Geneva/Rüsselsheim. Innovative, versatile and stylish: the second generation Opel Meriva, making its world premiere at Geneva, raises the bar for automotive versatility. It is packed with a multitude of innovative features, engineered to optimize the flexible use of space and presented in a distinctive, contemporary design.Opel created a new market segment for small, affordable monocabs when it
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No more spy shots. GM has formally unveiled the Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer (a.k.a. the Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer on the other side of the Chunnel). By now, you're probably seen the specs, but we'll go over them again for the sake of being complete. 325 horses are corralled in the 2.8-liter turbo V6 underhood. Yep, that's a six-speed stick you see in the attached photo gallery, and both all-wheel drive and eLSD are standard. Stopping power is supplied by Brembo, the seats are by Recaro, and the overall appearance is liberally sprinkled with awesome. All told, the whole package is good for a zero-to-60 run in six seconds flat, which has us dreaming of this car, in this color, wearing the Buick Tri-Shield up front. Maybe Grand National badges on the fenders, too. Okay, it's more like a pipe dream, but let us have our fun.
PRESS RELEASE:
NEW INSIGNIA VXR SPORTS TOURER PACKS POWER, POISE AND ALL YOUR PARAPHERNALIA
* Fastest ever Vauxhall estate with 6-second 0-60 time
* 1530-litre load capability combined with Adaptive 4x4 chassis and 325 horsepower
* Third and final body style to be offered in Insignia VXR spec
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 4x4 and an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD).
Like its saloon and hatch siblings, the VXR Sports Tourer sits 10 millimetres 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 325PS, 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 Sports Tourer VXR will hit 60mph from zero in 6.0 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph.
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 Insignia VXR Sports Tourer will be a compelling alternative for buyers in the premium sector who may currently be considering an Audi S4 Avant or BMW 335i M Sport Touring,' said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall's Marketing Director. 'We've already seen a swing to the Insignia from premium buyers who'd never before ticked the Vauxhall box on their wish list, and we expect to see the same buying pattern emerge with all versions of the Insignia VXR.'
Prices for the Insignia VXR range will be announced early summer.
(from Vauxhall Press Release) 2009 Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S Edition DEALS BLOWER PUNCH TO RIVALS
-- At Ј44,995, Bathurst S is less expensive than any UK car with 500PS+
-- Comprehensive dynamic mods on both Bathurst and Bathurst S
-- Optional Bi-Modal Exhaust offers flexibility for road and track
Luton – Few will claim that Vauxhall’s storming VXR8 super-saloon is lacking in the power stakes, but just in case there were any doubters, the Bathurst S Edition will put them straight.
Thanks to the addition of a Walkinshaw Performance 122 Supercharger, the Bathurst S dispenses 560 V8 horsepower, compared with the standard car’s 431 horsepower, and produces searing acceleration throughout the rev-range and a spine-tingling, banshee wail when you hit the loud pedal.
The Bathurst S Edition joins the normally aspirated Bathurst Edition at the top of the Vauxhall family tree, with both cars receiving a raft of technical and cosmetic upgrades over the standard VXR8. Only a limited number of Bathurst Editions will be sold through selected Vauxhall retailers. To exploit the Bathurst’s greater power potential, six-pot front and four-pot rear callipers are now standard on both models, along with stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers. The bespoke damper units have 15 separate valve settings with independent corner adjustment for the owner’s preferred setup.
Dynamically, both Bathursts retain the VXR8’s much praised ride quality, but body control is enhanced and the handling made more exploitable for the enthusiastic driver. At the heart of the Bathurst S is Walkinshaw’s 122 Supercharger, which not only boosts power by 30 per cent, but escalates torque from an eye-catching 550Nm to an eye-watering 715Nm. Such is the strength of the LS3 V8 engine that extracting bigger figures would have been possible, but retaining the VXR8’s driveability and durability was Walkinshaw’s priority.
Both Bathurst models retain the VXR8’s standard colour palette, and can also be specified with optional 20” alloy rims at Ј1500. List price for the Bathurst Edition is Ј37,995 – just Ј2757 above the standard VXR8 – while the Bathurst S costs Ј44,995.
© Source: seriouswheels
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The all-new Insignia is about to go on sale as a Vauxhall in Britain and an Opel throughout the rest of Europe, thereby replacing the Vectra sedan. It's a marked improvement over its predecessor in style, and we're eager for it to arrive in the States as the next-gen Saturn Aura. Vauxhall had the honor today of announcing the next version of the Insignia that will makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October: the Insignia Sports Tourer. That's a fancy way of calling it a wagon, or estate as they like to say in the old country. Being that the sedan and hatch are quite handsome, it's fair to say the Sports Tourer is as well, though its rear end looks like a lowered Audi Q7. GM Europe says that all the bodywork aft of the B-pillar is unique to the Sports Tourer, and that while the length of the wheelbase hasn't changed, a little over three inches was added to the overall length. Vauxhall also announced a more power turbodiesel engine and smaller turbocharged four-cylinder will be joining the Insignia's engine lineup, but are saving any details, including the wagon's capacities, until the Paris Motor Show.
When the Volt concept was first unveiled, GM was not sure how to badge European versions of the E-Flex cars. Apparently, the decision has been made and the first Euro-bound EV's from GM will be badged as Opels, with a Vauxhall version coming shortly thereafter. All three models of the E-Flex chassis will be built in Detroit atop the next-gen Delta compact car platform which was designed to carry a large lithium ion battery pack along with a range-extending engine. Though the Europeans would likely favor a diesel powerplant, it seems that the first-generation of all three E-Flex vehicles will use a gasoline-powered engine for on-the-fly battery recharging.
It goes without saying that the Volt and its Euro-clones will be the most expensive vehicles built on the Delta platform, with U.S. pricing estimated to be at least $40 grand. Across the pond, the Opel and Vauxhall E-Flex's will be saddled with at least a 10,000 euro premium. The price of gasoline, which is significantly higher in Europe than in the States, along with any government assistance for purchasers of the EVs, will determine how quickly customers will recoup that added investment.
It’s tough for car makers to launch a performance car brand. If you don’t believe us, just ask Vauxhall. While the firm might not admit it, the introduction of its VXR badge has been anything but plain sailing.
Badges such as Volkswagen’s GTI, Ford’s RS and ST and even Subaru’s STI still have greater reach. But hats off to Vauxhall, because the firm has vowed it’s not going to give up the battle just yet. And the Corsa VXR 888 is the next step as it attempts to establish itself as a major force.
Developed purely to help bolster the credibility of the brand, the model’s specification reads like a boy racer’s Christmas wish list. With a tuned engine pumping out an astonishing 225bhp, the Corsa is easily the most powerful model available in the class.
And this is no wolf in sheep’s clothing. Vauxhall hasn’t missed a single opportunity to trumpet its supermini’s giant-killing pace. There are black alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile tyres with crazy tread patterns. Blue brake calipers grip grooved brake discs, while further up, the bodywork is adorned with wings and air vents.
A new exhaust system, designed by specialist firm Remus, is certainly louder than standard, but at low revs its note is menacing, rather than unpleasantly noisy. Head out on to the road, and the newcomer lives up to its billing as one of the most extreme road cars Vauxhall has built.
Its looks certainly turn heads, but it’s that exhaust note that really grabs people’s attention. From 4,000rpm, its purposeful growl turns into a roar, punctuated only by a rally car-style crackle on gearchanges. Power delivery is best described as sudden. Floor the throttle, and in truth not much happens, but once the turbo picks up, lag gives way to an avalanche of torque, all of which seems to arrive at around 3,000rpm.
There’s no doubt that the VXR 888 serves up considerable thrills on the road, but its brash looks might be too much for some tastes. And while its driving experience is rewarding, it doesn’t quite have the measure of the excellent Ford Fiesta ST185.
© Source: autoexpress
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Low emissions and an affordable price tag mean Vauxhall’s New Agila is set to be hot in the city when it arrives in showrooms in April. Available to order from early next year, the compact but flexible newcomer benefits from tax-busting CO2 figures of just 120g/km on both the entry-level petrol and diesel engines, meaning it will fall into VED Band B – the cost of a tax disc being just £35 a year!
Adding to its affordability, Agila will cost from only £7,595 when it arrives. Three trim levels will be on offer, all with impressive levels of standard equipment, plus the added advantage of the car’s incredibly versatile interior layout.
Small enough to be manoeuvrable into tight parking spaces, but with five doors and five full-size seats with three-point belts as standard, Agila benefits from enough luggage space to rival cars in the class above, providing plenty of room for the busiest of lifestyles.
The clever design allows for plenty of storage space inside and the tall roofline provides an airy, spacious feel. It also allows a high seating position, making it easy to get in and out of the Agila and ensure good visibility even in heavy urban traffic.
For those occasions when owners need to carry furniture rather than friends, the rear seat backs can be folded down to create a completely flat load floor on all but the entry-level model. In total the new Agila has a luggage capacity of 1050 litres – among the best in this sector.
To complement the dynamic looks and all-new chassis, the Agila will offer three new engines and an automatic gearbox will be available for the first time. Petrol units include a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit developing 65PS and an 85PS 1.2, the latter of which will be available with optional automatic transmission. Vauxhall’s award-winning 1.3CDTi diesel will also be on offer, delivering excellent performance from its 75PS while sipping fuel.
(from General Motors Press Release) DON'T MOURN MONARO - HERE COMES THE 2008 Vauxhall VXR8!
6.0-litre V8, 420bhp, 0-60mph in 4.9 secs.
Motoring enthusiasts across Britain mourned the passing of the Monaro. The only Australian-built car to be sold in the UK offered raw and exciting performance thanks to its 6.0-litre V8 and rear-wheel drive set up.
But the thunder from down under hasn’t stopped yet – in fact it’s only going to get louder. Vauxhall has announced the arrival of a new Aussie musclecar – the VXR8 – and it’s more powerful and exciting than even the legendary Monaro.
The dramatic-looking new saloon is powered by the same 6.0-litre V8 as the outgoing Monaro VXR, but revisions to the engine have made it even more efficient. It now develops a massive 420PS and 550Nm of torque, giving it enough grunt to sprint from 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds. No other supercar offers this sort of power for anywhere near the VXR8’s price.
In response to customer demand, the VXR8 will also be the first VXR model to be offered with an automatic gearbox. In order to maintain the control which VXR buyers require, the optional Ј1,400 self-shifter has a manual override and a sport setting which ensure the performance isn’t blunted – in fact the auto is only half a second slower to 60mph than the manual!
Satellite navigation and 20-inch wheels will be offered as options for those who want to make their VXR8 look more distinctive and help find their way to the best driving roads. Even with all the option boxes ticked however, the VXR8 is still around half the price of other cars with comparable performance. As all fast car fans know, Aussie rules.......
© Source: seriouswheels
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Baseball caps will be twitching all over the country at the news that Vauxhall is bringing back the SRi badge for the Corsa.
Those sporting branded leisurewear will have to wait until September for the Corsa SRi to go on sale in three- and five-door shapes.
Power comes from a turbocharged 148bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine or 1.7-litre turbodiesel with 123bhp.
The petrol-powered model offers up 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds and a 130mph top speed, while the diesel is good for 0-60 in 9.3 seconds, 121mph and 58.9mpg.
The SRi's body has been lowered and there's the essential bodykit, chromed exhaust pipe and 17in alloys, while inside are sports seats, alloy pedals and red seatbelts for full effect.
Prices will be announced on June 23 when the order book opens for the SRi.
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