“We worked extremely hard to get the sculpture in this car, and it is on all surfaces combined with these beautiful crisp lines of German precision,” says Mark Adams, Vice President of the design of GM Europe, in a room full of automotive journalists and analysts. Certainly not one that exists in the real world, being associated with the sentence above with the Opel Vectra. But is this really a new world for Opel, Adams said: “Let’s be very clear, the idea of a development stage - forget it. We are not going to do baby steps”.

So welcome and Opel Insignia, the first vehicle built on a new mid-size architecture which spawn future IT and TA models of Cadillac and Saab, but “be more focused around the brand,” said Adams. It is also the last challenger in a segment that was written off not so long ago, but which apparently is now back. And if it’s old rival Ford has partially reopened this segment with its well-received Mondeo - and the participation Citroen C5 - GM has clearly been put in the hours to design center in order not to be outdone. Adams is clear on what this means for Opel car: “When you see this car, it is a whole new level of sophistication of the brand.”

In practice, this means a whole new grille arrangement where the badge takes center stage compared to the previous “V” design in which Adams calls the “centerpiece on the chimney.” Pin itself is too new, reflecting the heritage and tradition of the brand with a modern interpretation of the original “blitz” emblem that dates back to 1954, when Opel built bicycles. Vauxhall badge has been redrafted as follows: bold forms, greater clarity, the name “Vauxhall” stamped around the top edge with pride.

The projectors were changed to a “tube-style” to a much more technical, precise execution and a strong flank central section that keeps the spine Opel running the hood and bumper. This line is also included on the rear hatch or trunk, depending on the course on the body. Other elements that are familiar on the new insignia are on the side of repeaters and door handles - both components of the postponement of the Opel Astra .

Overall, the insignia is a good, elegant design, but with wheelarches that are almost sucked out of the body and the distinctive character ‘lame’ body-side, as the concept of the CGT. Adams see the structure of the insignia is composed of muscles, reflux and flow as they contract and return to the hard core points of the body. “You see this muscle on the rear wheel,” he says alive as he spoke Car Design News around the car, “they are not the shoulders passing by the car in a coherent way, they literally grow in and off - they are like muscles. ”

Above all, he is the badge of “cut-esque” dosage who heads spinning. Although it is larger than the Vectra, it appears to be lower and sleeker. The tragedy in the aggressive tapering of the roof is striking from the first moment the car is considered. Cela, of course, is the intention, but it is clear that designers had to fight hard to get the mix of muscularity and sleekness how they wanted: “Malcolm [Ward — Outside Chief Designer for mid-size cars GM Europe] and the guys made a huge amount of work aerodynamics. This vehicle is the best in the segment - in fact one of the best around point - Aero. It is under 0.27 [cd]. It seems black, and she is black. Malcolm and I had many discussions with our colleagues in engineering “Adams said with a wry smile that gives an overview of the difficult conversations that took place.” We massage every millimeter of this car, but at the same time wanted to get this sleek look. ”

Like the insignia of the external use of strong symmetrical, harmonious dynamic forms of communication, the interior has the same philosophy of “artistic sculpural” mixed with German precision. Adams is frank about the recent past efforts with the Vectra - “roughly until Golf quality, but cold and sterile in many ways” - and has concentrated its efforts on adding heat to the forms and textures. As such, the Interior east gives the impression of being wrapped while providing more space.

The same exterior design indices are expressed in the car, with an envelope delivered theme which is the sport badge and feel a lot more than its premium abstain. This new signature “wing” theme arising from the face of the investigation period and plunges into the door panels down in a dynamic curve is the culmination of the new cabin, while the blade effect is present on the gate attraction, center stack, if and gearshift on the steering wheel. This reinforces the image of perceived quality. The “cascade” effect of the center stack - mounted on an angle of 30 degrees - flows into the central console, blending aesthetics and functionality.

“The general philosophy of the appearance was to take the dynamics of sports outside and carry them inside” John Pushkar, director of interior design for GM Europe, said ADC. “Treat elements of this past high of intellectual property and in the door, wrapping around, we gave this movement. The two elements means that sportsmanship is when the center stack and center console come together and create an element floating, capturing light and shadow beneath the surface. ”

In addition to enhancing the image quality is the two-tone contrast of the upper and lower parts of the investigation period, an area which is not always detailed. Divided by wood, chrome or black piano black (depending on trim level), the design team successfully completed a premium feel. Three distinct interior themes will feature in the new car model for differentiation, with the color and trim offerings are unique to a particular model. But the interior also features a new dynamic of colors displayed by the investigation period, with a warm orangish-red light enhance the general atmosphere during night driving. In the sport model, the instrument cluster is illuminated white under normal driving, but push the “sport” button that turns red lights to meet the surrounding lighting, improving the overall experience .

Although we do see pre-production models insignia while Rüsselsheim - we have to wait until the Motor Show in London to see the latest production - it is clear that, technically, dynamic and stylistic, gray days of the Vectra are certainly a thing of the past.