Opel/Vauxhall release official images of Insignia interior

Opel has released the first interior pics of its new Insignia sedan. Destined to wear at least two badges, Opel and Vauxhall we are hoping there is also a Holden badge in the future for this well proportioned mid-sizer.

The pictures reveal that like the exterior, the interior is easy on the eye, functional and attractive. Even Vauxhall/Opel freely admit that the Insignia’s stylish cockpit is a big shift in the right direction for their brands.

"This is a paradigm shift for Vauxhall. We wanted to create interior environments for all our future vehicles that are warm, inviting and sporty. The Insignia is the first evidence of this philosophy," says John Puskar, Executive Director of Interior Design at GM Europe.

A neat touch is the way the instrument lighting changes from white to red when the driver selects the ‘sport’ mode. Other highlights include chronometer-inspired instruments along with the use of high quality fabrics and materials.

We’ll get to see plenty more of the Insignia when it debuts in July at the British International Motor Show.

Check out the image gallery for more Insignia Interior shots. The official press release follows the gallery.

[Gallery=316]

PRESS RELEASE:

PREMIUM FEEL AND STUNNING DESIGN DEFINE NEW INSIGNIA'S INTERIOR

• First official shots of new Insignia's interior

• Chronometer-inspired instruments

• Use of high quality fabrics and materials

These are the very first official shots of the soon-to-be-launched Insignia's interior, showing the immense attention to detail Vauxhall's designers have lavished on the car's cabin. Highlights include chronometer-inspired instruments, use of high-quality fabrics and materials, and a unique instrument lighting system.

First impression is of Insignia's bold, wrap around interior, dominated by the signature 'wing' that flows from the front instrument panel and dives into the door panels. The surfaces from the exterior's 'blade' feature are echoed in the shape of the interior grab handle, where the bright accent material sweeps dramatically into the door armrest.

The cabin's interior lighting gives Insignia a unique night-time appearance. Vauxhall's designers have added a warm amber-coloured ambient light to enhance the night driving environment. The instrument cluster is illuminated white, but on pressing the 'Sport' button, the lighting turns red to match the surrounding illumination.

"This is a paradigm shift for Vauxhall," says John Puskar, Executive Director of Interior Design at GM Europe. "We wanted to create interior environments for all our future vehicles that are warm, inviting and sporty. The Insignia is the first evidence of this philosophy."

Cabin practicality will also raise the bar in Insignia's market sector. The centre console offers flexibility and intelligent design solutions, such as a space-liberating e-brake and separate multi-function control on certain models. Both the steering wheel and front seats have a huge range of adjustability to suit all shapes and sizes, while adjustable armrests, ergonomically placed controls, a multi-use storage box and MP3 connectivity will reinforce Insignia's appeal to private and business drivers.

"Every detail was meticulously thought through," says Jochen Werner, Insignia's Assistant Chief Interior Designer. "We even tipped the infotainment centre at a 30 degree angle to allow the centre console to flow and give the car's cabin a greater feeling of spaciousness."

Many of Insignia's interior design features will provide the DNA for future Vauxhall designs. Variations on sculptural artistry – the wing, flowing sculptural forms and a sporty dynamic environment – will be used moving forward, as Vauxhall refines and evolves its new-found design language.