New Videos of Opel Insignia OPC at the Nurburgring and on the Road

Here's the latest batch of videos of Opel's new high-performance model, the 325HP Insignia OPC or if you live in the UK, the Vauxhall Insignia VXR. Along with a promotional film that shows the sedan and estate (Sports Tourer) versions of the OPC on the road, Opel also published a video of the range-topping Insignia at the Nurburgring race track.

The most powerful production model in Opel history ever will be available for sale in Europe this fall in all three body styles - four-door sedan sedan, five-door liftback and Sports Tourer.

As you may have already figured out by now, any chance of seeing the Insignia OPC making its way to the States was washed out after GM's collapse (okay, okay, bankruptcy) and the company's decision to sell the Saturn brand as well as part of its European operations.

Insignia VXR to Make UK Debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The high-performance version of the Opel /Vauxhall Insignia will make its first appearance in Britain at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed that runs from July 3-5. The 325HP Insignia VXR (OPC for the rest of Europe) will run the famous hillclimb course twice a day. Joining the Insignia will be the most powerful production model in Vauxhall's history, the rear-wheel-drive, 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engined VXR8 Bathurst S Edition 560HP that will be performing a 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' display in front of the Goodwood House.

GM's British arm will also showcase two concept studies from the past, the gullwing-door XVR that was displayed at the 1966 Geneva Salon and the SRV that made its debut at the 1970 Earls Court Motor Show.

GM gets World's Fastest Man to Drive Insignia OPC at Goodwood

General Motors' Vauxhall division announced today that World Land Speed Record holder, Andy Green, will be behind the wheel of the all-new, 325HP Insignia VXR (OPC for the rest of Europe) at this weekend's Goodwood's hillclimb course. Andy Green, a British Royal Air Force pilot, is the first and only person to break the sound barrier on land when he recorded a top speed o 763mph or 1,227km/h in 1997 driving Richard Noble's Thrust SSC (SuperSonic Car).

"The Festival of Speed is one of the highlights of my year," said Andy. "So when I was offered the chance to drive Vauxhall's new high-performance Insignia up the Hill, it was just the icing on the cake! Fast road cars are the essence of the Festival and I am really looking forward to giving the Insignia a good run up the Hill this weekend."

Vauxhall gets into the Christmas Shopping Spirit, Announces 20% Discounts on Most New Models

'Tis the season for shopping at Vauxhall as GM's British subsidiary has announced a significant 20 per cent discount on most of its new models, just days before the VAT increases in the country by a hefty 2.5 per cent in early January. The automaker's offer is called "Vauxhall Countdown" and it is available on new cars purchased between December 27, 2010

While Vauxhall did not release a full price list, the automaker did provide some examples. With the 20 per cent discount, the on-the-road price of an Astra 1.4 (100PS) Exclusive tumbles by more than £3,190, while savings on the Agila range start from £1890.

According to the automaker, Corsa buyers can save up to £3400 off the on the road price, depending on model, while the Astra Sports Tourer will attract discounts of between £3,300 and £4,685. Those in need of more power can opt for the range-topping Insignia VXR (OPC for the rest of Europe) and see the road price drop by £6,165 to £26,150.

"We’re committed to reducing the pain of the latest VAT rise as much as possible,” said Peter Hope, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director. “Vauxhall Countdown is a no-nonsense 20 per cent discount that applies across almost all models in our range. It has instant appeal for all our customers and makes ownership of some of our latest, award-winning cars even more attractive than before."

Opel Insignia OPC Completes 10,000km Testing Around the 'Ring

It's no secret that most automakers hone and further develop their sportiest models on Nurburgring's Nordschleife, which is considered the toughest and most demanding race track in the world. Of course, General Motors' European unit, Opel, is no exception. The German automaker said that all vehicles in its OPC lineup (VXR in the UK) complete a painstaking 10,000km (6,219 mile) testing around the 20.8km (12.9 miles) Nordschleife of the Nurburgring before they go on sale. While 'ze' Germans did not disclose any lap times, the company said that a few days ago, the Insignia OPC sedan completed its final 10,000km 'Ring challenge with no problems.

"The Insignia OPC sedan raced 487 laps for 12 days at some top speeds flawlessly. This kind of performance and quality is what we expect from all our Opel cars," said Hans Demant, Managing Director of Opel.

Over the next few days, the Insignia Sports Tourer OPC will also complete its final 10,000km testing around the Nordschleife. Both versions of the Insignia OPC boast a 325HP, 2.8-liter V6 Turbo engine as well as Opel's Adaptive 4x4 transmission with an electronic rear limited slip differential (eLSD) and purpose-built Brembo brakes. The OPC models are due to go on sale in Europe later this year.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

German Police Recruits Opel Insignia Sports Tourer

The Opel Insignia Sports Tourer, the sedan version of which is marketed in the States as the Buick Regal, has been recruited for duty by the Polizei force of the German State of Hesse. The authorities announced today that they have ordered a total of 800 patrol cars from Opel, with the first 100 examples to be delivered this year.

All Insignia patrol cars will come fitted with special equipment including additional rear warning lights with LED tech, a pull out tray system for the trunk which can be replaced with a transport box for police dogs.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

VIDEO: Opel Shows Off New Insignia Sports Tourer OPC in Promo Film

For those of you who want to see more of the new Opel Insignia Sports Tourer OPC, General Motors' soon-to-be-sold European unit has released the first video footage of its Audi S4 Avant rivaling estate. Like the Insignia OPC sedan, the Sports Tourer combines a 325HP and 435 Nm 2.8-liter V6 Turbo engine to Opel's all-wheel drive system and an electronically controlled rear limited slip differential. Click here to check out our detailed post on the Sports Tourer OPC or hit the jump to watch the film.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Opel Insignia Tops the Charts in Europe, Over 100,000 Orders in the First Quarter

While in their home turf, General Motors as well as Ford and Chrysler are taking a beating from Japanese automakers in the sedan segments, across the pond, GM's Opel Insignia has topped the charts in the first quarter of the year surpassing all competition in the mid-size sedan category in Europe. According to Opel, more than 100,000 orders have been received for the Insignia that was crowned Europe's "Car of the Year 2009".

To keep up with demand, Opel has decided to add another three extra shifts at its Rüsselsheim plant in Germany in May.

"The Insignia is showing very good conquest potential, all the way to customers of classic premium brands," says Alain Visser, Vice President Opel at General Motors Europe. "It is a symbol of our performance and ability – it shows what Opel can do."

Unfortunately for GM, the American automaker's economic woes may lead the German brand to the hands of Fiat by the end of the year.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Opel Insignia OPC in Sports Tourer Form Spied Completely Undisguised!

If you were in any doubt that Opel and consequently, its British arm Vauxhall, was readying an estate version of the recently introduced Insignia OPC, here's the proof that you've been asking for. Carscoop's secret agent hit the jackpot with the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer snapping the car without a single trace of camouflage. Naturally, the German firm's Audi S4 Avant contender comes with a similar sports outfit to the sedan featuring a new front end with two large vertical intakes and a specific rear bumper with dual integrated exhausts.

The profile photos also show a roof spoiler and a new set of wheels. Like the sedan, the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer will ride on 19-inch alloys shod in 245/40 high performance tires while 20-inch lightweight forged wheels with 255/35 tires will be available as an option.

As you probably have already guessed by now, under the skin you'll find the same hardware used in the Insignia OPC sedan. In other words, a four-wheel drive chassis mated to a 2.8-liter V6 fitted with a twin-scroll turbo that generates an output of 325 horsepower and 400Nm or 295-lbs/ft of torque. Power is channeled to all wheels through a six speed manual gearbox. As with the sedan, the transmission is coupled to an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that can feed torque to individual wheels.

A sportier suspension set up and beefier Brembo brakes with cross-drilled discs complete the changes.

Since it's almost certain that the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer will be a bit heavier than its sedan sibling, don't be surprised if you see slightly worst acceleration figures. For the record, the OPC-ized Insignia saloon hits the 100km/h mark in 6.0 seconds (0 to 60mph in 5.8 seconds). Top speed should remain the same at 250km/h or 155mph (electronically limited).

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

(The black colored Insignia pictured below is an OPC prototype scooped near the 'Ring)

Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer: High-Res Gallery and Details on 325HP Estate

What we have here are the first official photographs of the more practical, estate version of GM's Opel Insignia OPC. Aimed squarely at the Audi S4 Avant and the BMW 335i Touring, the Insignia OPC station wagon or as Opel prefers to call it, the Sports Tourer, shares the same mechanical underpinnings with the four-door sedan model introduced earlier this month. It comes with a four-wheel drive chassis mated to a 2.8-liter V6 equipped with a twin-scroll turbo cranking out 325 horsepower and 400Nm or 295-lbs/ft of torque.

The hot Insignia Sports Tourer that will be sold in the UK with the VXR badge send power to all wheels through a six speed manual gearbox. Like its sedan offspring, the transmission is coupled to an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) claimed to reduce wheelspin.

Performance-wise, Opel give a zero to 60mpg (96km/h) sprint time of 6.0 seconds, or 0.2 seconds slower than the Insignia OPC sedan, while the estates top speed is electronically governed at 250km/h or 155mph.

Other than that, the Sports Tourer features the same mechanical upgrades as the sedan including a lower suspension and beefier Brembo brakes with cross-drilled discs all around.

Same goes for the visual enhancements with the Insignia Sports Tourer OPC boasting a new front fascia with tear-like air scoops at both corners, side skirts and a redesigned rear bumper that integrates the chromed exhaust pipes. Inside, the hot Insignia estate sports Recaro buckets, a new three-spoke steering wheel with a flattened bottom, leather gear knob, sill plates and a sportier instrument cluster.

Opel's sportyliscious estate will go on sale across Europe this fall.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com