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“We are trying to position Opel toward the upper side of the high-volume segments and having the Volt technology will give Opel a competitive edge,” an insider told Automotive News Europe.

General Motors plans to release the production Chevrolet Volt onto the US market by late 2010, however the European Volt will resemble something more along the lines of the Flextreme concept first shown in Frankfurt in 2007.

The first models to reach Europe will be manufactured in Detroit, although GM has plans to produce the car locally to meet forecast demand.

“One day the Volt will be built in Europe, it is only a question of when,” GM Europe President Carl Peter Forster

Both the Volt and Flextreme cars feature GM’s extended-range electric-vehicle (E-REV) powertrain, which mates an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack to a small combustion engine.

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Whilst on paper, the Insignia may seem out of place of the world’s most infamous circuit; this is actually our first glimpse of the performance flagship OPC model.

No doubt hiding some new performance flare behind the duct tape, the OPC variant is expected to boast a new front skirt with bigger air intakes, wider sills and wheel arches, and a moulded rear lip spoiler.

Under the hood is a new turbocharged V6 power plant which should deliver over 220kW, likely mated to a performance version of the lesser model’s all-wheel drive system.

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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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Holden has previously refused to comment regarding the potential return of the Vectra to Australia, however it would seem likely as the logical rival to the new Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo.

Like the saloon, the Insignia fastback will be available with either front- or all-wheel drive and a remarkable seven engines to choose from.

These include four petrol engines ranging from a 4-cylinder 86kW unit to a 194kW V6 and three new 2.0-litre direct-injection diesels ranging from 82 to 120kW.

The AWD is fitted with the FlexRide mechatronic chassis system with its Adaptive Stability Technology, but is also optional for the FWD models.

Click through to the next page for a comprehensive gallery.

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Closer inspection by our photographers revealed the rear door handles were fake, perhaps the final proof that the rumoured suicide-door configuration has made it into the production models.

With the added practicality of suicide doors and Opel’s economical diesel engines, this will no doubt be a great success for the brand.

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The sporty wrap-around interior could not be more removed from the typical conservative cabin normally associated with the Vectra.

“We wanted to create interior environments for all our future vehicles that are warm, inviting and sporty. The Insignia is the first evidence of this philosophy.” says John Puskar, Executive Director of Interior Design at GM Europe.

The deceptively familiar cluster design (read: VE Commodore) illuminates white under normal driving conditions, however switches to a vibrant red in sport mode.

Along with the new interior, GM has also released a few more images of the Insignia in a very handsome black finish.

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While we can’t say anything to the shape of the three-door model yet, the five-door version will again get the current model’s sloping roof line plus the trapezoidal-shaped c-post. All in all, however, the new car looks somewhat sleeker and yet more elegant.

Apart from the five-door Opel has an estate (“Caravan”), a convertible (“Twin Top”) and the 3-door (“GTC”) in the pipeline, all following the 5-doors introduction one by one.

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Holden has previously refused to comment regarding the potential return of the Vectra to Australia, however it would seem likely as the logical rival to the new Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo.

Like the saloon, the Insignia fastback will be available with either front- or all-wheel drive and a remarkable seven engines to choose from.

These include four petrol engines ranging from a 4-cylinder 86kW unit to a 194kW V6 and three new 2.0-litre direct-injection diesels ranging from 82 to 120kW.

The AWD is fitted with the FlexRide mechatronic chassis system with its Adaptive Stability Technology, but is also optional for the FWD models.

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The new Opel will be in European dealerships this October with five engines choices which all meet Euro 5 emissions standards. All variants are available with manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.

Buyers can pick between a hatchback or saloon and the car sits five. Some of the new features include a peculiar new headlight system which works out where to point the headlights (nine different settings) under different conditions.

The entry model will be powered by a four-cylinder 104kW petrol engine, hard hitting torque will be available via 2.0-litre turbodiesels tuned to 97kW and 120kW. There is also an EcoFLEX version available which promises very low CO2 emissions. At the very top sits a V6 engine with 194kW.

The new Insignia/Vectra will be on display for the first time at the London Motor Show in late July.

Should Holden bring back the Vectra? Would it succeed against Ford’s gorgeous Mondeo?

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While we can’t say anything about the shape of the three-door model yet, going by the spy photos, the five-door version will again get the current model’s sloping roof line plus the trapezoidal-shaped c-post.

Apart from the 5-door model pictured here, Opel has an estate (“Caravan”), a convertible (“Twin Top”) and the 3-door (“GTC”) in the pipeline, all following the 5-doors introduction one by one.

Click through for Spy Photos of the 2009 Holden Astra.

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