Insignia’s Adaptive 4x4: Previously Only Available on Sports Cars

The award-winning Opel Insignia sedans and Sports Tourer feature sophisticated innovations such as Opel’s Adaptive 4x4 system which previously were available only in much more expensive sports cars or luxury sedans. Together with the FlexRide premium chassis and the electronic-hydraulic multi-disk clutch, the Adaptive 4x4 system sets new standards for reaction time of the controls in the Insignia.

These are features Insignia owners appreciate: Sales analyses show that 45 percent of Opel customers Europe-wide who order the 2.0 liter gasoline turbo add the optional Adaptive 4x4 to their Insignias. Due to that high demand, the Opel Insignia sedans and Sports Tourer now couples the intelligent 4x4 with a 2-liter turbo diesel with 118 kW/160 hp. This new variant will be available starting this fall. Together with the 2-liter Turbo gasoline engine (162 kW/220 hp), both variants offer strong performance without breaking the fuel budget. The Adaptive 4x4 is also standard on 2.8 V6 Turbo (191 kW/ 260 hp) and OPC models (239 kW/325 hp).

With the Adaptive 4x4 all-wheel drive system and the FlexRide chassis, the new Insignia station wagon offers the same advanced propulsion technology as the sedan. The active all-wheel drive system improves handling and stability in all driving conditions. Offering optimal traction, it was designed to make Insignia models move even more dynamically. The Adaptive 4x4 system used by Opel combines the best characteristics of conventional mechanical and hydraulic all-wheel-drive systems.

If the Sports Tourer is ordered with a trailer hook, the standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system will also feature a Trailer Stability Assist program, which counters vehicle instability that may occur when towing a trailer or caravan. It does this by reducing engine torque and applying brake pressure to selected wheels when needed.

The Adaptive 4x4 is perfect for hauling trailers, taking adventure-seekers to the start of the excitement and for anyone living in regions with inclement weather and have to travel regardless of the rain or snow.

Adaptive 4x4 and FlexRide are only part of the many technologies offered in all Insignia models. The Insignia range introduces innovations like the adaptive bi-xenon safety lighting system AFL+ with nine functions and the front camera system Opel Eye, with lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition. Owners, too, are keen on the favorably priced, particularly back-friendly ergonomic sport seats that carry the Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (Action for Healthy Backs - AGR) seal of approval.

Mechatronic Chassis System FlexRide improves stability – and driving fun

The Adaptive 4x4 system comes as standard with the Opel’s fully integrated FlexRide mechatronic chassis system which improves stability and provides real time, electronically controlled damping. FlexRide gives the driver the choice between three driving modes. In addition to the standard adaptive mode, the driver can either opt for a comfort-oriented "Tour" or a "Sport" setting. The Sport mode makes the Insignia Sports Tourer driving experience more active, changing the set-up of interlinked functions such as the steering, throttle control and even the ambient lighting of the dashboard.

The all-wheel drive system used on the Insignia is among the most sophisticated systems on the market. The Adaptive 4x4 control unit is fully networked with the Insignia’s other control systems, from the ESP sensors, the steering angle sensor and accelerator pedal position to adapt power distribution to prevailing driving situation.

In contrast, the FlexRide system in the Insignia OPC deliberately addresses those who enjoy a sportier ride. The standard mode delivers ideal all-round performance combined with preserved comfort characteristics for everyday driving. In the “Sport “mode, the chassis suspension stiffens, reducing body roll for more agility. The “OPC” mode provides the ultimate experience: Steering gets more direct, the throttle more responsive and the chassis settings focus on optimal efficiency while dials illuminate in red. The four-wheel drive management unit has also been recalibrated to adapt torque distribution to the sporty philosophy of the Opel Performance Center.

All-wheel drive electronics are designed as early-warning system

A big advantage of the Opel all-wheel drive system is that wheels don’t have to spin before the proper corrective measures are introduced. When the sensors detect a critical situation, it only takes around 80 milliseconds – the blink of an eye – for the system to send the required power distribution to the wheels. The power can be distributed seamlessly from zero to 100 percent between the front and rear axle or between the rear wheels. In contrast to conventional mechanical all-wheel drives, the hydraulic controls enable lightning-quick reaction and intervention.

The all-wheel drive system constantly receives updates from three modules called Body Control Module (BCM), Engine Control Unit (ECU) and the ESP. The car’s system analyzes the information and distributes torque individually to the wheels, as needed.

For ultimate stability and performance, the Adaptive 4x4 all-wheel drive system is equipped as standard with an electronically controlled Limited Slip Differential (eLSD). The eLSD electronically controls the distribution of torque between the left and right rear wheels, transferring rear axle torque to the wheel that has the most grip. While offering better traction in slippery conditions, the sophisticated operation of the Adaptive 4x4 improves stability in all situations.

The Insignia 4x4’s power distribution travels from the front axle differential to a hydraulic Haldex multi-disk clutch, which electronically distributes the torque as required. This can be from zero to 100 percent between the front and rear axle. In the rear, power is distributed by a hydraulic multi-disk clutch which can transfer nearly 100 percent of the power to one rear wheel if required. This gives drivers the confidence that their Insignia 4x4 can still maintain safe traction even if three wheels are on sand or mud and only one rear wheel can find grip.

The modules receive their signals from sensors that capture yaw rate, acceleration, steering angle, wheel speed, gas pedal position, engine speed and torque, and adapt power distribution to the driving situation based on this information. Even before take-off, the control module receives information on gas pedal position and engine speed and is able to transfer torque between the front and rear axle to prevent the car losing traction.

Bad roads, rain and mud call for stability and control

Particularly in hazardous driving conditions like heavy rain, snow or poor quality roads with potholes, extreme demands are put on chassis technology. Advanced chassis systems are designed to recognize and avoid dangers as early as possible, as well as support the driver in critical driving situations.

Many drivers have experienced the feeling of picking up too much downhill speed, so they take their foot off the gas pedal only to realize their vehicle is struggling to follow the steering direction. The Insignia’s Adaptive 4x4 system uses a complex sensor system, to redirect power to individual wheels when the engine is slowing down (drag torque) as a result of releasing the accelerator. This allows drivers to steer better and keep control of the vehicle.

Thanks to the many control options like torque and braking torque distribution; and FlexRide damper control, the adaptive all-wheel drive system handles many critical driving situations without the need for ESP. ESP stays in the background as a guardian angel.

Automatically switches to front-wheel drive to save fuel  

The Opel Insignia Adaptive 4x4 system not only helps out in tricky safety situations, it also detects when no external conditions require special intervention, such as travelling on a highway. In this case the system switches off the rear-wheel drive system and reverts to front-wheel drive to reduce friction loss and save fuel.

 Text and photos can be downloaded at media.opel.com.