2011 Buick Regal CXL - North America |
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| Manufacturer | General Motors |
|---|---|
| Model years | North America 1973–2004, 2011–present China 1999–present |
| Class | Mid-size |
The Buick Regal is a mid-size car introduced by General Motors for the 1973 model year. North American production ended in 2004 and began again in 2011. For the 2011 model year, Buick re-introduced the Regal to the North American market, positioned as an upscale sport sedan.[1] Production and sales in China have continued since 1999.[2]
For certain model years between 1973 and 2004, the Regal shared bodies and powertrains with the similar Buick Century.
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| Also called | Buick Century Regal |
|---|---|
| Model years | 1973–1977 |
| Assembly | Flint, Michigan, United States Framingham, Massachusetts, United States Fremont, California, United States |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | A-body |
| Engine | 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 455 cu in (7.5 L) V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic |
| Wheelbase | 112"(Hardtops); 116"(sedans)[3] |
| Length | 212" |
| Related | Buick Century Chevrolet El Camino Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Monte Carlo Oldsmobile Cutlass Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Pontiac Grand Am Pontiac Grand Prix |
Buick had been the first GM division to bring a personal luxury car to market with its full-size 1963 Riviera but was otherwise slow to react to the developing lower-priced mid-size personal luxury market, which Pontiac created with the 1969 Grand Prix and Chevrolet with the Monte Carlo the following year, 1970. At the same time Oldsmobile added a formal notchback coupe to its intermediate line, the Cutlass Supreme, in 1970 and that model soon became Olds' best selling intermediate. Wanting a model that could be marketed to compete against the Olds Cutlass Supreme as well as the Grand Prix and Monte Carlo, Buick introduced the Regal for 1973, as a top line special coupe in that division's intermediate A-body line, the Century. The year 1973 also marked the introduction of the first major restyling of GM's intermediate A-body design since 1968.
A highly-trimmed, notchback coupe, the first Regal shared its front and rear styling with its Century parent with distinctions amounting to differing grilles and taillight lenses. The Regal shared the same "Colonnade" pillared hardtop roofline (a hardtop with center pillar but frameless doors unlike a sedan body) and greenhouse (window area) with the Grand Prix, Monte Carlo and Cutlass Supreme as well as the lower-priced Buick Century Luxus coupe. Like its corporate cousins, the Regal (and Luxus) featured the newly fashionable opera windows, which were small fixed rear-side windows surrounded by sheetmetal, instead of the traditional roll-down windows. Only the Colonnade hardtop coupe was offered in the Regal line in 1973, but a new four-door Colonnade sedan (with six-window-greenhouse and frameless door windows) debuted in 1974 and continued through the 1977 model year.
Regal interiors were generally more luxurious than lesser Century models with woodgrain trim on dashboard and door panels, along with door-pull straps and notchback bench seats with center armrests with either cloth, velour or vinyl upholstery. Optionally available throughout the run was a 60/40 split bench seat with armrest. For 1976 and 1977, the Regal coupe was available with the S/R option that included reclining bucket seats with corduroy upholstery. The model lasted five years with minimal changes, although there was a fairly substantial facelift in 1976 (for the coupe only - sedans stayed with original 1973 sheetmetal through 1977), which incorporated the recently legalized square headlights (horizontally-mounted on coupes, and vertically on sedans - much like the mid-1960s Pontiacs).
The Regal was most commonly powered by Buick's 350 in³ V8, which was standard equipment on all models in 1973 and 1974 and optional on coupes but remained standard on sedans from 1975 to 1977, and the larger 455 in³ V8 was optional in 1973 and 1974 only. Starting in 1975, Regal coupes came standard with Buick's resurrected 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6 engine previously offered on the Skylark from 1964 to 1967; the engine's tooling had been sold to Kaiser Motors for use in Jeep models (Kaiser was purchased by American Motors in 1970 and Jeep became an AMC division) and sold back to GM by AMC in 1974. In 1975 and 1976, the Century and Regal were the only mid-sized cars in America to offer V6 engines. The bolt pattern for this vehicle is 5x120.7.
The Century designation was quietly dropped from the Regal in 1975.
| Model years | 1978–1987 |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Flint, Michigan, United States Arlington, Texas, United States Framingham, Massachusetts, United States Fremont, California, United States Pontiac, Michigan, United States |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | A-body (1978–1981) G-body (1981–1987) |
| Engine | 196 cu in (3.2 L) Buick V6 231 cu in (3.8 L) Buick V6 252 cu in (4.1 L) Buick V6 265 cu in (4.3 L) Pontiac V8 301 cu in (4.9 L) Pontiac V8 305 cu in (5.0 L) Chevrolet V8 307 cu in (5.0 L) Oldsmobile V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual 3-speed THM200 automatic 4-speed THM200-4R automatic |
| Wheelbase | 108 in (2,743.2 mm) |
| Related | Buick Century Chevrolet El Camino Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Monte Carlo Oldsmobile Cutlass Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Pontiac Bonneville Pontiac Grand Am Pontiac Grand Prix Pontiac LeMans |
A downsized Regal appeared for 1978 with Buick's new 196 cu in (3.2 L) V6 engine as standard equipment and a new version of the venerable 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6 as an option (which became standard in 1980). Initially a 3-speed manual transmission was standard but this was later replaced by an automatic. This model lasted 10 years. The base model was equipped with softer riding luxury suspension, and did not offer of a manual transmission in later years.
The 1978 Regal could be equipped with a 3.8 L Turbocharged V-6 engine with automatic transmission. Non-turbo versions were offered with either a 2-bbl or a 4-bbl carburetor. The Buick LeSabre was also available with the turbocharged engine. The only other turbocharged cars available in the U.S. market in 1978 were imports from Saab and the Porsche 930. The Turbo Regal also included a firm handling suspension with larger tires and sport wheels.
A major facelift in 1981 gave the Regal a much more aerodynamic profile, helping make it possible for the car to compete on the NASCAR racing circuit. The sloping hood and nose of the car made it the favorite of several NASCAR teams. Richard Petty drove one to victory in the 1981 Daytona 500, and the car won a majority of the 1981 and 1982 seasons races and won the NASCAR manufacturers title in 1981 and 1982. V8s for street use were still available, but had shrunk to 265 cu in (4.3 L) (1980 and 1981 only, Pontiac built), and the V6 was rapidly gaining popularity. In 1982, a new Century appeared on the front-wheel drive A-body, but the former rear-wheel drive Century sedan and wagon were not discontinued. These models were simply rebadged as Regals, and for the first time the name appeared on a full model lineup. The wagon was discontinued after 1983, and the sedan dropped from the lineup the next year. From 1986 to 1987, the 5.0 L 307 V8 was available as an option. The 3.8 2-bbl V6 was standard. The 200-4R overdrive transmission was an option with either engine.
In 1982, the Regal Grand National debuted, which was named for the NASCAR Grand National racing series. Buick had won the Manufacturers Cup in 1981 and 1982, and wanted to capitalize on its success: "What wins on Sunday, sells on Monday". These 1982 cars were not painted black, which may confuse those not familiar with them. All started out as charcoal gray Regals that were shipped off to a subcontractor for finishing.
Originally intended for a run of 100 units, Cars and Concepts of Brighton, Michigan, retrofitted 215 Regals with the GN package. Most obvious was the light silver gray firemist paint added to each side. Red pinstripes and billboard shadow lettering proclaiming "BUICK" were applied. The wheel opening moldings and rocker panel moldings were blacked out using black vinyl tape. Finally, a front air dam and rear spoiler were installed. On the inside, special "Lear-Siegler" seats were installed. These seats are fully adjustable and were covered with silver brandon cloth with black vinyl inserts. The front seat had Buick's "6" emblem embroidered onto them. To finish it off, a special clock delete plate was added to the instrument panel which contained the yellow and orange "6" logo and the words "GRAND NATIONAL BUICK MOTOR DIVISION."
The '82 GN came with a naturally aspirated 4.1 L V6 engine with 125 hp (93 kW) at 4000 rpm and 205 lb·ft (278 N·m) of torque at 2000 rpm. Of the 215 Regal Grand Nationals produced in 1982, a handful were based on the Buick Regal Sport Coupe package with the turbocharged 3.8 V6 engine with 175 hp (130 kW) at 4000 rpm and 275 lb·ft (373 N·m) of torque at 2600 rpm. There were only 2022 Sport Coupes produced in 1982, and the number of cars with both the GN and Sport Coupe packages is estimated to be less than 50.
For 1983, there was no Grand National. The Sport Coupe model was renamed the T-Type; 3732 were produced (190 hp (140 kW) at 1600 rpm and 280 lb·ft (380 N·m) of torque at 2400 rpm). The T-Type had been used on other Buicks, starting with the Riviera in 1981 (in 1979 and 1980, it was the S Type). The 1983 Regal T-Type featured tube headers, Hydro-Boost II brakes, 200-4R 4-speed overdrive trans and 3.42 rear axle (7.5").[4]
In 1984 the Grand National returned in all black paint. The turbocharged 3.8 L became standard and was refined with sequential fuel injection, distributor-less computer controlled ignition, and boasted 200 hp (150 kW) at 4400 rpm and 300 lb·ft (407 N·m) of torque at 2400 rpm. Only 5,204 Turbo Regals were produced that year, only 2000 of which were Grand Nationals. Because this was the first year production of the computer controlled Sequential Fuel Injection and Distributor-less ignition, this is often considered the year/model that started the development of the legendary intercooled Grand Nationals. The performance of this package was well ahead of its time and the “Little V6” easily matched that of the bigger V8’s. Quarter mile (~400 m) performance was listed at 15.9 seconds at stock boost levels of 10 psi (0.69 bar), while for the same year, the Chevrolet Camaro was listed at 17.0 and the Chevrolet Corvette at 15.1 seconds. Soon, performance enthusiasts determined the modifications that worked and the Grand Nationals easily broke into the 13 second territory. All Grand Nationals for this year had the Lear Siegler-made cloth/leather interior which was only available for this year. An estimated 425 of the 1984 Grand Nationals were produced with the T-Top option which makes these one of the rarest of the Grand Nationals.
In 1986, a modified engine design with intercooling boosted the performance even further; in 1987 it reached 245 hp (183 kW) and 355 lb·ft (481 N·m) of torque. Buick dropped the T-Type package for Regal in 1987. There were only 7,896 Turbo Regals produced in 1986. In 1987, when Turbo Regals reached their peak in popularity, a total of 27,590 Turbo Regals were produced through December, with those models produced between September and December of that year window stickered as "1987½ Buick Grand National" vehicles.
In 1987, a lightweight WE4 (Turbo T) option was offered. Only 1,547 of this variant were produced. They were painted black and treated to the same blackout package as the Grand National, including bumpers, grille, headlight and taillight trim. The differences between a WE4 and the Grand National were the interior trim package, wheels, exterior badging, aluminum bumper supports, and aluminum rear brake drums as opposed to the Grand National's cast iron. The rear spoiler was only available as a dealer installed option. 1987 was the only year that the LC2 Turbo option was available on any Regal, making it possible to even see a Limited with a vinyl landau roof and a power bulge turbo hood. Turbo Regal Limiteds were one of the rarest models of Turbo Regals produced second only to the GNX at 1,035 Turbo Limiteds. Turbo Regal Limiteds could be ordered with many options with most having chrome external trim but for $35 could have been built with the full black-out trim option making them extremely rare. Limiteds were treated to a very luxurious interior with plush carpeting and optional bench pillow seats and a column shift. The 1987 model would be the end of the manufacture of the RWD "G-Body" Regal, but GM had to extend the build of the Grand National to meet customer demand.
For the final year, 1987, Buick introduced the GNX at $29,900. Produced by McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC, Buick underrated the GNX at 276 hp (206 kW) and a very substantial 360 lb·ft (488 N·m) of torque.[5] This was created to be the "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals." Changes made included a special Garrett T-3 turbocharger with a ceramic-impeller blowing through a more efficient and significantly larger capacity intercooler with a "CERMATEL (Ceramic/Aluminum) coated" pipe connecting the intercooler to the engine. A GNX specific EEPROM, low-restriction exhaust with dual mufflers, reprogrammed Turbo Hydramatic 200-4R transmission with a custom torque converter and transmission cooler, and unique differential cover/panhard bar included more of the performance modifications. Exterior styling changes include vents located on each front fender, 16 inch black mesh style wheels with VR-speed rated tires, and deletion of the hood and fender emblems. The interior changes of the GNX included a serial number on the dash plaque and a revised instrument cluster providing analog Stewart-Warner gauges, including an analog turbo boost gauge. Performance was measured with a quarter mile time of 13.5 seconds at 102 mph (164 km/h) and a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.7 seconds. [6] GNX #001 is the 1986 prototype currently owned by Buick and sometimes makes appearances at car shows around the US. The GNX had a ladder bar that ran from the mid-section of the car to the rear axle, so as to increase traction. This is also the reason why a GNX will actually lift the rear end up when the car is about to launch heavily.
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The stealthy appearance of the all-black GNX and Grand National, coupled with the fact that the Grand National was initially released during the height of Star Wars fever, earned it the title "Darth Vader's Car". Car and Driver covered the GNX model's introduction with the headline "Lord Vader, your car is ready," a phrase more recently attributed to the Maybach Exelero. The line was also used with the 1994 Chevrolet Impala SS years after the GNX was discontinued.
| Model years | 1988–1996 |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Oshawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | W-body |
| Engine | 2.8 L X V6 3.1 L X V6 3.8 L Buick V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 1988–92: 4T60 1993–96: 4T60-E |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in (2,731 mm) |
| Length | 1988–89 2dr: 192.2 in (4,882 mm) 1990–91 2dr: 191.6 in (4,867 mm) 1992–94 2dr: 193.6 in (4,917 mm) 1995–96 2dr: 193.9 in (4,925 mm) 1990–91 4dr: 194.6 in (4,943 mm) 1992–94 Custom & GS 4dr: 194.8 in (4,948 mm) 1992–94 Limited 4dr: 196 in (4,978 mm) 1995 4dr: 193.7 in (4,920 mm) 1996 4dr: 194.1 in (4,930 mm) |
| Width | 72.5 in (1,842 mm) |
| Height | Sedan: 54.5 in (1,384 mm) Coupe: 53 in (1,346 mm) |
| Related | Chevrolet Lumina Chevrolet Monte Carlo Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Pontiac Grand Prix |
A new Regal appeared in 1988 on the GM W platform. This version both departed from and returned to Regal tradition. It was a departure in being the first front-wheel drive model, and in having no serious performance option or edition; there was no V8 engine and the V6 no longer offered a turbocharger. It did return to the original concept, however, in being offered as a coupe only, aimed once again squarely at the personal luxury buyer. The decline in that market, though, was becoming noticeable to all the manufacturers, and in 1990 the Regal again had a four-door sedan version (as did the Cutlass Supreme and Grand Prix the same year). This generation ran with few changes for nine years.
The Regal was offered in base Custom, upscale Limited, and Gran Sport trim lines. The Gran Sport option came standard with Buick's 3.8 L 3800 Series I V6 rated at 170 hp (130 kW) (from 1991 on), aluminum wheels, body side cladding, full instrumentation, and a console mounted shifter attached to a 4-speed automatic. The 3.8 L V6 was unique to the Regal, giving the car some performance to differentiate it from the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Pontiac Grand Prix, with which it shared many of its components. Anti-lock brakes were made standard on all but the base Custom cars in 1992, and the grille was redesigned again for 1993. Along with the new look came an electronically-controlled automatic transmission and LeSabre-like rear lights and bumper.
A driver's side airbag was added for 1994. Other changes that year included the deletion of the Limited coupe, standard ABS on all models, standard power windows, and 20 hp (15 kW) more in the base engine due to a revised intake manifold and cylinder head. Dual airbags were new for 1995 along with a new interior. The larger 3.8 L V6 engine gained 35 hp (26 kW) for 1996, and only the Custom and Gran Sport (GS) coupes remained. Although 1996 was the last year of this model, production continued into 1997 as the replacement model was late.
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
|---|---|
| Also called | 别克君威 Chevrolet Lumina (Philippines) |
| Model years | North America: 1997–2004 China: 2003–2008 |
| Assembly | Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Shanghai, China |
| Successor | Buick LaCrosse |
| Class | Midsize (EPA) |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | W-body 2nd Gen |
| Engine | 3.8 L 3800 Series II V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed 4T60-E automatic 4-speed 4T65-E automatic 4-speed 4T65-E HD automatic |
| Wheelbase | 109.0 in (2,769 mm) |
| Length | 196.2 in (4,983 mm) |
| Width | 72.7 in (1,847 mm) |
| Height | 56.6 in (1,438 mm) |
| Related | Buick Century Chevrolet Impala Chevrolet Monte Carlo Oldsmobile Intrigue Pontiac Grand Prix |
In 1997, the Century and the Regal once again became versions of the same car, only offered as a four-door sedan, and sitting on a revised W platform that was shared with the Oldsmobile Intrigue, the Pontiac Grand Prix, and the Chevrolet Lumina and Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Differences between the Regal and Century were mostly cosmetic. As the upmarket version, the Regal offered larger engines and fancier trim, and once again boasted a newer version of the 3.8 L V6. While the Century was mainly a reliable, economy-minded car based upon the W-body, the Regal was fitted with many amenities, including heated leather seats (optional on the Century), a Monsoon 8-speaker surround sound system, dual climate control, and expansive interior space. Few changes occurred during this version's seven-year run. It offered 5-passenger seating on all trim levels like the Pontiac Grand Prix and Oldsmobile Intrigue (formerly Cutlass Supreme), unlike their predecessors that had optional 6-passenger seating and the Buick Century (formerly built on the A platform) which had standard 6-passenger seating.
This period held the fastest Buick since the days of the Grand National, the Buick Regal GS. This car was now supercharged instead of turbocharged, and produced 240 hp (180 kW) and 280 lb·ft (380 N·m) of torque. When introduced in 1997, Buick advertised the Regal as the "car for the supercharged family". Buick also released two other model types, the LSE and the GSE. The LSE stayed with the 200 hp (150 kW) engine with upgrades and the GSE stayed with the 240 hp (180 kW) supercharged engine with upgrades. Also, in 2000 Buick came out with a concept GSX that had an intercooled 3.8 L, but was supercharged rather than turbocharged. It had 300 hp (220 kW) unlike the original that had 276 hp (206 kW).
The North American Regal was replaced in 2005 by the Buick LaCrosse, also built on the W platform. The final 2004 Buick Regal rolled off the assembly line on June 1, 2004.[2]
The Regal LS from the factory had a 1/4 mile (~400 m) elapsed time (ET) of 15.8 seconds and could do 0-60 mph in under 8 seconds. The supercharged Regal GS had a 1/4 mile ET of 14.7 seconds, and acceleration to 60 mph (100 km/h) took only 6.6 seconds.[7] The Regal GS, equipped with the supercharged 3.8 liter V6 engine (L67) produced 240 hp (180 kW) & 280 ft·lbf (380 N·m) of torque. The Regal GS's PCM has programming that activates torque management to reduce wheel spin at launch. The Regal LS was EPA rated at 19/30 MPG city/freeway while the supercharged Regal GS was EPA rated at 18/27 MPG city/freeway.
Available as a dealer-installed option was the GSX SLP Performance Package for the Buick Regal GS. This package included updated emblems replacing "GS" with "GSX," dual-exhaust, an upgraded cold-air intake, smaller supercharger pulley, performance PCM and wider wheels/tires. Power output was up to 270 hp (200 kW) and 312 ft·lbf (423 N·m) of torque.[8]
General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) established a joint venture in 1997 called Shanghai General Motors Company Limited (Chinese: 上海通用汽车有限公司) and began assembling the Buick Regal (Chinese: 别克君威) in Shanghai, China in 1999.[9][10][11]
The Regal has sold well in the Chinese market as a large, relatively luxurious model, despite its high price, costing more than the North American version. The Chinese market Regal has slightly different frontal sheetmetal compared to the North American version and different engines including a 2.0 L four-cylinder and a 2.5 L V6. GM has exported the Shanghai-produced Regal to the Philippines, branded as the Chevrolet Lumina.
Chinese production of this generation continued through the 2008 model year.
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
|---|---|
| Also called | 别克君威 Chevrolet Vectra Opel Insignia Vauxhall Insignia |
| Production | 2009- |
| Model years | China 2009– North America 2011– |
| Assembly | China: November 2008 - Present (Shanghai General Motors) Germany: 2009-February 2011 (Opel Rüsselsheim Assembly) Canada: Oshawa, Ontario February 2011 - Present (General Motors Canada Oshawa Car Assembly) |
| Class | Midsize (EPA) |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | Epsilon II |
| Engine | 2.4 L LAF Ecotec I4 (gasoline) 2.0 L LHU Ecotec DOHC I4 (t/c gasoline) 2.0 L LHU Ecotec DOHC I4 (high-output t/c gasoline) |
| Transmission | 6-speed GM Hydra-Matic automatic (2.4 L) 6-speed Aisin AF40 automatic (2.0 L turbo) 6-speed manual (2.0 L turbo) |
| Wheelbase | 107.8 in (2,738 mm) |
| Length | 190.2 in (4,831 mm) |
| Width | 73.1 in (1,857 mm) |
| Height | 58.4 in (1,483 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,600 lb (1,600 kg) (2011 CXL) 3,671 lb (1,665 kg) (2011 CXL Turbo) |
| Related | Buick LaCrosse |
| Designer | Malcolm Ward |
The fifth-generation Buick Regal is a four-door, five-passenger, midsize sedan with a front engine, front-wheel drive layout.[12] The Regal is helping General Motors attract new, younger customers to the Buick brand. Since going on sale, more than 41% of Regal buyers are coming from non-General Motors brands, and more than 60% of CXL Turbo buyers are under the age of 55.[13]
The fifth generation Buick Regal is based on the Opel Insignia, which is built upon General Motors' Epsilon II platform and first went into production in Rüsselsheim, Germany, in 2008.[14][15] GM originally planned to sell a modified version of the Opel Insignia in North America as the second generation Saturn Aura, but changed strategy after deciding to discontinue the Saturn brand.[14][16]
The Regal utilizes unibody construction with galvanized steel front fenders, hood, roof and door panels and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) bumper covers.[14]
The North American Regal weighs about 13 pounds more than an equivalent Opel Insignia due to increased structural support in the B-pillar necessary to meet U.S. rollover standards.[17]
The fifth generation Buick Regal (Chinese: 别克君威) first debuted in China in December, 2008.[18][19]
GM revealed the fifth generation Regal to dealers on October 14, 2009, and introduced the Regal to the public in November, 2009 at the LA Auto Show.[20] Sales of the Regal began in February, 2010.[21] In North America, the Regal is positioned below the larger, more expensive LaCrosse and above the Verano compact sedan which will debut late in calendar year 2011.
Production of the Chinese market Regal began in Shanghai, China, in November 2008. The North American market Regal was initially produced in Adam Opel AG's Rüsselsheim, Germany, assembly plant beginning in late 2009. North American production at General Motors of Canada's Oshawa, Ontario, assembly plant was confirmed on November 25, 2009, and production began at Oshawa Car Assembly in February 2011.[22][23]
The 2011 North American Regal is sold in one trim level, called CXL, and is offered with two engine choices and seven option packages. Buick had planned to offer a lower-level trim called CX with cloth seats and a higher level trim called CXS, but those trim levels have never been offered.[24]
The Regal debuted in North America with a single engine, the 2.4L Ecotec direct-injected DOHC I4 rated at 182 hp (136 kW). The 2.4L engine is mated to a GM Hydra-Matic 6T45 six-speed automatic transmission.[17]
A turbocharged 2.0L direct-injected Ecotec DOHC I4 rated at 220 hp (164 kW) . The 2.0L turbo is available with either an Aisin AF40 six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.[17] The 2.0L turbo is the first direct-injected turbocharged production car capable of running on any blend of gasoline or E85 ethanol.[25]
At the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, GM showed a concept GS version of the Regal based on the Opel Insignia OPC. The concept featured a 2.0L, 255 hp (190 kW), 295 lb·ft (400 N·m) high-output DOHC I4 turbocharged Ecotec engine, a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.
The production GS leaves most of the concept specifications intact, but will be front-wheel drive.[26] The GS features Buick's Interactive Drive Control System with GS mode, a choice of an FGP Germany F40-6 six-speed manual or Aisin AF-40 (G2) six-speed automatic transmission, high performance brakes with Brembo front calipers and high performance strut (HiPerStrut) front suspension. 19 inch wheels will be standard and 20 inch forged aluminum wheels will be available. The GS is expected to accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in under seven seconds.[27] The production version will be equipped with GS-only high-output version of the Ecotec 2.0L turbo engine with 270 hp (201 kW) and 295 lb·ft (400 N·m) of torque. The GS will go on sale in fall 2011 as a 2012 model.[26][28]
Assembled by Shanghai GM, the Chinese version of Regal GS goes on sale on 15th Sep 2011. This car has been localized. The output of the 2.0L Turbo SIDI engine is 162 kW, which is about 40 kW less than the production US-model. The Torque is 350 Nm and the top speed is claimed as 232 km/h. Only front-wheel-drive model is offered. There exist also some interior and exterior differences between the American and Chinese models.[29]
Beginning in the 2012 model year, Buick will offer a mild hybrid system in the Regal, called "eAssist". The Regal will be the second GM vehicle to offer eAssist after the 2012 Buick LaCrosse. eAssist is standard in the LaCrosse, but the eAssist powertrain will be optional in the Regal.
The eAssist system adds a lithium-ion battery housed in the trunk, along with regenerative braking, engine stop/start, fuel cut-off, grille louvres that close at speed, underbody panels and low-rolling resistance tires. The eAssist system adds up to 15 hp (11 kW) to the standard 2.4L Ecotec engine during acceleration. Fuel economy for the Regal with eAssist is estimated at 26 mpg-US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg-imp) city, 37 mpg-US (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg-imp) highway.[30]
| Calendar year | US | China |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | N/A | 79,930[31] |
| 2010 | 12,326 [32] | |
| 2011 | 40,144 [33] |
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