We’re thrilled to see the 2018 Buick Regal GS will arrive with power from a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, but there’s always something to love about a hot station wagon. Feast your eyes on the Opel Insignia GSi Sports Tourer.
It’s Opel’s hot wagon, and before you ask, it has no chance of coming to the United States. Instead, Buick will be graced with the Regal TourX, which is a copy of the Insignia Country Tourer, not the sleeker Sports Tourer seen here. There won’t be a GS version of Buick’s wagon, either.
Opel debuted the Insignia GSi Sports Tourer ahead of its official reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and it may be had with Opel’s new 2.0-liter BiTurbo diesel engine as well. The unit makes 210 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. However, a familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is also available—it’s the same engine from the outgoing Buick Regal GS.
Like the Insignia Grand Sport GSi, Opel has applied the same performance enhancements to the wagon. Short and lower springs, a FlexRide chassis, and plenty of tuning time on the Nürburgring is present for the spacious and sporty Insignia GSi Sports Tourer. All-wheel drive is also standard, and an exclusive “GSi Competition” mode is present that allows drivers to nix some of the electronic assists. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires and Brembo brakes provide grip and stopping power.
In the design department, it looks identical to the handsome Insignia Grand Sport GSi with a wider front clip and gaping, chrome air intakes. The rear looks properly chiseled as well. To boot, it boasts 58 cubic feet of cargo room for fun and functionality.
We suppose we’ll settle on the fact North America is treated to V6 power, while Europe gets the sexy, performance station wagon.
Comments
Too bad we won’t get this wagon or some of the technology like the FlexRide technology. I believe the FlexRide would have been a really nice option for the TourX over here. I imagine I can add Brembo brakes, Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks eventually but the FlexRide would be a much better choice.
Cadillac’s CTS-V Sports Wagon proves that the US market will ‘not’ support a station wagon even when it can accelerate to sixty in under 6 seconds and it’s anyone’s guess on how well Buick’s Regal TourX compared with the Regal Sportback.
Poor or no marketing of the CTS Wagon or CTS-V Wagon, Cadillac/GM should be ashamed of not letting consumers know of the usefulness of a wagon. Every consumer does not need a SUV, CUV or a full size SUV haul stuff around, a station wagon could do the job just as well or even better. If Buick clams they want to produce automobiles in the near luxury arena, then market the Regal station wagon accordingly. There should be an Regal Avenir wagon (no cladding), Regal wagon (no cladding), Regal GS wagon and the Regal TourX (with cladding). If Buick feels that the term station wagon is not the marketing strategies they would have their Regal brand to be associated with. Then Buick should look to their recent past and just call them Regal Estates (example Regal Avenir Estate).
This car looks great without that awful, ugly black cladding around the wheel wells. Buick – don’t depress US sales by adding that crap. If anything, make it a dealer install option. Learn from Subaru who knows a thing or two about the wagon segment in the US market.
I was all set to order Buick TourX until I found out it was only available with the ugly black trim around the wheel wells. So I cancelled my plans for the wagon and ordered the Sportback instead.
You would have thought Buick would have figured out by now that most buyers would not want that Macho look on a beautiful design.
Dick, a friend of mine in Germany who is a production line supervisor at Opel, says that he believes the cladding can be removed with a heat gun. Its not his part of production, but he is going to investigate and get back to me. And I know from my restoration experience painting that the cladding can be body color painted.
I imagine that other GSi parts can probably be imported to build your own GSi. But it sure would be nice if Buick were to eventually see its way to offering the GSi here in NA. That would be a slam dunk for me, though, I will probably buy one, regardless.
When I contacted Buick regarding removing the Plastic trim the rep i spoke with said it was fastened on through holes in the fenders. like your self I would have thought it was installed with pressure sensitive tape. Based on the reply I received was why I decided to not buy one. Hopefully my Sportback will arrive in a few weeks. Buick said my car is on a ship on it’s way to Brunswick, Alabama port.
Can’ understand the tacky cladding. I’ve been looking for a suitable replacement for my wife’s 08 BMW 535xi (not making the 5 series wagon any longer). Thought this might be a good option, even considered black exterior so the cladding isn’t as noticeable. If a full paint option (Audi Allroad) and the V6 was available, I’d order one. Since it isn’t, I’m waiting for the prices to come down on lease returned 17 Mercedes E400 wagons. They’re exceptional.