Opel Pops 197-Horsepower Gasoline Engine Into Updated Insignia

Opel has introduced a new 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine to the Insignia range as part of a light refresh.

The 197-horsepower powerplant comes in at the top of the Insignia range, trumped only by the 207-hp diesel found in the go-faster GSi variant.

With that power sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, the newcomer is capable of sprinting from a standstill to 62 mph (100 kph) in 7.7 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 146 mph (235 kph). The engine is also fitted with a gasoline particulate filter to reduce air pollution and generates a maximum torque of 280 Newton-meters (206 pound-feet) from 1,650 rpm.

This engine is joined by a "new generation" of onboard infotainment systems, which have been designed to be more intuitive and more stylish. Customers can choose between the standard system, simply dubbed "Multimedia" or the more sophisticated "Multimedia Navi Pro" version. Boasting a touchscreen display of up to eight inches in size, they come teamed with a new driver information cluster, and the higher-spec version can also be paired with an optional head-up display.

Available to order now, the new engine is offered by Opel  in the Grand Sport hatchback body shape and the more practical Sports Tourer wagon together with its rugged Country Tourer sibling. Prices in domestic market Germany start from €35,195 for the Insignia Grand Sport equipped with the standard manual transmission.