Opel/Vauxhall Insignia takes the “2008 Car Of The Year” award

The Insignia is the foremost Opel to win in 22 years but General Motors’ European company has been runner-up four times and in 2007 the Opel Corsa lost by just two points to the Ford S-Max. Ford has won the award five times but this is the second time it has lost by just one point.

This year’s slim victory underscores the high level of competition this year, which has 37 original participants with seven finalists. Of the 59 car of the Year judges representing a cross section of 23 European countries, 20 gave the Insignia top points, while 19 put the Fiesta in primary place.

Opel has defined Insignia design as creativity with German exactness: best values at a reasonable price. Many of the judges appreciated the appearance and visual traits of this model but the new C/D car from Russelsheim is much more than style. Dynamic and passive safety, comfort and a wide range of efficient engines mark this model. The opulence of equipment can still be improved with sophisticated options consisting of the ‘Opel Eye’, that is capable of reading road signals, FlexRide suspension and nine-mode Adaptive Forward Lighting. Photos after the jump!