The Insignia serves as the successor to both the Signum and Vectra model lines, replacing both vehicles under a single nameplate.

Then General Motors Europe president, Carl-Peter Forster, explained that the all new car would be "a radical departure" from the current model and that the "Vectra" name would be dropped to reflect this change.

The Insignia OPC has a modified MacPherson strut front suspension called HiPerStrut which reduces torque steer.

Also standard is an electronic limited slip differential for the rear wheels and Opel's FlexRide adaptive suspension, which has three settings (OPC, Sport, and Normal).

[16] The Opel Insignia Country Tourer made its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013 as a crossover-styled station wagon.

The new design includes a newly designed cockpit with a simplified control panel and two eight inch colour displays, a four way infotainment system via new a touchpad in the centre console, an eight-inch touchscreen, steering wheel controls, voice command, radar and camera based driver assistance and safety systems, such as full speed adaptive cruise control and imminent collision braking, rear camera, lane change assistance, blind spot alert, and rear cross traffic alert.

A 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI developed with the help of Saab, with 195 PS (143 kW; 192 hp), was expected to begin production in 2010.

At launch, the Vauxhall versions were produced in Exclusiv, S, SE, SRi, Elite, and VXR specification levels.

[clarification needed] The car is based on a moderately updated version of Epsilon II platform and was wholly developed by General Motors.

This version of the Insignia is badged as the Holden Commodore ZB in Australia and New Zealand, and as the sixth generation Buick Regal in the Americas and Asia.

This decision was made on the basis of a survey revealing that a majority of customers were in favour of retaining the long-standing Australian badge introduced in 1978.

There was significant controversy regarding Holden's decision to retain the Commodore name for the 2018 model, despite it being dimensionally smaller than its predecessor, lacking a V8 engine option, and switching from a RWD to a FWD drivetrain.

Whilst the decision has been considered to be a safe choice in order to preserve sales, the retention of the Commodore name has been critiqued for Holden missing the opportunity to rebrand its sedan range and push its offering into the more lucrative semi-premium end of the market.

As of April 2018[update], the ZB Commodore has the lowest resale value as a proportion of new price of any car on the Australian market.

[35][36] In July 2023, the Buick Regal was facelifted exclusively for the Chinese market, featuring the updated triple shield logo among the changes.

Driving both cars for the season of 2013 were James Cole and Jack Goff, running under the RCIB Insurance Racing team name.

RCIB Insurance Racing/Team Hard sold the cars to BMR for the 2014 BTCC season, and would be driven by Jack Goff and Warren Scott.

[42][43] For 2015, the Insignia returned to Australia (and for the first time, New Zealand) under the Holden marque, slotted slightly under the Commodore range in market position.

[46] Derived from the rear-wheel drive GM V platform used by the VY Holden Commodore and Statesman,[47] the Opel Insignia concept vehicle was styled as a fastback 5-door liftback.

[47] The Insignia debuted several notable features, including a reconfigurable rear seat (changing between 5-passenger seating and a 2+2 layout with a rear center console[45][47]), LED headlamps (powered by 405 LEDs[45]), a reconfigurable dashboard and center console (with air-conditioned storage and humidor[47]).

The rear sliding doors were fitted with pantographic hinges, allowing for the deletion of external guide rails.

Elements of the Insignia concept design were eventually adopted by other GM vehicles, including the 2015 Buick Avenir concept (sharing a similar fastback/4-door coupe configuration) and the 2008-2017 Opel Insignia/Buick Regal (rear fascia) and the 2010-2016 Buick LaCrosse (roofline); its liftback configuration was adopted by the 2018 Insignia/Regal/Commodore.