Opel Flagship with Offroad Appeal: The New Insignia Country Tourer

DETROIT — Coming off a historic year with record sales, four new vehicle launches and awards validating Buick’s quality and customer experience, the brand’s introduction of the all-new Regal TourX brings the latest product to broaden the brand’s lineup in the U.S. Like the successful Encore and Cascada, TourX proves Buick continues to make bold moves outside traditional vehicle segments.

“Regal TourX is a crossover in the truest sense of the word, with the drive dynamics of a car and the versatility of an SUV,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, global Buick and GMC. “Additionally, it continues a trend set by the Cascada and Encore of bringing Buick’s contemporary design and attainable luxury credentials to new segments where customers are looking for more. TourX enters a vibrant segment with passion and youthful energy where drivers are able to experience the new Buick.”

The TourX rides higher than its Sportback counterpart, enabling greater capability. Its rugged exterior appearance, standard roof rails, interior amenities, standard intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) with active twin-clutch and functional cargo area epitomize upscale utility, capability and convenience backed by the quality and safety expected from Buick.

With the new Regal TourX and Sportback, Buick now offers two new products that expand the expectations and opportunity for individuality in the premium midsize segment. One is a sports sedan with sleek, coupe-like design with five-door versatility; the other, a vehicle with the drive dynamics of a car but with all the usefulness of an SUV.

Highlights of Regal TourX:

• It has more overall cargo space than the Volvo V60 Cross Country, the Audi A4 Allroad, BMW 3-series Sport Wagon and the Subaru Outback, with up to 73.5 cubic feet behind the front seats.
• Standard intelligent AWD with active twin-clutch provides improved vehicle control and efficiency in any condition.
• The purpose-built exterior’s ride height increased over the Regal Sportback and it has durable fascia and fender moldings.
• The hands-free power liftgate has a Buick tri-shield logo lamp that illuminates the ground beneath the sensor, standard on upper trim levels.
• The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 250 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
• Customer-minded available accessories including a variable roof rack, portable Bluetooth speaker and keyless keypad entry.
• An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard.
• Safety innovations include a Buick-first active hood pedestrian safety system, Front Pedestrian Braking and Lane Keep Assist.

Memorable adventures need capable performance, and TourX answers the call with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine featuring 250 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That power is routed to the ground via a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and intelligent AWD with active twin-clutch for greater control on any surface. The engine also comes standard with advanced start/stop technology.

Also offered on the Regal Sportback, Envision and LaCrosse, Buick’s innovative new system uses two clutches at the rear wheels for seamless, smart torque distribution. Beneficial not just in snowy weather but also during spirited driving, the system relies less on braking to maintain maximum performance and efficiency.

Compared to the 2018 Regal Sportback, the TourX is 3.4 inches longer, showcasing a confident side profile and a roofline accent piece that arches along the entire length of the roof and D-pillar, eventually culminating in the LED-accented taillights.

Up front, Buick’s winged grille is flanked by standard LED daytime running lights and available LED headlights that are thinner and more landscaped to enhance the low, wide appearance of the front end.

Inside the luxurious cabin, the new Regal’s interior design takes a tailored, driver-centric approach, featuring premium materials and host of modern technologies. Refined materials in the cabin feature clean lines and uncluttered surfaces, all while keeping utility and capability of utmost importance. Folding down the second row gives the Regal TourX 73.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, more than its key competitors, and 32.7 cubic feet in the rear hatch area with seats up.

Standard equipment on every 2018 Regal TourX includes intelligent AWD with active twin-clutch, push-button start and entry, Hill Start Assist, 10 air bags, universal home remote and heated side mirrors.

Every Regal TourX also comes equipped with an OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot (AT&T data plan purchase required after limited data trial period) and five years of the OnStar Basic Plan[1] at no additional cost. Among other benefits like an industry-leading myBuick app, this connectivity plan features OnStar Smart Driver, an opt-in service designed to help Buick owners maximize their vehicle’s overall performance and become better drivers.

A 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard on TourX and Preferred trims, while an 8-inch system is standard on the Essence trim with available embedded navigation optional. Bose premium audio with an innovative subwoofer mounted in the spare tire well is also standard with active noise cancellation.

The 2018 Regal TourX offers new levels of crash prevention and protection. Along with the Regal Sportback, it is the first Buick to offer a standard active hood pedestrian safety system that senses the imminent impact of a pedestrian between 16-30 mph and uses a pyrotechnic actuator to lift the back of the hood up about 4 inches to lessen the impact and potentially reduce injury.

The Regal TourX’s available Driver Confidence I package adds popular active safety features including Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Park Assist. A more advanced Driver Confidence II package adds Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Automatic Braking.

Available in three trim levels — TourX, Preferred and Essence — TourX is designed around a lifestyle and exposes a new generation and a new segment of buyers to the Buick brand. Pricing and other details will be announced closer to the on-sale date in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Buick is an international modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors and thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models in North America and China. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick, on Instagram, or at www.facebook.com/buick

[1] OnStar Basic Plan is available for five years from the delivery date of eligible 2015 model year and newer vehicles and is transferable. Basic Plan does not include Emergency, Security or Navigation services; these and other services require a paid plan. Visit OnStar.com for details.

2018 Buick Regal TourX Specifications
Overview

Model:	Buick Regal TourX
Body style / driveline:	station wagon / front engine; all-wheel drive
Construction:	unibody
EPA vehicle class:	station wagon
Manufacturing location:	Germany
Key competitors:	BMW 3 Series Sport Wagon, Audi A4 Allroad, Volvo V60 Cross Country

Propulsion Systems

Engine:	2.0L turbocharged I-4
Displacement (cu in / cc):	122 cu in / 1998 cc
Bore & stroke (in / mm):	3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86
Block material:	cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	DOHC, four valves per cylinder with CVVT
Fuel delivery:	side direct fuel injection
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):	250 hp @ 5500 RPM
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):	295 lb.-ft. @ 3000-4000 RPM
Transmission:	8-speed automatic

Chassis / Suspension

Suspension (front):	MacPherson strut
Suspension (rear):	five-link
Steering type:	Rack-mounted electric power steering
Turning circle (ft. / m):	40 ft. / 12.2 m
Brakes:	four-wheel disc
Wheel size and type:	18-inch aluminum
Tires:	Continental ProContact tx 235/50R18

Dimensions
Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):	111.4 / 2829
Overall length (in / mm):	196.3 / 4985
Overall width (in / mm):	73.3 / 1863
Overall height (in / mm):	58.4 / 1484
Track (in / mm):	62.8 / 1596 front 63.0 / 1599 rear
Curb weight (lb / kg):	4239 / 1923 TourX 4270 / 1937 Preferred 4286 / 1944 Essence

Interior

Seating capacity:	up to five passengers
Headroom (in / mm):	38.8 / 985 front 39.6 / 1006 rear
Legroom (in / mm):	42.1 / 1070 front 36.9 / 938 rear
Shoulder room (in / mm):	56.9 / 1444 front 55.4 / 1407 rear
Hip room (in / mm):	55.2 / 1403 front 54.1 / 1375 rear
Cargo volume (cu. ft.):	32.7 cu. ft. rear seat up 73.5 cu. ft. rear seat folded

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

Rüsselsheim.  The new top-of-the-range Opel models, the Insignia Grand Sport and the Insignia Sports Tourer have only just celebrated their world premieres in Geneva – but the dream duo is already set to become a triumphant trio. Just as for the previous generation, the Insignia will be available as an adventurer with all-wheel drive and offroad appeal. Its name: The new Opel Insignia Country Tourer. Available to order from June, it will celebrate its premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA, September 14 to 24) and will be at dealers shortly afterwards. The all-rounder is the ideal choice for fans of winter sports and the countryside but also for everybody who appreciates a very individual impression.

The new Opel Insignia Country Tourer impresses with the same virtues as its Grand Sport and Sports Tourer siblings – it is spacious and considerably lighter than the outgoing version thanks an all-new architecture. It also comes with a wide range of innovative technologies, just as a true flagship should. Furthermore, it captivates with its very own country-style charm: all-round black protective cladding and silver front and rear skid plates give the newcomer a rugged offroad appearance. Customers who prefer an even more individual vehicle can also tailor it thanks to the Opel Exclusive concept, which provides an unlimited choice of colors.

Adventure-ready: Leading propulsion and chassis technologies

A broad powertrain portfolio – including a brand new top-of-the-range diesel engine – delivers the performance of the Opel Insignia Country Tourer. In addition, the newcomer will also be available with the new eight-speed automatic transmission and ground-breaking all-wheel drive technology. Twenty millimeters of additional ground clearance along with the innovative all-wheel drive with torque vectoring and the new five-link rear suspension cater for the wish to leave asphalt roads and give the Insignia Country Tourer the most polished system in its class. Instead of a traditional rear differential, which transmits equal amounts of torque to the rear wheels, the Opel Insignia Country Tourer boasts two electrically controlled multi-plates clutches which enable a more individual and precise transmission of power to each wheel – irrespective of road or weather conditions. To counteract the understeer tendency in tight corners taken at higher speeds, the system, depending on the acceleration command and steering movement, sends more torque to the outside rear wheel. This happens without any further driver intervention and in a split second. This stabilizes the vehicle. Furthermore, the Insignia turns in with more precision, responding more spontaneously to inputs from the driver. This results in neutral vehicle behavior, making the car more stable and steerable for the driver no matter what the situation.

The further improved FlexRide chassis provides the basis for optimal, situation-based driving behavior. It adapts the dampers, steering, throttle response and shift points (on automatics) independently or based on the modes ‘Standard’, ‘Sport’ or ‘Tour’ which can be selected by the driver. The new central ‘Drive Mode Control’ software is the heart and soul of the adaptive chassis. It continuously analyzes the information provided by the sensors and settings and recognizes the individual driving style.

“The Country Tourer is the perfect choice for all those who want to combine ultra-modern connectivity and assistance systems along with the roominess of the new Insignia with individual styling and offroad qualities. The adventurous-looking station wagon is the ideal car for all athletes among Insignia fans who simultaneously love a more rugged look,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Opel Vice President Sales & Aftersales.

Robust exterior, spacious interior: The Insignia for country fans

The new Insignia Sports Tourer is already in very good shape: It takes the Opel design philosophy to the next level with its sporty yet elegant styling and its breathtaking lines. The all-new lightweight architecture is one of the main reasons behind its feisty and agile performance. The Country Tourer has all of these qualities and more. Its more rugged and individual charm makes it the top-of-the-line variant of the Insignia model range and from the very start of the development process the designers and the engineers worked on a third distinct Insignia variant.

The fascia of the new Insignia Country Tourer looks even more purposeful than that of its Sports Tourer sibling. The prominent landscape grille and slim headlamps offer a wide horizontal impression, whilst the silver colored skid plate helps to pull the car down to underline the solid stance. Molded black protective cladding in the lower fascia, the wheel arches and along the lower body side emphasize the rugged appearance. Just like the front, the rear end also delivers adventurous cues, such as a silver colored skid plate and dual exhaust bezels that reinforce the lower and wider impression.

“We wanted our new Insignia Country Tourer to be robust in every respect while simultaneously displaying the typical elegant Opel philosophy of sculptural artistry and German precision,” said Mark Adams, Vice President Design. “It has the presence of a true flagship, combining a sophisticated athletic shape enhanced by rugged off road detailing.”

Those looking for a truly unique Insignia will soon have an unlimited amount of options at their disposal with Opel looking to launch the Opel Exclusive concept also with the Insignia Country Tourer. Apart from the regular colors buyers can choose from 15 additional colors only available to Exclusive customers. However, that is by no means all. The Opel Exclusive experts can even reproduce any paint tone desired if provided with a sample or an image. Furthermore, Exclusive customers can personalize their vehicles even further thanks to additional wheel designs and leather interior options.

Matching the character of the rugged all-rounder, the new Insignia Country Tourer is above all extremely practical. In order to make loading as easy as possible, the tailgate can be opened without touching the car. In combination with “Keyless Open & Start” a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper is enough to open the tailgate (a vehicle silhouette projected onto the ground shows the correct area). Another kicking motion under the bumper will close the tailgate. In order to increase loading space to 1,665 liters, 130 liters more than on the outgoing version, the new Insignia Country Tourer comes with optional 40/20/40 foldable rear seats enabling even more flexible loading space configurations. The rear seat bank can be folded down by simply pushing a button located in the luggage compartment. And the standard roof railing not only emphasizes the adventurous look but also increases the application spectrum of the new Insignia Country Tourer allowing the rugged station wagon to carry roof loads of up to 100 kilograms.

Elsewhere, the wheelbase has been elongated by 92 mm, enabling a much more spacious interior that especially benefits the rear passengers. The wellness atmosphere is further underlined by the driver-oriented cockpit, the AGR-certified (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) premium ergonomic front seats and the heated outer rear seats. The heated windshield and the heated steering wheel ensure good visibility and warm hands respectively on cold days.

Outstanding technology on board: Safe, comfortable, superb connectivity

Just like its Grand Sport and Sports Tourer siblings, the Insignia Country Tourer comes with numerous ultra-modern technologies and assistance systems that enable a new level of safety and comfort. One of the highlights in every sense of the word is the second generation of Opel’s innovative and award-winning adaptive IntelliLux LED®matrix light. The Opel LED®matrix light now has 16 LED segments integrated into each of the very slim headlamps and comes with an innovative active curve lighting function and dedicated LED spotlight with a range of up to 400 meters. Further additions include the head up display, the 360° surround view camera, adaptive cruise control (ACC) with automatic emergency braking, Lane Keep Assist with automated steering correction and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The latest Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible IntelliLink systems ensure outstanding entertainment and connectivity. And the smartphone can even be charged without a cable while it is seamlessly integrated within the infotainment system. The groundbreaking personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar is also on board. It comes with an extensive service portfolio ranging from automatic crash response to stolen vehicle assistance. Two newcomers to the OnStar portfolio are the booking service1, and parking search2. Both services rely OnStar advisors who can book hotel rooms and/or search for suitable carparks.

1 Via booking.com. E-mail address and credit card required.

2 Via Parkopedia