Dramatic launch of Insignia as it literally ‘drops in’ on London
A day ahead of its supposed debut at the British International Motor
Show on 22nd July, the Insignia made its first ever UK public
appearance by dropping 45-metres at Tower Bridge.
The Insignia was hidden in a capsule which was then lodged in the
ground next to London’s Tower Bridge when it was hoisted out of the
earth as though it was a UFO that had crash landed. The new Insignia
was then dropped to Earth when the spectacular ‘reveal’ took place.
A 4.7 metre-diameter orb was suspended by a crane high above Potters Fields Park releasing the Vauxhall Insignia which fell 45 metres to earth - in just six seconds - in a breathtaking stunt.
More than 300 guests were on hand to watch the new car plunge from the orb as it was suspended in the air.
The car then went on display at the British International Motor Show where it could be viewed by the public for the first time.
With so many leading technological innovations showcased on the Insignia, its dramatic entrance was designed to reflect the manufacturer’s forward-thinking.
How they did it
On Saturday the 3.2 ton orb “crashed” to earth, then on Sunday a 62 metre-high crane lifted the orb out of its massive crater on Potters Fields in a mock clean-up mission. The car then dramatically fell 45 metres back to earth where one of the key challenges for organisers was to ensure a safe Insignia landing.
Using the latest technology, a team of 60 people worked a total of over 7,200 hours to plan, set-up, rehearse and execute the reveal. They worked for 96 consecutive hours on-site at Potters Fields to ensure the success of the car’s high-speed fall, allowing the vehicle to reach a descent speed of 7.6 metres per second.
The machine that made this all possible required roughly 3 kilometres of power and control cables – it also contained 152 metres of air hoses and more than 120 air fittings. Thirteen computer-controlled pneumatic brakes stopped more than 2.7 tons travelling at breakneck speed.
The event, compéred by Kate Thornton – first presenter of The X Factor – was capped by a performance from Bond, the British all-women’s string performers, whose album Classified has sold more than 3 million copies.