2010 Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer

If you've been reading my posts, you know doubt know that i have a soft spot for: A) The Opel Insignia VXR, and B) Station Wagons. All of my hopes, prayers, and dreams (except one!) were fulfilled today with the official debut of the Insignia VXR/OPC Sports Tourer, which is marketing double-speak for "station wagon" - since apparently calling a spade a spade is just not done any more.

The Sports Tourer is just like the regular OPC/VXR, only more useful and better looking.  Ok, I'm biased with the two-box shapes, but I think the proportions just make a lot more sense on the wagon.  It's up for debate, as the taillights are a bit strange looking, but in my eyes this is one seriously attractive hauler.

And haul it will.  It has a Saab-sourced 2.8L twin-cam twin-scroll Turbo V6 with 325bhp, mated to a six-speed manual and electronically torque-vectoring Haldex IV AWD.  There are Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, and all the usual trappings you'd expect of a performance executive car.

This is the third body style the VXR/OPC will be offered in, following the sedan and hatchback 5-door to market by a few months.  Total load capacity is an impressive 1530 litres, meaning that whatever you're hauling will fit and get there right quick.  What's not to love?

The VXR will haul your junk from 0-60 in six seconds flat, on it's way to a limited top speed of 155 miles an hour.  Except for the extra load capacity, it's the same good basic underpinnings as the regular VXR.  Vauxhall/Opel expects the Sports Tourer to bring in sales from people considering S4 Avant's and 335i Tourings, which says a lot about the faith GM has in this product.

As per my one unfulfilled dream - of  course it's not coming to the United States.  What, did you think we got awesome cars like this here?  Of course not.  If Saturn wasn't dying, maybe, but what else could this be sold as?  A Buick Grand National?  The mind boggles...