2017 Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer

VAUXHALL REVEALS ALL-NEW INSIGNIA COUNTRY TOURER

◾Sporty top-of-the-range Insignia with rugged looks and premium qualities
◾All-wheel drive with torque vectoring and more ground clearance

Luton – The latest addition to the all-new Insignia range, Vauxhall's all-wheel drive Insignia Country Tourer will debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (September 14th to 24th).

The Country Tourer is more spacious and considerably lighter than its predecessor, thanks to an all-new architecture, and comes with a wide range of innovative technologies. With all-round black protective cladding and silver front and rear skid plates, the newcomer has a tough and rugged off-road appearance.

Powertrain and Chassis
The New Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer comes with a broad powertrain portfolio, including a brand new top-of-the-range diesel engine. In addition, the newcomer will also be available with the new eight-speed automatic transmission and ground-breaking all-wheel drive technology. Additional ground clearance of 20mm, plus the innovative all-wheel drive with torque vectoring and new five-link rear suspension cater for those who want to leave the city and explore the countryside. Instead of a traditional rear differential, the Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer boasts two electrically controlled multi-plate clutches that enable a more individual and precise transmission of power to each wheel. To stabilise the vehicle and counteract understeer on tight corners taken at higher speeds, the system can send more torque to the outside rear wheel without further driver intervention.

The improved FlexRide chassis provides the basis for changing road conditions and driving behaviour. It adapts the dampers, steering, throttle response and shift points (on automatic models) independently or based on the 'Standard', 'Sport' or 'Tour' modes, which can be selected by the driver. The new central 'Drive Mode Control' software is the heart and soul of the adaptive chassis, and continuously analyses the information provided by the sensors and settings, recognising the individual driving style.

'The Country Tourer takes the Insignia story a step further. With its all-wheel-drive capability, raised ground clearance and rugged appearance, it adds another important dimension to the New Insignia range,' said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall's Chairman and Managing Director.

Design

From the very start of the development process, the designers – led by Brit Mark Adams – and team of engineers worked on a third distinct Insignia variant, meaning the Country Tourer perfectly complements the Grand Sport and Sports Tourer models.

The prominent landscape grille and slim headlamps give the new Insignia Country Tourer a wide horizontal impression, while the skid plate helps to give the car a solid stance. Moulded black protective cladding in the lower fascia, wheel arches and along the lower body side emphasise the rugged appearance. The adventurous design cues continue at the rear too, with the silver-coloured skid plate and dual exhaust bezels reinforcing the lower, wider impression.

'We wanted our new Insignia Country Tourer to be robust in every respect, while simultaneously displaying the typical elegant Vauxhall philosophy of sculptural artistry and technical precision,' said Mark Adams, Vice President Design. 'It has the presence of a true flagship, combining a sophisticated athletic shape enhanced by rugged off road detailing.'

The new Insignia Country Tourer, is above all, extremely practical. To make loading as easy as possible, the tailgate can be opened without touching the car. In combination with Keyless Open & Start, a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper is enough to open the tailgate (a vehicle silhouette projected onto the ground shows the correct area), with another kicking motion required to close it. To increase loading space to 1,665 litres, 135 litres more than the outgoing version, the new Insignia Country Tourer comes with optional 40/20/40 foldable rear seats, enabling even more flexible loading space configurations. The standard roof railing not only emphasises the adventurous look, but allows the Insignia Country Tourer to carry roof loads of up to 100kg.

The wheelbase has been increased by 92mm, enabling a more spacious cabin. The new Insignia Country Tourer comes with AGR-certified premium ergonomic front seats and the heated outer rear seats, heated windscreen and the heated steering wheel like its Grand Sport and Sports Tourer siblings.

Connectivity


The latest Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible IntelliLink systems ensure outstanding entertainment and connectivity, while smartphones can be charged wirelessly and seamlessly integrated with the infotainment system. The ground-breaking personal connectivity and service assistant, Vauxhall OnStar, is also on board and offers an extensive service portfolio ranging from automatic crash response to stolen vehicle assistance. Two updates to the OnStar portfolio are the booking service, and parking search, both of which can request OnStar advisors to book hotel rooms and/or search for suitable carparks.

CHASSIS AND POWERTRAINS
•Ground-breaking all-wheel-drive with torque vectoring
•Powertrain portfolio with 0-litre Bi-Turbo D (210PS)
•New eight-speed automatic adds a high-end transmission

The new Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer comes with ground-breaking all-wheel-drive technology and a new eight-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) In addition, the newcomer will also be available with a broad powertrain portfolio, including a brand new top-of-the-range diesel engine.


Additional ground clearance of 20mm, plus the innovative all-wheel-drive with torque vectoring and new five-link rear suspension cater for those who want to leave the city and explore the countryside. Instead of a traditional rear differential, the Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer boasts two electrically controlled multi-plate clutches that enable a more individual and precise transmission of power to each wheel.

The vehicle receives steering impulses via the active, controlled torque distribution to the individual wheel. For example, when cornering, additional torque is transmitted to the outside rear wheel, enabling the Insignia to corner more precisely. The system reacts within a split-second when the accelerator is pressed, keeping the car more stable and easier to control in every situation.

The further improved FlexRide chassis provides the basis for optimal, situation-based driving behaviour. It adapts the dampers, steering, throttle response and shift points (on automatic transmissions) independently or based on the modes 'Standard', 'Sport' or 'Tour', which can be selected by the driver. Depending on the selected mode, steering and throttle response are more direct and the ESP anti-skid system intervenes at a different stage to suit. The new central 'Drive Mode Control' software is the heart and soul of the adaptive chassis. It continuously analyses the information provided by the sensors and settings, automatically recognising the individual driving style.

The Insignia County Tourer, with the all-new eight-speed automatic transmission, is available with a state-of-the-art torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system that aims to deliver exceptional levels of grip and handling.

All-wheel-drive with torque vectoring is the best way to put high power onto the road, be it wet, dry, icy or covered in snow. But the additional weight and complexity of conventional torque vectoring systems prevent them from meeting Vauxhall's high standards for performance and efficiency.

As a result, the new Insignia Country Tourer uses an all-wheel-drive system with a rear-drive module that employs a twin clutch system without differential. Its all-wheel-drive system can apply torque to one or both the rear wheels independently, enabling torque vectoring capability across the car's full performance range. When cornering, higher torque is sent to the outside rear wheel, inducing rotation around the vertical axis (yaw) – meaning the Insignia turns in with more precision, responding spontaneously to inputs from the driver.

Torque vectoring also makes the car safer by controlling the distribution of torque according to changes in throttle position, steering angle and road surface, reducing the amount of yaw. This intelligent use of torque distribution, also known as 'yaw damping', results in neutral vehicle behaviour, making the car more stable and steerable for the driver.

New Insignia drivers can choose the amount of yaw damping to suit their driving style by selecting the appropriate driving mode: from high yaw damping in 'Tour' to low in 'Sport'.

Powertrains

The Insignia Country Tourer is currently available with Vauxhall's popular 2.0-litre Turbo D (170PS) (NEDC fuel consumption: urban 39.8mpg, extra-urban 61.4mpg, combined 51.4mpg; 145g/km CO2). Completing the powertrain line-up, a 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo D with 210PS will arrive in December.

Transmissions

The new eight-speed automatic adds a high-end transmission to the Vauxhall portfolio. Compared with a six-speed automatic, the new eight-speed gearbox is even more responsive. Additional contributors to its outstanding performance include smart design packaging, which reduces its mass and dimensions compared with six-speed units.

DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS & INTELLILÚX
•High level of safety equipment with Lane Keep Assist and Automatic Emergency Braking
•Next-gen IntelliLux LED Matrix lighting delivers optimal performance without dazzling
•32 LED lenses enhance long-range visibility with spotlight and curve illumination

The new Country Tourer is available with a sophisticated IntelliLux LED headlight system featuring new functions that further improve night-time visibility.

Having developed its award-winning matrix lighting technology in recent years, Vauxhall has introduced a 32-light system within the Insignia's ultra-slim headlamps. The increased number of LED segments in the headlamps results in smoother transitions between lighting patterns to suit every driving condition. Automatically and constantly adapting the range and distribution of light from the headlamps, the new system delivers a brighter light in a precise manner, at all times managing to avoid dazzling other road users.

New functions, including curve and spotlight illumination, improve long-range visibility when driving at night. When taking a curve with the full beam engaged, the light intensity automatically rises based on the steering angle to increase the illumination and help the driver to see the road situation ahead. Each headlight also features a high-beam spotlight for additional illumination up to 400m ahead, further improving the Insignia's long-range visibility.

First shown on the Vauxhall Monza concept in 2013, demonstrating the company's vision of how its cars would look in the future, Vauxhall introduced its IntelliLux LED matrix headlights in the award-winning Astra. Initially featuring a 16-light system, Vauxhall has been able to develop the technology significantly with the second generation, incorporating twice as many LED segments while maintaining an ultra-slim appearance.

Driver assistance technologies


In addition to the latest generation of IntelliLux lighting, the new Country Tourer is available with a raft of driver assistance systems and technologies.

They include the latest Head-up-Display technology. The system projects information on speed, traffic signs, set speed of speed limiter or navigation direction onto the windscreen and into the driver's direct line of sight, helping you keep your eyes on the road.

The new Insignia Country tourer is also equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which measures the distance to the vehicle in front and adapts the speed accordingly. ACC will also initiate automatic emergency braking if the distance decreases suddenly. Additionally, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning (LDW) provides gentle steering wheel movements (and LDW alerts if necessary) to help drivers avoid accidents due to unintentionally drifting out of their lane.

The Rear Cross Traffic Alert system uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to detect objects coming from up to 20m at 90 degrees from the left or right side behind the vehicle, making reversing out of driveways or parking spaces safer and easier. Forward Collision Alert assists drivers in avoiding or mitigating the impact of front-end collisions with situation-dependent emergency braking settings. If the Insignia nears the vehicle ahead too quickly, the system warns the driver with a loud audible alarm, a visual warning in the instrument cluster and an LED projection on the windscreen.

Parking is easier too thanks to Advanced Park Assist. Últrasound sensors on the Insignia's front and rear bumpers identify suitable parking spaces and detect possible obstacles. When the parking spot is calculated, the system automatically parks the vehicle without the driver needing to touch the wheel, only requiring the driver control the pedals and gears.

CONNECTIVITY
•New OnStar services facilitate hotel bookings and parking
•IntelliLink infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration
•Bose sound system offers top quality audio for greater listening pleasure

As with its Grand Sport and Sports Tourer siblings, the Insignia Country Tourer is available with numerous technologies and assistance systems that enable a new level of safety and comfort. While your smartphone is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle's infotainment system, it can also be charged wirelessly thanks to the latest inductive charging technology.

The ground-breaking connectivity and service assistant, Vauxhall OnStar, is also on board, offering services ranging from automatic crash response to stolen vehicle assistance. A new concierge service is launched with the all-new Insignia, enabling its occupants to ask OnStar advisors to select a hotel and proceed to room reservation. Furthermore, up to seven devices can be connected to the Wi-Fi Hotspot available with OnStar.

Vauxhall OnStar with powerful mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot and comprehensive services

Vauxhall has extended the OnStar service by offering two features that make their debut in the new Insignia. The first new addition is OnStar's Personal Assistant service, where subscribers can contact OnStar to ask the advisor for hotel recommendations, and subsequently book suitable accommodation via booking.com.

Supplementing the Personal Assistant service, OnStar will offer a second new feature to reduce the stress often associated with the search for a suitable parking space. OnStar users can contact an advisor for directions to the most suitable car park and have the exact location sent directly to the car's navigation system.

Phone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Making connectivity easier than ever, your smartphone is integrated seamlessly thanks to the second generation of Vauxhall's flagship R 4.0 IntelliLink and Navi 900 IntelliLink infotainment systems compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

When it is safe to do so, Apple users are able to make calls, start navigation directions to a destination with Apple Maps, send and receive messages, and listen to music via Spotify, all either through the integrated touchscreen or Siri. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem. Vauxhall OnStar also allows up to seven smartphones to be connected to the car's powerful 4G/LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot.

The R 4.0 IntelliLink system comes with an intuitive seven-inch colour touchscreen, whereas the Navi 900 IntelliLink system, with integrated navigation, comes with an eight-inch colour touchscreen.

Built-in Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming is available across the range in the new Insignia. DAB+, enabling better radio selection and reception, is also available as an option. In addition, Navi 900 IntelliLink not only offers an integrated navigation solution, but also a high level of personalisation – the home screen and its 'apps' can be tailored according to customer preferences.

Bose sound system for better in car audio

Insignia Country Tourer owners can increase their in-car listening experience further by choosing the optional Bose sound system. Vauxhall engineers have worked closely with Bose to ensure that the system delivers top quality sound throughout the new Insignia.

To achieve the impressive sound, the system has eight high-quality speakers, which are all connected to the digital amplifier with Bose Digital Signal Processing, delivering seven channels of customised equalisation and Active Sound Management.

Source - Vauxhall