Prepare for some confusion. A few months ago Vauxhall released the first official pictures of the new Insignia’s exterior. However, there were no interior photos, although some inevitably leaked onto the internet. Not to be moved from its own schedule, Vauxhall has now released the first official pictures of the Insignia’s interior. So, here they are…
Right, tell me what I don’t know already about the Vauxhall Insignia’s interior
The highlights, according to Vauxhall, are chronometer-inspired instruments, high-quality materials, and unique instrument lighting.
What we see is a smart-looking, but button-festooned dash that sweeps into the doors. The unique lighting is a switchable system, with ordinary white backlighting that switches to red when you press the ‘Sport’ button. There’s also an electronic handbrake and MP3 connectivity.
‘Every detail was meticulously thought through,’ says Jochen Werner, Insignia’s assistant chief interior designer. ‘We even tipped the infotainment centre at a 30-degree angle to allow the centre console to flow and give the car’s cabin a greater feeling of spaciousness.’ It’s the most steeply raked angle you can have on a centre console without risking CDs not being able to eject, apparently.
CAR’s associate editor Tim Pollard has sat in the new Vauxhall Insignia and came away impressed. ‘It’s light years ahead of the old Vectra’s cabin,’ he says. ‘That sweeping arc of the dash wraps around the occupants and it looks fresh, modern.
‘However, the rear-seat packaging was distinctly unimpressive – they’ve gone for a swoopy, curvy roofline over maximum rear headroom. Fair enough, I’d say: the exterior looks stunning for a D-sector volume car. The interior is nice enough, but not as special as the outside.’
We’ll see the new Vauxhall in the metal at the London motor show next month, while the next Astra will also get an interior heavily influenced by the Insignia’s. Click here for the latest spy photos of the new Vauxhall Astra.