Could the Opel Insignia be Holden's next family car?

HERE IS General Motors’ next-generation global midsized family car, quite clearly in left-hand-drive German Opel Insignia guise.

It’s set for a European launch sometime in 2017.

Longer, sleeker, and a lot more angular than the pretty existing model that surfaced nearly eight years ago, this one’s a five-door liftback, backing insider whispers that there will be no four-door sedan version of the Insignia next time around.

Sharing GM’s E2XX transverse front and all-wheel drive platform with the China-focussed Buick LaCrosse and North American-market Chevrolet Malibu (not to be confused with the older version sold – unsuccessfully – in Australia as the Holden EP Malibu) the 2018 Insignia will be powered by a range of three and four-cylinder turbo engines, some in diesel and possibly hybrid set-ups.

Clearly evident in these pictures is a size upgrade, with the wheelbase extending by 100mm or so to greatly boost rear-seat legroom (to beyond Commodore levels?). Yet there’s also a circa-130kg weight drop expected, as per the related Opel Astra K small car (coming to your Holden dealer soon-ish), improving performance and efficiency across the range.

Watch this space!

Have spy pics of your own? We’d love to see them. Just email them to wheels@bauertrader.com.au.