Spyed: Opel Insignia Hatchback

Here are a few spyshots of new Opel Insignia Hatchback shown on worldcarfans.com

Opel Agila by Irmscher

Arriving onto forecourts in the coming months is Opel's new Agila, marketed as 'Flex in the City' for its versatile city car nature. But not until a re-working by tuning firm Irmscher will the new city car and its tagline have the brawn. In its second-generation with over 40,000 total units sold, the production model Agila is a successful model. And so it is with 40 years of experience that the German tuner is to offer Opel's youngest a range of Irmscher sporting accessories.

Its intention being to stand out from the crowd, the Irmscher Agila turns the heads of city dwellers with an air of 'sporting elegance' and subtle accessories - all tailored to demonstrate a higher standard in vehicle design.

Although unveiled with only rendered photos, the modified new Agila features new skirts front and rear as well as SUV-style under-body protector panels in a contrasting gray. The addition of Irmscher's larger honeycomb grille gives a more exclusive look to the model, with dynamics enhanced at the rear by a tailgate spoiler and a more prominent chromed exhaust pipe.

The Irmscher Agila is undoubtedly finished off by a range of exclusive light-weight wheels, such as Stila-Design designated 16" alloys. Better road-holding and city handling are too equipped in this new model, offering buyers a more enjoyable drive. As yet there are a no details on interior modifications, but expect the usual: splashes of chrome and a sportier trim, chiefly of note new bucket seats.

Opel Vivaro VPC

In the Netherlands, Opel has gotten into the game with the Vivaro VPC. The Vivaro is, like the Transit, a panel van. Apparently, GM sees an opportunity to sell 100 tricked-out versions (at € 34,900 each) to Dutch commercial customers who wish to make their delivery rounds in something more sporty-looking than the average panel. It comes in the same blue paint used on the Opel OPC cars, rolls on OPC wheels, and wears a full appearance package including color-matched everything, an aggressive front fascia with intrgrated foglights, and dual, trapezoid-shaped exhaust exits in the rear. The VPC moniker is the final, and most obvious, hat tip to the OPC performance wing of the car division. A 2.5L CDTi turbodiesel with 143 horses supplies the power, and it's mated to a 6-speed manual. As for the driver, the cab's no penalty box either, as evidenced by two-tone leather and Alcantara Recaro sport seats that look as if they've been pilfered from a GT1 car. Delivering goods has never been so good

Opel Reworks Agila MPV

First introduced eight years ago as the perfect European city car, Opel is back with its next-generation Agila, this time targeting one of the world's fastest-growing segments. And how things have changed. Where the original Agila aimed at young, budget-minded urbanites, the new car could see a surge in demand from an array of buyers with an array of needs and interests, from empty-nesters to those looking to trim fuel bills, as well as those simply hoping to make a more environmentally-friendly statement.

The new car is visually more appealing, with a decidedly more curvaceous, balanced, and up-market look. Like the original, the '08 Agila's small footprint is offset by its tall and upright seating position. But instead of repeating the first-generation's boxy shape, the roofline is a wee bit lower, arcing gracefully from front to rear, without compromising headroom. The new car is about 7.87 inches longer than before, 2.4 inches wider, and 2.8 inches lower.

A more sculpted exterior is carried over into the interior. Opel has moved away from the theme of basic - as in cheap and boring - transportation. There's a markedly better use of materials, which are now offered in a variety of colors and styles, with large and easy-to-read gauges. As before, the Agila provides room for five, with flexible seating that can be reconfigured to expand cargo capacity - from 7.9 to a maximum 37 cubic feet.

Two different, mileage-minded gasoline powertrains are offered, both supplied by GM's long-time partner, Suzuki: a 1.0-liter in-line three-cylinder making 65 horsepower, and an 86-hp, 1.2-liter four. There's also a 1.3-liter common-rail turbodiesel that gets nearly 50 mpg. And this time 'round, buyers can opt for an automatic transmission.

In keeping with industry trends, the 2008 Agila is better equipped; there are steering wheel-mounted audio controls, for example, and on the safety side, it now features electronic stability control.

Where the Opel division takes this segment is a matter of debate - especially inside the company. During its half-hour Frankfurt news conference, GM also displayed a trio of minicars that were developed in various parts of the world. The so-called "triplets" first appeared at the New York Auto Show, last spring, and at that time, company officials said they would closely gauge reaction, during the year's auto show circuit, to see which, if any, of the three might follow into production.