bit too far. Not because the price is too high for a 2.0 litre car (I am not paying, just playing!), but due to the the fact that the price is not far from the base price of the OPC version.
Therefore, during the second attempt, I managed to do it right. An Insignia Sports Tourer OPC for just €54.135, fully loaded!!!
Το Insignia OPC στην πίστα των Σερρών!!!
To ΤRC OFF δοκίμασε το Insignia OPC στις Σέρρες και παρακάτω μπορείτε να διαβάσετε το σχετικό άρθρο:
"Η κορυφαία εκδοχή του Opel Insignia δε θα μπορούσε παρά να φέρει τα αρχικά OPC (Opel Performance Center), του τμήματος δηλαδή της μάρκας που αναλαμβάνει να δώσει στα καθημερινά μοντέλα Opel όλα εκείνα τα στοιχεία ώστε να χαρακτηρισθούν «σπορ». Τι είναι όμως το Insignia OPC; Ε, λοιπόν είναι πολλά περισσότερα από ένα απλό Insignia, καθώς εκτός από τον V6 κινητήρα 2,8 λίτρων Turbo με 325 ίππους, φέρει σύστημα τετρακίνησης (Haldex 4ης γενιάς με πίσω eLSD), πανίσχυρα φρένα της Brembo (355 mm εμπρός), ηλεκτρονικά ρυθμιζόμενη ανάρτηση (σύστημα FlexRide με επιλογές Normal, Sport και OPC), αλλά και διπλή εξάτμιση Remus για τον απαραίτητο ήχο. Αισθητικά, το Insignia OPC ξεχωρίζει από τους μυώδεις προφυλακτήρες, τις όμορφα ενσωματωμένες εξατμίσεις πίσω, τις 19άρες ζάντες (προαιρετικά 20άρες όπως στο αυτοκίνητο των φωτογραφιών), αλλά και από το σπορ εσωτερικό όπου εκτός από τις δερμάτινες επενδύσεις και τις μαύρες αποχρώσεις ξεχωρίζουν τα εκπληκτικά καθίσματα της Recaro.
Αρκετά όμως με τη θεωρία, μιας και πρόσφατα βρέθηκα στην πίστα των Σερρών για μια πρώτη επαφή με το «κακό» Insignia. Η «φροντίδα» των μηχανικών του OPC είναι ορατή από τον πρώτο κιόλας γύρο, καθώς το Insignia καταφέρνει και κινείται ιδιαίτερα σβέλτα, κρύβοντας καλά τόσο τον όγκο του όσο και το αυξημένο βάρος του (περίπου 1.900 κιλά με οδηγό και καύσιμα). Σε αυτό βέβαια φροντίζει και ο V6 κινητήρας, ο οποίος εκτός από τους 325 ίππους προσφέρει και εκπληκτική ροπή 435 Nm. Το σύστημα FlexRide που αναφέρω παραπάνω, σε OPC Mode εξασφαλίζει μειωμένες κλίσεις και βελτιωμένη αίσθηση τόσο στο σύστημα διεύθυνσης όσο και στην απόκριση του γκαζιού, ενώ τα φρένα πραγματικά δείχνουν ακούραστα κατά τους γύρους στην πίστα. Μακάρι το ίδιο ακούραστα να ήταν και τα κορυφαία Pirelli P Zero που φορούν όλα τα Insignia OPC, τα οποία μετά από αρκετούς γύρους παρέδωσαν το πνεύμα στο «λαστιχοφάγο» αυτοκινητοδρόμιο Σερρών.
Αρκετά όμως με τη θεωρία, μιας και πρόσφατα βρέθηκα στην πίστα των Σερρών για μια πρώτη επαφή με το «κακό» Insignia. Η «φροντίδα» των μηχανικών του OPC είναι ορατή από τον πρώτο κιόλας γύρο, καθώς το Insignia καταφέρνει και κινείται ιδιαίτερα σβέλτα, κρύβοντας καλά τόσο τον όγκο του όσο και το αυξημένο βάρος του (περίπου 1.900 κιλά με οδηγό και καύσιμα). Σε αυτό βέβαια φροντίζει και ο V6 κινητήρας, ο οποίος εκτός από τους 325 ίππους προσφέρει και εκπληκτική ροπή 435 Nm. Το σύστημα FlexRide που αναφέρω παραπάνω, σε OPC Mode εξασφαλίζει μειωμένες κλίσεις και βελτιωμένη αίσθηση τόσο στο σύστημα διεύθυνσης όσο και στην απόκριση του γκαζιού, ενώ τα φρένα πραγματικά δείχνουν ακούραστα κατά τους γύρους στην πίστα. Μακάρι το ίδιο ακούραστα να ήταν και τα κορυφαία Pirelli P Zero που φορούν όλα τα Insignia OPC, τα οποία μετά από αρκετούς γύρους παρέδωσαν το πνεύμα στο «λαστιχοφάγο» αυτοκινητοδρόμιο Σερρών.
Σε γενικές γραμμές, το Insignia OPC είναι ένα «ειδικό» αυτοκίνητο για «ειδικούς» πελάτες Opel. Με τιμή 45.990 ευρώ και πλήρη εξοπλισμό, απευθύνεται σε λάτρεις της μάρκας Opel αλλά και λάτρεις των επιδόσεων, οι οποίοι ζητούν ταυτόχρονα ένα άνετο (ναι είναι άνετο παρά το σπορ ύφος), ποιοτικό και ευρύχωρο όχημα γι αυτούς και την οικογένειά τους."
Πηγή: TRC OFF
Vauxhall Insignia VXR (2009) UK CAR review
Vauxhall Insignia VXR (or Opel Insignia OPC in the Continent) is an interesting car, but it appeals to the sort of buyer thinking of snapping up an Audi S4 or hot 3-series. Car magazine has published a very nice review. Enjoy!
Verdict
"The hottest Insignia is a very different VXR, but it’s a great effort and stands a much better chance of stealing sales from the premium German opposition than does the fun but ecologically disastrous VXR8. It’s handsome, keenly priced, rides like a limo and is deceptively rapid. But there’s something missing.
Even discounting the inferior fuel consumption and emissions figures – hard to do on a car so obviously geared to company drivers – you’re still left wanting a bit more sonic enjoyment and better steering. There’s no dual-clutch or auto option either. With a little tweaking though, the VXR could yet be a really great sports saloon."
Source: Car Magazine
Verdict
"The hottest Insignia is a very different VXR, but it’s a great effort and stands a much better chance of stealing sales from the premium German opposition than does the fun but ecologically disastrous VXR8. It’s handsome, keenly priced, rides like a limo and is deceptively rapid. But there’s something missing.
Even discounting the inferior fuel consumption and emissions figures – hard to do on a car so obviously geared to company drivers – you’re still left wanting a bit more sonic enjoyment and better steering. There’s no dual-clutch or auto option either. With a little tweaking though, the VXR could yet be a really great sports saloon."
Statistics
| How much? | £30,995 |
|---|---|
| On sale in the UK: | Now |
| Engine: | 2792cc 24v V6, 321bhp @ 5250rpm, 321lb ft @ 5250rpm |
| Transmission: | Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive |
| Performance: | 5.6sec 0-60mph, 155mph, 25mpg, 268g/km CO2 |
| How heavy / made of? | 1825kg/steel |
| How big (length/width/height in mm)? | 4830/1856/1498 |
Source: Car Magazine
