Opel Adds New Insignia Country Tourer to Top of the Range

The OpelOpelGermany, 1863 > present85 models
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InsigniaOpel InsigniaGermany, 2003 > present409 versions
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has a new top tier with the Country Tourer that gives higher ground clearance, all-wheel drive and three turbocharged engine options. It will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The Country Tourer builds off the current Sports Tourer but moves the car upmarket and more off-road friendly. It gets under-body guards in the front and rear, protective classing around the wheel arches and side sills and dual exhaust.

 “With the new Insignia Country Tourer, we are now filling this sporty niche in the larger, mid-size class. It enables us to offer customers an alternative choice they’ve never had before at Opel. They can spice up the high quality of our brand flagship with a strong dose of adventure,” said Opel’s head of sales and marketing Duncan Aldred.

The Country Tourer comes with Haldex all-wheel drive using electronically controlled limited-slip differentials. The system can send power completely between the front and rear axles and back and forth at the rear axle. The system is sophisticated enough to send power to only three wheels if necessary. When no slip is detected, the system defaults to front-wheel drive to save fuel.

The engine options include the 2.0-liter SIDI, 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI and 2.0 CDTI. The 2.0 SIDI has 248hp and 295lb-ft of torque. The higher performance 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI has 192hp and 295lb-ft of torque. The lower performance 2.0 CDTI has 161hp and 258lb-ft of torque but can briefly be raised to 280lb-ft of torque with overboost.

The 2.0 BiTurbo SIDI and higher power 2.0 CDTI are available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI only comes with a six-speed automatic.

Aesthetic changes for the Country Tourer includes larger tires and a 20mm higher ride height. It gets a unique, wider and deeper grill with horizontal chrome bars. The headlights are tinted with embedded chrome accents with LED running lights, and the rear has LED brake and taillights.

Opel will not announce pricing and availability until the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 10.