This isn’t our typical wagon story where we grumble about the fact that a new Europe-market station wagon won’t be available in the United States. Because this new Opel Insignia wagon is coming to America as part of the redesigned Buick Regal lineup, according to reports that have been circulating for a while now. Now that General Motors has taken the wraps off the Opel version, we’re even more excited to see it in U.S.-spec form as a Regal.
With the same crisp lines as the Insignia sedan, the wagon, called the Sports Tourer, looks premium enough to go up against the few similarly sized wagons we do get here, such as the Volvo V60 and the Audi A4 Allroad. Its interior features options including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a head-up display, plus active safety systems including automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Important for wagon intenders, the cargo area is a point of pride for Opel, offering more space than the previous-gen Insignia, along with a kick-operated power liftgate and a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat.
Neither Opel nor Buick has released official information about the Regal/Insignia’s powertrains, but the most likely engine for the U.S.-spec Regal wagon is the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder available in the Chevrolet Malibu, with which the Insignia shares its basic architecture. Unlike the Malibu, however, the Insignia is available as an all-wheel-drive model with torque vectoring, a combination that surely will make its way to the States. In fact, given that Buick has trademarked the name “Tourx,” it is possible that the AWD Regal wagon will take after the Volvo Cross Country and go for a slightly raised, more crossover-like look with extra body cladding. (We’re hoping that the standard, cladding-free wagon version will be available here as well.)
With the Insignia officially making its debut at the Geneva auto show next month, the unveil of the new Buick Regal should follow its European cousin by a few months. Until then, we’ll pass the time by looking at the photos of this attractive wagon.
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