China and Russia fighting over Vauxhall

Magna which has made a serious offer for GM’s Vauxhall backed by Russia’s Sberbank has a competitor in Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC) of China. So there are technically two countries bidding for the iconic GM, which is an American representative – though it is GM Europe they are bidding for.

China’s bid is for €650 million for UK’s Vauxhall and Germany’s Opel, both from the GM stable. Even though GM had earlier rejected Fiat’s bid by the RHJ group, the group has now made a revised offer which is more to GM’s liking, thus forcing itself back into the race.

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First official images and details about the Insignia OPC/VXR

GM has unveiled first details about the Opel Insignia OPC , that in UK will be sold as Vauxhall Insignia VXR. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine that packs 325 horsepower.

0-62 mph(0-100 km/) comes in 6 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph (250 km/h).

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Vauxhall Bathurst S puts out 560 horsepower

If Vauxhall’s VXR8 with 431 hp is not enough then you can soon buy the Bathurst S Edition with 560 hp. That’s if you live in UK and have a spare £44,985($64,557) to spend. With that price Bathurst S is less expensive than any other UK car with 500 + hp.

This power increase have been achieved thanks to the Walkinshaw Performance 122 Supercharger.

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Opel Insignia Sports Tourer spotted with no disguise

Opel will be introducing the Insignia Sport Tourer at the Paris Motor Show.
It will be available in European markets in spring 2009.

Sport Tourer gets two new engines - a downsized gasoline turbo engine and a new turbo diesel - will join the seven engines already available from launch of the sedan models.

Insigina Sport Tourer was never spotted as a prototype. Now our spy photographer has captured the new Sport Tourer undisguised testing with a caravan trailer.

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Opel Insignia OPC spied as a hatchback version

Last month Opel introduced Insignia at the London Motor Show. Last week they announced that the third body version of the Insignia called Sports Tourer will debut at the Paris Motor Show.

Now our spy photograper in Germany has captured the hatchback version of the Insignia that has camouflaged front grill and bumper, also the rear bumper and and exhausts are disguised. Hidden front end is most likely hiding new and bigger air intakes.

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Insignia’s third body variant to debut at Paris Motor Show

The Insignia Sports Tourer, available in European markets in spring 2009, boasts the same athletic, powerful and elegant design as its sedan counterparts. “However,” says Mark Adams, Vice President of GM Europe Design, “this is a stand-alone model and not simply a wagon version of the sedan. In fact, all the bodywork aft of the B-pillar is unique to the Sports Tourer.

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London 2008: Opel Insignia prices and details revealed

Opel has announced attractive pricing for its new top model, the Insignia, debuting today at the British International Motor Show 2008.

Even though its technology and design solidly place the Insignia at the top of the mid-size class, its prices start at the bottom of the segment.

The entry-level model – the four-door sedan with the 115 hp 1.6 ECOTEC gasoline engine – costs 22,700 euros. Pricing for the diesels in Germany for the 110 hp 2.0 CDTI starts at 24,300 euros.

Continue to read: London 2008: Opel Insignia prices and details revealed

New Opel Insignia Drops in on London

London. As workers hauled a 4.7 meter-diameter orb from Potters Fields Park, a massive object fell 45 meters in six seconds and was caught at the last minute, revealing an intact car never seen before by the public – the Opel Insignia.

More than 300 invited guests were on hand to watch the new car plunge from the orb as it was suspended in the air. “We are very proud of the Insignia and decided that an extraordinary car needed an extraordinary entrance.

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New V8 for VXR8: same calories, fuller flavour

Vauxhall’s mighty VXR8 super-saloon gets a potent new V8 engine this summer, with even more power and improved performance.

The new unit allows the VXR8 to raise the bar yet again among its rivals, optimising its sophisticated rear-wheel drive chassis still further and retaining its mantle as a driver’s car like no other in its class.

New colour and equipment options further enhance this, the fastest car to wear the Griffin badge.

Continue to read: New V8 for VXR8: same calories, fuller flavour

Astra VXR Nürburgring Edition on sale now

There are plenty of hot hatches on the market, but it’s the Astra VXR that’s the undisputed Ring leader…

And to prove it, Vauxhall has pulled the wraps off the Nürburgring edition, named after the car’s spiritual home, where much of its pre-production development was carried out.
Based on the standard Astra VXR and priced at £21,295, each individually numbered Nürburgring edition will come with an exclusive all-white paint finish and lightweight white 18-inch alloy wheels, equipped with bespoke Dunlop tyres, are also specified.

Continue to read: Astra VXR Nürburgring Edition on sale now