Regal to Have Sport Model, Potentially Named GS

[nsap]

Regal to Have Sport Model, Potentially Named GS
A Buick with Brembo brakes, SIDI V6, and 19" wheels.
www.gminsidenews.com
October 16, 2009
By: Nick Saporito

News from Tuesday's GMC-Buick dealership meeting in Detroit is now starting to trickle out in full-force. One of the highlights of the event was the showing of the 2011 Buick Regal to Buick dealerships. For months now GMI has confirmed that the Regal was coming, however yesterday GM made it official. GMI has since obtained further details about the car including the sport variant.

The Regal will be launching with two four-cylinder ECOTEC engines upon launch. The base engine is going to be the 180 HP direct injected 2.4L ECOTEC that debuted this year in the 2010 Equinox and Terrain. The up-level four-cylinder is reportedly the direct injected, turbocharged 2.0L ECOTEC with roughly 220 HP. All Regal's will come with six speed automatics standard and have optional all-wheel drive. No word on if a manual will be available on the four-cylinders.

Possibly the most exciting news about the Regal is that there will be a "sport" model. The sport trim has not yet been named, however GMI is told that "GS" is one of the names on the consideration list. This sport trim will be fitted with the 280 HP 3.6L SIDI V6 from the LaCrosse, 19" wheels and Brembo performance brakes. Like the rest of the Regal's, it will have optional AWD. Another interesting point: we're told the Regal sport trim will have an optional six-speed manual, likely the same unit from the Opel Insignia OPC.

Initial orders of the 2011 Regal will start in about six months, with full production starting in summer 2010. Although no official announcement has been made, it is expected that the car will be produced at the Oshawa, Ontario facility.

Stay tuned, GMI has a lot more news from the dealership meeting coming soon!

[ARCANGEL]

Man no manual for the 2.0T that's an epic fail... I hope hey change there minds

[dreadnaught1181]

How big of a vehicle are we talking here? Mid-size or Full?

[ARCANGEL]

Originally Posted by dreadnaught1181

How big of a vehicle are we talking here? Mid-size or Full?

Mid size dude

[jckjds]

Overall, this is a good looking car. My only gripes are these:

1. WTF is with the mile-long front overhang?! I know that FWD cars tend to need a little extra overhang, but DAMN!

2. The wheel well gaps are still a little large for my taste. I'm hoping the sportiest model has slightly larger wheels with slightly lowered (and tightened) suspension.

If they get 2 right, I might be willing to deal with 1, assuming price and fuel economy are right. Doesn't really matter, though. I'll be driving the G8 for quite a few more years.

[JBsZ06]

Originally Posted by dreadnaught1181

How big of a vehicle are we talking here? Mid-size or Full?

it looks to be about the same size (give or take a few inches) as the present chevy malibu..

Too bad the turbo 4 only has 220hp.. Should have had closer to 240 hp at least..IMO

If I were gm I'd skip the v6 altogether and just run the turbo 4 with 280 hp as a range topper..

Audi dumped the v6 in its a4 altogether.. recently..

Could have better differentiated the Regal from the Lacrosse.. IMO

I'm sure the 3.6 Di is a better performer than the turbo 4 but might have been a real handler with its lighter front end weight?


Thanks for the information even if the 220 number is disappointing for the turbo 4 engine in the Regal..

Anybody know why its been dumbed down from 260hp in the GXP and redline sky as well as the cobalt ss and HHR SS.?

[GeorgesBlazah]

Please let it get the same wheels that are on the models in Europe, I friggin love those wheels.

[AMcA]

Does anyone have any information on what a Regal will weigh? It's an Epsilon - like a Malibu or a LaCrosse, but shorter. I'd say it's got to be an absolute minimum of 3500 lbs.

180 hp isn't much for a car that big. Not in the US market.

[GMusa]

hell yes! ... 280hp AWD!! its gonna be sweet! Now thats a Buick i would buy! How many 20 year olds do you hear say that?

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by jckjds

Overall, this is a good looking car. My only gripes are these:

1. WTF is with the mile-long front overhang?! I know that FWD cars tend to need a little extra overhang, but DAMN!

You know, I was thinking the same thing. It's not a show-stopper, but it detracts just a tad from its design and makes it a bit more '90s'. The front overhang is a bit long.

[AMcA]

Originally Posted by JBsZ06

it looks to be about the same size (give or take a few inches) as the present chevy malibu..

Too bad the turbo 4 only has 220hp.. Should have had closer to 240 hp at least..IMO

If I were gm I'd skip the v6 altogether and just run the turbo 4 with 280 hp as a range topper..

Audi dumped the v6 in its a4 altogether.. recently..

Could have better differentiated the Regal from the Lacrosse.. IMO

I'm sure the 3.6 Di is a better performer than the turbo 4 but might have been a real handler with its lighter front end weight?

Thanks for the information even if the 220 number is disappointing for the turbo 4 engine in the Regal..

Anybody know why its been dumbed down from 260hp in the GXP and redline sky as well as the cobalt ss and HHR SS.?

Those little turbo 4s all cranked up to make those extraordinary hp ratings are real screamers, putting out their power at 5,000 or 6,000 rpm, engine speeds no Buick driver is going to explore. They're just too peaky and hot-hatchy for use in a Buick sedan.

I suspect the 220 hp turbo tuning will be focused on getting torque at low rpms, much like the Ford Eco-Boost engines. It's the modern 4 that feels like a 6 kind of engine, I bet.

[ARCANGEL]

I agree I don't see the need for a 6 give the 2.0T two boost levels a mid range 220 hp and a
280 hp top of the line. Both with manual options. The only reason I could think of is better
mpg and a more linear acceleration pattern

[theantigeist]

I'm more upset about the tiny trunk opening, although that seems almost ubiquitous on new sedans. It's really driving me nuts. I'd get a wagon or a hatchback, if they offered them on most cars in America. But I carry a lot of stuff, and want a vehicle car-height. What are my choices, for under $30,000?


But besides that, I really like the Regal. I might still consider it, especially with a manual!

[rueben44]

Yes! This is my car if it is coming out in the summer.
YES!!!!!!! My next will be DI!!!!!!

[JBsZ06]

Originally Posted by AMcA

Those little turbo 4s all cranked up to make those extraordinary hp ratings are real screamers, putting out their power at 5,000 or 6,000 rpm, engine speeds no Buick driver is going to explore. They're just too peaky and hot-hatchy for use in a Buick sedan.

I suspect the 220 hp turbo tuning will be focused on getting torque at low rpms, much like the Ford Eco-Boost engines. It's the modern 4 that feels like a 6 kind of engine, I bet.

I drove the Gxp and didn't realize it was a screamer peaky motor....but then again it was in the 3000 lb Solstice convertible with a manual transmission..

I'm somewhat surprised that the power level dropped so considerably and if I remember correctly the cobalt ss sedan also offered an automatic transmission version...(4 speed) 5 speed auto in the solstice gxp/redline was optional as well)

I'm hoping the press release stating around 220 hp is a misnomer built to throw off the competition such as audi or ford? (with each of their respective turbo 4 motors)

I can see some drop due to the regular grade fuel as a possible culprit...but 40 ponies is quite a bit less...

260hp sure would have set GM's mid sizer quite a bit apart from the competition ...at what I am sure would have been a lower price..IE> below 30 grand for the Regal even with the turbo 4.