Opel and Vauxhall reveal 325-horsepower Insignia OPC/VXR
by Sam Abuelsamid on Apr 15th 2009 at 10:28AM 
Vauxhall/Opel Insignia VXR/OPC - Click above for a high-resolution gallery
General Motors may be on life support, but the European operations at Opel and Vauxhall are still showing a 325-horsepower pulse. The latest signs of life come in the form of the hotted up Insignia variant shown above. In right-hand drive Vauxhall form, the super Insignia is badged as the VXR, while the left-hand steered continental version gets an OPC suffix. Regardless of the steering wheel position, all of the important Nürburgring-tuned bits are the same, and in this case, it appears to be another derivative of the technology that first appeared last year in the Saab 9-3 Turbo-X.
That means there is a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 under hood, now with power boosted to 325 horsepower (from the 300 hp in the Saab and the Cadillac SRX). The 295 lb-ft of torque is fed through a six-speed manual gearbox, and out to all four wheels through a Haldex system with an electronic rear limited-slip differential. According to the automaker, acceleration to 62 mph comes up in 5.8 seconds, while an adaptive damping system and retuned suspension that sits 10 mm lower help the Insignia carry the speed through corners. Check out the high-res gallery below and the press release after the jump.
[Source: General Motors]
PRESS RELEASE:
INSIGNIA TAKES POWER FIGHT TO PREMIUM RIVALS
* Nurburgring-proven chassis with Adaptive 4X4
* Turbocharged V6 engine with race-bred design features
* Unique-to-range front suspension for optimised grip and traction
Luton – Packing 325 horsepower, a sophisticated four-wheel-drive chassis and a sub-six second 0-60 time, Vauxhall's new Insignia VXR is set to take the mid-size performance saloon market by storm when it goes on sale early this summer, with a level of dynamic prowess which aims to raise the bar in its class.
Based on the successful 2009 European Car of the Year, and available in hatch, saloon and Sports Tourer body styles, the high-performance Insignia will be Vauxhall's first VXR model to adopt 4X4 technology, using a bespoke chassis developed through an extensive test programme at the gruelling Nurburgring circuit in Germany.
Highlights are a 'HiPerStrut' (High Performance Strut) front suspension system, Adaptive 4X4 with electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) and a 10 millimetre reduction in ride height over the Insignia SRi.
The HiPerStrut system is unique to the VXR and serves two primary functions: firstly, to reduce torque-steer, but also to maintain negative camber during cornering, thereby improving ultimate grip levels in wet or dry conditions.
Complementing these features are standard 19-inch alloy wheels (20-inch lightweight forged alloys are a cost option) with bespoke tyres, revised bushing and damper settings on both axles, and Brembo brakes with colour-keyed callipers and vented/cross-drilled discs.
'The Insignia VXR is not just about absolute power, but a combination of usable performance and chassis sophistication which is the match of premium rivals, such as Audi's new S4,' said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall's Marketing Director. ' In essence, it's an ultra-fast performance saloon that will appeal to buyers who appreciate subtle yet distinctive styling, but who need to know that there's real substance below the car's metal.'
And substance the VXR has a-plenty. At the heart of the Insignia VXR is Vauxhall's advanced 2.8-litre V6 Turbo ECOTEC engine, with its micro-alloy forged steel crank, classic 60-degree cylinder angle and die-cast alloy oil sump – all features found in many a race engine. Producing 325PS (65PS up on the Elite V6), the engine uses a single, twin-scroll turbocharger and variable valve control for quick throttle response, and accelerates from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds, achieving an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.
With a design inspired by the Vauxhall/Opel GTC, many of the Insignia VXR's styling cues will be familiar to those who saw this groundbreaking concept at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. A deeper bumper, incorporating bold, twin mesh grilles either side of the main grille, dominates the front of the car, and at the rear, hatch and saloon models gain a rear spoiler, while all VXRs have a bespoke bumper moulding incorporating dual matt chrome exhausts.
This sporting theme continues in the Insignia VXR's cabin. Recaro front seats, a new VXR steering wheel, VXR gearknob and unique mouldings are standard on all cars, along with different instrument graphics, VXR sill plates and a black headlining.
All VXRs are available with a colour palette comprising Arden Blue, Power Red, Carbon Flash Black, Silver Lake, Olympic White and Technical Grey.
Sitting at the top of the Insignia range, the new model will be an important addition to Vauxhall's performance-bred VXR family, which already includes the Corsa VXR, Astra VXR and 431 horsepower VXR8.
Since its launch in 2004, the VXR brand has been underpinned by the immensely successful VX Racing team, which currently holds all three British Touring Car Championship titles – Drivers', Manufacturers' and Team – for the 2008 season.
Prices for the Vauxhall Insignia VXR will be announced soon.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
ACURA23CL 10:33AM (4/15/2009)
Please tell me that the US will get some rendition of this car!!! It's looks SO GOOD!!!
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sk 10:37AM (4/15/2009)
Too late, Saturn is going away. An announcement is coming end of this month that Peugeot is entering the U.S. market again by purchasing the Saturn dealer network. I guess this will also end the Opel relationship.
kimosen 10:40AM (4/15/2009)
You're forgetting that GM has already chosen a new "partner" for Opel here in the states - Buick.
I must say I'd rather have an Opel (or even Saturn) badge on my car than a Buick one, but I think for this car, I'd make an exception.
(I'm pretty sure I'd rather have a Datsun logo... blah on Buick)
ken_aisin 11:50AM (4/15/2009)
Wow, that's a looker!! Just bring it over as is to help the Saturn dealerships stay afloat.
Ken Stamper 12:37PM (4/15/2009)
@kimosen
I would say blah on Buick too, but I gotta admit that waterfall grille looks pretty damn good on this car
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-china-buick-regal/1248207/
ACURA23CL 1:11PM (4/15/2009)
Ken Stamper --> I agree 100% about that waterfall grill.
Yes, I think we all can agree that Buick isn't the ideal choice for a rebadge on this model, but it's also not the worst choice. I think this could do very well as a Pontiac. Pontiac is s'posed to be GM's performance division anyway, and the G8 has done pretty good as a rebadged Holden/Vauxhall...so it can definitely be done. I'm not a huge fan of badge engineering, but if it means getting nice packages like this to the states, then do what you gotta do. Badge engineering got a really bad wrap in the late 80's and all 90's because Mfgs were using this technique to multiply regular, hum-drum cars, vans, and trucks, in order to creat the illusion that you were getting something else.
None of us want "something else" we want THAT CAR WE SEE IN THE PICTURE RIGHT THERE, in whatever form we can get it, so long as the quality/appeal doesn't suffer at all!!!
inteller 2:15PM (4/15/2009)
just go get a G37 Sedan since that is obviously what they are copying.
ACURA23CL 2:22PM (4/15/2009)
@ inteller
There's one problem, the Infiniti G37 Sedan doesn't look this good!
renshcp 4:44AM (4/19/2009)
I really really hope GM brings this car to the US as a Buick Regal. Granted it'll be hard to find a price point under the Lacrosse for the Regal, but this is the one Buick I would actually buy when I return to the states.
I spent yesterday car shopping in Shanghai and I spent a loooong time at the Buick dealership drooling all over the Regal (don't worry, they have people full time just to clean up the drool). Simply gorgeous inside and out. The interior feels every bit as well appointed as any $30-40k entry luxury car. I can't justify spending the equivalent of $35,000 on this car during my short stay in China with the odd used car market I have no idea how I would move it when I move in a year or two.
On another note, the Cruze also looked amazing inside and out in person. Why is China getting all this good product before the US?
Silly Pickle 10:34AM (4/15/2009)
Now that looks hot. Too bad I couldn't possibly afford it even if they did bring it to N/A.
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Avinash machado 10:34AM (4/15/2009)
Sell it as the LaCrosse Super.
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geo.stewart 10:39AM (4/15/2009)
cant wait for the market to recover. bringing this over would be a boon.
wont do it as long as G8s are barely going out the door for low to mid 20s though
JDMlover 10:51AM (4/15/2009)
As a Buick ??? !!!!
You have lost your mind. The Name Buick alone will turn many buyers away.
Jj 11:01AM (4/15/2009)
If it comes over as a Buick it would most likely be a Regal.
geo.stewart 11:16AM (4/15/2009)
GM will have to work on marketing to re-align Buick as the new Saturn (read Euro-importer)
With the Enclave and this, its a good start but have to ditch the LaCrosse.
Not sure Saturn wasnt better suited for this role but I understand the issues with brand groupings (Buick is already tied to GM and Pontiac dealers while Saturn stands alone)
that being said, a Velite would have been a better choice than a Sky.
Taglane 11:21AM (4/15/2009)
The Regal is based on the Insignia, and the Regal is being brought to NA, so we could see it as a Regal Super? Maybe?
Aprime 1:19PM (4/15/2009)
And this would be the GNX?
montoym 1:56PM (4/16/2009)
quote from Jj:
- "If it comes over as a Buick it would most likely be a Regal" -
It is coming over as a Buick and it's called the LaCrosse. Granted, it's not coming over as an OPC(at least not right away), but we are absolutely getting the same car(Insignia).
kimosen 10:37AM (4/15/2009)
I want this car more than I want to continue to stay alive.
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AntBee 11:28AM (4/15/2009)
LMAO!! You cracked me up some good with that one!
I hope your wish doesn't come true?