Opel Insignia Gets New Bi-turbo Diesel

Opel has whipped out a new bi-turbo CDTI engine for its Insignia midsizer, entering the line-up at the top of the car's diesel line-up.

Featuring a sequential 'bi-turbo' arrangement, the new 2.0 litre four-cylinder diesel produces 143kW and 400Nm of torque, making for a significant step up from the mid-range 118kW/350Nm 2.0 litre diesel.

The bi-turbo system is designed to minimise lag, using the smaller of the two turbochargers to develop torque from 1500rpm (up to 350Nm), and then working with the larger turbo to manage the mid-range. The larger turbo then carries the load from 3000rpm.

Thanks to the boost in power, the top-shelf front-wheel-drive Insignia diesel five-door will hit 100km/h in 8.2 seconds (an improvement of almost a full second). 

The engine's fuel consumption figures show a surprising improvement also - thanks in part to the addition of idle start/stop - bettering the regular 2.0 litre diesel and falling to just 4.9 l/100km.

Australia

Whether the new bi-turbo diesel will be offered in Australia is unclear.

For now, Opel Australia has confirmed that the Insignia will be offered in Australia from 2012 with a 2.0 litre diesel engine, although it will likely be either the 96kW or 118kW versions.