Let there be no doubt: The hot-rodded Buick Regal that the company unveiled as a concept vehicle at this year's Detroit Auto Show, the GS, will be going to production.
Take a peek at the photo we grabbed of a what is clearly a Buick-ized version of the Opel Insignia OPC, the European-market model on which the GS is based. The vertical air intakes on the nose are a sure give-away to this blacked-out protoype's high-performance nature. The prototype, which still wears an Opel logo in on the trunk lid, even sports the three-badge Buick logo on the front grille.
The eventual production version will share the Opel's adjustable suspension system, its big wheels and its manual-transmission. It will not, however, use the Opel's turbo V6 (which is also used in the Cadillac SRX turbo). If you believe Buick's Detroit-show vehicle, the GS could come with turbo-charged four-cylinder power. But Buick might yet decide that the direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 that currently does duty in the Chevrolet Camaro and Cadillac CTS is better suited to the car.
xprojected says:
12:35 PM, 02/12/10
Can they cram a 3.6L in there? Maybe a 3.0L, still good for 270hp in the CTS.
throwback says:
12:40 PM, 02/12/10
I am glad they are sticking with the 2.0 four. I have the turbo DI 2.0 in my HHR-SS and with 260hp it runs great. There is also a factory chip available that can up the HP to 290 with 340 lb/ft of torque. The turbo 2.8 V6 sucks gas like a fiend.
1487 says:
12:45 PM, 02/12/10
dont think this is getting the 3.6L because they dont want more overlap with the Lacrosse. Buick execs have said this car will have four cylinders only. The 3L lacks the torque needed in a performance car. I'd rather have a 260hp 2L with nearly 300lb-ft of torque.
danielpund says:
01:17 PM, 02/12/10
xprojected,
The 3.0-liter and the 3.6-liter are almost identically the same physical size, so bolting the 3.6 in is just as easy as the 3.0-liter. And as 1487 notes, the 3.0-liter lacks the torque for a performance application. It could be that a high-output turbo four is the company's choice, but don't count the V6 out just yet.
Daniel
inlinesix says:
02:22 PM, 02/12/10
I'd be interested in the city mpg comparisons between a GM 3.6L and a GM high output 2L turbo, in the Regal.
The HHR SS is rated at 21/29
The CTS with the 3.6L is rated at 16/27
jederino says:
05:12 PM, 02/12/10
The Sound signature if either power plant would be very important. The V6 in the Camaro sounds pretty decent (at least in the Jay Leno video). How does the 2L turbo sound?
majin_ssj_eric says:
07:53 PM, 02/12/10
I love this car. Really love it. But if GM doesn't offer it with a high performance V6 option it will fail. Period.
stovt001 says:
09:20 PM, 02/12/10
Jederino, I'd say the 3.6L DI sounds better for sure. Still, the 2.0L turbo is a solid and versatile engine. The 3.0L DI is just crap and has no real reason for existing.
Ultimately, I'd say the 3.6L DI is probably the better choice, but the 2.0L wouldn't be very far behind, especially if they bump the power from the usual 260 hp and torque, which shouldn't be hard at all.
1487 says:
03:08 PM, 02/13/10
inlinesix
CTS RWD is rated at 18/27 not 16/27.
Regal 2.0 is rated at 18/29 with slightly less weight than the CTS. Mileage likely wouldn't change much with either engine but the 2.0T would be lighter. If you go with the smaller engine you are likely to gain real world performance but sacrifice top speed and high speed acceleration.
inlinesix says:
08:22 PM, 02/14/10
1487,
You're right. I was looking at the MSNAutos 2009 numbers. The 3.6 RWD manual is listed there at 16 city and the auto is 17.
isaacl says:
05:38 AM, 02/16/10
i want someone to remind me...is the the trim that will include the 6-speed stick? my mouth waters at the prospect
isaacl says:
05:39 AM, 02/16/10
never mind...i just reread the article...speed-reading FTL, apologies all around
gojags says:
10:23 AM, 04/ 3/10
I think this car will be completely capable with the di 2.0. HyPo 4 bangers will come in a wave and GM has plenty in its line-up that will take advantage of the 3.6. My only hope is that they will see fit to get that power as high as possible (duh). Developing the engine to produce at the top of the category will be seen as a tech-leader. Overall the Buick looks fantastic and if it handles as well, I'm in.