DETROIT — Saying that it is aiming for a high-performance version of its Regal sedan, Buick will introduce the Regal GS showcar at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The Regal GS gets a 2.0-liter Ecotec turbocharged engine that Buick says will be offered on Regal CXL models later this summer.
The Regal GS is designed to be a scene stealer with such details as a lowered body, an adaptive all-wheel-drive system, forged-aluminum 20-inch wheels and performance tires, Recaro front seats and Brembo brakes. Buick is describing it as a "21st-century successor to Buick's Gran Sport heritage.
"The idea behind the Regal GS was taking the production model in a more aggressive direction to appeal to performance enthusiasts," said John Cafaro, Buick design director, in a statement.
The Regal GS sprints from zero to 60 mph in less than 6.0 seconds. The engine and turbocharger in the showcar are tuned to deliver greater boost pressure than what will be available on the production Regal CXL, said Buick. The output on the showcar is estimated at 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The showcar also gets an Interactive Drive Control System chassis technology that will be offered on Regal CXL models with the 2.0-liter turbo engine. The system enhances vehicle stability while adapting the driving characteristics of the car to the driver's preferences. It features three operating modes: normal, sport and GS.
Exterior design cues on the Regal GS include vertical air inlets in the front fascia, unique rocker panels, an integrated rear spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, Olympic White paint and satin metallic accents. The cabin gets a jet-black interior and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Inside Line says: Buick shows just how macho it can make the Regal with a few key tweaks. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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johnsavino1 says:
03:57 PM, 01/27/2010
any word on this going into production with an automatic transmission with paddle shifters??Because i think that the manual transmission is going to draw in a younger crowd of buyers which isnt a bad thing but what if you are a little older and dont want to drive stick anymore but still want equal performance with an easier everyday drive and all of the options of this car like the recaro seats and 20inch wheels.
carfreak13 says:
03:03 PM, 01/22/2010
The Opel looks better.
frommx5tomz3 says:
07:13 AM, 01/11/2010
"For varying reasons, people said exactly the same thing about Toyotas, Hondas, and more recently Hyundais."
But those were essentially "new brands" to the U.S. that had to build some equity here, not brands that already had years and years of negative associations in the minds of consumers. Yes, they had to overcome some pre-conceived notions, but I suggest the task of building a new brand is more easily achieved than repairing a tarnished one. Also, even those brands, with a sustained streak of excellent product quality, took a couple of decades to gain the respect they have now (and Hyundai's still just getting there). Does GM have that kind of time?
frommx5tomz3 says:
07:06 AM, 01/11/2010
"A few more generations of great looking and performing cars like this and Buick will again be aspirational for more than the retirees."
I agree - this car looks great and changing brand cache can certainly be done with enough time/sustained excellence. My question is whether building a sporty/aspirational brand could be done quicker/cheaper starting with the Opel brand rather than the Buick one. As a 30-something, I think I'm likely to be one of those "retirees" before they can make Buick cool again. I think they could launch Opel here and perhaps get some momentum in less than 5 years with the right products and marketing.
I just don't see my peers replacing 20+ years of "OldsmoBuick" impressions with "brand lust" in any timeline that will ever matter to me as a car buyer. Heck, even pre-scandal Tiger Woods didn't put a significant dent in that mentality. It's going to take a LOT of time/money. Does GM have that luxury?
johnmarco says:
01:34 PM, 01/10/2010
Well said tbone. A few more generations of great looking and performing cars like this and Buick will again be aspirational for more than the retirees.
tbone85 says:
04:24 PM, 01/08/2010
"I know it makes me shallow in some way, but as a 30-something, I'm not buying a Buick. "
I don't know that shallow is the right word. For varying reasons, people said exactly the same thing about Toyotas, Hondas, and more recently Hyundais. It took many generations of poor design and execution to land Buick in this position. It's most easily cured by 2-3 generations of well designed and executed models. There's a momentum to the perception of auto brand cache that often lags the data collected by J.D. Powers and others. It's going to take continuous, consistent excellence and more than a little luck for GM to emerge from its hole.
chrisbrowdr says:
04:53 AM, 01/08/2010
I love the look. My jury is out on the engine choice though. Now a days 255hp doesnt really equal "performance model", especially a sedan of this size...hell, if this were a new "pocket rocket" it still seems a little low compared to mazdaspeeds, WRX's, Cobalt SS, etc...time will tell with actual performance figures
redwoodaggie says:
08:13 AM, 01/07/2010
I'm disappointed it doesn't have the Insignia OPC's 325hp V-6 as well. Were they afraid they'd scare the senior citizen drivers to death? I guess the Detroit News' new article on the death of the V-6 is spot on.
tower210 says:
07:53 AM, 01/07/2010
Car looks great.
Pricing and equipment that actually make it to the car will make or break this car. It is not and EVO or STI, the 255HP number is a little disapointing but will work for the buyers that will shop it. This car CANNOT compete at $35-40K (infinity G37, Acura TL, AUDI) prices. This car SHOULD land at $28K and target Volkswagen CC pricing (with 6 spd manual, 18" wheels, really nice pleather interior), let people option up BREMBOS and RECAROS and UBER - LEATHER and 20" RIMS to $35K. At $28K the HP looks like a value (probably the only advantage over the BASE CC) instead of a mistake. One more note, the automatic transmission better be programmed perfectly, or it will kill this car (especially given GM's history crappy vague manual transmissions) since at this price point, this is what most people will buy.
I am a past owner of a WRX and MAZDASPEED 6 - I am their target customer (And I religously buy a new car every 2-3 years) - and I know that day to day commuting, that 20" wheels ride AWEFUL and burn through rubber way to fast (18" are bad enough).
The look is great (masculine)!! Price it right and I will order mine next year.
frommx5tomz3 says:
07:48 AM, 01/07/2010
I like it except for the Buick badge. I know it makes me shallow in some way, but as a 30-something, I'm not buying a Buick. Buick was never "cool" in my lifetime. I've never aspired to own a Buick. I really wish GM would just market it (and a few other cars) as an Opel here. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have to believe the costs/effort/consumer mindset shift required to promote the Opel brand in the U.S. are smaller than to try to make Buick cool for anyone under 50 (maybe even 60 or more). To succeed in the long run, GM needs a premium brand that is "cool" for people under 50. And no, Cadillac isn't it, although it's closer than Buick at this point. Perhaps Buick can be repositioned over time, but I fear that it will take decades/generations before Buick is "cool" again.
That said - I like some of the cars (including this one) that GM is producing now - so good work on the product front. I never thought I would say that...