Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer arrives to take on the Allroad

Vauxhall/Opel have revealed a rugged version of the Insignia Sports Tourer – the Insignia Country Tourer – which will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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It  always seem likely that Vauxhall and Opel would add some butch bits to the Insignia Sports Tourer at some point to create an ‘Allroad’ version. And here it is – the Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer.

Actually, Vauxhall hasn’t managed to get their Box Brownies out yet so what we’ve got are photos of the Opel version of the Country Tourer, but bar the badges they’ll be the same.

That means a new front grill, skid plates, bolt-on grey plastic cladding, electronic 4WD which can vary torque fully between the axles (and do FWD when the going is easy) and an extra 20mm ground clearance.

It all adds up to a bit of competition from Vauxhall and Opel for cars like Audi’s Allroad and VW’s Alltrack, with a more butch persona pandering to the wants of the boot sale and faux country classes.

Engines on offer at launch will be the 2.0 litre CDTI turbo with 195bhp, the same engine with the BiTurbo and a more appealing 195bhp with the sole petrol offering, the 2.0 litre SIDI, arriving with a lively 247bhp.

Gearbox options will be a six-speed manual or six speed auto, but if you want the 2.0 litre BiTurbo diesel its Hobson’s choice – you’ll have to take the auto ‘box.

There will be more detail – and prices – when the Insignia Country Tourer arrives in Frankfurt in a couple of months.