Testing a D-segment car on a small track in a parking lot really puts the emph on the car’s ability to steer, to brake and to accelerate fast enough on short distances. It’s not like you have a big margin of error, and this really helps journalists see if the car in question will be good in daily urban situations in which you have to react rapidly to the traffic, or if it just be a big fat cruiser with comfortable seats.
Here’s the footage of a summer test with the new Opel Insignia, on a small track that allowed us to understand how well the new Insignia performs under such stress. The overall conclusions were that the new Opel Insignia is fast enough, agile enough and enjoyable enough to put it right there at the top of its class.
Less favorable were the comments about the rather indirect steering (a normal thing in a D-class car) and visibility, the A-pillar being somewhat of a nuisance. The fans will rejoice though to see that this car isn’t just looking good. It’s also a very good performer as well.