Finally: Buick Regal GS Confirmed for Production

Not if it only comes in an automatic. Where does it say thay cancelled the manual?

"Expect a 2012 Buick Regal GS sometime next year with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. Still interested?"

Nope. Offer a manual, AWD, and an engine pumping out at least 275 bhp and you would almost certainly have a car worth of the GS moniker.

I read an article recently (Car and Driver I think) that said Audi reduced the weight of it's AWD by approx seven pounds. AWD generall only adds about 150 pounds so the weight gain is not THAT heavy. I think it would wise to offer that option.

I like the profile on this car, but I also see a vampire in making...

Any risky venture, like the Buick Regal GS, needs at least one compelling reason to purchase it. The article indicates there will be no compelling reason. FWD, a Cobalt turbo, and a slushbox? Exactly what is GM thinking?

And as far as AWD adding too much weight, a Subaru Legacy GT Turbo has AWD and is probably hundreds of pounds lighter than the Regal will be. GM is a bit short on engineering knowhow in this case.

Not only does the Legacy GT have a six speed manual, but that is the only transmission available on the car. Subaru knows its target audience for this car and they are aiming it dead on--Edmunds gripes about the GT not having an automatic, notwithstanding.

Sure, Subaru is taking a big chance, but they are a small company and STILL taking that chance.

GM is a large company and wimping out.

Hmm the Legacy GT doesn't have an automatic? That's funny, because I own a 2009 Legacy GT with auto. Perhaps I bought the only one?

Back to the Regal... This car is slotted against the TSX and A4 2.0 T, and considering the base price, it should do very well. Auto or manual, suites me just fine.

5-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual See Specs Optional

The last line is just inside line's speculation.

Jalopnik and Autoblog both reported that the car will still have all wheel drive and a manual trans. GM may still change their tune, but I think Buick sees the excitement this car would bring.

A Buick that is pretty, almost sexy, is the world coming to an end?

FWD slushbox? No thanks.

Turbo-four. Okay. Slushbox. Guess that's okay. FWD. Not okay!

lions208487, the previous-generation LGT can be had with the 5AT. The current Legacy (MY2010) can be equipped with a 6-speed manual (2.5i, 2.5GT), CVT (2.5i) or 5AT (3.6R).

2009 Legacy GT came with an optional slushbox. 2010 (new design) does not.

GM needs to put an AWD system in this car. 4-cylinder, yes, that would work. GM has had a 2.0 liter turbo rated at 260hp in the stable for a few years, and Audi does just fine with the 4 cylinder in the A4. Automatic...that's pretty much reality at this point, although a choice of transmissions would be nice. I can live with an automatic, though.

FWD? That would be a deal-killer for me. Extra power just isn't much fun if it's trying to rip the steering wheel out of your hand.

The stupid thing also can't come out weighing 4000+ lbs. Not when a Legacy GT weighs less than 3500.

"Turbo-four. Okay. Slushbox. Guess that's okay. FWD. Not okay!"

GM has not said no manual will be offered. The CXL turbo will get a manual later this year so you can expect the GS to have one as well. Not sure where IL is getting their information. Not that it matters because we all know less than 5% will buy the stupid manual.

Why are people reacting to speculation about the transmission options? Most of those who are concerned wouldn't buy the car anyway.

I was at EPCOT in Orlando this past weekend. I rode the GM test track and noticed that in the external loop of the track there were about 50 Regals parked. When I got off the ride and walked through the showroom portion, they had a Regal on one of the spinning stands. I chatted with the Rep that was there and he was quite surprised that I knew what it was. He told me that Buick was having a Dealer Demo that weekend for Florida Dealers. He told me that the GS would have the turbo 4 with around 220 HP. I was disappointed to hear that number as I was hoping they would put the 2.8L turbo with the Haldex AWD. Oh Well.

They had the following cars on display:
Caddy Wagon and SRX.
Base Buick LaCrosse and loaded Enclave.
Chevy - Red Camaro SS RS auto, Chevy Malibu 2LT, Suburban Hybrid, Traverse.
GMC Pickup.
There were a few others that I've forgotten about.

I am okay with turbo, FWD and the auto(99% will be autos anyway) but I don't understand not offering AWD, unless they cut a deal with the Saab sale. The 2011 9-5 will have the exact same powertrain.

ed124 is correct, per the Subaru website the current GT2.5 is 6 speed manual only. But I would also bet that Subaru sells very few of these cars and Buick wants the Regal to sell well.

I would like to see them offer the manual even though I wouldn't buy one. But if they didn't it is unlikely to have a material impact in the sale figures.

"Why are people reacting to speculation about the transmission options? Most of those who are concerned wouldn't buy the car anyway. "

dang... something must be wrong with me today, because I am actually agreeing with this poster, ON THIS PARTICULAR comment.

This car is an interesting proposition, but I wish it wasn't badged as a Buick! I hate the Buick stereotype far too much to ever drive one. Petty, I know, but I have a personal vendetta haha.

Seriously though, I'm looking forward to hearing more. I for one would consider the manual with FWD.

Yes I'm interested. I'm looking forward to seeing it tested. How will it compare to the new SHO?

"He told me that the GS would have the turbo 4 with around 220 HP."

Well, then he's mistaken because that's what the regular turbo 4 coming out later this year will do. The GS will be something entirely different.

Since Buick is already being marketed as a direct competitor to Lexus the addition of AWD and a potent 4cly could make this a direct competitor to to the Lexus IS and Audi A4; a bold move by GM but those are the kinds of "risks" the company needs to take these days. That would make for an interesting comparison test.

I was also able to find the article about the weight of AWD:
http://www.insideline.com/cadillac/cts/2008/2008-cadillac-cts-awd-snowbound-in-the-sierras.html

If AWD can be offered on the STS and CTS I see no reason it can't be offered here.

If GM decides to produce this thing without a manual transmission then it would prove to be another example of GM destroying a perfect european sports sedan.... If in doubt....check out 2003-2006 Saab 9-3 and compare it to 1998-2002 Saab 9000.

FYI.. there's already a 'turbo'.. and they're not calling it a GS. This article is a rumor, not fact. The whole enticement behind the GS is the Haldex AWD with good power and a 6-speed. GM would be stupid to drop any of those characteristics. GM's been doing better, all we can do is hope they don't screw this one up. Give it Haldex, give it a 6-speed, make it look like this picture, and i'll have a hard time not buying one..

Inside Line is only speculating that it will be FWD and auto only. Most others are at least allowing for the possibility of AWD and a manual.

"Not that it matters because we all know less than 5% will buy the stupid manual. "

Because the other 95% are douchebags.

Looks good. GM needs a four sedan to compete with the 335/328 & the Infiniti G's. They killed off the only car they had that could do that, the G8.

My buddy in high school had a 71 GS 455....talk about a monster! That was a GS.

No AWD option, no dice. Stupid move by GM to not offer the AWD option.

Sure - it's a GREAT concept. For my mother in law.

Good work on getting close - but not crossing over - to those buyers under 55yo, Buick. I thought that was the point with all that "It's not your Father's Buick" nonsense.

RWD and 250HP/TQ might have done it.

Nice wheels though.

"RWD and 250HP/TQ might have done it."

Well, the General Manager of Buick thought a Grand National based on the G8 wasn't a good idea...
Far better to further water-down the once respected GS nameplate...

no manual + no AWD = no way

too bad, the styling is there

"Expect a 2012 Buick Regal GS sometime next year with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. Still interested?"

Nope. Add the MT, my curiosity would be tweaked. Add AWD on top of that, I would definitely test drive.

For those citing the Regal GS’s heritage, it has been offered with both RWD and FWD. For those griping about no MT, I do not think that Buick was ever offered with it.

I'd still have reservations about the Buick nameplate in and of itself....
AND
What will the driving dynamics really be like? You can slap a manual transmission, high-power turbo motor and stiff suspension/big wheels on any American car, but we all know they've had a history of driving like turbocharged washboards on caster wheels.

By the way...
I swear to G-d, if they veer away from it having all-wheel-drive or a manual, I'm gonna fly to Michigan, hunt down Bob Lutz (who is retired, nonetheless) slap the glass of moonshine out of his hand and put his 'out-of-touch' rear end through a wall. (He has to still be calling the shots somewhere!).

@ db0716:
While not exactly offering exciting cars, Buick has been GM's most reliable nameplate. If that can be retained along with the more dynamic Opel DNA plus offering AWD with a manual, this could be an interesting vehicle.

Maybe that's wishful thinking...

joemt, I agree wholeheartedly. While having my initial reservations, I am still excited to see the numbers if it indeed is produced the way we're all hoping.
It can be done, and they have the tools to do it. Let's see it happen!

buick don´t have to do any effort disigning this car, the only change the grill an the manufacturer symbol and the name from the vauxhall insignia

Slushbox is a big NO. In my dictionary, the words "auto transmission" and "sports" doesn't go together. I always wonder why people buy the BMW 3-Series with Auto....what's the point in buying the BMW then.

There is no question that most will not be sold with a manual trans or even AWD. That's not the point. The purpose of the special versions is to give the car credibility.

Back in the 80's Buick sold very few Grand Nationals and even fewer GNX models. However the incredible press and devoted following of them sold vast numbers of regular Buicks and there is even a very slight halo effect from them remaining today.

They made the name cool and erased the barges of the 70's from many people minds.

Some special versions now could go a long way to making people forget the legions of grampas driving in the fast lane at 45 mph with the left turn signal on in ther Buick Century.

But it's going to take more then a turbo saddled with an autobox and crippled by FWD.