The Insignia of the 1950s: Opel Kapitän Celebrates Anniversary

[Opel]

• Most successful Kapitän model in Opel’s history turns 50
• Current Opel flagship Insignia taking an equally successful course since market launch

Rüsselsheim. In the fall of 1959, the new Opel Kapitän (known internally as the Kapitän P2 2.6-liter) rolled off the production line in Rüsselsheim for the first time. Thanks to its distinctive design, high comfort and state-of-the-art technology, it soon became a bestseller. A total of 145,616 units were sold up to 1964, making the P2 2.6-liter the most successful Kapitän ever. Fifty years after its market launch, the new top model from Rüsselsheim, the Opel Insignia, is repeating history. After less than 12 months on the market, over 150,000 drivers already call the innovative car their own. Five decades of progress in automotive development separate the two models, but both – each at their own time – play a groundbreaking role for the brand with the distinctive lightning-bolt emblem.

Opel Kapitän P2 2.6-liter – “More value for less money”

While the first post-war Kapitän was still strongly influenced by American aesthetics, the second generation as of fall 1959 was distinguished by its own unique appearance and more European design. “The sweeping lines and softly flowing transitions are now replaced by a firm emphasis on the horizontal and the effect of pronounced contours,” explains a contemporary text. The bodywork became more rigid and straight lines “stretched” the car – an effect that was enhanced by the particularly flat roof. Opel increased driver vision by installing a wider panorama windscreen that projected more deeply into the roof, and improved access for rear-seat passengers by making some slight design changes to the roof edges.

The Kapitän’s 2.6-liter, in-line six-cylinder engine delivered 66 kW/90 hp and maximum torque of 190 Newton meters between 1,300 and 2,500 revs. The experts were particularly impressed by its smooth running characteristics – the result of a new engine mounting that ensured maximum noise insulation and improved vibration damping. Technical features such as the “actuation aid” for the clutch pedal were followed in the subsequent years by innovations such as “Hydra-Matic” automatic transmission and power steering. Thus, in terms of both technology and comfort, the Kapitän set standards for automobile production at the time. Despite this, Opel refrained from increasing the price compared with the predecessor model, which also contributed to the sales success.

Opel Insignia – top-level dynamics and technology

Innovative technologies and striking design at affordable prices - fifty years later, Opel is still winning the hearts of customers with this philosophy. From the very beginning, both the two sedan versions of the Opel Insignia as well as the Sports Tourer have enjoyed great popularity. But that is not the only thing they have in common with their predecessor, the Kapitän. The Insignia also paved the way for a new definition of Opel’s design language: “Sculptural elegance meets German precision”. Strong, striking forms provide a dynamic appearance that the Insignia also lives up to on the road thanks to state-of-the-art technologies.

Be it the latest generation of the adaptive forward lighting system AFL+ with nine different light functions, the front camera with traffic sign recognition and lane-departure warning, or the premium seats that received recognition for their excellent ergonomic properties from the “Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.” (campaign for healthy backs) the Opel Insignia is distinguished just like the Kapitän five decades ago by comfort and technology at the highest levels. As a further plus, the Insignia is available with a wide range of engines, from the 81 kW/110 hp 2.0-liter turbo-diesel right up to the OPC top engine, the 2.8 V6 Turbo with 239 kW/325 hp.

More than 25 awards attest to the Insignia’s quality and prove that it wasn’t elected “Car of the Year 2009” for nothing. It thus continues the long Opel tradition of manufacturing vehicles that combine advanced technology, high quality and enjoyable driving at affordable prices.