Opel introduced the Insignia in 2008 as a sedan and a hatchback, while the station wagon version followed in the next year.
GM’s German brand was in deep financial troubles. The global financial crisis and the workers strikes made the situation even worse, and the American carmaker considered selling the brand, but it changed its mind at the last minute. It used the same platform as its sedan and hatchback siblings and the Chevrolet Malibu in the U.S., but with a different back.

The car kept the same front fascia with its unique boomerang-shaped daytime running lights inside the headlights. From its sides, the more extended, slightly sloped roof made the vehicle looked sportier. The car was longer than its siblings due to the extended rear overhang. In the back, the liftgate featured a particular detail. When it was opened, an additional set of lights mounted on the D-pillars remained in place so the car could have been seen from a distance, even in a pitch-black night, with the liftgate opened.

Inside, the Insignia gathered more innovations. Its front seat seatbacks were thicker by 2 cm (0.8”), offering softer support for their occupants. The rear knee room was bigger by 3 cm (1.2”) than the outgoing Vectra. A new infotainment generation included a seven-inch color monitor with a 3-D map view, digital travel guide, and improved scroll and zoom functions. In the back, the split-folding bench increased the trunk size from 540 liters (19 cu-ft) to 1,530 liters (54 cu-ft).

Opel installed an extensive engine range on the Insignia. The base version featured a 1.4-liter turbocharged unit, while a 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 powered the most potent version. The Insignia Sports Tourer was available with either front or all-wheel-drive.