General Motors took to the stage at the Paris Motor Show to show off a high-capacity variant of its new Opel Insignia. Dubbed the Sports Tourer, the five-door is a wagon bodystyle with a large hatch door and extended capacity. Based on the GM Epsilon II architecture that will soon underpin a wide variety of GM vehicles, the Insignia Sports Tourer also replaces the long-running Vectra model for Europe and Australia.
Though the front sheet metal is identical to its sedan counterpart, GM says from the B-pillars on back, the wagon is completely unique. The wagon’s wheelbase remains unchanged from the Insignia sedan, but it does gain an extra three inches in overall length.
The Insignia’s new interior — which will be carried over from the sedan — is quite handsome and looks to be influenced by the Chevrolet Malibu’s twin-cockpit design. Thanks to a longer wheelbase and wider track, the interior will also be roomier than its predecessor.
Underhood, the Insignia will offer customers a range of gasoline and diesel powerplants. Gas engines will range in displacement from 1.6L to 2.8L, with the range-topper being a 2.8L V6 with 260 horsepower. Opel will also offer different versions of its 2.0L diesel unit, ranging in power from 110 horsepower to 160. GM indicated that two new powerplants would be available in the Sports Tourer, but was mum on any details.
All engines will be mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Front wheel drive will be standard, but the Insignia will have an all-wheel drive option. Customers will also be able to choose between body styles — a notch- or hatchback — when the Insignia goes on sale in the UK this October.
The new Insignia has particular relevance to us in the U.S. as it will eventually show up on our shores as the next-generation Saturn Aura. Although the Sports Tourer has not been given the green light for U.S. consumption, it still remains in the realm of possibilities that it could wind up in U.S. showrooms — especially given GM is adding a wagon to the Cadillac CTS line.
However, at the Paris Motor Show, Leftlane learned from a GM representative that the Insignia won’t be brought over to North America as it stands today. Unlike the Saturn Astra, which is little more than a rebadged Opel/Vauxhall Astra, the next generation Aura will differ significantly from the Insignia. This Epsilon II architecture will also underpin the next versions of the Saab 9-5, Chevrolet Malibu and the replacement for the Buick LaCrosse.
10/03, 11:27 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
Meet the new Malibu Maxx wagon.
10/03, 2:18 PM
posted by:
Jordan
the only thing i care about is that last paragraph.
they’re going to ****ing ruin the insignia before they bring it over here. damn them. damn them all to hell!
10/03, 2:46 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
RaineMan & Jordan – I see your points. I hope for GM’s sake that you’re both wrong but only time will tell (which is scary for them because they don’t have the best track record). Personally, it makes me sick that GM and Ford design some of the best looking cars (and wagons) in the world for Europe and only give Americans (their HOME MARKET) the same tired old trucks and crossovers (Enclave, Acadia, Outlook, Traverse… Taurus X, Edge, Flex… enough already). If Insignia wagon or Ford Mondeo wagon ever came to our shores, I’d be the first in line for a test drive.
10/03, 4:57 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
It’s all based on the flawed concept that Americans don’t like wagons.
Wait… didn’t America invent the station wagon in the first place?
10/03, 7:24 PM
posted by:
VWgrouP
I really like Opel..Why don’t you bring the REST of the models to North America GM? All we have is the “Saturn” Astra…
Then maybe my over all view of GM would improve a tiny bit.
10/08, 5:35 PM
posted by:
SarahR
A note to VWgrouP:
We don’t “only” have the Saturn Astra from the Opel lineup. There are 4 current Saturn models (out of 5 total in the lineup) that are badged as Opels across the pond. The Sky roadster is the Opel GT, the Saturn Aura is the Opel Vectra and the Saturn Vue is the Opel Antara. You may want to check out the whole Saturn lineup if you like the Opels – they say that Saturn is the “best movie no one is going to see”…unfortunate. I have a 2008 Saturn Aura and am stoked that my lease end will work out nicely with the new Saturn Aura design (the Insignia)!