Few can resist a fast wagon. It’s the ultimate extension of the hot-hatch theory of taking the most unlikely of vehicles and fitting it with blinding speed. Audi and BMW have plumbed the depths of this market segment many a time, but now there’s a new player. If the performance station wagon was already unusual then the badge on this one makes it stand out even further, Vauxhall. After launching the VXR brand in 2003 they’ve slowly rolled it out across their line from rebadged imports like the Australian derived Monaro, to their mainstream offerings. Having launched the praised Insignia there is little wonder when a performance version would be put on sale. It’s now available, but with a twist. Rather than kick things off with a sedan the next generation of VXR products was launched with the Insignia VXR Sports Tourer, a station wagon.

The VXR badge was created to bring ‘sport’ to the Vauxhall name, much like Ford’s RS label and even instantly recognisable factory tuners such as AMG. Therefore they can’t fake it by adding some bigger wheels and throwing stickers everywhere. The VXR Sport Tourer is as far from fake as you can get. Things begin with a new visual look up front. The main grill retains the Vauxhall family theme, but is enhanced by black mesh work and several extra cooling slots on the bumper. The Sport Tourer’s ample shape is finished off with a rear bumper bearing twin exhaust exits and chrome accents. Open the door and there’s no question about the intentions of this supposed family hauler. The interior is all back with bits of chrome everywhere. The flat bottomed steering wheel screams racer as well as the excellent Recaro front seats. The VXR logo is prominently displayed when you press the VXR button on the dash. This not only puts the whole car in VXR-mode, but changes the dials to red as well giving clear indication its ready to rock.

And rock it can with a turbocharged 2.8-litre V6. 321bhp makes the 1930kg sprint to 60mph in 6.7-seconds. Top speed is capped to 155mph. All that power is equally distributed to all four wheels by the Vauxhall’s first all-wheel drive system. As with sister company Saab, it uses torque vectoring to generate maximum traction at each corner, especially since the VXR has 321lb/ft of torque to spread around. Additional technology in the form of the new HiPerStrut set up for the front wheels tries to keep drivers on track by reducing torque steer. Suspension modifications are a must with the VXR sitting 10mm lower on either a 19-inch or 20-inch wheel and tyre package. Spring rates are stiffer, and different anti-roll bars work with the electronic FlexiRide dampers. Base performance is set, but drivers have the option of three modes, normal, sport, and VXR. Pressing the VXR mode throws the Sport Tourer into a different world, sharpening throttle and steering response, stiffening the dampers and puts the electronic limited-slip into action.

All this with a 540 litres of space with the seats up.

RD