The New Opel Insignia ecoFLEX

•    Clean: 136g/km of CO2 emissions, band B Road Tax (€156 pa)
•    High Performance: 160hp and 350Nm of torque (increased to 380Nm with over-boost)
•    Starting at €29,995

Opel have adopted a no-compromise approach to cutting emissions with their new Insignia ecoFLEX models: instead of reducing engine power or model specification, they have used cutting-edge technology to slash the emissions of their high-output diesel engine to just 136g/km, equating to fuel consumption of just 5.2l/100km on the combined cycle.

This lower CO2 is achieved without any sacrifice of engine flexibility: retaining 160hp per-formance the Insignia ecoFLEX sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 221 km/h. Ensuring excellent pulling power even at low rpm, the maximum torque of 350Nm is available from 1750rpm, and can be temporarily increased for 15 sec-onds to 380Nm via an ‘overboost’ function.

“The Insignia ecoFLEX highlights Opel’s engineering expertise, proving that it is possible to combine economic driving with excellent performance in a great looking car,” says Hans Demant, Managing Director of Adam Opel GmbH.

Designers have further streamlined the ecoFLEX model by adding panelling under the tank and lowering the body 10mm for a CD value down to 0.26, making it one of the most aerodynamic saloons in the world. Other improvements include adding a flexible front spoiler lip and reducing upper cooling openings. Moreover, engineers have optimized gearing and the final drive ratio on this six-gear manual transmission and added specially-designed Michelin Primacy HP tires.

The innovative CleanTech combustion process for diesel engines ensures the lowest pos-sible emissions and improves interior acoustics by controlling combustion via an electronic closed-loop system, adapting fuel injection to combustion development in real time. This allows dynamic driving with extremely low fuel consumption. Maximum fuel efficiency is achieved when drivers follow shift recommendations which are displayed on an arrow graphic in the instrument panel. In practice, drivers reach the sixth gear at a low rpm and still have reserves for more acceleration – ideal for motorway driving.

Starting from only €29,995, the Insignia ecoFLEX models will be available to order this summer.