This new Opel is one bad mother. Inspired by rally designs and Opel/Vauxhall's rich rally cross history, this new model is sure to be a favorite for modifications. Surprisingly, the motor is not a two liter rally derived engine. There aren't many aftermarket parts available for the Insignia, but expect that to change quickly. Most aftermarket parts could be retro fit to this vehicle. The twin scroll turbo charger design in combination with a variable valve will make for an extremely low amount of boost lag.
"A twin scroll turbine housing uses dual side by side passages into the housing. When coupled with a pulse converter manifold that separates exhaust pulses as many crank degrees in the firing order as possible, a twin scroll or divided housing works to reduce lag, decrease exhaust manifold backpressure on the top end, reduce the potential for reversion, and increase fuel economy.
The twin scroll is based off the same reasoning a tri-Y header uses: keep spent exhaust gases out of an adjacent cylinder drawing in fresh air. At high rpm on a turbo car, exhaust backpressure is usually significantly higher than atmospssure is usually significantly higher than atmospheric pressure, and often higher than intake manifold pressure as well. A divider between each of the two volutes allows the cylinders to expel the exhaust gases without it interfering with the fresh air for combustion. Since there are two openings, each a smaller overall volume than a single scroll design, the exhaust velocity of each pulse can be maintained.
This also spins the impeller more easily because lag is a function of the scroll area. A single turbine housing opening isn't as efficient since cylinders on the exhaust stroke of the 4 stroke cycle contaminate the cylinders that are on overlap with exhaust gas. A conventional turbine housing is not as effective in using exhaust pulse energy to help spin the turbine up to speed as it does not exploit the energy contained in the pulses as well."
Inside, the Sports Tourer’s performance credentials are laid bare, with its front Recaro seats, VXR steering wheel and gearknob, as well as different instrument graphics, VXR sill plates and black headlining.
But where the VXR Sports Tourer really scores is in its versatility. With 540-litres of load space with the 40:60 split rear seats up, the SportsTourer matches the best in class. Drop the 40:60 split rear seats and you have a maximum load volume of 1530-litres.
Accessing this area has never been easier, thanks to the Sports Tourer VXR’s standard electronic tailgate, which can be operated off the driver’s key fob, or via a rotary knob on the inside of the driver’s door. Using these functions, not only can the opening height of the tailgate be restricted, but it can also be pre-set at a lower level if you frequently park in a garage with a low ceiling.
Deeper bumpers, front mesh grilles and dual matt chrome exhausts are among the Sports Tourer VXR’s visual armoury, complemented by a colour palette comprising Arden Blue, Power Red, Carbon Flash Black (pictured), Silver Lake, Olympic White and Technical Grey.
The top-of-the-line body style dressed in an elegant sports outfit is inspired by the GTC concept car which starred in 2007, but still remains true to the Insignia's design philosophy of sculptural artistry meets German precision.
Compared to less powerful versions of the Insignia, the OPC shows a spectacular new front end with two large vertical intakes and a specific rear bumper with dual integrated exhausts. The 19-inch wheels (tires: 245/40) are standard and give the car the stance it deserves. New 20-inch lightweight forged wheels (with 255/35 tires) are available as an option.
The dynamic sportiness of the exterior is also mirrored in the cockpit. When opening the door, the OPC is immediately impressive, from unique Recaro seats to a flat-bottomed sporty steering wheel and specific gear knob. The OPC also presents distinctive instrument graphics.
"The Opel Insignia OPC marks the beginning of a new era for our OPC portfolio; still bold, but also more mature and refined, and more ambitious than ever. The OPC epitomizes the Insignia experience: dynamic and refined", says Alain Visser, GM Europe Vice President Opel.
The high performance version of the Opel Insignia, Car of the Year 2009, was unveiled on May 7, 2009, when the Opel Insignia OPC premiered at the 2009 Barcelona Motor Show, ten years after the launch of the first OPC model (Opel Performance Center).
The heart of the Opel Insignia OPC is its 2.8 V6 Turbo engine. Derived from the powerful gasoline engine already available on the top-of-the-line Insignia, this version reaches an output of 239 kW/325 hp. The increase in power was obtained by a special engine development and by reworking the exhaust, significantly reducing the counter pressure. And because sound is so important in the appreciation of an engine, the acoustic specialists worked on the exhaust of the V6 by adopting specific center and rear mufflers.
The Opel Insignia OPC is available with a six-speed manual gearbox. The strong torque of 400 Nm ensures abundant pulling power even at lower engine speeds. With this engine performance, the Opel Insignia OPC reaches a top speed of 250 km/h (restricted) and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in six seconds.
Luton – With 10,000 kilometres of gruelling validation at the world’s most fearsome and demanding test track now under their belt, the Vauxhall Insignia VXR 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, Vauxhall can confirm that the Insignia VXR Sports Tourer will be the third body style to join the line up and will be available in UK dealerships this autumn, after enduring the same rigorous testing at the notorious Nürburgring Circuit.
Combining all the technical highlights of the VXR hatch and saloon with best in class-matching luggage capacity (rear seats up), the VXR Sports Tourer is not only the fastest estate car Vauxhall has ever produced, but also the first to incorporate Adaptive 4×4 and an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD).
source:www.examiner.com,www.zulva.com,www.netcarshow.com
