... new Opel Holden Insignia

[Smitty]

... well I have just driven past a new Opel Insignia
and
i have to say that the photos do it justice.

A most stange looking vehicle.. looks squashed from behind
and a very high ride height. Now I understand why there are
NO straight on frontal or rear pics of it on the Holden site

... just saying (and no, I won't be buying one... not at well over $55k drive away)

[VTClubSprtR8]

Mmm, but being 240kw 2.8 V6 and AWD it probably goes like a scolded cat. Though it is a shave under 1800 kg.

[Resetar]

That's Crazy Holden Website Price $58061 Drive away vs SSV Redline $58581 Which one would you buy ??

[BLACK 346]

http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-revi...24-ghwduh.html

[VNV8]

That is shit. 30+ kw down on power, a second slower to 100km/h, no lighter, not a great deal more economical, and damn near the same price, without (eventually) supporting any Aussie jobs. Good job, Holden.

[team illucid]

I don't mind it. Will be interesting to see if they can be tuned into something gruntier.

[white lie]

I don't mind it. Will be interesting to see if they can be tuned into something gruntier.

There's a few vids on YouTube of one with 600-650hp

[Smitty]

That is shit. 30+ kw down on power, a second slower to 100km/h, no lighter, not a great deal more economical, and damn near the same price, without (eventually) supporting any Aussie jobs. Good job, Holden.

... Holden don't even offer a towbar for it

[Ausmartin1]

... Holden don't even offer a towbar for it

LOL!
They are not in touch with the old Australian values - maybe if you did tow you would break it in the warranty period (Heaven forbid)

This is supposed to target the New Metro demographic, but in this market segment there are so many other options in brands and models it is not even funny.
It's going to be a struggle for them, plus Opels are more fragile and need more TLC in service.

I pity the guys in the parts departments sourcing Australian, American, Korean, Thailand and now European.
Holden warehouse better stock up as dealers aren't going to with this many models (They will be lucky to stock general service items for the lot).

[whitels1ss]

Meanwhile.......


Ford are bringing out the Focus RS with 257kW and 470Nm....

Focus RS.jpg

"The Ford Focus RS will again be the bully-boy of the hot-hatch genre, with huge outputs from its 2.3-litre turbo engine confirmed.
To match its lairy exterior, the all-wheel drive Focus RS will make a massive 440Nm between 2000rpm and 4500rpm, with 470Nm available for 15 seconds of full-throttle overboost. The accompanying 257kW will arrive just before the 6800rpm cut-out.



Ken Block will drive a prototype Ford Focus RS at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Which is fitting because it’s the first Focus RS to get multiple driver-selectable modes including launch control and, um, a Drift Mode that “allows controlled oversteer drifts”.
In addition there are also Normal, Sport and Track modes. Sport makes the throttle more responsive, the exhaust louder and the steering firmer. Track adds a more aggressive all-wheel drive tune with wider slip angles for the stability control and harder suspension damping (that can also be independently selected/deselected)."



I know which one I'd rather have...



http://www.motormag.com.au/news/1506...ower-revealed/

[Smitty]

Meanwhile.......

Ford are bringing out the Focus RS with 257kW and 470Nm....
..............
I know which one I'd rather have...

.. absolutely !

[whitels1ss]

I think Ford will go miles in front of Holden in sales with things like this & the Mustang compared with what Holden has on offer.

Sadly I think it's time for Holden to bring back their old marketing slogan....

"Game Over"

[Smitty]

I think Ford will go miles in front of Holden in sales with things like this & the Mustang compared with what Holden has on offer.

Sadly I think it's time for Holden to bring back their old marketing slogan....

"Game Over"

or... the current 'lets go there'

[Jag530G]

The major issue for Holden is that its line up is getting very long in the tooth. Take the Insignia as an example, it has been available in Europe since about 2009 and is soon to be replaced. Holden are releasing the Insignia, as well as the Astra towards the end of their model life more to get the nameplates back in the market place. This is a bit like when they released the TR Astra in Australia back in 97 near the end of its life in Europe. Just over a year later the new TS Astra came out and was very successful. The real action will be in the new models released in the next two years, so I wouldn't get too hung up about the luke warm reviews of the current Astra and Insignia.

The Cruze and Captiva are also very old now. There are already details/pictures of the next model Cruze on the web. Holden desparately need it as Cruze sales have really fallen away. Haven't heard anything about a Captiva replacement. This is probably the most important car in the range after the Commodore looking at current sales, so a competative update is needed yesterday.

Cheers, Matthew

[Ausmartin1]

or... the current 'lets go there'

I see what you did there ;-)