Photo: SB-Medien
These are our first spy photos of the all-new Opel Insignia OPC. It's sure to wear a Vauxhall VXR badge (actually, the prototype is RHD already), probably a Buick and a Holden one too. But is it going to be hot enough?
Even though the Insignia has access to some V6 engines through its platform brothers, the OPC/VXR model is going to downsize. While the old generation packed an almost unique 2.8-liter twin-turbo V6, its 2018 successor will be powered exclusively by an all-wheel-drive four-cylinder turbo-gasoline setup.
That's for the Europeans, but the funny thing is that the Holden Commodore VXR (yes, they are apparently going to call it that) will offer similar performance from a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter.
The good news is that there's less weight to carry around: about 170 kg when compared to the old Insignia. So even with a smaller engine and two fewer cylinders, performance will be roughly the same.
We'd expect to see an output of around 300 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, maybe an even a little more. With the help of an 8-speed automatic gearbox, the sedan will launch from 0 to 100 km/h in around 6 seconds.
The Insignia OPC/VXR will also have a "Twinster" all-wheel-drive system, which uses twin clutch plates to send up to 50% of the torque to the rear. It doesn't have a differential, so we'll have to wait and see how that affects handling.
Of course, styling will also be improved with bigger air intakes, 20-inch wheels, lowered adaptive suspension and a twin exhaust system.
There's very little we can compare this to. Before, the 2.8-liter engine made the hot Insignia seem like a budget Audi S4 alternative. But with Ford, Mazda and VW not offering go-fast V6 sedans for many years, Opel might be getting its own niche.
Considering the advanced state of this prototype, a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show looks likely. But the market launch might not happen until next year.
That's for the Europeans, but the funny thing is that the Holden Commodore VXR (yes, they are apparently going to call it that) will offer similar performance from a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter.
The good news is that there's less weight to carry around: about 170 kg when compared to the old Insignia. So even with a smaller engine and two fewer cylinders, performance will be roughly the same.
We'd expect to see an output of around 300 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, maybe an even a little more. With the help of an 8-speed automatic gearbox, the sedan will launch from 0 to 100 km/h in around 6 seconds.
The Insignia OPC/VXR will also have a "Twinster" all-wheel-drive system, which uses twin clutch plates to send up to 50% of the torque to the rear. It doesn't have a differential, so we'll have to wait and see how that affects handling.
Of course, styling will also be improved with bigger air intakes, 20-inch wheels, lowered adaptive suspension and a twin exhaust system.
There's very little we can compare this to. Before, the 2.8-liter engine made the hot Insignia seem like a budget Audi S4 alternative. But with Ford, Mazda and VW not offering go-fast V6 sedans for many years, Opel might be getting its own niche.
Considering the advanced state of this prototype, a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show looks likely. But the market launch might not happen until next year.
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