Opel and Vauxhall have both had plans for some time now to unleash a hot version of the award-winning Opel Insignia on the European markets, but with both companies currently fighting for their lives, you’d be forgiven if you thought the project had fallen by the wayside.

But it seems you’d be wrong.  Spanish auto site motorpasión has caught the Opel Insignia OPC out testing, without a shred of camouflage to hide its rude bits.

Short of an official announcement, there can be no better proof that despite its current hardships, Opel is preparing to bring the Insignia OPC – to be sold in the UK as the Vauxhall Insignia VXR – to market after all.

The Opel Insignia OPC is expected to benefit from a twin-turbo version of the V6 engine option, making somewhere in the neighbourhood of 230kW.

That power will get to the ground via the Insignia’s all-wheel-drive system, which itself benefits from a torque-splitting rear differential from the Saab 9-3 Turbo X.

Regardless of its patently obvious potential, don’t expect to see the Insignia OPC – or the regular Opel Insignia – wearing a Holden badge any time soon.

With the upcoming market debut of the Daewoo-sourced Holden Cruze, the Insignia – which replaces the Vectra in the Opel and Vauxhall ranges – has no place in the Holden lineup.

[via motorpasion.com and carscoop.blogspot.com]