Opel Insignia SportTourer OPC: An Audi S4 Avant-Fighter
It's only a matter of time before the Europeans get to taunt us with the Opel Insignia OPC, but how long before they get the bad-ass 2010 Opel Insignia SportTourer OPC grocery hauler?
The European Car of the Year-winning Insignia officially got the OPC treatment earlier this month, but we're told a SportTourer version will soon follow. The Opel Insignia sedan already jockeys for position with Audi's S4 sedan, and the SportTourer OPC can expect similar competition from the Avant. Using the same 2.8-liter V6 turbo ECOTEC engine, the SportTourer OPC will pump at 325 HP and 295 lb-ft or torque, likely giving it a similar 0-to-60 MPH time of 5.8 seconds and 155 MPH top speed. What's that you say? We need milk? Okay, I suppose I'll go get some. Vrooom!
The chassis will also receive some performance tuning to go with its stiffer HiPerStrut suspension and 10mm lower ride height. The SportTourer OPC will also receive the Haldex IV all-wheel-drive system that debuted on the Saab 9-3 Turbo X last year along with an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) in the rear with techy active torque vectoring to allow for a more stable and dynamic cornering profile.
Expect to see the same Brembo brake pacakge, with 320mm rotors on the front, and deep 19- or 20-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in sandpaper like grippy rubber.
Around the same time as the Opel version, Vauxhall will also release their version; the 2010 Vauxhall Insignia SportTourer VXR. What about us in the States you ask? That's yet to be seen, but as we mentioned earlier in the month, China might receive a Regal GNX version pending how sales ride on the newly revealed 2.0 Turbo version. That doesn't exactly answer the question, but we have heard that GM is pondering whether or not to bring the Insignia over here as a Buick, but with the current financial situation being faced by the General, we won't believe anything until we see it. While we're asking questions — How about an Audi RS4 fighter, or is that asking waaaay too much? [illustration via KORSdesign]