One big sedan coming out in 2017, three different names and a lot of hate - that's how you could sum up the replacement for the Opel Insignia, which will be sold as the Holden Commodore in Australia and the Buick Regal in China/America.
Opel released a video earlier today, but Holden went above and beyond, organizing a test even with several "Commodore" models.
Of course, replacing the iconic rear-wheel drive sedan with a front-wheel drive one that's smaller and less powerful is highly controversial. But we have to look at the all-new 2018 Commodore as objectively as possible because it's a global car.
The upside to the platform change is that the new Commodore will be between 200 and 300 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. However, it will also be much smaller. The overall length will decrease by 74 mm shorter, while the width will go down by 36 mm.
However, compared to the old Opel Insignia, this one will be 175 kilograms lighter and yet 5.5 centimeters longer from one bumper to the other. Not all Commodore models will be front-wheel drive, but the AWD system being offer can only send up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels, just like the Haldex system from Volkswagen.
According to Australian media, Holden says this Commodore will be driven by both four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Opel has shown increasing reliance on 1.6-liter turbos, and we'll have to wait and see how that affects the 2018 Commodore since it's going to be imported from Europe.
The flagship model, everybody is told, will come with a naturally aspirated V6 engine pushing 313 hp and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) or torque through a 9-speed automatic borrowed from Chevrolet.
Even if Opel builds it, the Commodore is tuned in Australia. The Insignia will be revealed as early as March 2017 at the Geneva Motor Show. However, the Holden version might take until 2018 to arrive. It's a good car, but we just wish they'd have called it something else.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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