First Drive: 2010 Vauxhall Insignia VXR

Not a bad place to start; but what EXACTLY will we get in the form of the Buick Regal? This VXR is obviously performance-oriented; can't say that Buick is known for performance. I also doubt that we'll get the wagon and the not-so-subtle styling.

That wagon puts the Caddy CTS sportwagon to shame in the looks dept. Of course no one in the US will ever likely see one.

It kinda looks like the Saturn Aura up front, I still rather get the CTS Wagon. This car might be more fun to drive though.

Admire at your own risk. GM has a long history of having its head buried firmly in its rectum when it comes to importing actual driver's cars from Europe.

Their most recent attempt, the Saturn Astra brought the attractive exterior but, as usual, left the performance goodies behind.

If GM can't be convinced to keep alive a car they aleady sell here that is consistently given favorable comparisons to BMW (the G8) what makes anybody think they would bring a basically intact VXR here.

Fine, so it won't be a BMW killer when it gets here, big deal. It does sound promising. This fits below the new (and impressive) Lacrosse right? I wonder how much it will be.

Mrryte--"can't say that Buick is known for performance"

Just remember, the Buick Grand National and GN-X were based on the Buick Regal in the 70s and 80s. And they were faster than Corvettes in their day.

Just something to think about and dream.

Altima:

I agree those buicks were fast as hell in a straight line. I doubt they will be bringing Buick out as a performance line but, I have to say most of the Buick models out are gorgeous.

Nice Opels!

I think that sedan has a good stance to it.

The VXR will look awesome with portholes glued to the front fenders...

The funny thing about Buick for me is what i think of whenever i see one. My wife and i were leaving a grocery store about a year ago and a very old lady in a brand new black Lucerne parked in the handicapped spot. As she was getting out of the car with her cane another old lady that apparently knew her approached. They exchanged a few words then the new lady looked behind the other and exclaimed "It's a Beeuuutyy! Is that a Buick?!" in a very grandmotherly tone. Now whenever we see a Buick my wife and I go "It's a beeeuuutyy!".

"Admire at your own risk. GM has a long history of having its head buried firmly in its rectum when it comes to importing actual driver's cars from Europe."

The Chinese Regal is the Insignia with different grille. That is what you will get here. You will not be getting this performance version however. I would not expect substantial handling changes between the Regal and Insignia. In fact, they only slightly modified the suspension of the Lacrosse from its European relative.

Nice looking ride.

1487, I agree. As long as GM=Government Motors you will never see another car like the G8 or Camaro grace it's dealerships.

Hot looking, especially the wagon. Not feeling that aggressive silver trim in the front intake though.

Damn, this car is hot! What a shame Saturn won't get it as the next Aura. Even worse that Buick will. Hey, GM! Just rebadge it and leave it alone!!! Then maybe it will be a Buick worth looking at.

What really pains me about this coming through as a Buick rather than a Saturn/Pontiac/Chevrolet/Cadillac is that the odds of it still being available with a manual transmission essentially vanish. It's too bad, as next year I'm graduating college and a year or two after that I'd be all over a station wagon with a six speed.

If GM does anything more that put a Buick grille and trim on this car, I give up on Buick. The Insignia won European car of the year. If it ain't broke...

Actually that's the coupe version of the Insignia. The sedan is a little bit longer at the trunk. Opel wanted to make an entry level luxury sedan, because the Vectra wasn't selling anymore. It's about 2 inches longer than the Passat and it's loaded with premium materials which makes it more expensive too.
By the way Opel makes 11 different engines available for this model 5 diesel and 6 gasoline. 4 cylinder, 4 cylinder turbo, and v6, with the power ranging from 115 hp up to 260 hp.

Possible Regal GNX.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/2009/04/custom_1239809259851_Buick_Regal_GNX_Jalopnik-topshot.jpg

I wonder when we will see the first one with gold trim and a cloth cabriolet roof.

If this exact VXR AWD 6MT was imported from Europe yet of course rebadged as a Buick Regal GNX/GSX, I think it would be a direct competitor to the 2010 Acura TL SH-awd 6MT as they have a lot in common.

- FWD based "premium" midsize sedans
- 300+ HP V6
- Electronic gizmos galore
- Similar acceleration
- Similar weight
- Torque vectoring AWD

In terms of handling the TL SH-awd 6MT may have an advantage based on Edmunds reviews, and the TL seems to be finished better with a higher grade of materials. However, the Vauxhall easily wins on exterior styling execution.

I actually think Buick could call this a Regal GNX or Regal GSX as it could compete with cars like the the TL SH-awd and Ford Taurus SHO.

"I actually think Buick could call this a Regal GNX or Regal GSX as it could compete with cars like the the TL SH-awd and Ford Taurus SHO."

That would be logical and make perfect marketing sense. Especially since the SHO turned out to be an overweight shadow of its former incarnations.

So odds are it will never happen.