2011 Buick Regal GS Study: Videos and Live Photos from Detroit - Film Shows V6 Turbo, GM Says 4-Cylinder Turbo...

Even though General Motors used the term 'show car' to describe the sporty Buick Regal GS that made its world debut in Detroit, there's nothing conceptual about this model. The GS version of the new 2011 Regal sedan that's due to go on sale this summer is said to be identical to the Opel Insignia OPC in all but one element: the engine.

According to GM, whereas the OPC gets a 2.8-liter twin-scroll turbocharged with 325HP, the all-wheel drive GS is fitted with a tuned up version of the Regal CXL's 2.0-liter turbo four that makes 255HP.

However, if you pay attention to the second promotional video after the jump (pause at 52 seconds into the film), you'll see that the GS features a V6 Turbo...

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Reader Scoops 2010 Opel Astra Test Car in Michigan

This past weekend, eagle-eyed julino billym reader Thomas Czarny picked up these shots of a heavily disguised 2010 Opel Astra hatchback prototype in a shopping mall parking lot in Traverse City, Michigan. The test car was fitted with manufacturer license plates and sported a GMPT (General Motors Powertrain) Engineering Vehicle sticker on the front windshield.

We're fully aware of the fact that new cars go through all sorts of tests in various places around the world including markets where they will not be sold, but we also know that GM is preparing an Opel Astra based small sedan for Buick which is scheduled to go on sale in the States by the end of 2011.

Earlier this year, our spy photographers snapped the Buick four-door sedan along with a five-door Astra prototype sporting Buick's corporate waterfall grille while undergoing testing in Germany.

Although the five-door model is said to be under development for Buick's Chinese market line-up, we can't entirely rule out the possibility that GM may also be considering the hatch for the U.S. where it would compete against the VW Golf and Mazda3.

This naturally brings us to the question, in addition to the sedan model, should GM also enhance Buick's U.S. range with a rebadged version of the 2010 Opel Astra hatchback?

Kudos to Thomas Czarny for the Scoop!

New Videos of Opel Insignia OPC at the Nurburgring and on the Road

Here's the latest batch of videos of Opel's new high-performance model, the 325HP Insignia OPC or if you live in the UK, the Vauxhall Insignia VXR. Along with a promotional film that shows the sedan and estate (Sports Tourer) versions of the OPC on the road, Opel also published a video of the range-topping Insignia at the Nurburgring race track.

The most powerful production model in Opel history ever will be available for sale in Europe this fall in all three body styles - four-door sedan sedan, five-door liftback and Sports Tourer.

As you may have already figured out by now, any chance of seeing the Insignia OPC making its way to the States was washed out after GM's collapse (okay, okay, bankruptcy) and the company's decision to sell the Saturn brand as well as part of its European operations.

More Reader Spy Shots: Kia's Small MPV Snapped in the Czech Republic

julino billym readers Vladimir Pekulas and Jan Mlejnek bagged these shots of Kia's forthcoming mini-MPV on the highway near Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic. If you take a closer look at the pics after the jump, you'll see that the man sitting in the passenger's seat of the Kia test car retaliated against our readers by taking or pretending to take, photos of them also... But anyways, let's refresh our memory on Kia's new model which has yet to be named.

The five-seater MPV is in effect the production version of Kia's No3 Concept study that was shown for the first time in Geneva earlier this year. The Korean automaker's retort to the likes of the Honda Jazz, Opel Meriva and Citroen C3 Picasso uses the same architecture as the Kia Soul and Hyundai i20.

It is anticipated that the small MPV's engine range will comprise of 1.6-liter petrol and diesel units, both producing an output of 126HP, while certain markets may also receive a 115HP 1.6-liter diesel along with a range-topping 2.0-liter gasoline engine making 142HP.

Kia will most probably swoop the covers off the mini-MPV at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with European sales set to start before the end of the year. Like the European market Cee'd, the MPV will be produced at the Hyundai Group's new plant in the Czech Republic.

"Děkuji" Vladimir Pekulas & Jan Mlejnek for the pics!

GM gets World's Fastest Man to Drive Insignia OPC at Goodwood

General Motors' Vauxhall division announced today that World Land Speed Record holder, Andy Green, will be behind the wheel of the all-new, 325HP Insignia VXR (OPC for the rest of Europe) at this weekend's Goodwood's hillclimb course. Andy Green, a British Royal Air Force pilot, is the first and only person to break the sound barrier on land when he recorded a top speed o 763mph or 1,227km/h in 1997 driving Richard Noble's Thrust SSC (SuperSonic Car).

"The Festival of Speed is one of the highlights of my year," said Andy. "So when I was offered the chance to drive Vauxhall's new high-performance Insignia up the Hill, it was just the icing on the cake! Fast road cars are the essence of the Festival and I am really looking forward to giving the Insignia a good run up the Hill this weekend."

Insignia VXR to Make UK Debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The high-performance version of the Opel /Vauxhall Insignia will make its first appearance in Britain at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed that runs from July 3-5. The 325HP Insignia VXR (OPC for the rest of Europe) will run the famous hillclimb course twice a day. Joining the Insignia will be the most powerful production model in Vauxhall's history, the rear-wheel-drive, 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engined VXR8 Bathurst S Edition 560HP that will be performing a 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' display in front of the Goodwood House.

GM's British arm will also showcase two concept studies from the past, the gullwing-door XVR that was displayed at the 1966 Geneva Salon and the SRV that made its debut at the 1970 Earls Court Motor Show.

Opel Insignia OPC Completes 10,000km Testing Around the 'Ring

It's no secret that most automakers hone and further develop their sportiest models on Nurburgring's Nordschleife, which is considered the toughest and most demanding race track in the world. Of course, General Motors' European unit, Opel, is no exception. The German automaker said that all vehicles in its OPC lineup (VXR in the UK) complete a painstaking 10,000km (6,219 mile) testing around the 20.8km (12.9 miles) Nordschleife of the Nurburgring before they go on sale. While 'ze' Germans did not disclose any lap times, the company said that a few days ago, the Insignia OPC sedan completed its final 10,000km 'Ring challenge with no problems.

"The Insignia OPC sedan raced 487 laps for 12 days at some top speeds flawlessly. This kind of performance and quality is what we expect from all our Opel cars," said Hans Demant, Managing Director of Opel.

Over the next few days, the Insignia Sports Tourer OPC will also complete its final 10,000km testing around the Nordschleife. Both versions of the Insignia OPC boast a 325HP, 2.8-liter V6 Turbo engine as well as Opel's Adaptive 4x4 transmission with an electronic rear limited slip differential (eLSD) and purpose-built Brembo brakes. The OPC models are due to go on sale in Europe later this year.

VIDEO: Opel Shows Off New Insignia Sports Tourer OPC in Promo Film

For those of you who want to see more of the new Opel Insignia Sports Tourer OPC, General Motors' soon-to-be-sold European unit has released the first video footage of its Audi S4 Avant rivaling estate. Like the Insignia OPC sedan, the Sports Tourer combines a 325HP and 435 Nm 2.8-liter V6 Turbo engine to Opel's all-wheel drive system and an electronically controlled rear limited slip differential. Click here to check out our detailed post on the Sports Tourer OPC or hit the jump to watch the film.

Opel Insignia OPC in Sports Tourer Form Spied Completely Undisguised!

If you were in any doubt that Opel and consequently, its British arm Vauxhall, was readying an estate version of the recently introduced Insignia OPC, here's the proof that you've been asking for. julino billym's secret agent hit the jackpot with the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer snapping the car without a single trace of camouflage. Naturally, the German firm's Audi S4 Avant contender comes with a similar sports outfit to the sedan featuring a new front end with two large vertical intakes and a specific rear bumper with dual integrated exhausts.

The profile photos also show a roof spoiler and a new set of wheels. Like the sedan, the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer will ride on 19-inch alloys shod in 245/40 high performance tires while 20-inch lightweight forged wheels with 255/35 tires will be available as an option.

As you probably have already guessed by now, under the skin you'll find the same hardware used in the Insignia OPC sedan. In other words, a four-wheel drive chassis mated to a 2.8-liter V6 fitted with a twin-scroll turbo that generates an output of 325 horsepower and 400Nm or 295-lbs/ft of torque. Power is channeled to all wheels through a six speed manual gearbox. As with the sedan, the transmission is coupled to an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that can feed torque to individual wheels.

A sportier suspension set up and beefier Brembo brakes with cross-drilled discs complete the changes.

Since it's almost certain that the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer will be a bit heavier than its sedan sibling, don't be surprised if you see slightly worst acceleration figures. For the record, the OPC-ized Insignia saloon hits the 100km/h mark in 6.0 seconds (0 to 60mph in 5.8 seconds). Top speed should remain the same at 250km/h or 155mph (electronically limited).

(The black colored Insignia pictured below is an OPC prototype scooped near the 'Ring)