LOS ANGELES — General Motors has officially unveiled the all-new 2011 Buick Regal for North America — after teasing the midsize sedan for weeks in not-very-coy, but calculated "leaks" on Buick's Facebook page.
The new Regal, which makes its formal debut in early December at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, is slated to go on sale in spring 2010. It is based heavily on the German-engineered Opel Insignia sedan, with design cues pulled from the new Buick Regal that was launched last December in China.
While Buick is referring to the car as a "sport sedan," it will be available initially only with a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability. Late next summer, Buick plans to add a smaller, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 220 hp, but so far there appear to be no plans to offer an optional V6 engine in the Regal. The normally aspirated four is expected to return 30 mpg in EPA highway driving, while the turbo four is estimated at 29 highway.
Buick said the 2011 Regal will be marketed in a single premium trim level (CXL), and that it plans to offer additional trim levels in model-year 2012.
Standard equipment for 2011 includes 18-inch wheels and tires, heated leather front seats, satellite radio, four-wheel disc brakes, all-independent suspension, stability and traction control, and Bluetooth capability.
Among the options will be rear-seat thorax bags, navigation, premium audio and an interactive drive control system offered only with the turbo engine, with driver-selectable suspension settings and 19-inch wheels and tires.
Buick hasn't priced the new Regal yet, but indicated it will be slotted below the LaCrosse, which starts at $27,835.
Inside Line says: Yet one more good reason to keep Opel in the family. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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nickdago says:
01:38 AM, 12/03/2009
Actually for the price point I think this car is a real winner. The styling is better than average and the interior is definitly above the competition
1275ttl says:
07:14 PM, 12/01/2009
Decades ago, Car and Driver reviewed a Regal T-Type with a monster turbo V-6 and concluded, "A great engine in search of a great car." At last, maybe we have that great car, albeit with a different engine, but a promising one nonetheless. As an American (i.e. taxpayer), I want GM to succeed. As a car enthusiast, these new Buicks need to be driven and judged on their own merit. But based on looks and content, the LaCrosse and Regal appear to be the radical departures from previous Buicks that most will agree is essential to a successful future. Additionally, both cars appear contemporary and competitive with the alternatives (price aside for next year's Regal). What's not to like? I just hope the execution and commitment to the German-made Regal is superior to that given the the Cadillac Catera. With plans to build Regals in Canada, one would hope the Regal's destiny is different from the Catera's fate. In any event, I'm excited about driving the new Regal. I really like its looks, inside and out, and am pleased that smaller more fuel efficient engines will be mated to an upscale-looking , high-content car. Maybe it really is a sports sedan that will also happen to be a Buick.
harrison310 says:
09:30 PM, 11/30/2009
The new Regal looks like a good looking European sedan, but I agree, that it has a slightly generic look reminiscent, IMHO, of the Cadillac Catera. I just hope GM doesn't get greedy with the pricing. It should be about the same price as a Chevy Malibu LTZ - which is a bigger car, I believe, but without Buick's luxury trim and interior. This seems to be GM's ongoing marketing problem - where their brands had overlap models without a clear value proposition.
Cadillac CTS or Buick LaCrosse?
Chevy Malibu LTZ (V6) or Buick Regal (only 4 cylinder available)
And presumably once the Lucerne is redesigned, it will cannibalize Caddy STS sales?
2001regalls says:
05:20 PM, 11/29/2009
The Regal is "supposed" to be aimed more at the entry level stage. Its not going to be at the same level as the LaCrosse (larger and pricier with more options across the board) so I don't see the reason for hating it.
I for one really like the looks of it. Its simple, but not gawdy and in your face... something that past GM vehicles had in common. GM and Buick have to follow in a different direction since that whole automotive needs and wants are quickly changing. Cars sold will soon HAVE to meet a minimum of 35mpg. I think they are making small steps in the right direction. They just have to win back peoples trust. And I for one agree with the fact that past vehicles failed in comparison on fit and finish, and quality issues. But they also at one time were considered the standard of the world too... They are under new leadership...(yes, I know some of it is da gubmunt...) and I have been to a few dealerships and have noticed vast improvements in fit and finish and huge leaps forward in the interior quality of new vehicles. I have owned nothing but GM vehicles since 1988. Yes, I have been tempted to stray at other makes and even thought about Japanese makes. But just could not bring myself to buy anything other than American. Not knocking any of you who have bought any....they do make good quality cars. I have faith in American auto makers and especially GM to pull their head out of their butt. So far, what I am seeing is slow, small steps in the right direction.
rainxj says:
04:36 PM, 11/20/2009
Yes 1487...the Buick Lacrosse looks much MUCH better than the Lexus Es, great car actually...the point is the Regal however seems too generic to be compared looks wise. Buick is not in the position reputation wise to make generic or plain looking cars, Lexus is. And if you ask around, out of all the Lexus models, people consider the IS to be a relatively good looking car. I don't see how this beats it. It has no character..it just looks too generic and imho, is a step back from the Lacrosse. They had the chance to capitalize on their momentum and they ruined it with the Regal. As for my Infiniti comparison..the Infiniti GS looks better, or at the very least not as generic as the Regal. Comparing the Regal to The M and the Es is irrelevant by the way as those are not it's competitors. I just don't think the Regal fits in with Buick's current direction..it doesn't fit in at least looks wise
And their next model should have probably been a redesigned Lucerne after the Lacrosse, that would have been the way to go. I also think Buick should actually be working on releasing a coupe/convertible..but that's another debate all together
zoomzoomn says:
11:41 AM, 11/20/2009
Where's the portholes? Now bring on the Astra rebadged as a Skylark! ;)
1487 says:
07:51 AM, 11/20/2009
"You don't have to 1487! The free market already has! That's why the company is bankrupt!"
They are still bankrupt? Thanks for the tip.
"I know Opel is GM, but Opel it's essentially still a German car. "
Germany is where they head up midsize car development but components of this car and many GM cars are designed all over the world. Information, platforms, systems, engines, etc. are shared between US, China and Europe. This was supposed to be the basis for the next gen Aura and it still is the basis for the 2013 Malibu.
infidel06 says:
07:38 PM, 11/19/2009
I saw the car which the Buick Regal is based on, the Opel Insignia, in January at the Frankfurt airport. That was one of the most beautiful cars I've seen. If the Buick Regal is essentially the same car as I've read about on other sites save for the grill which in my opinion is nicer on the Opel and a few minor changes to meet U.S. safety standards than this is a car worth waiting for. In fact I want to see the American version at the L.A. Auto show in December. I own a 2003 Accord with 226,000 miles and I need buy a new car. I was thinking about going with another Japanese car, but I'm seriously considering buying this car. I read on autoblog.com that GM is planning on bringing over a 2.0T version with a six-speed manual transmission. They should just bring the Opel Insignia OPC which is the performance version.
For those of you haters I agree GM has had it's problem. I've owned American cars in the past and have just about sworn them off. But the Regal is not a true American car, it's a German engineered and made car with an American badge. I know Opel is GM, but Opel it's essentially still a German car. This is the type of car GM should have been importing a long time ago. While they're at they should import the 2010 Opel Astra, but please don't name it Buick Skylark.
I say give them a chance and see how this works out. If GM blows this than write them off.
dodgeman07 says:
01:48 PM, 11/19/2009
GM = Junk!
"So eloquent, so thoughtful. How can I disagree with such well formulated and objective comments?"
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You don't have to 1487! The free market already has! That's why the company is bankrupt!
GM should have died. When the life support is removed - it's over.
1487 says:
11:32 AM, 11/19/2009
"If they're trying to compete with Lexus or Infiniti...this is a utter and complete failure. Design wise at least, but that's my opinion. "
What lexus sedans blow this away in styling? The ES350? IS? When you talk about Infiniti you are basically talking about the G37 and little else. The M is much more expensive, low volume and forgettable in terms of styling.
The Regal looks European which makes sense considering it's origin. Its relatively generic, but it has a quality Euro look to it like a VW or Audi.