Article re Interior of Insignia dated 5th July
Vauxhall Motors has issued the first images of General Motors Europe's
forthcoming Insignia, the replacement for the Opel and Vauxhall Vectra ranges.
The new models will both be unveiled at the British International Motor Show in
London on 22 July.
Vauxhall draws attention to what it terms "chronometer-inspired" instruments,
the use of high-quality fabrics and materials, and a "unique" instrument
lighting system.
The wrap-around interior is dominated by a wing-shaped surface that flows from
the front of the instrument panel and merges into the doors. A closer look also
reveals that a 'blade' shape from the exterior is also carried over to the
internal door handles.
As for the aforementioned cabin illumination, there is amber-coloured ambient
light throughout the car and the instrument cluster glows white, but on
pressing a Sport button, the latter turns red to match the surrounding dials.
"This is a paradigm shift for Vauxhall, " says John Puskar, the executive
director of Interior Design at GM Europe in Zurich. "We wanted to create
interior environments for all our future vehicles that are warm, inviting and
sporty. The Insignia is the first evidence of this philosophy."
Other new features for a large GM Europe car are the Insignia's electronic
parking brake and what the division calls "separate multi-function control on
certain models". Both the steering wheel and front seats are claimed to have a
"huge" range of adjustability to suit all shapes and sizes, while adjustable
armrests, ergonomically placed controls, a multi-use storage box and MP3
connectivity will, GME believes, reinforce the Insignia's appeal to private and
business drivers.
"Every detail was meticulously thought through, " Jochen Werner, the project's
assistant chief interior designer adds. "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."
GME says many of the external and internal design themes of the new sedan and
hatchback (with a wagon to come) will be seen in other future Opels and
Vauxhalls.
Copyright © 2008 Synesis Media Limited.
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