Europe: Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer

With 10,000 kilometres of gruelling validation at the world’s most fearsome and demanding test track now under their belt, the Opel Insignia OPC hatch and saloon are set to raise the bar in their sector with a heady mix of high performance, practicality and sophisticated dynamics.

And now, adding even greater versatility to the range, Opel can confirm that the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer will be the third body style to join the line up, after enduring rigorous testing at the notorious Nürburgring Circuit.

Combining all the technical highlights of the OPC hatch and saloon with best in class-matching luggage capacity (rear seats up), the Insignia Sports Tourer is not only the fastest estate car Opel/Vauxhall has ever produced, but also the first to incorporate Adaptive 4x4 and an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD).

Like its saloon and hatch siblings, the OPC Sports Tourer sits 10 millimeters lower than the regular Sports Tourer, and features the unique HiPerStrut system, which reduces torque-steer and maintains negative camber during cornering, thereby improving wet and dry grip levels.

Complementing these features are standard 19-inch alloy wheels (20-inch lightweight forged alloys are a cost option) with bespoke tyres, revised bushing and damper settings on both axles, and Brembo brakes with colour-keyed callipers and vented/cross-drilled discs.

And with 321 HP, the Brembos are a must. Using a modified version of the 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 engine that’s standard in the Insignia Elite model, the OPC Sports Tourer will hit 100 km/h from zero in 6.0 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 km/h.

But where the OPC Sports Tourer really scores is in its versatility. With 540-litres of load space with the 40:60 split rear seats up, the Sports Tourer matches the best in class. Drop the 40:60 split rear seats and you have a maximum load volume of 1530-litres.

Deeper bumpers, front mesh grilles and dual matt chrome exhausts are included in the OPC Sports Tourer's visual armory, complemented by a colour palette comprising Arden Blue, Power Red, Carbon Flash Black (pictured), Silver Lake, Olympic White and Technical Grey.

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Credits: JRC