Audi A6 test drive since 2008 sedan

Opel Insignia vs Audi A6. Two or one?

Opel Insignia. Price: from 741 800 rub. On sale: since 2009
Audi A6. Price: 1 928 300 rub. On sale: since 2008

With the advent of their Insignia, the Opelians waved to something more than just the creation of a Vestra successor. For some time they decided to make it the flagship of the brand, gently smeared it according to two classes D and E. And if so, then why not compare it with the car, whose authority in the E-segment is indisputable, with Audi A6, for example

Test pillets

Oleg Kalaushin, 40 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience 22 years, personal car - Renault Logan

Igor Kuznetsov, 47 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience for 20 years, personal car - Nissan Quashqai

Why exactly Audi A6? Why, say, not Mercedes E-class or not the BMW 5? Everything is simple. It's no secret that Mercedes was considered and considered a car for passengers, BMW at all times was a driver for a driver. But Audi is equally good for both the first and second, and therefore it was chosen this time as a kind of measure. And who knows, maybe Insignia is really so good that it will be at least indirect competition Audi A6. For example, A6 with an Insignia configuration is two times more expensive. But is it twice better? Or Insignia is two times worse? And in order for our comparison to be more adequate, we have chosen cars with the same engine power for the test. But for starters, as usual, about appearance.

In appearance, the six itself is self -confidence. But how else, because its forms are equally simple and exquisite. It was as if created by nature, there is nothing superfluous in it, nothing screaming, but it is precisely because of this that she likes it. And I like, judging by how sales of this model are going on, more and more. Apparently, therefore, in 2008, it was decided to subject it only to easy restyling, so as not to harm it. And they did not harm. The car really became even better, while retaining familiar features.

With Insignia, everything is much more complicated. Bringing their car to the market, the Opelians were forced to do something that, if they had not liked it right away, it would definitely hook, and thoroughly hooked. In this regard, Insignia literally shouts about herself with every element, whether it be the original optics with LED daylight batteries in the corners or dynamic cheapening on the doors. In general, the dynamics seemed to be dominant in the design of the design of this car, because even in the statics of Insignia gives the impression of a moving object. It is literally touched by the wind. Although the latter’s chances of catching on something at Insignia are small: the frontal resistance coefficient CC \u003d 0.27. Audi A6, by the way, it is 0.29, which is also very good. Nevertheless, Opel in this indicator, although not much, but surpassed the opponent, provided that it is higher than Audi.

By the way, those extra four centimeters possessed by Insignia are in no way felt in the cabin. And first of all, we are talking about the height of the roof level in the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear passengers. What Audi, that Opel sitting in the second row does not touch the ceiling with the head of the ceiling, but the roof invisibly presses them on the psyche. In this regard, in order to take a convenient position, you have to slide a little along the seats. And here the place is useful that the engineers for the legs of passengers sitting behind were left. I must say that by this indicator Audi and Insignia are approximately the same. It is convenient to sit in both the first and the second. And this is despite the fact that Opel has a wheelbase less than ten centimeters. However, everything falls into place when you begin to find out the volume of trunk. Audi has a 546 liter pantry, and Opel is able to provide 500 liters of volume for a luggage. Well, a completely reasonable solution: if there is not enough space for passengers, it is better to slightly move the second row of seats back and sacrifice one suitcase than to listen to complaints about this.

Insignia designers do not have to blush for what now appears to the eye of the driver and the front passenger. The design of the instrument panel is made in the general style of the car and compared to the predecessor (Vectra) really pleases the eye. The cast wave, namely, is similar to the shape of the instrument panel, much more pleasant to the eye than brickwork. Ergonomics became much more friendly. As one of the examples, the manufacturer’s refusal can be given from the non -fixed provisions of the turning point of the turns, the work algorithm for which required a long addiction. And the keys on the central console became much more convenient due to increased size. The materials of the decoration themselves are also pleasing.

The Audi control panel is also decorated, however, compared to Insignia, brutal forms predominate in it to a greater extent. It can be seen that, conducting restyling, the designers tried to change what was for the better. But this desire was literally crushed by the traditions of the brand and, in particular, a specific model. Nevertheless, to revive the interior, leaving everything as it is, managed. Other materials have served a good service. Nevertheless, the interior of Audi seemed less alive than Insignia.

As mentioned above, for the test we took cars with engines identical in power. 220 by forces had 2.8 FSI in Audi and the same number of horses was gifted with engineers 2.0? The Opel liter turbocharged engine. True, the Insignia engine with similar power has a large torque and in a larger speed range. But how does all this affect the ride? To be honest, a person who is not very knowledgeable in all these moments, shelves and turns to notice a special difference in the behavior of cars on the road is likely to not succeed. Judge for yourself. Acceleration to a hundred is actually identical (only a stopwatch is capable of a lag in 0.5 seconds). And the maximum speed is also almost equal to the difference is only 2 km/h, this is with two hundred forty. So, with complete confidence, we can say that the dynamics of the car is quite comparable. They are just as similar in controllability. But what about the difference in the wheelbase, you ask. Is there really any difference? Perhaps she would be, but only the smaller Insignia base is very competently leveled by setting up the suspension, and therefore the Insignia behaves on the road very similar to the Audi A6. It is similar, but still not identical. The steering to our Insignia seemed more sharp, but Audi was better than the feedback.


Opel Insignia
Not having time to appear on the market, this car has already won the Car of the Year 2009 title and the highest security rating for Euro NCAP. In addition to these regalias, the advantages of the novelty include a rich equipment, a huge list of power units, as well as the possibility of choosing between mono and all-wheel drive. It is important and quite competitive price.

Driving
Exceptional dynamics, excellent handling, acceptable smoothness.

Salon
Spacious and convenient, provides comfortable stay for 4 crew members. It has a fairly voluminous trunk.

Comfort
Good sound insulation, generously scattering the modern benefits of civilization.

Safety
The highest assessment of Euro NCAP, there are innovative active security technologies.

Price
Premises interest in this car from the buyer.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Dynamics, comfort, basic equipment, price.
- lack of space above the head in the second row.
 

Audi A6
In 2008, the six began to be even more like the flagship of the Audi model range. High quality performance, rich finishing materials, spacious interior, extensive gamut of engines, the ability to choose between full and monotive, rich equipment all this makes it a kind of ordinary for E-segment cars.

Driving
Exemplary controllability and enviable dynamics, the exceptional ability to retain a given trajectory even in critical situations.

Salon
Severe and cozen is conservative, although conservative. High quality finishing materials, impeccable performance.

Comfort
The optimal shape of the seats, high -quality multimedia system, exceptional sound insulation, comfortable suspension.

Safety
At the level of direct competitors.

Price
The car is not cheap, but it is worth it.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Quality of execution. dynamics, handling, comfort, equipment
- Price.



Our verdict
Undoubtedly, Opel Insignia cannot compose direct competition Audi A6. However, similar dimensions, dynamic characteristics and the volume of the basic configuration and the options with which it have, pulled it closely enough to the segment E, thereby forcing them to attract the attention of potential buyers. Of course, the price also plays the last role here. Maybe it’s better to take two than one? If there are no problems with money, then you should definitely choose Audi. In any case, this model will lead the lists of sales for a long time.

Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [November 2009]