GM unveils Insignia sedan

Alain Visser, GM's chief marketing officer in Europe, said in a Webcast from London that the car marked "new ambition and a new era," for GM in Europe. GM's European operations are based in Switzerland.

The car will be available in a four-door regular sedan and a five-door hatchback. Opel expects both models to sell in about equal numbers. The Insignia is being launched with seven available engines.

The four gasoline engines range from a four-cylinder 115 horsepower unit to a V6 with 260 horsepower. Three new direct-injection turbo-diesels developed for the Insignia feature a displacement of 2.0 liters and power output spanning from 110 to 160 horsepower, GM said.

New features of the Insignia include six speed automatic and manual transmissions, redesigned lights, and "a flowing, muscular yet elegant silhouette with a coupe roof line." Visser said there is also a "hotshot" feature which heats the windshield washer fluid for better cleaning or faster defrosting.

Prices for the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland were to be announced Tuesday in London.

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