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2015 Holden Insignia VXR Signals First All-Wheel Drive Turbo Sedan

The Opel Insignia has landed in its latest foreign land, this time badged with a roaring lion. Holden announced the 2015 Insignia VXR will be arriving next month, marking the first time an all-wheel drive turbocharged sedan has ever been offered in the brand’s portfolio.

The 2015 Insignia VXR is the third of new Opel badged product to arrive in Oz, following the Holden Cascada convertible and Holden Astra. The 2015 Insignia VXR will sit as a range-topping performance offering for those looking for a true mid-size performance car.

Unlike the watered-down Buick Regal GS, the Holden Insignia VXR is the real deal. Power comes from a 2.8-liter turbocharged V6, partnered with a six-speed automatic transmission. 320 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque are sent to all four wheels, via the latest in all-wheel drive technology.  The Insignia has a lot to live up to when calling it a Holden performance vehicle, but customers should find the VXR is more than capable.

Three performance settings will be able to control the power and all-wheel drive system. Those include standard, sport and VXR.  VXR allows for greater throttle response, steering feel and even gives the all-wheel drive system a more rear-wheel bias for when you’re ready to hoon about.

Peter Keley, Executive Director of Sales, said Insignia VXR was an exciting and fitting addition to the Holden range.

“Performance and great to drive have always been part of Holden’s DNA. Add to this a German designed and engineered AWD performance sedan, loaded with equipment, and you have one very exciting vehicle,” Keley said.

“It is further evidence that Holden is serious about our future product strategy. Insignia VXR is a very exciting taste of things to come.”

The 2015 Insignia VXR also brings a few other Holden first with it, all the way from Russelsheim. Adaptive cruise control, Lane Change Alert and Auto Emergency Braking arrive standard alongside many other premium features, including the next-generation Holden MyLink system.

If there’s any Opel the Holden brand deserves, it’s this one.

2015 Holden Insignia VXR White

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. It’s unfortunate that we don’t get the turbo v6 here, only the 4 cyl. Otherwise the Regal GS is a great sedan.

    Reply
  2. Well, we now know that Insignia will not be the next Commodore.
    I already knew this for one simple reason: Chinese need for a large Park Avenue. Obviously the current Zeta Commodore based Park Avenue will need replacing and I don’t see GM dropping the like and increasing the size of LaCrosse.
    Maybe the will send LaCrosse to AU, a dino that is the reason for port holes on the restyled 2015, but I expect to see Aveair become reality.

    Reply
    1. ??? Next Generation Insignia (2017/2018) will be the replacement for the current Holden Commodore. That is what officials from Holden and Opel say. And this replacement will be designed and built in Germany.

      Reply
  3. Why no Regal version for Buick? I think it would a perfect fit.

    Reply
  4. The big question is price?

    It is not cheap in Europe and I mean a lot more than the GS.

    Reply
    1. Reply
  5. prices is different everywere but how low or hight prices is i dont know. every people saw prices different to. this is different world

    Reply
    1. The price and the content are different in different places.

      The Opel what much better optioned with the Turbo V6 and better AWD in the OPC version but it also was more expensive than the ATS here.

      Because of this I think they killed the V6 Turbo and the AWD at first as it drove the cost too high for what someone would pay for a Regel here. Even now as good as the car is at $42K you add anymore to the cost it would make it very difficult to sell just because of the price.

      I just hope the Holden version is at a price people will remain interested in it. If not GM needs to do an Alpha version and price it along the lines of the out going Zeta.

      I still think there is room for a 4 door Alpha Chevy/Holden. We should have it as well as Australia. I also would like to see them do a Monaro on a Camaro with enough physical changes made by Holden to make it their own.

      Reply
  6. ATS AND ATS V
    INSIGNIA AND INSIGNIA OPC
    STOCK ats or insignia opc not easy to choise.
    or something else like stock blank audi a6 or insignia opc what we listening for car media to.
    stock audi a6 price is worth insignia opc.

    Reply
  7. 52k + on roads (on roads = 3~4k) we are now looking mid to high 50’s
    As good as the car is with all wheel drive we just don’t have the environment to justify it.
    Driving on snow is reserved for those who choose to travel into alpine resorts, 80% of Aussies will never drive on snow.

    Reply
  8. mud, sand, wet sand and mud, rain, slippery hot asphalt and so on. AWD helps

    Reply
  9. AWD is the best at all times and in all places. better tracion and so one. awd is smart not only 50-50 awd paly smart games and help when you need help. no tires smoke and money go.

    Reply
  10. What does this mean for the next Commodore?
    It would be awkward to repackage Insignia in 2017 as the replacement model after offering this.

    Reply
  11. Well we have to keep in mind we have yet to see all of GM’s plans here as they have more in store than they are saying.

    I expect the Buick Avinir will be built and if it is Holden will also get their own version. RWD/AWD on the Omega. GM needs to leverage this car out and Holden played a part in this not just to help Buick out.

    Also this Opel is old and is due to be replaced soon. I expect it will only see about 2 more years and will be replace with a new platform.

    The key here is we can fully judge all that is going on as we have yet to see what all is coming.

    Reply
  12. Peter Keley sounds like a politician with all that BS.
    This car will fail to sell anywhere near the numbers Commodore sold (even in its bad years), Holden will fail and they deserve to, they are offloading outdated tech from the GM pool on the Aussie public again. The engine is 10 years old and worst of all doesn’t make that much more power than the newer 2.0L DI motors in the current European Insignia/Cad/Buick’s.

    Opel in Australia failed 3 years ago, nothing has changed, why do they think it’ll work this time with a Holden badge on the front? They sold less than 1,500 Opel’s in 18 months.
    If anything it rubs it in the face of loyal Holden buyers even more that we must be so stupid to believe their marketing hype (again!).

    Reply
  13. As far as I know, this 2.8 liter V6 is of Australian make.

    Reply

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