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2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?

Opel is now part of a giant European automotive group. Having started work on a facelift for its mid-sized Insignia last year, this prototype has now been spied with less camouflage, suggesting a debut could be near.
2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal? 17 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?2020 Opel Insignia GSi Spied With Facelift: Does It Preview New Buick Regal?
Considering the Insignia II came out in 2017, we believe the updated model won't be ready until 2020's Geneva Motor Show. Still, this prototype is letting us see its new headlights, which have a notch at the bottom reminiscent of the A4 and other Audi models. Also, the grille and bumper are being refreshed, while changes at the back are limited to the taillight cluster.

But based on the size of the wheels and red brakes, this is not the ordinary Insignia, but the GSi sports model. This replaced the more powerful OPC line and is available either with a 2-liter bi-turbo diesel making 210 HP or a 2.0 Turbo (gasoline) delivering 260 HP.

Despite the impressive output numbers, the Insignia GSi isn't a no-brainer. For example, the diesel model is rated at 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and emits about 190 grams of CO2. For comparison, a 347 HP Audi S4 TDI needs 4.8 seconds to get to 100 km/h and is about 15% more efficient despite a much bigger engine.

We think the best thing for the Insignia would be to just copy parent company Peugeot's technology wholesale. Their 180 HP diesel, while less powerful, would provide similar performance and much more reasonable running costs. As for the gasoline model, only a hybrid would make sense to keep around.

The Insignia also plays a secondary role in overseas markets where it's known as the Buick Regal, joined last year by the Regal TourX soft-roading version. GM and PSA Groupe’s Opel still have a working relationship where one builds the Regal and the other gets GM Korea cars.

This should continue for two or three more years, meaning these new headlights have to find their way onto the 2020 or 2021 Buick Regal. However, after that, the American company could become a crossover-only business.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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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.
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