Monza Lovers Rejoice! The GSI badge is coming back!

[FiestaST]

Iconic badge revived: Meet the new Opel Insignia GSi

After teasing the return of the GSi badge on Instagram, Opel has now quickly taken the wraps off the new Insignia GSi, which is set to debut in Frankfurt in September.

With the standard Insignia not currently offered in South Africa, the reveal is something of an anti-climax for local Opel fans, particularly since initial rumours suggested the GSi badge would make its return on the Astra.

Still, Opel promises that the new Insignia GSi’s chassis will feature a “very dynamic set-up” and high levels of grip. All-wheel drive and a new eight-speed automatic transmission (with shift-paddles) will also be standard.

Power comes from a 2,0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which churns out 191 kW and 400 N.m, although Opel says the GSi will also be offered with “a powerful new diesel engine”.

Up front, you’ll notice the large chrome-effect intakes while there’s a neat spoiler round back. The leather upholstered sports seats (which Opel says were “specially developed for the GSi”) appear to be one of the highlights inside.

Compared to the standard Insignia, the GSi version features shorter springs, lowering the vehicle by 10 mm, as well as sports shocks. The 20-inch alloys, meanwhile, are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres.

http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/iconic-badge-revived-meet-the-new-opel-insignia-gsi/

 

[FiestaST]

Opel just revived the beloved GSI badge

Opel’s GSI badge is one that needs no introduction to South African petrolheads with memories extending back as far as the eighties, but sadly the sporty sporty label that mainly adorned GTI-rivalling Kadett hatchbacks, has been missing from Opel’s modern line-up.

The good news is that Opel in Germany has just revived the GSI badge, but the bad news is that the model in question, an Insignia sedan, is not destined for South Africa.

But don’t give up hope just yet. Given the badge’s Kadett history, there’s every reason to believe that Opel will eventually produce a GSI version of the modern Astra hatchback and that one would surely be on the short-list for Opel’s new local distributor, the Williams Hunt group, which given its history with the brand, would surely appreciate GSI heritage.

While that remains pure speculation for now, the Insignia GSI is for real, for European buyers at least, and has all the ingredients of an enticing sports sedan.

It’s powered by a 191kW/400Nm 2-litre turbopetrol engine, which sends its power to all four wheels via a multi-mode eight-speed automatic gearbox with steering-mounted paddles.

The GSI also has an appropriately sporty styling kit and rides on 20-inch rims, while the lowered FlexRide chassis offers three selectable modes: Standard, Tour and Sport.

http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/latest-launches/opel-just-revived-the-beloved-gsi-badge-10380286

 

[thestaggy]

My first car was the Corsa B 1.6 GSI. It was like a go-kart, tons of fun to drive.

 

[Quantum Theory]

Gm pulls out of RSA and suddenly GSI comes back....hmmmmm.....

...but Opel is not GM anymore. Plot twist!

Let's see where this takes the brand locally.

 

[Lord Farquart]

So it will be an Isuzu GSi then.

 

[konfab]

So it will be an Isuzu GSi then.

Would that make it historically significant?

 

[FiestaST]

So it will be an Isuzu GSi then.

That actually sounds gross

 

[Rouxenator]

That actually sounds gross

Isuzu has made some pretty sweet pocket rockets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxsVtGs5new

 

[EnT@nGleD]

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...uty-as-holden-commodore-vxr-opel-insignia-gsi

Just a smaller engine....

 

[TheChamp]

It seems Opel has ditched the previous-generation model’s OPC tag.

But why?

 

[Quantum Theory]

So it will be an Isuzu GSi then.

No. It will be a Peugeot GSi...

 

[FiestaST]

Peugeot GSI sounds good. I approve

 

[Rouxenator]

I suspect that this move back to GSI is part of the PSA takeover. They might want to reign in the workings of OPC and streamline thing a bit. How the long term supply of Holdens and Buicks will be affected is also going to interesting. If I would hazard a guess it is unlikely that much will change, PSA will continue to work with GM and supplying them with cars.

 

[FiestaST]

New Opel Insignia GSi Could Make it to SA

Opel will be showing its new Insignia GSi business class sports sedan at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show and although it has not yet been confirmed for South Africa, there is a chance that it will be introduced here in 2018. If this is the case, the Insignia GSi will go head-to-head with the new Volkswagen Arteon, which is expected to arrive in the second half of 2018.

Earlier this year, General Motors announced its withdrawal from South Africa, leaving Opel’s future in Mzansi up in the air. It then came to light that Opel (recently acquired by Peugeot Citroen), would indeed remain in South Africa with distributorship and sales under the auspices of the Unitrans-owned Williams Hunt group as of 1 January 2018.

With Opel’s commitment to South Africa in tact, new products in the form of the new Crossland X crossover SUV (due later in 2017) and the Grandland X SUV (due in 2018) should keep potential buyers interested. However, the potential 2018 introduction of the Opel Insignia GSi may further serve as valuable brand-building tool as the Opel brand navigates through a tricky transition on the local market. Lest we forget that the GSi nameplate (synonymous with performance Opels of yesteryear) is held in high esteem/remembered with great reverence by throngs of Opel loyalists, especially hot hatch aficionados.

If it comes to South Africa, the Insignia GSi will compete in the shrinking business class sedan market where rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 do battle. It’s also where Volkswagen aims to make an impact with the arrival of the new Arteon “fastback” sedan, which replaces the outgoing Passat-based CC.

Opel Insignia GSi and Volkswagen Arteon bring fresh styling

The Insignia's design may be polarising, but perhaps the attention garnered from its potential local introduction may play in Opel's favour.

The all-wheel drive Opel Insignia GSi is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 191 kW and 400 Nm of torque. These figures are laid to the tar using a new 8-speed automatic transmission and the driver is also able to shift gears with manual shift paddles located behind the steering wheel.

In terms of design, the Insignia GSi features a sporty, lightweight design with large chrome air intakes up front and a rear spoiler which provides some extra downforce at speed. On the inside, sporty touches include integrated leather sports seats, leather sports steering wheel and aluminum pedals. The Insignia GSi rides on striking 20-inch wheels.

http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/new-opel-insignia-gsi-could-make-it-to-sa/43728/

 

[Rouxenator]

Insignia in SA ?!

This is of great historical significance. The direct bloodline of the mighty Rekord and frugal Ascona evolved into a Passat beating work of art returns to our shores? It would be awesome.

 

[FiestaST]

We can hope. I personally have many doubts it will hit SA.

 

[Rouxenator]

Not in the near future anyway. It depends on what direction PSA want's to take with Opel. If they do decide to keep in pushing it as a premium brand then we might see the Insignia as an offering. Last time GMSA tried that with the Omega it ended badly.

 

[FiestaST]

Agree with Hannes

 

[Rouxenator]

Yep, he's a bit of an Opel fanboi too.

 

[FiestaST]

Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer GSi due with 252bhp and all-wheel drive

More practical variant of the new Insignia will get the same torque vectoring driveline as the recently launched hatch

Vauxhall will launch a GSi version of its new Insignia Sports Tourer later this year, using the same 252bhp driveline as the recently launched Grand Sport GSi hatchback.

As shown by an Opel estate testing in Germany, the Insignia estate model, badged as a Vauxhall in Britain, will get the same treatment as its hatch sibling, including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that outputs 252bhp and 295lb ft.

It will come mated to a new eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters that sends drive to all four wheels. The fronts will distribute torque via an electronic differential lock, but the rears will get a more complex twin-clutch system, developed by British engineering firm GKN.

The system, which is shared with models such as the Range Rover Evoque and Ford Focus RS, is capable of torque vectoring to improve agility. A prototype version of the layout was tested in an old Insignia VXR by Autocar last year.

Vauxhall claims that its Insignia GSi is quicker around the Nürburgring than the previous VXR, despite being down on power by 69bhp. It attributes this to the driveline’s improved agility and the new Insignia’s structure, which is 160kg lighter. The Sports Tourer is expected to benefit from the same improvements.

Vauxhall has yet to confirm details, but the Insignia Sports Tourer GSi will likely get a stiffer four-link rear suspension set-up than the GSi hatch in order to enable a higher load carrying capacity. Aside from that, no other chassis adjustments are expected

Four drive modes will be included: Standard, Tour, Sport and Competition. The GSi gets four-pot Brembo brakes and 18in wheels (20in ones are optional). It also features bespoke leather upholstered sports seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and metal pedals.

The GSi Grand Sport hatch is due to make its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September. Vauxhall has remained tight lipped about the Sport Tourer version’s arrival, but it is likely to arrive alongside the regular car or, if not, at least very soon after.

Prices for most variants of the Sports Tourer start at £1500 above the equivalent Grand Sport, so a similar increase for the GSi estate model over the hatch, which could start at about £25,000, is expected.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/...rts-tourer-gsi-due-252bhp-and-all-wheel-drive