VIDEO: Holden MY18 Commodore testing at Nurburgring

Opel has released a new video of the next MY18 Holden Commodore being driven hard around the European car industry's favourite proving ground, Germany's Nurburgring.

The still-disguised Commodore, that's set to be unveiled officially as the new Opel Insignia at the Geneva motor show in March 2017, is thought to have been filmed while carrying out durability tests.

As part of the video Andreas Zipser, chief engineer for the Insignia, explains how the new advanced all-wheel drive system benefits both safety and fun.

Sadly, so far, there’s no evidence of the all-wheel drive Commodore’s drifting ability, but Zipser says the new car has been created to provide a better feeling of connection between the car and the road -- hinting the new Commodore could be more of a driver's car than the Australian-made model it replaces.

Adding credibility to that statement, Opel claims the driver's seat now sits three centimetres lower than in the old Euro Insignia.

The driver is also said to benefit from a more driver-centric cabin with all instruments angled to face the driver while controls are in easy reach.

Finally, the GM engineer praises the Commodore's agility and handling, which you might expect him to say, but for once we’d be inclined to beleive him after motoring.com.au's early drive in a pre-production car.

Despite only being 65 per cent complete, we came away impressed by the big Holden's handling's composure, accurate steering, punchy V6 and smooth, effortless nine-speed auto.

Weighing in between 200-300kg lighter than the current VF Commodore, the slightly smaller German-built five-door hatch makes up for it cabin space deficit with more standard tech and safety equipment.

Under the bonnet, there will be the choice of either petrol or diesel four-cylinder engines with fastest models coming with a naturally aspirated 230kW/370Nm V6 combined with all-wheel drive.

Both a twin-turbo V6 and V8 have already been ruled out for packaging reasons -- they don't fit the 'E2' architecture that underpins the new car.

Suspension-wise, range-topping Commodores will come with GM's new FlexRide adaptive dampers that offer the chance of 'Standard', 'Sport' or 'Tour' mode.

In Sport the dampers are in their stiffest setting, while throttle and steering responses are said to be "most direct". The Commodore's ESC system also allows more slip for great driver engagement.

In Tour, the FlexRide slackens off the dampers' reactions and reduces the throttle's responsiveness for a more relaxing drive. Said to adapt the dampers 500 times per second in all three settings, FelxRide detects if you're driving enthusiastically along a challenging road and reacts by automatically firming-up the dampers for better body control.

GM says drivers can save their personal preferences for steering, throttle response and favourite damper setting by using the 'Sport' button.

Expect both Opel and Holden to release more teases ahead of its Geneva reveal.