Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer variant
15 Aug, 2008
37 Comments 
The final iteration of the new Opel Insignia has been officially revealed ahead of its first public debut at the Paris Auto Salon.
The Insignia Sports Touring model will join its sedan and hatchback siblings to complete the new range - matching that of one of its main rivals, the Mazda6.
From the B-pillar back, the design of the Sports Tourer is completely bespoke, rather than attempting to retain the design elements found on the sedan models.
“This is a stand-alone model and not simply an estate version of the saloon. We’ve also ensured that its design combines the sculptural artistry and technical precision found in the saloon and hatch models.”
However it does maintain an identical 2.74 metre wheelbase as the sedan models, and gains just 80mm to its overall length, offering a luggage capacity of 540-litres.
Opel has also taken this opportunity to unveil two new engines for the Insignia range - a downsized turbocharged petrol engine and a new turbo diesel.
An ecoFLEX model is also currently in development which will be added to the range in the near future, boasting impressive fuel consumption and low emissions.
Like the rest of the Insignia line-up, the Sports Touring model will be available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive guise, with buyers given the option of the new FlexRide system with its Adaptive Stability Technology.
It will also feature the same levels of technology, incorporating Vauxhall’s latest generation Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) with nine light beam settings and a Front Camera System which can read and memorise road signs and alert drivers if they unintentionally veer off the road.
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August 15th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Why cant Holden even come out and say they’re considering this line of cars!! Rejecting it outright based on the past vectra’s performance is groundless. So unless there’s a Diesel , Hybrid or an efficient turbocharged 4-cyl Commodore… not happy Holden.
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August 15th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Even if Holden decided to import it we probably would never see the wagon (like the previous Vectra) with Holden instead trying to sell the Commodore wagon. Which is a damn shame, because that looks like a much nicer car.
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August 15th, 2008 at 7:40 am
its not korean, holden doesnt want it lol
i have seen pix of the sedan, in cgi and they looked GREAT, yet pix of it in the flesh looked bad!!
i wonder if audi will sue over the copied rear end on this wagon?
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August 15th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Looks damn nice imo. Heaps better than anything that daewoo could come up with. Holden would be stupid for not bringing it here. I agree with you T, the first thing i thought when i saw that rear end was “audi”.
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August 15th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Holden is mad not to consider importing this car!!
it is 100% better than the crap korean epica thing they import now!. Considering ford is doing well with the european mondeo it should make holden think twice about bringing this out. Since the epica has failed to fool people into buying it on price..
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August 15th, 2008 at 10:08 am
This has to be one of the best looking wagons I have seen.As an owner of a 2007 liberty wagon. I would actually consider buying one of these as my next car, especially an awd version in a turbo diesel..
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August 15th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Whoa, that’s a much nicer looking car compared to the sedan on premiere at the London Moshow. This wagon is definitely not bland and uninspiring!
I’ll take the wagon over the sedan anyday, if it keeps the AWD and diesel spec with all the electronic gizmos this thing will be a winner.
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August 15th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Why don’t they just call it an Insignia Avant…I’m sure Audi won’t notice that either??
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August 15th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
HAHAAHHAHAH! Hey, flattery and all that yeah?
You folks have seen the interior yeah? Its one of those which will drag boys our of strip clubs and ladies out of shoe shops. Why cant that expertise be brought over here to help with the Commodore?
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August 15th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Well that looks WAY better than the sportwagon. Who still wants a commodore?
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August 15th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I think you will find that the Insignia WILL be sold in Aus, alongside the Epicrapica, to give Holden a two pronged entry into the growing mid-size segment. Not sure if the wagon will make it though.
Insignia will compete against the like of Mondeo, Mazda 6, Liberty & Honda, whilst Epica will compete against the low end of the market (the other korean entries and Camry).
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August 15th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
You’re right Bret - infact Holden announced last week that the Insignia will be sold in Oz alongside the Epica..and indications are that we will only get the top of the range [luxury] insignias- including the AWD models whilst the Epica will remain more of a budget mid-size car.
In terms of a mid size wagon I would go for the Mondeo - To compare this to the Commodore Sportwagon is like comparing apples to oranges… you’re not a Toyota fan by any chance are you Alex - they have a habit of doing that.
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August 15th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
WOW put this next a commodore wagon.This is a nice looking wagon.more upright than thee sportwagon but way more sexy.and i love the rear.Sort of french.Holden please bring the wagon in AWD.ANd the interior is miles better than anything on the market.Holden though did confirm this will come here as a 35-50k entrant so lets hope for a diesel.plus this is almost commpdore size so it could almost be the econmy alterative to a commy.
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August 15th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I am certainly not a Toyota fan Wheelnut. I hate the Camry with the rest of you, I think the Aurion is bland and pointless, I think the Corolla is boring and cant believe it sells better than the Focus and I generally dislike the Yaris. And dont even get me started on the Prius. I dont think the Insignia and the commodore are that different. Theyre both large family cars. I know that technically the Insignias segment is called Mid-size in Aus but its not all that much smaller than the Commodore. And it looks sooooo much better. However, saying that, Im also certainly not a fan of Falcons or Commodores. I think theyre bland, bad for the environment, behind theyre time, bad value for money (you dont even get alloys for youre $35,000) and not as good as other mid-size contenders a.k.a. Mondeo, 6, Insignia, Accord Euro…
PS. - Im not some environmentalist who thinks cars will be the death of us, I just think if youre going to have a big polluting car, do it in something cool. Not a family sedan.
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August 15th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Interesting reading…
dubdubdub .themotorreport.com.au/6627/opel-insignia-destined-for-oz/
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August 15th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Look out Subaru designers! You guys better not put in that curvy, crappy, cheapo wavey dash set up in any new Liberty design or you’ll be totally rooted. This Vauxhall in AWD, turbo diesel with plenty of good gear and looks great to boot..this will be a winner.
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August 15th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Follow up: ^ OSU811 is already a Liberty owner considering this.
So OSU811, what would it take for you to change brands..
Is it..
Continued softening of Subaru image?
Lack of inspiring gearboxes-at least 6 speed?
Curvy wavey dash boards
What if they cheapen the look of the plastics like Impreza, Forester etc?
No diesel option?
I’d like to get your opinion. Ta
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August 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
That’s right fella’s, it looks as though the Insignia will make it here as part of a 2 pronged attack along with the Epicrap….I mean Epica in the medium sector.
Finally, we will again have another top class car in the Holden fleet along with the Astra.
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August 15th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Nice and good looking wagon! The rear though looks very Audi-ish if you know what I mean. ;)
Alex Says:
August 15th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
“Well that looks WAY better than the sportwagon. Who still wants a commodore?”
And for you to say that Alex, saying the holden sportwagon is not a nice good looking car are wrong. It’s just the insignia looks more european then the sportwagon.
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August 15th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Looks fab - As a curent Vectra wagon driver its and improvement stylishly.
Sadly folks I don’t think the 4wd is available on diesels (yet) only on the V6 Petrol an 2litre turbo.
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August 15th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
wow thats pretty tuff,but I thought GM were sending Sportwagons into Europe wont this compete too?
Ill still take a Volvo V70 thanks even though its not as pretty as this!
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August 15th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
god this wagon looks awesome
i heard that holden is going to bring the insignia as the high-spec mid-size car (like epica: camry, sebring, skoda and insignia: euro lux, top-spec mazda6, high-end liberties not to mention the low-spec a4 and 3-series)
anyway has anyone noticed the lack of wagons in australia?
in nz they have the focus and mondeo wagon and the accord euro wagon (which is VERY nice). the astra wagon doesnt even come in a manual (let alone the SRi variant) ditto the mazda6 and they say people prefer autos. that maybe true, but dont be selfish and ruin it for the rest of us…
it seems that holden/ford really think that they’re dino-wagons will last the century - the new commodore wagon maybe new but the technology is old (and so is the large car) - so i really think this insignia wagon (plus mondeo and focus and accord euro) would look quite nice on aussie roads!
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August 15th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Mate have you owned a vectra
HOLDEN GO BETTER- when there being towed!!!!
GM Euro stuff cant handle our climate trust me GMH spare dept could tell you this
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August 15th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I will be trading my Mazda 6 mzr-cd in next year for…the 2009 Mazda 6 CD. Quality and value that Ford and Holden never match.
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August 15th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
No Fan - you sound a bitofadicktome.
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August 15th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Rip off Audi some more GM. Find your own design DNA for once.
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August 16th, 2008 at 11:04 am
greenroom, I will reserve my opinion/decision until the all new liberty arrives at the end of next year. From what ive heard it is meant to be a very nicely styled car aswell. Also the 2.0 boxer turbo diesel engine is meant to be made available in the new shape. If it does look good, drive well and have the diesel engine, then I probably will stick with the subarus. But if im not impressed then i will definately consider the insignia diesel awd..
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August 16th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Kiwi’s prefer auto’s. Ha! They are to dumb to know how to drive a manual! ;)
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August 16th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I prefer the look of the Commodore Sportswagon, the back of this is too Audi Q5/7. Glad to here Holden will be bring the Insignia to Australia.
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August 16th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Alex Says:
August 15th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I am certainly not a Toyota fan Wheelnut. I hate the Camry with the rest of you, I think the Aurion is bland and pointless, I think the Corolla is boring and cant believe it sells better than the Focus and I generally dislike the Yaris. And dont even get me started on the Prius.
Good to hear Alex… you’re gonna get on really well with [the majority] of us on this site
Spot on Bavarian Missile - Holden are in the final stages of finalising plans to export the Commodore Sportwagon to the UK and then Europe
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August 17th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
can someone post a link to the real motorshow pix of this in the sedan.
i assure you all, in the metal…. the front doesnt look anywhere near as good as in the cgi!
t
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August 17th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Mazda 6? One of it’s main rivals? I guess you haven’t noticed, but the can-do-no-wrong Mazda 6 sells in negligible numbers in Europe. You can spend weeks on the motorways across the continent without ever seeing one.
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August 18th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Phillip it is a different story in Australia, I think if I’m not mistaken it is our 2nd best seller in terms of medium sized vehicles.
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August 19th, 2008 at 10:25 am
But the point though Myke is that the Insignia is not coming to Australia, therefore it is not a competitor. Holden are fully committed to the Epica (which since it’s recent update is slightly less appalling than it was) and have learned several expensive lessons about trying to market expensive European models with a working-class badge. The Astra only survives because of discounting but is losing its market share fast; as soon as the Viva improves it will be consigned to history just like the Vectra, Corsa and Zafira.
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August 19th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Phillip, I think that you are “out of the loop”. This is a repost of an earlier comment:
I think you will find that the Insignia WILL be sold in Aus, alongside the Epicrapica, to give Holden a two pronged entry into the growing mid-size segment. Not sure if the wagon will make it though.
Insignia will compete against the like of Mondeo, Mazda 6, Liberty & Honda, whilst Epica will compete against the low end of the market (the other korean entries and Camry).
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August 19th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I seriously doubt the legitimacy of these reports. They are usually just rumours started by die-hard Holden fans who are obviously a little embarrassed by their beloved’s bargain-bin small car line-up. The most I’ve ever heard from Holden is that examine every model that becomes available (blah blah blah), but if someone can direct me to a report where someone from Holden is quoted committing the brand to the Insignia then I’ll gladly eat my words. The two-pronged attack isn’t working so well with the Astra-Viva so I doubt they’d repeat it.
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August 19th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
It has been quite widely reported elsewhere: try a search.
The Astra-Viva compete in the small car class, whereas the Insignia-Epica will compete in the quite broad medium class, where the range of buyers and their need is far greater. I agree though that upper and lower specs of a single vehicle would be far better than two individual competitors, as it tends to fragment the product range.
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