These are the first official shots of Opel’s new Insignia estate, which will premiere at the Paris Auto Salon on October 2nd. The third variant to join the Insignia range after the 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback models will be called the Sports Tourer and it will be available in European markets in spring 2009 with a choice of seven different powerplants.

Compared to the sedan versions, all the bodywork after the B-pillars is unique and although less dynamic than its two other siblings, the Sports Tourer is one of the first Opel station wagon models that you may actually buy for its styling. While the Insignia station wagon has retained an identical wheelbase of 2.74 meters with the sedan models, Opel’s designers added around 80 mm to its length for an overall 4.91 meters. According to Opel, the luggage compartment offers a volume of 540 liters. -Continued

Opel isn’t releasing any details, but the German carmaker said that alongside the existing line up of three petrol and two diesel units that are already available from launch of the sedan models, the new Insignia Sports Tourer will debut two new engines, a downsized gasoline turbo engine and a new turbo diesel. Moreover, Opel is also working on an, an ecoFLEX variant with low fuel consumption and CO₂ emission levels that will be added to the range in the near future.

As with the rest of the Insignia range, the Sports Tourer will be available with all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, while buyers will also be able to opt for the new FlexRide mechatronic system which raises stability and provides real time, electronically controlled damping.