The new old friend?
The new 2011 Opel Insignia sedan is basically the new era’s Opel Rekord that has set standards of quality and reliability in European automotive industry over 30 years ago.
Smart and aggressive
The new Insignia’s exterior looks contemporary and quite aggressive, interior is also distinctive, with strange angles and blade-like handles. The interior quality is rather high, though this feeling fades while driving at high speeds. At the same time, general impression from the new Opel Insignia 2011 is “smart outlook with questionable functionality”. Drivers complain of poor visibility, difficulty with reading gas and speed gauges, and rather small windows. Though trunk is big, five people will never feel comfortably inside Insignia, and will suffer from insufficient head-space. 
Performance
General impression from the new Opel Insignia is quite favorable. The new Insignia sports 2.0 l, 160 hp diesel engine with either transmission. Speeding the vehicle from 0 to 100 in just under 9 seconds, the diesel demonstrates 350 Nm torque and modest fuel consumption of 28 mpg.
The new Insignia 2011 is loaded with plenty of attractive features, such as optical road-signs recognition system and a lane-departure warning. Those who look for stylish design, affordable price for German quality and low fuel/maintenance cost will like the new Opel Insignia. However if you need a family car, Insignia is not your vehicle of choice.
German car manufacturer presented renovated SUV Opel Antara 2011, featuring new body design and interior. In addition, Opel Antara has got differently set chassis and new powerful environment friendly engines. The 2011 model is available in both manual gear and the six-speed automatic transmission.
Performance of diesel models
Generally speaking, the new Opel Antara 2011 reviews are quite well-disposed. Owners of the new Antara will like its renovated diesel 2.2 l CDTI 120 kW/163 hp engine with max torque of 350 Nm. It accelerates front-wheel drive Antara 2011 from 0 to 100 in 9.9 seconds. Maximum speed is 189 km/h; fuel consumption is only 6.3 l per 100 km.
More powerful 135 kW/184 hp diesel engine that comes as a standard for the 4WD versions, accelerates the vehicle from 0 to 100 in just 9.6 seconds, ensuring the speed ceiling of 200 km/h. This advanced diesel engine demonstrates reduced fuel consumption of just 6.6 l per 100 km and low CO2 emission level.
The only gasoline model
Both full- and front-wheel drive manual gear Opel Antaras are also available with the 2.4 l ECOTEC gasoline power plant. It has 123 kW/167 hp with max torque of 230 Nm that races the vehicle up from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds, topping 190 km/h. Gasoline consumption is promised to be around 8.8 l/100km.
To conclude with, Antara is a balanced SUV with impressive power, reasonable fuel consumption and fresh design.
Adam Opel AG
History of Opel AG goes back to 1862. Adam Opel initially produced sewing machines and high-wheel bicycles in Rüsselsheim, Germany. In 1899 one of Adam Opel’s sons built his first automobile, and in 1901 signed an agreement with French Automobiles Darracq S.A. to produce 2-cylinder engine powered vehicles made of Opel bodies on Darrack chassis. The first design was shown at the 1902 Motor Show in Hamburg. In 1911 Opel started production of cheap and reliable Opel 4/8 hp model. Despite fire that destroyed Opel’s plant in 1911, by 1914 Adam Opel’s company became the largest German car manufacturer, and shortly after introduced mass production line.
Merge with General Motors
In 1931 American General Motors purchased Adam Opel AG, having paid over $33 mln. In 1935 Opel produced over 100,000 cars and trucks. Company was very successful, but the car production was stopped in 1940 by the Nazi government order. Instead Opel produced trucks, tanks and aircraft parts. During the WWII one of Opel’s plants was destroyed, another disassembled and transported to the USSR.
Post-war struggle
History of Opel AG after 1945 wasn’t easy. As a result of the war, Opel lost its leadership in German automotive market. Only in 1953 Opel was able to sell 100,000 cars – the first time since WWII. In 2010 Opel AG produced over 1,000,000 vehicles with over 6% of European market.
We will start to review popular cars with german brand Opel.
Soon you will see:
- the brand’s history Opel,
- reviews Opel Antara and Opel Insignia
The new old friend?
