Confirmed: Vauxhall Insignia VXR Goes on Sale This Summer

Vauxhall today confirmed that its new Insignia VXR - the British flavor of Opel Insignia OPC - will go on sale this summer but pricing details are yet to be unveiled. The new model will be available in three different body styles: hatchback, sedan and Sports Tourer, and will be based on the standard Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, the 2009 European Car of the Year.

Furthermore, the car will be the first VXR to feature all-wheel drive technology, "using a bespoke chassis developed through an extensive test programme at the gruelling Nurburgring circuit in Germany," as the company said in a release.

"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."

In terms of technical details, the Insignia VXR is powered b a 2.8-liter V6 Turbo ECOTEC engine with a single twin-scroll turbocharger and variable valve control that produces 325 PS (65 PS up on the Elite V6). The car jumps from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, with maximum speed electronically-limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).

The Insignia VXR will come in a choice of several colors, including Arden Blue, Power Red, Carbon Flash Black, Silver Lake, Olympic White and Technical Grey. Other feature highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels (20-inch lightweight forged alloys come as option) with bespoke tires, Brembo brakes with colored calipers and vented discs.